Author: Appsolutelymilano

Classic sightseeing in Milan

On By AppsolutelymilanoIn Art and culture in Milan

A classic sightseeing tour on your first day here can actually be a really good way to get a feeling of the city and of which things are in the same area. Here we have a list of the best tours Milan has to offer.

A red double-decker sightseeing bus in the centre of Milan

Hop-on/Hop-off tours

With the double-deckers you can buy tickets for either 24 or 48 holurs (repspectively €22 and €25) with departure from Piazza Castello (find on map)

In Milan you can also do your sightseeing from a tram, TraMilano, a charming and different way to vist the tourist attractions. The trip includes a professional guide, food and drinks and pick-up from your hotel.

If you have the MilanoCard you get a 15% discount on tickets.

Vintage Tour

Vintage Tour Milano offers private and semi private tours of Milan on a classic red Fiat 500.

Segway tours

See Milan from a segway – for details go here – in small groups with 8 participants, choose between the day trip of 3 hours. or the night trip of 2.5 hours. Both trips are €75 and there is a 30 minute orientation before the trip begins.

Tours on the canals (April-September)

You can go on a boat trip back and forth on the Milanese navigli and see the city from a different perspective – Milan is no Copenhagen, Venice or Amsterdam though.

Optinonally you can take the boat trip and aperitivo, you can book it here.

Sightseeing on bicycle with a guide

Group of tourists on a bicycle sightseeing tour of Milan in Piazza Gae Aulenti

Bicycle store Rossignoli, located at 71, Corso Garibaldi (find on map) organize tours of the city on bicycle in Italian and English and to book and get information call +3902804960 some days in advance.

There are also other guided tours of Milan in bicycle in English. Here are the 3 most popular ones:

Bike the City
Velocipedi
Baja Bikes

The roof of the Duomo

The view from the roof of Duomo is breathtaking especially on clear days, where you can see the Alps t’s a really good idea to reserve tickets in advance so you can skip the line. Book here.

If you’re in Milan for 72 hours or less, you should consider getting a MilanoCard. Read more here.

A guide to Milan’s best museums

On By AppsolutelymilanoIn Art and culture in Milan

Below is a list of different type of art, click on the one you are intersted in and you will find the museums that exhibit it:

For an overview of what is on at different museums check out our weekly calendar here for information. and the events calendar on the right-hand side of the website/at the bottom of the page on phones and tablets

Milan has several museums worth visiting. But if you can – visit them during the week and leave the queues at the weekend to the others.

If you’re in Milan for 72 hours or less, you should consider getting a MilanoCard. Read more here.

You can visit many of Milan’s museums for free on every first Sunday of every month.

Classic art

La Grande Brera

1 . Pinacoteca di Brera

Pinacoteca di Brera, courtyard

The ultimate art collection in Milan featuring masterpieces  by the classical Italian masters; Caravaggio, Leonardo da Vinci just to mention a couple, the building itself is incredibly beautiful.
–>28, Via Brera  (find on map)

2. Palazzo Citterio

The interior of Palazzo Cittereio

With the opening of Palazzo Citterio in December 2024 Pinacoteca di Brera’s dream of a “La Grande Brera” (Greater Brera) came true, Palazzo Cittrtio is an extension of Pinacoteca di Brera’s exhibition space, exhibits of materpieces of modern and contemporary as well as the collection, can be seen here. The palazzo is from the 1700s.
–> 12, Via Brera (find on map)

There is also a Grande Brera app, download it here.

Palazzo Reale

Palazzo Reale museum, bird's eye perspective

This amazing  building was the seat for the local government  of the city of Milan and is an important  cultural center today and houses important exhibitions and events.
-> 12, Piazza Duomo (find on map)

Santa Maria delle Grazie/Cenacolo Vinciano

Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece “The Last Supper” is located next to the church Santa Maria delle Grazie in the Cenacolo Vinciano and is a definite must-see, to get in you must book tickets well  in advance here. If you cannot get tickets online, don’t despair; you can call this number +390292800360 and press 2 for English. You have to pay by credit card.
–> 2, Piazza Santa Maria delle Grazie (find on map)

Leonardo3 – The world of Leonardo da Vinci

A museum dedicated to the life and works of Leonardo da Vinci with lots of 3D models for all ages..
–> Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II (find on map)

Pinacoteca e Biblioteca Ambrosiana

Entrance to the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana

One of Milan’s most overlooked museums. This museum and library has an astounding collection of Leonardo da Vinci’s cartoons (charcoal drawings) and notebooks. Definitely worth a visit.
–> 2, Piazza Pio XI Between Via Torino and Cordusio. (find on map).

Galleria d’Italia

One of Italy’s largest banks Intesa San Paolo have opened their private collections to the public on Piazza della Scala, right in the center of the city. It is an impressive exhibiton and there is no admission fee.
.–> Piazza della Scala 6 (find on map)

Design and contemporary and modern art

Museum ADI Design display of cars

ADI Design Museum

The museum is housed in an old tram deposit from the 1930s in Milan’s China Town area. It is centered around the prestigious Compasso d’Oro prize awarded for excellence in industrial design.
-> 1, Piazzza Comasso d’Oro (find on map)

Fondazione Prada

Collage of Fondazione Prada Museum, buildings and café Bar Luce

Museum for contemporary art and culture co-headed by famous designer Miuccia Prada. The foundation has operated since 1993 and organizes, amongst other things, film festivals. On May 9th 2015 they inaugurated their new venue in Milan – very impressive architecture. FONDAZIONE PRADA’s Bar Luce is designed by film director Wes Anderson. Bar Luce recreates the atmosphere of a typical Milanese café
–> 2, Largo Isarco (find on map)

 Museo del Novecento

Museo del 900 museum with a view of Duomo di Milano

The museum of the twentieth century, at Piazza Duomo, opened in 2010 after the collection’s original home in Palazzo Reale had been closed in 1988. It’s Milan’s municipal collection of paintings and sculpture from the twentieth century. The collection opens with Giuseppe Pellizza da Volpedo’s fantastic Fourth Estate.
-> Via Guglielmo Marconi (South side of Piazza Duomo) (find on map)

Palazzo Citterio

A room at Palazzo Citterio

With the opening of Palazzo Citterio in December 2024 Pinacoteca di Brera’s dream of a “Grande Brera” (Greater Brera) came true, Palazzo Cittrtio is an extension of Pinacoteca di Brera’s exhibition space, exhibits of materpieces of modern and contemporary as well as the collection, can be seen here. The palazzo is from the 1700s.
–> 12, Via Brera (find on map)

Triennale di Milano

Triennale di Milano

La Triennale di Milano is Milan’s Design museum with a huge permanent collection of design but it is also the main Italian venue for architecture, visual and decorative arts, design, fashion and audio/video. The terrace of Triennale is very cool and has a breathtaking view, good place for brunch and aperitivo,
-> 6, Viale Alemagna (find on map)

Mudec – Museo delle culture

MUDEC, museum of cultures, the hall

The museum for all cultures. Architechtonically speaking a very exciting museum, that is hosted in an old factory
–>56, Via Tortona (find on map)

 GAM – Galleria d’Arte Moderna di Milano

Situated in a gorgeous villa in Via Palestro. This villa is one of Milan’s finest examples of neoclassical architecture and hosts both contemporary photo exhibitions and paintings from the 19th century..
-> Via Palestro (find on map)

PAC – Padiglione d’arte contemporanea

PAC houses a beautiful collection of contemporary art. It was re-opened in 1979 after a thorough restructuring of the building, (the mafia had a bomb explode here in 1993). The exhibitions are changed frequently..
-> 14, Via Palestro (find on map)

Pirelli Hangar Bicocca

Milan’s most experimental contemporary museum. It’s located in an old factory and houses very interesting exhibits and installations. Take the metro out there (purple line, get off at Ponale)
–> 2, Via Chiese (find on map)

Fabbrica del Vapore

The steam factory (literally) is a cultural centre in Milan that organizes art exhibitions, music festivals, theatre, conferences  and more. The building complex is huge and definitely worth a visit.
–> 4, Via Giulio Cesare Proccaccini (find on map).

Palazzo della Permanente

Milan’s permanent exhibition of more than 300 paintings, drawings, sculpture and engravings by Italian artists starting from 1886 all the way up to today. The museum itself was designed by renowned architect Luca Beltrami and was opened in 1886..
–> 34,  Via Turati (find on map).

Photography

Milano Osservatorio – Fondazione Prada

Fondazione Prada’s location in the center of Milan dedicated to photography and visual arts. It is situated at the top of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II with a view of the glass Octagonal at its center.
–> Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II (find on map)

Fashion

Armani/Silos

This museum, which was inaugurated on April 30th 2015, celebrates Giorgio Armani’s 40-year anniversary as a designer. The museum has been created by the Japanese architect Tadao Ando. 4 floors with historical creations. The museum is located in the Tortona design neighbourhood. Always check whether the mueseum is open before going there, they close for fashion week and frequently between exhibits
–> 40, Via Bergognone (find on map)

Palazzo Morando – Costume Moda Immagine

This beautiful historical building located within the Quadrilatero della Moda Milan’s exclusive fashion dsitrict houses collections of decorative and fine arts and exhibits about fahsion. The museum is closed on Mondays.
–> 6, Via Sant’Andrea (find on map)

Religious art

Museo Diocesano

 The Diocesan Museum is housed in the antique cloisters of Sant’Eustorgio and contains over 700 art works spanning from the 4th century up till today including some very fine sculptures by artist Lucio Fontana.
–> 95, Corso di Porta Ticinese (find on map)

Museo del Duomo (Veneranda Fabbrica)

The museum of Milan’s cathedral was originally opened in 1953 but re-opened in 2013 after a long period of renovation. It is a record of the history of the cathedral and covers a period spanning from the 15th to the 20th century.
–> 12, Piazza Duomo (find on map)

Church of San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore

The frescos of church San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore

This incredibly beautiful church from 1503 is famous for its frescos, which have earned it the nickname the Sistine Chapel of Milan. It is open every day from 9.30 am-7.30 pm except on Mondays.
-> 15, Corso Magenta (find on map)

Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio

Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio Milano

Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio is Milan’s oldest church (built in the fourth century AD) – here you can also see the exhibition about Milans patron saint and first bishop Saint Ambrose called “Ambrosius. The Treasure of the church.”
-> 15, Piazza Sant’Ambrogio (find på kort)

Science and natural history, museum for children

Museo nazionale scienza e tecnologia Leonardo da Vinci

Collage of exhibit display from the scientific museum Leonardo da Vinci, Milan

The Leonardo Da Vinci museum is a must for children from age 6 and up. There is enough entertainment to last you several hours on a rainy day. The most diversely talented person ever to have lived is painter, inventor etc. Leonardo da Vinci, and Italy’s national technical museum, located in Milan, is also his official museum. It combines the chance to actually try out some of his inventions with the more traditional exhibitions.
–> 21, Via San Vittore (find on map)

Museo di Storia naturale

Milan's Mueseum for Natural History, main entrance

a perfect place for children aged 6 and up, if they like dinosaurs, fossils and crystals.
-> 55, Corso Venezia (find on map)

MUBA – Museo dei bambini

The children’s musum in Milan. where children can play, paint and  create on their own terms. For children aged 2-11.
–> 12, Via Enrico Besana (find on map).

Italian and Milanese history

Museo Archeologico di Milano

Milan’s archeological museum in the heart of the city next to the incredibly beautiful Church of San Maurizio from 1503.
-> 15, Corso Magenta (find on map)

Museo del Risorgimento

The museum covers the historic events that led to the unification of the different states on the Italian peninsula to the kingsom of Italy between 1815 and 1871.Admission is free of charge.
-> 23, Via Borgonovo (find on map).

Teatro alla Scala Museum

The museum of the Scala Theatre, amust for all lovers of opera, ballet and classiscal music – . Instruments, costumes, busts and special exhibits.
–> 1, Largo Chiringelli. Piazza Scala (find on map)

Castello Sforzesco Museums

The Sforza castle from the 15th century built by .Francesco Sforza is a landmark in Milan and houses a large number of museums (that are closed on Mondays).
–> Piazza Castello (find on map)

Museum homes

If you want to vist more than 1 museum home, consider getting the casa museo card, it gives free access to the first four museum homes on this list and is €25. Get yours here.

Bagatti Valsecchi Museum Home

E trance to Bagatti Valsecchi Museum`Home, courtyard

This home belonged to the two brothers the barons Fausto and Giuseppe Bagatti Valsecchi, who collected 15th and 16th century art to decorate their home so that it reminded themselves and their guests of princely Lombard homes of the 16th century. It was inhabited by their descendants until 1974 when one of Giuseppe’s sons decided to create the Bagatti Valsecchi Foundation and donated the entire patrimony to it, at the same time the home was purchased by the region of Lombardy that opened the museum home to the public in 1994.
–> 5, Via Gesù (find on map)

Villa Necchi Campiglio

Villa Necchi Ca,piglio, the swimming pool

This villa from the 1930s by Milanese architect Piero Portaluppi is a country home with tennis courts and swimmingpool in the heart of Milan, it is managed by FAI, a foundation that protects and maintains places of historical, natural and cultural value all over Italy.
–> 14, Via Mozart (find on map)

Poldi Pezzoli Museum Home

One of Milan’s most interesting private museums founded by art collector Gian Giacomo Poldi Pezzoli (1768-1833) it contains works by some of the greatest Italian painters e, g. Botticelli, Belini and Hauez.
–> 12, Via Alessandro Manzoni (find on map)

Boschi Di Stefano Museum Home

This gem which was the private home of married art collectors was opened to the public in 2003 and contains their private collection by some of the finest painters from the twentieth century. A unique look into a private home.
–> 15, Via G. Jan (find on map)

Fondazione Achille Castiglioni

Achille Castiglioni who died in 2002 was an Italian designer of furniture, lighting, radiograms a.o. his studio has been turned into a museum and is run privately by the Achille Castiglioni foundation. You have to book your ticket online here.
–> 27, Piazza Castello (find on map).

Ferragosto (August 15th) 2026 in Milan

On By AppsolutelymilanoIn Seasonal events

Ferragosto is a very important holiday in Italy, but most big stores and restaurants in the center are open, however you have to book a table at the restaurants.

Audience at early evening perfomance in the courtyard of Castello Sforzesco, Milan

What Ferragosto is

Ferragosto is a religious holiday celebrating the Assumption of Mary. According to Italians it is also the hottest day of the year and is celebrated with lots of good food and wine. Below is a list of things taking place on and around August 15th.

Canal tours on the Navigli

Canal tours un Darsena Navigli Milan

On August 13th, 14th and 15th in the Navigli area of Milan (find on map) you can go on the canal boat trips but you must book your seat by August 12th 5 p.m. (read more here).

Outdoor swimming pools

All the city’s other outdoor swimming pools are open on August 15th, read more about them here.

The Bagni Misteriosi (the outdoor swimmingpool in 18, Via Carlo Botta (find on map) is also open for aperitivo on August 15th 7-10.30 pm.

Museums

You can visit almost all museums and all the city’s civic museums free of charge on August 15th. Find out where they are here.

Note that Triennale offers free admission thorugh the entire month of August.

Restaurants

Book a table at Milan’s restaurants well in advance of August 15th because everybody wants to eat out on that day. Check out our recommendations here.

The best restaurants in Milan

On By AppsolutelymilanoIn Eating and drinking in Milan

Here are the best places by area, click on the area you are interested in:

If you want a gourmet experience, then try out these amazing places at reasonable prices. We have also selected the best vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Milan – look for VEGAN in the list.

Besides the names you can find in the Michelin guide we recommend the following places. The price levels are varied – € 20-30, €€ 30-50, €€€ >50 – but note that it isn’t necessary to spend a fortune to eat well

Our most important tip concerning good restaurants: Always book a table!

Langosteria restaurant behind Corso Vittorio Emanuel, Milan's best seafood restaurant

Brera area

Restaurant El Tombon de San Marc in Brera

Porta Nuova area

Isola area

Duomo area

Arco della Pace and Parco Sempione area

Terraza Triennale, Triennale's restaurant

Via Tortona/Via Savona area

There is an excellent restarant near this area, it requires you to take the metro from the DeAngeli station and get off at Primaticcio and then walk about 5 minutes but it really is one of Milan’s gastronomical gems and has 2 Michelin stars called IL Luogo di Aimo e Nadia at 6, Via Privata Raimondo Cuccoli (find on map) Phone +3902416886. €€€

Porta Genova area

Porta Venezia area

Porta Vittoria area

Porta Romana area

Football in Milan, Inter and Milan

On By AppsolutelymilanoIn Art and culture in Milan

Milan is home to two of the best football teams in the world; AC Milan and Inter Milano. The club AC Milan – originally Milan Football and Cricket Club – is the oldest of the two by 9 years but they were originally the same club that split in two in 1908;

The founding of AC Milan

Milan Football and Cricket Club Milan was founded on December 16th 1899 by a group of English and Italian partners and the club’s first president was Alfred Ormond Edwards, one of the founding partners. In January 1900 the club was affiliated with FIF (the Italian Football Federation) and the following year they became Italian champions.

The founding of FC Inter Milano

In 1908 a group of partners who disagreed with the club’s policy against hiring foreign players left AC Milan and founded the Football Club Internazionale di Milano known as Inter Milano, and their first president was Giovanni Paramithiotti. The club won their first championship in 1910 and are the only Italian football team to have never been demoted to the second division, Serie B.

San Siro stadium

Milan's football stadium San Siro/Giuseppe Meazza

The legendary San Siro Stadium officially Giuseppe Meazza, (find on map) was inaugurated in 1926 by Milan and the stadium and the land belonged to the club but was bought by Milan’s municipality in 1935 and in 1947 it became home to Inter Milano as well. It is known also as La Scala del calcio – Football’s Scala theatre. The San Siro store is open daily between 10 am and 6.30 pm

You can visit the San Siro stadium every day on guided tours between 9.30 am-7 pm, for more information about times and booking here

FC Inter Milano’s old home

Before the construction of the San Siro or Meazza stadium, as it was officially renamed in 1980 after Inter player Giuseppe Meazza, Milan’s home was the Arena Civica located in the Sempione park and between 1930 and 1947 the Arena Civica was Inter’s home, before that they played at the Campo di Ripa Ticinese (find on map) between 1908 and 1912 and then in the period 1913-1930 at Campo Goldoni, which no logner exists but was located between 61, Via Goldoni and Piazza Novelli (find on map).

Inter Milan's old stadium, Arena in Parco Sempione, Milan

The history behind the names (and nicknames)

When Benito Mussolini and his fascist party took power in Italy the policy of the regime was that of italianising foreign names so Milan became Associazione Calcio Milan and Inter became Ambrosiana after the city’s patron saint Saint Ambrose, however, Ambrosiana reversed to their original name of Football Club Internazionale Milano after the end of World War II.

The colours of the clubs have led to their commonly used nicknames I Rossoneri (red-black) and I Nerazzuri (black-blue), traditionally the following of Milan is mainly working class (casciavìt – screwdrivers) and the one of Inter is bourgois (bauscia – braggarts).

Derby della Madonnina

The Milanese derby is in Italian known as il Derby della Madonnina (the derby of the little madonna) after the symbol of Milan, the golden madonna perched on the top of Milan’s cathedral il Duomo di Milano (find on map).

La Madonninia, Milan's golden Madonna perched on top of Milan's cathedral, Duomo di Milano

The Milan and Inter shops

There are of course shops with all kinds of football related merchandise ; t-hirts, shorts, footballs etc. in the relevat club’s colours the AC Milan shop is located in Galleria San Carrlo (find on map) and Inter Milan’s shop is very close by at Galleria Passarella (find on map)

Best thrift and second-hand shops in Milan

On By AppsolutelymilanoIn Shopping in Milan

Summer sales July 4th-September 4th

Vintage evening dresses in thrift store Cavalli e Nastri shop window

Brera

Madame Pauline Vintage, 74, Foro Buonaparte (find on map) it is located very close to Milan’s Castello Sforzesco

Cavalli e Nastri Brera, 2, Via Brera (find on map)

Vintage Delirium, 3, Via Giuseppe Sacchi (find on map)

Urzì Vintage, 6, Via Ciovasso (find on map)

Castadiva, 9, Via Parini (find on map)

Eral 55, 14, Piazza XXV Aprile (find on map)

Chinatown

Da Orient Vintage, 8, Viale Montello (find on map)

Isola

Live in Vintage, 4, Via Thaon di Revel (find on map)

Ambroeus, 15, Via Pastrengo (find on map)

Room37, 3, Piazza Fidia (find on map)

Duomo

Humana Vintage, 3, Via Cappellari (find on map)

The Cloister, 5, Via Valpetrosa (find on map)

L’Arabesque Cult Store , 10, Largo Augusto (find on map)

Napoleone, 5, Via degli Arcimboldi (find on map)

Via Torino/Porta Ticinese/Porta Genova

Colourful vintage outfits in thrift store Cavalli e Nastri shop window

Cavalli e Nastri Mora, 12, Via Mora (find on map)

Cavalli e Nastri Men, 3; via Mora (find on map)

Groupies Vintage, 7, Via Mora (find on map)

Bivio Milano Women, 4, Via Mora (find on map)

Squad, 7, Via Mora (find on map)

Bivio Milano Men, 14, Via Mora (find on map)

Lo Specchio di Alice, 64, Corso di Porta Tcinese (find on map)

Elevated Archives, 48, Corso di Porta Ticiniese (find on map)

Humana Vintage, 43, Via De Amicis (find on map)

Solari

Il Girotondo, 6, Via Antonio Dugnani (find on map) Quite close to Sant’Agostino metro stop.

PWC Milano, 12, Via Pietro Custodi (find on map)

Humana Vintage, 32, Via Vigevano (find on map)

Sous Vintage Shop, 52, Alzaia Naviglio Pavese (find on map)

Pourqoui Moi, 7, Via Mario Fussetti (find on map)

Vintage Pandolfi 15, Via Mario Fusetti (find on map)

Don’t Waste, 117, Ripa di Porta Ticinese (find on map)

Ambroeus, 34, Viale Gorizia (find on map)

Blackship Vintage , 4, Via Pestalozzi (find on map) open 4-8 pm ,

Corso Vercelli

selection of items at Bis Luxury vintage store

Bis Luxury, 27, Coros Vercelli (find on map)

Il Nuovo Guardaroba, 5a, Via Privata Asti (find on map)

Give and Take, 54, Via Mario Pagano (find on map)

Baci e Bottoni, 7, Via San Siro (find on map)

Porta Venezia

Vincent Vintage Bijoux, 11, Via Lazzaro Spallanzani (find on map) – vintage costume jewellery

Bivio Milano, 12, Via Lambro (find on map)

I Love Vintage, 12, Via Gaspare Spontini (find on map)

Porta Vittoria

Mania Vintage, 11, Via Bronzetti (find on map) authentic and guaranteed luxury vintage handbags and scarves

Maurizio Pecoraro Concept Store, 10 Piazza, Risorgimento (find on map)

Lambrate

20134lambrate Vintage, 22, Via Conte Rosso (find on map)

Corso Sempione and Arco della Pace

My Vintage Attire, 44, Via Luigi Cagnola (find on map)

The best outdoor swimming pools in Milan

On By AppsolutelymilanoIn Uncategorized

When it gets too hot to wander the streets of Milan you can spend a day in of the city’s outdoor swimming pools:

Outdoor swimming pool Bagni Misteriosi in the Porta Romana area, Milan

Practical tips

The outdoor swimming pools are open from the beginning of June till the end of August.

Wearing a swim cap (and obviously a swim suit) is obligatory but you can buy one for a relatively modest price at the entrance. If you haven’t brought a swim suit you can buy one at e.g. Calzedonia, Yamamay, H&M which you can find everywhere in the city., check out our shopping guide here.

In the city

Bagni Misteriosi, 18, Via Carlo Botta (find on map), Bagni Misteriosi is now also open for evening swims Friday-Sunday 7-10 pm.
Romano,20, Via Ampére (find on map)
Argelati, 6 Via Segantinin (find on map)
Solari, 20, Via Montevideo – located inside the small Solari Park (find on map)

Shopping guide: the 6 best areas in Milan

On By AppsolutelymilanoIn Shopping in Milan

The ultimate list of shops, lunch restaurants and coffee bars worth visiting.

Summer sales July 4th-September 4th

Area 1. Brera

Differently interesting (Find on map)

In the photo you see Milan’s brand new neighbourhood Porta Nuova, you also find the famous “Bosco Verticale” (vertical forest)  behind Piazza Gae Aulenti. You should visit HighTech, a great store with home and lifestyle objects even if this once big store has become much smaller since they lost a big part of their lease. In the rest of this area you find the quaint, trendy boutiques with the up-and-coming young designers where you can find cool, unique stuff.

Collage of photos from Brera

Shops:

In Via Solferino is the world’s (perhaps) best men’s shoes shop – Iliprandi (find on map). Thursdays there’s a characteristic open air market here with fruit, vegetables and clothes.
Via Solferino is a treasure trove of amazing, original boutiques (find on map) check out the unique clothes store Goods at 2, Via Castelfidardo (find on map) the concept is exclusivity, they sell their own range of silk shirts but also have other brands from France and Spain they also have bags and shoes they have have frequent discount days and the jewellery is also unique.
Also check out the luxury fashion outlet Outlet Matia’s in 4, Piazza Carlo Mirabello (find on map) and very close by is the fashion outlet with designer clothes for children aged 0-16 Matia’s Baby at 2, Via Eugenio Balzan (find on map).
Nearby is the great workshop and shop Arzigogolo, that makes very beautiful and original necklaces, earrings and textile bags at surprisingly affordable prices, it’s in the courtyard at 4, Via Varese (find on map).
On Piazza XXV Aprile you have foodie paradise Eataly, which is housed in the converted Teatro Smeraldo. Here you can get specialties from small Italains foodproducers, it is also a fantastic place to eat or just have coffee with pastries. If you want delicacies to take home with you should also vist the Esselunga supermaket situated beneath Piazza Gae Aulenti
From here you continue down super chic Corso Como – with the shop 10 Corso Como, which also houses the art gallery Galleria Carla Sozzani and leads you into Milan’s brand new area Porta Nuova.
And a couple of steps further down, at 6 Corso Como In the courtyard, as mentioned is the life style and home decor shop HighTech

Lunch:

Here is the very original Tramè, Piazza San Sempliciano 7 (find on map), where they prepare classical Venetian sandwiches, the place is cosy and the choice is great
There is also the truly delicious sandwiches at All’Antico Vinaio, 18, Via Statuto (find on map).
We also recommend Fioraio Bianchi Caffè a florist and café at 7, Via Montebello.
Then there is Via Palermo a road with many interesting eateries (find on map)
You can get delicious to-go sandwiches and ready meals at Rossi e Grassi in 4, Via Ponte Vetero (find on map) and Via Solferino (find on map).
10 Corso Como Cozy courtyard, with good lunch.
Pizzeria di Porta Garibaldi, 6, Corso Como (find on map).
Temakinho  53, Corso Garibaldi (find on map)
Pattini, 5, Via Solferino (find on map)  although is technically “just” a bakery, they have lots of delicious dishes and pasta that you can eat either inside at the tables or outside on the comfortable benches. Of course they also have great pizza and foccaccia.
El Tombon de San Marc, regular Milanese food, 20, Via San Marco (find on map).
Café Gorille, near Piazza Gae Aulenti at 20, Via Gaetano de Castillia (find on map) a really cosy and beautiful café which is rich on atmosphere
Panini Durini, 24, Via Mercato (find on map), delicious sandwiches, cakes and coffee to go.Pandenus, 24, Via Mercato (find on map), great lunch and aperitivo, breakfast every day from 7 am.

Coffee:

Panarello, 52, Via della Moscova, great pastry!! (find on map), at the same address you also find Pattini and and 50 meters from there in the direction of Corso Como there is Radetzky (find on map).

Italian ice cream:

Grom, Piazza Gae Aulenti (find on map) good concept and excellent icecream.
Rivareno, 20, Via Mercato (find on map) – absolutely fabulous ice cream made with only fresh, natural ingredients and sweetened with cane sugar.
Vero Gelateria, 60, Corso Garibaldi (find on map) absolutely delicious Sicilian ice cream.

Area 2. Via Montenapoleone

Via della Spiga - quattrilatero della moda Milano

Luxury and beauty (Find on map)

The famous fashion quadrangle Quadrilatero della moda has its name after the four streets it is enclosed by: Via Montenapoleone, via Manzoni, Via della Spiga and Corso Venezia. This area is a celebration of luxury and beauty and is genuine old Milan and it is definitely worth a visit. Many of the boutiques are entire fashion shows in themselves.

Shops:

Here you’ll find them all; Armani, D&G, Dior, Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Ferragamo, Louis Vuitton, Bulgari, Valentino, Prada, Versace, Cavalli, Missoni, Hermès, Burberry, Kartell, Alessi, Comptoir des Cottoniers, Trussardi , Paul Smith, (the last 5 are in Via Manzoni).
Also check out the luxury fashion outlet Outlet Matia’s in 37, Corso Venezia (find on map).

Lunch:

GB Bar, 2, Via Agnello (find on map)
Another exclusive and very cosy restaurant in this area is Il Salumaio di Via Montenapoleone at 10, Via Santo Spirito (find on map) – this is also a great place to have a coffee break.
Princi Bakery, Corso Venezia 21 (find on map) in principle this is a bakery but they prepare delicious lunch dishes: pasta, risotto and salads. Go early (before 12.30) because the place is normally packed!!
Panini Durini, 26, Via Durini (find on map), small place but they make absolutely delicious sandwiches, soups, salads AND they’ve got incredible coffee (also to go) and cakes.

Coffee:

Do you want the historic coffee experience? try out the charming Pastry shop Cova, 8, Via Montenapoleone with its own courtyard or
Pastry shop Marchesi (find on map) one of Milan’s oldest pastry shops has opened a new shop here in 9, Via Montenapoleone.

Area 3. Via Torino/Porta Ticinese/Porta Genova

The alternative High street (Find on map)

Old Milan, Via San Maurizio behind Via Torino

Shops:

From Piazza Duomo you turn down Via Torino with lots of sports shops and street wear.
Around the corner are via San Maurilio and Via Santa Marta with little boutiques. (find on map), and Via Giacomo Mora (find on map) where there are vintage shops and Cavalli e Nastri  one of Milan’s oldest vintage boutiques. In this street you also find Groupies Vintage.
Corso di Porta Ticinese – streetwear (great for teenagers), alternative design, vintage boutiques, this is a place where the Milanese themselves go browsing.
Via Cesare Correnti an exciting part of the Milanese Design bigs Cinque Vie, with various shops e.g. Joost. (find on map) great design for both him and her. Suede ar 21, Via Cesare Correnti (find on map). This tour ends in Viale Papiniano,where there is a great open air market on Tuesdays 7.30 am-2 pm.and Saturdays 7.30 am-6 pm.

Lunch:

Visit foodie temple Peck, (find on map)  Milan’s no. 1 delicatessen and get an amazing lunch.
All’antico vinaio the most delicous Florentine sandwiches you can imagine at 12, via Lupetta (find on map)
Panino Giusto, 8, Via Francesco Cherubini  – quality sandwiches. (Find on map)
Delicious Southern Italian street food at Slow Sud, 4, Via delle Asole (find on map)
In Via Giacomo Mora (find on map) there are also a couple of cosy places for lunch.
For tasty vegetarian food check out La Vecchia Latteria, 6, Via dell’Unione (find on map).

Coffee:

B Café, 20, Via Santa Maurilio (find on map).
Caffè della Pusterla, 22, Via Edmondo de Amicis  – great atmosphere (find on map).
Pastry shop Marchesi (find on map) one of Milan’s oldest pastry shops located in 11/a, Via Santa Maria alla Porta .

Italian ice cream:

Grom, 4, Largo Carobbio  (find on map) good concept and excellent ice cream.
Vero Gelateria, 51b, Corso di Porta Ticinese (find on map) absolutely delicious Sicilian ice cream.

Area 4. Duomo

The High street in Italian – (Find on map)

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, facade with paintings

Shops:

The regular High Street shops i.e. Brian & Barry – department store with a very chic rooftop bar (open until 7.30 pm) Boggi (great outfits for him), Diesel,  Max & Co, Max Mara, Liu Jo, Sephora, Intimissimi, Calzedonia, Yamamay,  Kiko,La Rinascente – department store, Urban Outfitters, Guess, Swatch, Footlocker, Benetton,  H&M, COS, … & Other Stories and Zara.
#roundTheCorner the outlet  Intrend Diffusione Tessile (if you’re into Max Mara ,Max & Co), very cheap compared with their official shops, it is in Largo Corsia dei Servi) (find on map) and don’t miss out on luxury outlet Matia’s Fashion outlet at 10, Via San Pietro all’Orto (find on map).
The beautiful Galleria Vittorio Emanuele with shops Prada, Borsellini, Gucci, Louis Vuitton

Lunch:

Luini –  note that it is closed in August – (they make Panzerotti – a kind of mini calzone either fried or baked, there’s normally a very long queue, but it’s very well organized and fast and more importantly; it’s worth the wait, you can eat it picnic style on Piazza San Fedele (right behind – (find on map) where you can enjoy coffee afterwards in the very hip Lavazza Store.
Mercato del Duomo (food market, Old Wild West, bistrot and restaurant with an incredible view over Piazza Duomo).
If you want to see and be seen there are lots of outdoor places on Corso Vittorio Emanuele itself, but note Italians don’t go here, they are typical tourist traps.
Also worth mentioning is Fratelli La Bufala, 8, Galleria San Carlo  (find on map). On the same square you have Gino Sorbillo Neapolitan pizza in Milan.
Inside the Museo del Novecento right at Piazza Duomo you find the exclusive Giacomo Arengario with a view on the Duomo and the city.
All’Antico Vinaio the most delicous Florentine sandwiches you can imagine at 12, via Lupetta (find on map)
On the top floor of department store La Rinascente there are several restaurants, a food market and the most amazing view over Piazza del Duomo.
Ai Chiostri Milano, 48, Via San Barnaba (find on map), this beautiful place is housed in a former convent, located just behind Milan’s court house, from the 1400s offers everything from breakfast, lunch, aperitivo and after dinner drinks.

Coffee:

Try out the delicious coffee with whipped cream at San Carlo al Corso, on Piazza San Carlo (find on map) or sip it at the exclusive Gucci Café halfway in Galleria Vittorio Emanuele (find on map) where you also find Prada’s in-store coffeshop/pastry shop Marchesi on the first floor with an amazing view of the Galleria. Hidden behind the scaffolding In Piazza San Babila for the new metro line is a real gem Pascucci at 22, Corso Europa (find on map). They import their own blend of organic South American coffee, you can also get lunch here.
Then there is the Flagship Store Lavazza , the slow coffee center in Piazza San Fedele (find on map).

Area 5. Corso Buenos Aires

Teenage Paradise (Find on map)

Shops:

H&M, Zara, Conbipel, Benetton, Pepe Jeans,  Kiko (affordable makeup), Guess kids, Vergelio sko, Bata shoes,  Levi’s, Antony Morato, Geox , Elena Miro, Freddy, Furla, Intimissimi Lingeri, Liu-Jo, Camicissima (shirts for him & her), Celio (for him), Havaianas, Tezenis Lingeri, bassetti (home innovation), Du Pareil Au Meme (kids’ clothes) OVS (Italian low-cost clothing) have opened their so far biggest store in 21, Corso Buenos Aires
The first shop in the Japanese chain Muji, to have opened in Milan.  
2, Via Lecco (find on map) you’ll find Lisa Corti  who sells colourfull tablecloths, bedspreads, plaids, ceramics and clothes
Viale Tunisia  Carpe diem store. OVS (Italian low-cost clothes) have opened their, to date, biggest store at 21 Corso Buenos Aires 21.

Lunch:

MINT Garden café, 2, Viale Vittorio Veneto (find on map) Delicious lunch and brunch restaurant.
Pizzeria Spontini, 4, Via Gaspare Spontini (find on map)
Paninoteca Ciaraldi, Galleria Corso Buenos Aires (find on map)
Also check out the delicious sandwiches at All’Antico Vinaio on Piazza Luigi di Savoia (find on map) by Stazione Centrale
Panino Giusto, 3, Via Malpighi – quality sandwiches (find on map)
Pavé, 27, Via Felice Casati (find on map) – great lunch and good coffee.

Coffee:

You probably need a break from the crowds on Corso Buenos Aires, so drop into the park Indro Montanelli Public Gardens and have coffee at Bar Bianco (find on map); or visit Panarello, who are famous for their cakes (find on map)

Italian ice cream:

Grom, 13, Corso Buenos Aires (find on map) or 6, Piazza Argentina (find on map) good concept and excellent ice cream.
Pavé Ice cream, 21, Via Cesare Battisti (find on map), fantasc artisinal ice cream.

Area 6. Corso Vercelli

The elegant avenue  (Find on map)

Sunset in Corso Vercelli, Milan

This area is actually a shopping-route. Start at Via Marghera – via Belfiore – Corso Vercelli – Corso Magenta with a detour to Via Vincenzo Monti and a cultural break at “The Last Supper” (you have to book tickets phone number +390292800360) another must-see is art gallery/design store Spazio Rossana Orlandi at 14/16, Via Matteo Bandello (find on map) which is just a little out of the way but so worth visiing.

Shops:

Via Marghera – here you find several shoe shops and varied clothes shops, outlets. OVS clothes shop H&M style.
Around the corner in Via Belfiore (find on map) fantastic hardware store, Lo Sfizio women’s clothes.Here the fantastic artisinal men’s shoews store Belfiore Calzature is located at number 9 (find on map), they sell the most beautiful handmade shoes..
in Corso Vercelli you find department store Coin the store closes definitely on July 31st so there are deals to be made right now, Boggi (stylish outfits for him), Max & Co, Gallo  if you’re into quality and stripes, Furla handbags and wallets, Intimissimi, Sephora makeup, ZARA Home, Zadiq & Voltaire plus Swarovski, Songes, Subdued for teen girls and there is luxury outlet Matia’s Fashon outlet at 40, Corso Vercelli (find on map)

The artisinal shoe store Belfiore Calzature in Via Belfiore

Lunch:

Pizzeria da Gino,9, Corso Vercelli (find on map) Standing lunch with good pizza and ready meals.
Then there is Fratelli La Bufala, 13, Via Cima Rosa (find on map)
Panino Giusto, 8, Via Cherubini (find on map) quality sandwiches.
Rosticceria Galli, 8, Corso Vercelli a deli and restaurant for foodies with delicious ready-to-go meals (find on map)
Fru Eat on Piazzale Baracca (find on map) – healthy lunch based on fruit and vegetables.
Panino Giusto, 15, Via Buonarroti (find on map), delicious sandwiches, cakes and coffee to go.

Coffee:

Biffi pastry shop: Have coffee or an aperitivo original Milan style or sip it in the small coffee shop at 87, Corso Magenta (find on map) , where you drink coffee while enjoying the smell of freshly ground coffee beans, and you can buy some for your espresso machine at home.
Panarello, 10 Via Belfiore 10 (find on map) – great cakes.

Italian ice cream

Grom, 1a, Via Alberto da Giussano (find on map) Good concept and excellent ice cream.
Fru Eat on Piazzale Baracca (find on map) also sells delicious artisinal ice cream.
Chocolate Milano at 9 Via Boccaccio (find on map)., their chocolate ice cream is to die for.


The one-day shopping route in Milan

On By AppsolutelymilanoIn Art and culture in Milan, Shopping in Milan

Summer sales July 4th-September 4th

the one day shopping route
  • Start on Piazza Gae Aulenti; Milan’s newest area, where you should see the internationally acclaimed buildings “Bosco verticale” (the vertical forest))
  • On the piazza you find the famous Muji,
  • Grom ice cream,
  • and Illy café – the world’s best espresso.
  • Located under the square is the supermarket Esselunga if you want to shop for gourmet specialties and wine.
  • From there continue down Corso Como and check out the famous design store and art gallery 10CorsoComo – good place for lunch.
  • at the end of Corso Como is the square (Piazza XXV Aprile) with the foodie temple Eataly incidentally also a good choice for lunch.
  • Continue into the Brera area (Via Solferino, Via San Marco and Corso Garibaldi) which is the old artistic neighbourhood of Milan with lots of quirky and chic stores and galleries.
  • If you’re here on either a Monday or a Thursday it is worth your while to visit the open air market in Via San Marco and Milan’s best high fashion outlet Matia’s is very close by at 4, Piazza Carlo Mirabello (find på kort) and their outlet for kids 0-16 år is located in the same area at 2, Via Eugenio Balzan (find på kort).
  • Visit the Pinacoteca di Brera for a shot of culture.
  • The area is rich on places for lunch and a great aperitivo
  • Continue down to Piazza della Scala with Milan’s famous Scala theater.

If you still have energy and time to spare you are now directly behind Piazza Duomo just walk thorugh the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele which links Piazza della Scala and Piazza Duomo and you have Milan’s cathedral right in front of you.

Now you are probably starving and you are close to several good restaurants e.g. Giacomo Arengario €€ on top of Museo del Novecento (find on map) with an amazing view of Piazza Duomo. and Piz, 34, Via Torino (find on map) genuine Neapolitan pizza €, For more eateries in the area check out our post about Milan’s restaurants here.

Enjoy your perfect day in Milan!