Milan

Partake in the tradition of the aperitivo

In a country where the typical dinner time is around 9pm, it's of no surprise that a snack occasion was invented for the hours between 5 and 7. While the tradition of aperitivo is often noted broadly as Italian, its roots sit more specifically here in grand Milan. Partake in an aperitivo as authentically as possible, which will mean a light spritzy drink like Aperol, Campari or Prosecco enjoyed with olives, grilled vegetables and meats like salami and prosciutto. Find yourself in an alfresco setting backed by Italian lounge music and your aperitivo is complete.

Enjoy a night out at Teatro alla Scala

Let yourself get swept up in the sophistication of this city with a trip to Teatro alla Scala, Milan's opera house. It first opened in 1778 and, despite the building's unassuming facade, still stands as an elegant masterpiece of design, filled with deep red seats, gold trimmings and a majestic central chandelier. Opera, ballet, music recitals, and charity events make up just some of the theatre's event calendar, with many open to public with free admittance.

See one of the most famous paintings in the world - The Last Supper

Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece, The Last Supper, is undeniably one of the most recognised paintings in the world. First painted onto a wall of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan in the late 1400's, it has since become an icon piece of work reinvented by artists like Andy Warhol and Salvador Dali. At almost 5-metres high and over 8 metres wide, the commanding art work has been restored numerous times making it still viewable in the original convent cum gallery and UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Go for a night out in the Navigli District

Throw on your fanciest outfit and take to the streets of Milan for a night on the town, best done in the hip district of Navigli. Pokey art galleries and authentic restaurants line the Naviglio Grande Canal, offering hours of entertainment just by walking the streets. When you're done admiring murals on alleyway walls and browsing indie shops, you can pick a bar - preferably with canal views - and waste a night away. Pick your visit wisely and you can also catch an antiques market on the canal's southern side.

Unwind at the spa in the shadow of the Spanish walls

With a banquet of soothing treatments to pamper your well-travelled body, GQ Terme Milano is not one to leave off the list. Therapies include plantar reflexology, Ayurvedic massage, and toning facials. They even have artificial waterfalls created to massage the body, salt therapy and relaxation rooms. If all that isn't enough to sign you up for some spa time, perhaps the thought of stepping into their 70° C bio-sauna built within a historic yellow tram will do the trick. Team your indulgence with a wellness buffet at lunch time or an indulgent aperitif with sparkling wine from 7-9pm. This place will make you want to visit Milan again and again.

Track down street art in Isola

To catch Milan's hidden bohemian side, a trip to Isola is in order. Once a hub of factory workers cut off from the rest of the city, it has recently evolved into a splattering of cultural hot-spots, covered brightly with commissioned street art. Milan shopping is more vintage and boutique here, with treasures found on Thaon di Revel. Finish your trip admiring Santa Maria della Fontana church built by Leonardo Da Vinci and Donato Bramante and enjoying seafood amongst the locals at the uber cold Il Pesciolone.

Del Naviglio

Music & Culture

Milan's Naviglio canal lights up over the first 10-days of June in celebration of the arrival of summer. Art stalls, live music, and theatrical performances lead up to the final day's climax of a parade, all showcasing the city's unique culture.

The Milano Film Festival

Film

Held annually in Milan for over 2 decades, The Milano Film Festival is an international curation of short and feature films. Held in the city's Tortona District at differing venues each year, it is a great excuse to see a new part of Milan and mingle with locals.

Festival Latino Americano

Culture, Music & Food

Though it's hard to imagine ever tiring of Italian culture, the Festival Latino Americano offers a change of pace from pasta and opera for over a month every year over July and August. A lively fiesta of workshops, music, food affairs and more, it puts Milano to a distinctly Latino tempo.

The Milan Jazz Festival

Music

The city of Milan is renowned for its amazing curation of jazz bars, and in November of every year this culture fills the city for The Milan Jazz Festival. Known as JazzMi, it involves live music, photo exhibitions, documentaries and masterclasses held in various locations of the city including libraries, theatres, and archaeological sites.

The Italian Grand Prix

Sports

Rev your engines for The Italian Grand Prix, held in Italy since 1921. One of the most important races on the motorsport calendar, it draws out a passionate legion of fans keen to immerse themselves in car culture in the birthplace of Ferrari.

Pinacoteca di Brera

Often hailed the most important collection of paintings in all of Italy - a country with plenty of important collections of paintings – Pinacoteca di Brera frequently sits atop recommendations when it comes to Milan sightseeing activities. Established in 1776, it is a lesson in both art and history.

Royal Palace of Milan

The neo-classical building of the Royal Palace of Milan was once the city's most important government office. These days it serves as a culture centre and art museum, with past exhibitions featuring important figures like Pablo Picasso and Claude Monet.

Fondazione Prada

Miuccia Prada and Patrizio Bertelli are fashion royalty, the power couple at the head of Italian luxury label, Prada. Fondazione Prada is their playground, an ode to contemporary art and culture opened in 1995. The ultimate look into Milan's fashion scene, this museum is a must-do in the city.

MUDEC

From live Brazilian dance performances to African art instillations, the MUDEC aims to give an all encompassing view of the various cultures of our planet. A presentation of ethnography that's been in Milan less than 5-years, it offers a trip around the world without leaving central Milan.

Costoletta alla Milanese

Traditional Milanese Pizza

Cornetto

Gelato

Risotto alla Milanese with Ossobuco