From Fashion to Food: 7 Fabulous Reasons To Visit Milan

Often overlooked in favour of other cities like Rome, Florence and Venice, Milan is a cosmopolitan city which effortlessly blends history and modernity. Art and culture thrive here, and you’ll find everything from grand cathedrals and world-class museums to fashion boutiques and cutting-edge design stores. Our travel experts at Plum Guide know Milan well, and have spent many occasions marvelling at famous artwork and knocking back Negronis in the name of research. Want a taste of la dolce vita? Take a look at our top reasons to visit Milan on your next Italian getaway.

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Not only is Milan’s cathedral its most iconic landmark, but the Duomo is Italy’s largest cathedral. It’s hard to miss this architectural marvel, a portal into the past found right in the middle of the city. Made from pinkish-white marble sourced from Lake Maggiore, its striking facade combines Gothic, Renaissance and Neoclassical styles – in fact, it took over six centuries to complete, blending various techniques over time. The interior is no less impressive, with soaring columns, patterned marble floors and stained glass windows.

The Duomo is still a place of worship today, and you’re welcome to join the services and activities. All kinds of events take place here, from musical performances to art exhibitions and seasonal events during Easter and Christmas. One thing you mustn’t miss when visiting the Duomo is its rooftop. Unless you’re prepared to climb 250 steps, we recommend taking the lift to the top for jaw-dropping views over Milan and the Alps. On your way out, be sure to stop by the Duomo Museum, where you can learn about the history of the cathedral through the sculptures, paintings, terracottas and tapestries on display.

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Milan’s architecture isn’t all about the Duomo. Unlike other Italian cities dominated by one architectural style, Milan offers a blend of genres that reflect its rich history. The city dates back to Roman times, and although not many buildings from this era remain, you can still see its influence in the Roman columns of the Basilica of San Lorenzo Maggiore. There are also several Renaissance-style buildings, one of the most important being the Santa Maria delle Grazie church. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this is where Leonardo Da Vinci painted ‘The Last Supper’. One of Milan’s buildings you can’t miss is Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a 19th-century neo-Renaissance shopping centre with an incredible iron and glass roof.

As well as period architecture, Milan also has its share of modern and contemporary buildings, from the iconic Pirelli Tower to the UniCredit Tower. One of the most eye-catching buildings is the Bosco Verticale, or Vertical Forest. Designed to regenerate urban biodiversity, this luxury apartment complex is covered in over 15,000 plants. The Biblioteca degli Alberi is also worth visiting, a park and botanical garden with a fascinating landscape design.

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It wouldn’t be a list of reasons to visit Milan without mentioning its exquisite cuisine. Many of Milan’s traditional dishes come from cucina povera, or poor kitchen. Cooks didn’t have much to work with, so they made the most of ingredients like rice, polenta and butter. Unlike the olive oil and tomato-based dishes you’ll find in the south of Italy, the dishes up here are richer, meatier and creamier.

One of the city’s signature dishes is risotto alla Milanese. This is a creamy, slow-cooked rice dish made with butter, bone marrow and cheese, and stained yellow with saffron. Cotoletta alla Milanese is another iconic Milan dish, a veal cutlet coated in crispy breadcrumbs and fried in butter. You’ll find it in most Milanese restaurants, from casual trattorias to high-end eateries. Looking for a quick bite at lunchtime? A piadina is the way to go. This is a thin flatbread filled with cheese, cured meats and salad. There are piadinerias all over the city but Piadineria Artigianale Pascoli is a local favourite. Another light bite worth trying is mondeghili, which are meatballs typically made with leftover veal or beef. They’re flavoured with herbs and spices before being deep-fried or oven-baked.

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If you’re planning on seeing the rest of northern Italy, Milan is a great base for it as the city has excellent transport services, including buses and high-speed trains. One of the best places to visit is Lake Como, just under an hour’s drive or a forty-minute train ride from Milan. Spend the day exploring Italy’s third-largest lake, swanning around the magnificent villas and strolling through the charming little towns.

Although it’s just a fifty-minute drive from Milan, the wonderful city of Bergamo manages to slip under the tourist radar, sitting in the shadow of its famous neighbour. Those who do visit will be met with pretty medieval streets, ancient buildings and a breathtaking basilica. Explore the Old Town before taking a funicular railway ride to the New Town for shopping and dining.

If you happen to be a violinist, you can’t miss Cremona off your itinerary. Just over an hour's drive from Milan, this beautiful town is known for its centuries-long violin-making heritage. You can visit many artisan workshops and the Museo del Violino to see some of the oldest violins made in the town.

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For creative types, the city’s fashion and design heritage is one of the best reasons to visit Milan. This legacy dates back to the 19th century, when the city was a major centre for textile production. Fast forward to today, and it’s one of the world's major fashion capitals, home to famous brands like Versace, Prada, Valentino, Armani, and Dolce & Gabbana. The city also plays host to Milan Fashion Week, one of the most anticipated events of the year. If you’re lucky enough to score an invite, you’ll get to see the latest collections from some of fashion’s biggest names.

As well as fashion, Milan also has a prominent design scene. The Milan Furniture Fair is the largest trade fair of its kind, showcasing furniture and design from all around the world. There are also several design districts that you can visit, including Tortona Design District and the Brera Design District. Looking for further inspiration? The Triennale Design Museum and the Museum of Cultures (MUDEC) are both great places to learn more about Milan’s design history.

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Thanks to its fashion and design legacy, Milan is an excellent place to shop. Quadrilatero della Moda (or Quad d’Oro) is the city’s most prestigious shopping area, where you’ll find antique shops, designer boutiques and upscale cafes. It’s the place to go for luxury goods. Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is another iconic shopping destination, home to high-end brands and restaurants. Even if you’re not planning on buying anything, it’s worth visiting just for the marvellous architecture.

But Milan isn’t all about upscale shopping. If artsy and bohemian is more your style, you’ll love the Brera district. This elegant neighbourhood is home to independent boutiques, art galleries and studios, as well as a handful of attractions like Brera Botanical Garden and Palazzo Brera. Isola is an effortlessly cool neighbourhood with a slightly offbeat, hipster vibe. It’s the place to hunt for bargains at the second-hand and vintage stores.

We also recommend swinging by Milan’s many markets, from the Mercato di Via Fauche for its range of products to the Mercato Metropolitano for food, fashion and artisanal goods. On the last Sunday of the month, the banks of the Naviglio Grande canal transform into a giant open-air flea market with over 400 stalls.

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Last but not least, the city’s vibrant nightlife is one of the best reasons to visit Milan if you’re a bit of a night owl. The Navigli area is one of the top nightlife destinations, with tons of alfresco bars along the canal. We recommend getting here for sunset and sipping an aperitivo as the sun goes down. Want to party with the glamorous crowd? Corso Como is the place to be, where exclusive clubs play host to international DJs. Meanwhile, the Brera district offers a more sophisticated and laid-back atmosphere, with everything from stylish cocktail lounges to cosy wine bars.

Milan also has a thriving music scene, with numerous live music venues showcasing local and international artists. Some of the best venues include Alcatraz, Mediolanum Forum and the breathtaking Teatro alla Scala opera house. You can also enjoy classical music performances at Auditorium Fondazione Cariplo. For blues and jazz fans, you’ll be pleased to know that Milan has plenty of clubs like Blue Note Milano and Nidaba Theatre, where you can boogie all night to a range of live performances.

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