“Milano,” as the Italians call this city, has been shaped by a long history that includes the Celts, Romans, Spaniards, and the Italian Visconti and Sforza dynasties. Each of these groups has left its mark over Milan’s 2,600-year history, contributing to its rich architectural and cultural heritage.
History enthusiast will enjoy exploring Cathedral Square, where the Duomo di Milano stands as a stunning example of “flaming Gothic” architecture. This openwork giant, which began construction at the end of the 14th century, features a panoramic platform and a dome topped with a golden statue of the Virgin Mary.
Art lovers should not miss the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, home to Leonardo da Vinci’s famous fresco, “The Last Supper.” Additionally, a stroll through the artistic Brera district is highly recommended. We suggest visiting the Pinacoteca housed in a 17th-century Baroque palace or the Ambrosian Library. La Scala, along with its counterparts in Paris, Vienna, London, and Munich, ranks among the five most famous opera houses in Europe. Even contemporary art enthusiasts will find much to appreciate in town, which boasts numerous galleries and the Galleria D’Arte Moderna (GAM, via Palestro 16). The city is also home to several museums, including the Museo del Novecento, which features works by Matisse, Picasso, and Modigliani.
Milan is a global fashion hub, attracting the fashionable crowd from around the world. However, it wasn’t always this way. The city’s rise as a fashion center began in 1961 with the founding of the Salone del Mobile, the central event for furniture designers and all industries related to interior design. In 1979, Milan Fashion Week was launched, joining the ranks of Paris and New York. However, the Italian Week is considered by many to be more creative, than its competitors.
Fashion events in Milan are not limited to the biannual shows. Vogue magazine’s “Fashion Night Out” (VFNO) is a much-anticipated event where boutiques, galleries, and arcades stay open until midnight, offering champagne and souvenirs to guests. The streets and squares come alive until 5 a.m. with entertainment provided by famous DJs from across Italy and abroad. This year, however, the Vogue events will shift to a more exclusive format, featuring private gatherings such as the Black Vogue Private Party. However, in Milan, fashion is celebrated every day, influencing the lifestyle, dress, and behavior of its residents. In the city center, near the Milan Cathedral, you’ll find the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a grand shopping arcade built between 1865 and 1877. It is a neoclassical passage formed by the intersection of two streets in the shape of a Latin cross, topped with a convex glass dome. Inside, you’ll find a lively trade in goods for every taste, including Italian-made gloves, books, and atlases, interspersed with displays from famous brands.
Before diving into the boutiques and arcades, one should try Italian coffee, preferably espresso. A great place to do so is at the Lo Zucca cafe (known also as Miani Caffè or Camparino in Galleria, Piazza del Duomo 21), where both the coffee and the famous Campari aperitif are excellent. At Armani/Bamboo Bar (via Manzoni 31), a superb espresso is complemented by a minimalist interior designed by the famous couturier.
It’s no secret that people go to Florence for fabrics, to Rome for accessories, and to Milan for shoes. Fashionable, branded shoes, as well as clothing, can be found in the areas of Via Monte Napoleone and Via Spiga. However, Italy remains famous for its handicrafts and artisans, even in these times of globalization. Some of these artisanal shoe stores can be found along Via Torino or in the area around Castelo Sforzesco. Italians take pride in looking good, and even those who don’t participate in fashion shows visit local parrucchieri (hairdressers) during Fashion Week to feel part of the excitement. Milanese fashion salons cater to all tastes, from trendy establishments like Aldo Coppola, Toni & Guy, and Jean Louis David, to individual stylists. Simone Rubertelli, for example, travels to clients during Fashion Week and owns two salons whose names and interiors change every year (“Rubertelli 1963” is the latest name). He’s constantly busy cutting, dyeing, consulting, and styling, yet in the evenings, he transforms the reception desk into a bar and becomes a DJ, spinning vinyl records.
In addition to stylists, people in Milan love to visit spa centers. One of the most famous is “A Lion”, inspired by Roman thermal baths, in the Boscolo Milano Hotel, designed by architect Simone Micheli. This center features waterfalls, saunas, baths, and a 15-meter screen that alternates sounds and images to relax and harmonize the senses, along with six beauty salons offering unique treatments.
It’s worth noting that many luxury hotels in Milan have spa centers, so if you’re a fan of wellness treatments, consider choosing your accommodation accordingly. Access to the spa is often included in the room rate, or guests enjoy special discounts. Some recommended options include the Mandarin Oriental, Bulgari, Palazzo Parigi, or the Excelsior Hotel Gallia near the central station.
