Milan is a city that welcomes you with open arms. Everywhere we went the people we met could not have been kinder, friendlier or more generous. I really enjoyed the few days I spent in Milan but this was the most poignant observation that I took away with me. It’s a much slower city than London, people are not too busy to talk to you. They take the time to have a coffee with you and give you advice on what to do in their city. They will linger at your table to tell you why their pasta tastes out-of-this-world good. And for me, one particular PR bent over backwards to ensure I got to see The Last Supper (thank you very much Sonia). The Italian culture is one of generosity but it’s never been quite so apparent to me as it was in Milan.
I tried to fit a lot in to our trip but (as always) there just wasn’t enough time to see and do everything with just 48 hours. I intend to return in the not too distant future to explore more.
Milan City Guide
Arts & Culture
Museo del Novecento
Spend an hour getting up close to the works of Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque, Paul Klee, Kandinsky and Amedeo Modigliani, among others.
Palazzo dell’Arengario, Via Guglielmo Marconi, 1, 20122 Milano
The Last Supper
It’s essential to see Leonardo da Vinci’s famous mural if you’re in Milan. It was meticulously restored over 20 years, layers of repainting were removed, revealing Leonardo’s original work.
Piazza Santa Maria delle Grazie, 2, 20123 Milano
Duomo di Milano
Milan’s famous cathedral takes your breath away. It’s a huge Gothic building covered in intricate decoration.
Piazza del Duomo, 20122 Milano
Fondazione Prada
An inspiring cultural centre, not just for the art they exhibit here but also its stunning architecture (it was once a distillery).
Largo Isarco, 2, 20139 Milano
Sempione Park
Escape the streets of Milan for a walk in this beautiful city centre park.
Piazza Sempione, 20154 Milano
Shopping
Fidenza Village
An hour outside of Milan is a fantastic shopping outlet with shops including Loewe, Belstaff, Jil Sander, Rado, Paul Smith and Levi’s. There’s also a lovely restaurant called Villano, serving the most delicious fresh pasta and Lambrusco (a sparkling red wine).
Via San Michele Campagna, 43036 Fidenza
10 Corso Como Outlet
You’ll find collections from previous seasons from brands including Helmut Lang, Chloé and Comme des Garçons; as well as vintage pieces.
Via Tazzoli, 3, 20154 Milano
RAW
Find a souvenir that’s a bit more unusual in this shop of curiosities.
Corso Magenta, 10, 20123 Milano
Cafés, Bars & Restaurants
Princi
Stop in at one of their five bakery-cum-cafés in Milan for bread, cakes and coffee.
Piazza XXV Aprile, 5, 20154 Milano
Pasticceria Marchesi
Stop in for a morning coffee and pastry in Milan’s oldest pastry shop.
Via Santa Maria alla Porta, 11/a, 20123 Milano
Bar Luce
A quirky café at the Fondazione Prada that was designed by film director Wes Anderson. Stop in and try a glass of the local Franciacorta sparkling white wine.
Largo Isarco, 2, 20139 Milano
10 Corso Como
A restaurant, gallery, design shop and hotel all-in-one, 10 Corso Como has everything.
Corso Como, 10, 20154 Milano
28 Posti
A modern Italian restaurant, a stone’s throw from the Naviglio Grande. I plan to try their tasting menu next time I’m in Milan.
Via Corsico, 1, 20144 Milano
Terrazza Triennale
A Michelin starred restaurant on top of the Palazzo dell’Arte in the Park Sempione with panoramic views of the city. It was designed by Milanese architects, OBR.
Viale Alemagna Emilio, 6, 20121 Milano
La Pesa Trattoria 1902
If you want a traditional restaurant, serving classic Milanese dishes, this is the place to go.
Via Giovanni Fantoni, 26, 20148 Milano
Vetusta Insignia
Head here for a delicious platter of local meats and burrata.
Alzaia Naviglio Grande 48, 20144 Milano
Stay
Hotel Magna Pars Suites
Light and fresh modern Italian design hotel, close to the Naviglio Grande. (Read my review here.)
Via Vincenzo Forcella, 6, 20144 Milano
Senato Hotel
A beautifully designed hotel, mixing metal and marble in a modern way.
Via Senato, 22, 20121 Milano
Hotel VIU Milan
Mixing smart design in a comforting palette, it’s a luxury hotel that you’ll feel at home in.
Via Aristotile Fioravanti, 6, 20154 Milano