See Milan from a different perspective with bike tour rentals. You can also rent a bike for the entire time you spend here or use one of the many electrical scooters.
Cycling in Milan is a risky business. Milan is a car city, and cyclists are not respected as equals in the traffic.
So remember to signal your intentions in the traffic clearly, so the drivers have time to give you space. Take it easy and don’t insist too much.
Two important tips: Keep an extra eye on the tram rails (believe you us; it is the voice of experience telling you this) and remember that the cobble stones get extra slippery when it rains.
Rent a bike
If you prefer to have your “own” bicycle while you’re here, you can rent your own at the historical bicycle shop Rossignoli,which you have here
71 Corso Garibaldi.(find on map) open Monday 2.30-7 pm Tuesday-Saturday 9 am-12.30 pm/2.30-7 pm
Rossignoli also organizez bicycle sightseeing in Italian and English, to book and get more information call +3902804960 a couple of days ahead.
BikeMi is a bike sharing service a bit like Boris-bikes in London. It’s a great feature in public transport, but beware Italian traffic habits.
BikeMi is part of the public transport system, you must register at ATM (Milan’s municipal transport agency) and to do that you need to have a valid credit card (so they have security for the bike and possible damages) read about the legal and practical issues here. You can get a card for either 1 week or for a single day,.
Short trips are the cheapest BikeMi is meant to be used for short trips and it becomes proportionally more expensive the longer you use them If you change bicycles frequently the trips can end up being totally free of charge. If you forget to deliver the bike within 24 hours, there’s a stiff fee.
Summer operating hours. April 1st-November 2nd the service will run Sunday-Thursday 7 am.-2 a.m. Friday and Saturday the service will operate 24 hrs a day.
Bike sharing
There are many apps for bicycles in Milan, find the links for download here.
Electric scooters
For electric scooter check out the rules and find the links for downloads here.
Milan Design Week includes 3 different events taking place during the same week in April: Salone del Mobile, the furniture fair for professionals of the furniture and design sector, Brera Design Week and Fuorisalone.
It is one of the most exciting weeks to visit Milan.
Fuorisalone is a week packed with exciting exhibitions, installations, and cocktail parties and for this one week the public has access to buildings that are normally closed. Thousands of tourists come to Milan for this, so book your accomodation well in advance.
Fuorisalone emerged spontaneously in the 80s around all the small and big – established and independent – furniture designers and has no governing organ.
In 1991 the first guide to the events and a logo were created, and in 2003 the websitewith all relevant information about the events was made.
When it takes place.
Fuorisalone 2027 is on April 12th-18th.
This year’s events are here.
Fuorisalone Passport
Starting January 2026 you can register for the fuorisalone passport, here you can find events ,sign up for the ones you are interested in and keep track of what is happening when and where you have already been – you still have to queue, but everything is simpler with the passport. Fuorisalone Passport is a web app.
Theme
Fuorisalone has a new, overarching theme every year.
The theme for 2026 is “be the project – leading change through vision and responsibility”.
We do like a great brunch at the weekend. We have selected some of the best Milan has to offer divided by area. Prices are € – €15-20, €€ – 20-40, €€€ – 40-60. One of the peculiarities of brunch places in Milan is a rotation system so you won’t be able to hang out for the entire duration, it is necessary to book if you want to be sure to get a table (we have included their phone numbers).
Radetzky €€ 105, Corso Garibaldi (find on map) +39026572645 8-1.30 am Monday to Thursday, 8-2 am Friday and Saturday and 10-1.30 am Sunday – great location and service.
Cascina Nascosta (The hidden fartmhouse) €€ 14, Viale Emilio Alemagna (find on map) in the middle of Parco Sempione and yet tucked away and unknown to many +393406755196
LùBar €€ (brunch a la carte) 16, Via Palestro (find on map) +390283527769 – book at l’east 2 days in advance for the weekend. It more a lunch place but you can light dishes + cappuccino, coffee and orange juice. 8 am-midnight Tuesdays-Sundays
There are also some great flea markets on the outskirts of the citythat you can get to by either a bus (Corsico) or the metro (San Donato) They are organized by the association Pulci … e non solo and held in:
Corsico – Via Togliatti (find on map) every first and third Sundays of every month 6 am-2 pm.
San Donato – The Snam parking area in Via Emilia (find on map) second and fourth Sundays of every month 6 am-2 pm.
It’s a good idea to be polite but cheeky when haggling. Italians love negotiating!
You’ll find everything you find at a normal flea market: Jewellery, toys, hats, chandeliers, vases, lamps, mirrors, cupboards, furniture, vintage – at all price levels.
“East Market” (find on map) is Milan’s most popular flea market with vintage objects and clothes and a big vinyl record section, it is held approximately once a month and you can find future events on their website.
“Wunder Mrkt“ is an artisanal market with lots of vintage clothes, shoes, jewellery and bags, it takes place approximately once a month, check out their website for upcoming events here. Wunder Mrkt don’t have their own location but are ofted housed at Spirit de Milan (find on map), which is a music venue with its own restaurant at a disused glass factory – the place is, on its own, worth a visit.
Al Mercatino “tra noi e voiopen all days except Tuesdays, Wednesday-Saturday 10.30 am-12.30 pm and 3.30-7.30 pm, Sundays 10.30 am-7.30 pm at 8, Via Marcora (find on map).
“Mercatino di Brera“ (find on map) the third Sunday of every month from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.this market is located in one of the most beautiful areas in Milan and you should expect pricy objects.
“Artigianato e Collezionismo” every second, third and fourth Tuesday + every first Sunday of every month from 8 am to 7 pm in front of Pinacoteca di Brera in Via Brera (find on map).
“Mercatino del antiquariato“ in the Navigli area, one of the city’s most interesting markets. the last Sunday of every month 8 a.m.-6 p.m. (find on map)
“Mostra mercato di antiquariato” in Piazza Diaz (find on map) on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Thursdays + 3rd Sunday of every month from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. – just behind Piazza Duomo.
“Little Market” products of craftmanship and collectors’ items, in Piazza Sant’Eustorgio (find on map) every 1st and 2nd Saturday of every month.
“Mercatino” vintage and collectors’ items every 2nd and 4th Friday and the last Saturday of every month close to Porta Venzia/Corso Buenos Aires in Via Spallanzari (find on map).
“Fiera di Sinigaglia“: in the Navigli area, every Saturday 8 a.m.-6 p.m. in Ripa di Porta Ticinese (find on map) along the wharf. Here you find everything from crafts, new, vintage and second-hand clothes to vinyl records.
“Festivalpark“: Every Sunday at. 7 a.m.-3 p.m., here you find clothes, shoes, watches, toys, kitchenware, bicycles etc. This market is in Via Sacile (find on map) near Milan’s wholesale vegetable market.
Milan is an amazing city for night life and there are lots of clubs and Piazzas where you meet the young, the rich and the beautiful – and perhaps the famous.
There are many clubs in Milan and it is a good idea to check out the different Instagram profiles – where they have one – to book tickets and make sure you get in.
In the area near Corso Como there are three clubs:
Zinc , 36, Via Cesare Balbo (find på kort) a must-see place with great cocktails on a high level inear Bocconi University.
Porta Vittoria
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.
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.
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)
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.
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)
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)
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).
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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 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)
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)
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).
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).
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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 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)
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)
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).
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)
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).
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)
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.
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)
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)
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)
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)
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).
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.
With thedouble-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
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:
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.
50 km north of Milan is Como by the beautiful Lake Como surrounded by mountains.It takes about 1 hour from Cadorna station to Como lake and a return ticket is a little under €10. It’s a cosy and very beautiful small town with antique town walls and a great shopping area in the historical center and actually also the place where our personal love affair with Italy began many years ago.
Como is famous for its silk and we recommend you visit the outlet INSETA shop located Portatorre, 3 Largo Miglio (find on map). They aklso have the outlet INCOMO outlet located at 43 Via Pasquale Paoli (find on map)
If you would like to learn more about the role Como played in the global silk trade and manufacturing, visit Como Silk Museum at 9, Via Castelnuovo (find on map).
When we were there last we had lunch at the super neat Ristorante Sociale, 6, Via Rodari (find on map) – prices are reasonable and and the food is local and solid.
Another fantastic thing to do here is to take the ferry from Como (just by Piazza Cavour) for e.g.Bellagioor out to see the incredibly beautiful villas, located in the area.
You can go from Como with the funicular up to Brunate where on a clear day you get an amazing view of Lake Como and the Alps.
There are several antique markets in Como: On the first Sunday every month 8 a.m.-7 p.m. on Piazza San Fedele (find on map) Christmas market every year from the end of November until January 6th on Piazza Perretta (find on map) On the third Sunday every month. 8 a.m.-7 p.m. (except January and August) in Viale Battisti (find on map)
Bergamo
Bergamo is located about 1 hour away by train from Milan. You can go from the stations of Stazione Centrale and Garibaldi
It is one of the few towns in Italy whose historical center is still located within the original town walls which have maintained their original aspect.
Bergamo is divided into two parts Bergamo Bassa (low Begamo) and Berrgamo Alta (high Begamo), Bergamo Alta is the historical part of the town which you can get to either by the city funicularor by chhosing the 45-minute hike up.
There are monasteries, historical buildings and an ancient botanical garden.
A villlage built by the Crespi family for the workers on their factory. It was very advanced for its time (late 1800s) with free education for the children of the employees, a free indoor swimming pool and the first village in Italy to have modern public lighting. In 1995 the village was entered nto the UNESCO World Heritage List. The directions on how to get there can be found here.
Isole Borromee and Stresa
The Isole Borromee(the Borromean Islands) are located in the Maggiore Lake and can be reached from Stresa by boat, they are lovely at all times of the year but are paricularly stunning during springtime, They are famous for their amazing palaces and gardens. There are three islands: Isola Bella with the Borromean Palace and gardens, Isola Superiore (Fishmerman’s Island) a tiny island with a beautiful fishing village and Isola Madre with a botanical garden and Palace – note that there is an additional admission’s fee (€10-14 per person) to see the sights.
Stresa is quite close to Milan and can be reached from both the Central Station and the Garibaldi station, the trip takes about 90 minutes.
If you feel like pampering yourself go for a day to the San Pellegrino spa (terme) (find on map), you need a car to get up there. Prices and opening hours here. A small piece of advice; go on a weekday.
Lodi
Lodiis another town that is very near Milan, it takes about 35 minutes with the train going to Bologna, and you can catch it from both Stazione Centrale and Cadorna. Lodi is a lovely little town whose interesting archtecture dates all the way back to 1160.
There is an antique market in Lodi on the first Sunday of every month (except January and August) 8 a.m.7 p.m. on Piazza Castello (find on map)
And please don’t miss Vigevano in the province of Pavia. It takes about an hour to get there and we recommend taking the train from Porta Genova railway station (find on map)
Vigevano is an incredibly beautiful art town with an amazing renaissance square Piazza Ducale, considered one of Italy’s finest. There is also a castle, Vigevano’s own Castello Sforzesco which was transformed from a fortress to the residence of a prince in 1492-94 by Ludovio Sforza. Furthermore Vigevano is famous for making shoes and there is a shoe museum inside the Castello Sforzesco with no admission.
There’s an antique market in Vigevano on the third Saturday of every month (except August) in the area between Piazza Martiri della Liberazione, Corso Vittorio Emanuele II and Via S. Croce (find on map).
There are countless possibilities for beatiful hikes in Lombardy especially up in the hills and mountains near the lakes, here is an article with some of the most spectacular shorter ones but if you like long hikes you should definitely check out the Path of Celts and Ligurians – a 222 km long trail from Milan all the way to Sestri Levante in Liguria in 10 legs, there is a website, unfortunately only in Italian, that outlines the different stages with an interactive map here.
Wine and Food
If you love wine and great food there are some areas we recommend you visit and you could spend the night in one of the many agrotourisms. Some great areas are Franciacorta, Asti and Langhe (where, among other towns, Alba is located).
There are many food and wine festivals in both Piedmont and Lombardia. These festivals are great for getting an insight into small communities and their seasonal products (wine, truffles, cheeses, chestnuts, mushrooms, pumpkins etc.)
Star-studded restaurants outside Milan
If you came to Milan by car there are lots of great restaurants in Lombardy. We want to mention:
D’O Davide Oldani’s wonderful restaurant with 1 Michelin star, located in San Pietro all’Olmo, Cornaredo (find on map). Davide Oldani is the chef who invented the concept Pop Cuisine (Cucina Pop). Remember to book well in advance.
Cannavacciuolo Bistrot. 1, Piazza Martiri della Libertà in Novara (find on map) which belongs to Antonino Cannavacciulo, one of the new judges in the Italian edition of Masterchef.
Antonino Cannavacciuolo also runs the restaurant (with 2 Michelin stars) and hotel Villa Crespi at the beautiful Lago d’Orta.
You can find the Michelin guide’s other suggestions here.
In most countries we go directly to the restaurant and have a drink while we study the menu. In Milan you start with an aperitivo.
The aperitivo is an appetizer: a glass of wine or a cocktail with snacks, that you have before going out for dinner – at around 6-8 p.m..
Over the last couple of years the Milanese aperitivo, or as they call it happy hour, has evolved from being a quick cocktail into becoming an event that sometimes stretches over the entire night and the snacks have become a buffet, that doesn’t wake your appetite but stills your hunger.’
Duomo area
This is a great place to have an aperitivo on a terrace so your view of the Cathedral serves as a backdrop to your night.
Camparino, one of Milan’s oldest and most popular coctail bars Mosco, an absolute must for their world renowned Negroni, located at the start of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele at 21, Piazza del Duomo (find on map)
God save the food, 1, Piazza del Carmine (find on map) high quality buffet and cocktails right in the center of Milan in Brera.
Terrazza di Maison Moschino, Hotel Moschino,(find on map) it is a little pricier than most places (10-15€). It’s on 12, Viale Monte Grappa , super chic and very fashion.
Radetzky €€ 105, Corso Garibaldi (find on map) 8-1.30 am Monday to Thursday, 8-2 am Friday and Saturday and 10-1.30 am Sunday, not the cheapest place in Milan but great location and service.
On your way back from a shopping tour Tramè is a great place to have an aperitivo, in the middle of Brera and very lively (find on map) you may already know the place from a lunch! You won’t get any snacks here, just an excellent drink but you can try some of their delicious sandwiches with it, but you have to buy those on the side..
Isola area
Another good area to have an aperitivo together with the Milanese in is the very cosy Isola area (find on map). The best street is Via P. Borsieri (find on map) where the legendary jazz place Blue Note is too.
Here you also find super cool and beautiful Café Gorille, 20, Via Gaetano de Castillia (find on map) which is rich on atmosphere.
Arco della Pace and Parco Sempione area
This is definitely one of the hottest aperitivo places as well as being a place where the nightlife is particularly vibrant and fun.
Deseso at 2, Corso Sempione (find on map) offers all the classical cocktails but also some with a modern twist, service is excellent.
Living at 2, Piazza Sempione (find on map) is elegant and a bit of an institution in the Milanese aperitivo repertoire.
BhangraBar, 1, Corso Sepione (find on map) a more exotic place that appeals to a younger crowd.
Cascina Nascosta (The hidden fartmhouse) is located in the middle of Parco Sempione at 14, Viale Emilio Alemagna (find on map) tucked away and unknown to many, a real gem.
Navigli area
The Navigli area is also rich on aperitivo places such as Manhattan Navigli at 13, Ripa di Porta Ticinese (find on map).
Via Tortona /Via Savona (find on map) is an area with many cool brunch/lunch places and small boutiques and in the evening it’s a great place to have an aperitivo.
Gogol & Company 101, Via Savona (find on map) is a charming bookstore/art gallery/café/bar with a great aperitivo in unusual surroundings.Opening hours Tuesday-Sunday 9 a.m.-10 p.m.
Outside the beaten track but relatively close to MUDEC and Corso Vercelli:
Porta Venezia Area
MINT Garden café, 12, Via Felice Casati (find on map) a very cool place to have your aperitivo near Corso Buenos Aires.
Pandenus,15, Via Alessandro Tadino (find on mapt) has great cocktails, a fantastic buffet and a super cozy atmosphere.
Nottingham Forest, 1, Viale Piave (find on map) it has made it to the prestigious list of 50 Great Bars of the World published by the English Class Magazine. Very international crowd and their cocktails are pure molecular science.
Bar Basso, 39, Via Plinio (find on map) One of Milan’s historical cocktailbars, Inventors of the drink Negroni Sbagliato. Close to shopping area Corso Buenos Aires.
Porta Vittoria area
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. Please note that they close at 4 pm on Saturdays and are closed on Sundays.
Deep Milano, 5, Via Galvano Fiamma (find on map) – an extensive choice of cocktails but classic and new.
When you think Milan, we bet you automatically think fashion and beauty. Treat yourself to a manicure, a pedicure, a massage or a day at the Spa – there are many options in the city.
There are countless nail salons all over the city and many of them also offer massages, facials and hair removal – generally you can walk right in without previous appointments. Here are a couple of suggestions: WOW Nail, 5, Via Cuneo (find on map) Chicchi Nails, 7, Via Pontaccio (find on map) Pixie Klub Bauty Salon, 1, Via Circo (find on map)
Hairdressers and Barber Shops
Italians are incredibly skilled at styling hair but haircuts? Not-so-much. It is actually hard to find hairdressers that can cut other than thick, beautiful Italian hair.
If you absolutely want a haircut, try either Toni&Guy, they’ve got 3 salons in Milan (remember to book an appointment) or Lepri hair spa, 18 Viale Vittorio Veneto (find on map) who only use organic products.They’ve also got a mini Spa, where you can get facial treatments, massages etc. It’s also a good idea to book appointments here.
And if you crave a great traditional shave check out John Barber Milano in either Porta Venezia at 12, Via Nino Bixio (find on map) or in Brera at 104, Corso Garibaldi (find on map).
Spas and wellness centres
In Milan there is also a great and very beautiful Spa near Porta Romana QC Terme Milano where you can spend the whole day relaxing and swimming in the Thermal Water and get a massage – you can put together your visit as you wish and choose between a full day with buffet and aperitivo, just half a day or an evening visit. You’ The spa is located on Piazza Medaglie D’Oro 2 (find on map).
De Montel Spa a huge spa resort with both indoor and outdoor pools, restaurants and many other facilities in the San Siro neighbourhood of Milan at 6, Via Achille (find on map). It is the only Milanese thermal bath with state certified thermal waters. You can book your visit here.
The Elvy Wellness Center in the centre of Milan at 2, Via Giovanni Morelli (find on map) offers a wide range of treatments that include massages and facials, you can book an appointment by calling +393755977225
If you love natural beauty products, you should definitely visit one of the city’s many Erboristerie (herbalist’s), they sell great herbal medicine and beauty products and normally the personnel is very skilled and knowledgeable.
A chain we can recommend is L’erbolario, here are some of the locations.: 18, Via Dell’Orso (find on map) in Brera 1, Piazza Lima (find on map) by Corso Buenos Aires 9, Corso Vercelli (find on map) very close to Santa Maria delle Grazie and Leonardo’s Last Supper
