MILAN, Its All About Location
Famously known for its exceptional fashion scene, the legacy of Leonardo Da Vinci, iconic hotels and landmarks, fine cuisine and strong culture, Milan is an extraordinary city with a rich history.
Stay
Italy’s financial capital is also the country’s most cosmopolitan city, bursting with creative flair and cultural panache. Over the last few years, smart hotels have sprung up throughout. Bourgeois palazzi harbouring leafy courtyards (a typical feature of Milanese architecture) have been converted into sleek properties, some belonging to big-ticket international chains such as Mandarin Oriental and Four Seasons.
This being Italy’s fashion capital, there’s no shortage of glamorous hotels to act as a base for a little people watching (the Bulgari is a prime example). Yet Milan isn’t all about fashionistas satisfying their craving for the limelight. Tucked away here and there are welcoming B&Bs and affordable family-run hotels that won’t break the bank. Here is our pick in Milan for somewhere to bed down during your stay.
Senato Hotel Milno
Dine
Milan is the foodie capital of Italy – at least in the eyes of a true Milanese. Even if, let’s be honest, you could say the same for every other Italian destination.
Da V Milano
Drink
Located in the centre of the city, Terrazza Aperol is a modern bar with an elegant terrace offering great views of Duomo di Milano whilst overlooking the piazza. With its central location and a few minutes' walk from the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Terrazza Aperol is an ideal meeting point before and after a day of Milano shopping and sightseeing. Here, local dishes and delicious meals can be enjoyed. Due to its popularity, there’s often a short queue to get in but it's worth the wait once you're inside and can soak up the view with a glass of Aperol Spritz.
Terrazza Aperol
Shop
Shopping in Milan is unparalleled, and the chic Italian city is considered a hotspot for those with a discerning taste for the latest trends. But as well as the big names in the fashion industry that brighten the Quadrilatero della Moda with attractive window displays, the city thrives with artisan ateliers and small boutiques, too.
The city is a shopping paradise – shopping here is considered to be the best in the country. It’s home to world-renowned fashion houses, designer boutiques, and high-end department stores as well as smaller concept stores, boutiques and weekly markets. If you venture towards Via Montenapoleone or Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, you will stumble upon the finest designer stores. Head down towards Brera and Corso Como, and you will encounter smaller, niche boutiques, whereas Navigli and Porta Ticinese hols a number of thrift and vintage shops.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Visit
Famously known for its exceptional fashion scene, the legacy of Leonardo Da Vinci, iconic hotels and landmarks, fine cuisine and strong culture, Milan is an extraordinary city with a rich history.
Founded in 1993 and co-chaired by Miuccia Prada and Patrizio Bertelli since 1995, Fondazione Prada is an art and culture institution with shows also displayed in Tokyo and Shanghai. The permanent venue is based in the south of Milan, Largo Isarco, within a former gin distillery from 1910 – which makes an innovative and striking headquarters. Plenty of incredible and bold contemporary works of art have been on show through Fondazione Prada with the institution taking a keen interest in specific areas like cinema, science and music. Some artists who have exhibited their work for Fondazione Prada include Jeff Koons, Carsten Höller and Mariko Mori.
Fondazione Prada