Top 7 Milan Insider Tips

Milan is a world-class city. Here, style, charm, and passion meet, completing 'la dolce vita' in beautiful Italy. If you want to be seduced too, read on quickly.

'Milan or Madrid - as long as it's Italy.' Yes, Andreas Möller truly made history with this, let's call it a slip of the tongue. Shame on him, some might think, because even though Milan and Madrid are both great cities, their lifestyles are fundamentally different. We want to introduce you to this personal touch that makes Italy so beloved: Join us in the fashion metropolis of Milan and take a deep breath of the exquisite lifestyle.

Flair | Culture | Fashion | Cuisine | Nightlife

Even though Milan is certainly not the capital of Italy, it is still a city full of enjoyment and passion. Those who live here embody the Italian recipe for living with body and soul, leading a top-class lifestyle. While fashion takes shape and is always present in Milan, it is the Italian cuisine that seduces all the senses. Yes, one can confidently say that Milan, the capital of the Lombardy region, is by far the cultural and especially the fashion capital of Italy. La bella Italia is literally in the air, bringing joy to life and a refined tone.

As a landmark of Milan, the Milan Cathedral naturally takes precedence in our article. A postcard motif of superlatives that each of us has surely seen somewhere in printed form. What is relatively atypical for Italian architecture is the Gothic style in which the cathedral was built. Constructed of light marble, the church is one of the largest of its kind worldwide, and its spire is crowned with a statue of the Madonna called 'la Madunina'. The Milan Cathedral houses nearly 4,000 statues and is usually the first stop for tourists who come to the metropolis for sightseeing. Especially the roof of the cathedral is very popular, as you have an incredible view of the entire city from here.

Almost as famous is the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie. In this beautiful church is Leonardo Da Vinci's work 'The Last Supper,' which is undoubtedly a major draw for visitors. The painting has an astonishing history behind it: During a bombing in World War II, the southern wall of the dining hall was completely destroyed - but the painting hung on the northern wall and thus remained unharmed.

If you are moving through the old town, you must visit the Castello Sforzesco located in the northwest. The castle is situated at Piazza Castello and is an absolute must for art and culture fans. Among other things, you will find here the Museum of Ancient Art as well as an archaeological museum. There is also an art gallery that captivates visitors by showcasing a collection of paintings by Canaletto, Mantegna, and Cesare da Sesto. To round off your visit, a lovely walk in the extensive park would be delightful, as the colorful flowers will surely bring a smile to everyone's face.

One of the most famous opera houses in the world is the Teatro alla Scala, also fondly referred to simply as Scala. As the building stands today, it has a long history behind it. Initially built in 1776, the building was completely destroyed during World War II, necessitating a ground-up reconstruction. Unfortunately, this new construction had too many structural defects, so in 1946 it was dismantled down to just the outer walls, foyer, and auditorium. And guess what? The most expensive ticket there once cost a whopping €2,400!

The variety of museums in Milan is hard to beat. Even those who have previously shied away from entering such buildings will surely enjoy spending a few hours here. While some might be drawn to the Museo del Risorgimento or the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, others might be more inclined toward the Football Museum of Inter and Milan or the Museum of Science and Technology.

Fashion and Milan simply go hand in hand; we probably don't need to explain this to you. Designers are working hard to provide us with the latest trends for the upcoming season. Fashion shows occur twice a year, showcasing the designers' creations. Therefore, it's no wonder that Milan is famous for its exclusive designer boutiques (Versace, Prada, Valentino, and others) and that the world would love to hang one of these exquisite pieces in their wardrobe. Everyone knows: Italian fashion is made from fine materials and embodies a casual elegance. Wherever you look, you will predominantly see well-dressed people, as fashion is definitely omnipresent in Milan. But don't worry, even though this fashion metropolis is known for its designer boutiques, there are also beautiful collections at human prices. Additionally, similar to Germany, there are the ever-popular sales: both at the beginning of January and early July, prices drop significantly - even the exquisite designer pieces become quite affordable.

Depending on your budget, we'll tell you where to shop best. If you value fashion but don't want to blow your entire paycheck, you'll find shops in the shopping street Corso Vittorio Emanuele that you might already know from Germany: H&M, Zara, and Sisley are also branching out in Milan. In terms of prices and style, Via Torino and Via Mazzini are similar. A healthy mix of mid-range prices, save for a few exceptions that might take a bit more money from your pocket, can be found in both Corso Venezia and Corso Buenos Aires.

Not far from here, you can soon sniff the typical Milanese shopping air: Via Monte Napoleone and Via della Spiga are almost unmatched in their exclusivity: Cartier and Saint Laurent are just a couple of designers who have established themselves here, adorning Milanese with their fantastic fashion.

We believe we speak for many when we say: once you're caught up in the shopping frenzy, you may well want to keep treasures beyond just the fashion store. Art lovers should definitely take a trip to the Brera district. Antique dealers and art galleries share this space with special fashion boutiques for a more eclectic taste. Speaking of taste: Lovers of fine foods should certainly take a detour to Via Spadari 9. Trust us, once you step inside the delicatessen Peck, you'll find it hard to leave again. Quality wines of the finest kind and regional specialties will delight your senses - provided you have the necessary cash.

Italians famously share their love for good food with their passion for fashion. And as you know, Italian cuisine is one of the most popular - and not without reason. Good wine and prosecco are almost always on the menu, and pizza and pasta cannot be missed in any Italian kitchen. Specialties like the air-dried Prosciutto di Parma, Crudo di San Daniele, the various salumis, and Parmigiano Reggiano make every gourmet friend's mouth water.

Although we would never advise you to try anything other than the delicious Italian cuisine in Italy, we must give you this tip: Did you know that Milan - like many other metropolises such as London and New York - has a Chinatown? Here, you'll find many supermarkets and authentic restaurants if you want to pick up something for home or, if only briefly, try something other than pizza, pasta, and more.

But before dinner in Milan, it's customary to first visit a bar or café to start the evening with an aperitif and antipasti. Most restaurants typically fill up with hungry mouths around 9 PM.

For this reason, the happy hour in cocktail bars begins at 6 PM and ends at 9 PM. What is commonly enjoyed during this time is the typical Zucca, made of rhubarb, crushed ice, soda, and an orange slice. In the bar of the same name, you'll not only experience this aperitif but also be treated to an Art Deco design. The complete opposite is the Dolce & Gabbana Martini Bar. In this exclusive location, the rich and famous, along with fashionistas and models, gather. Cozy leather sofas invite you to linger, and the interior is entirely drenched in black and red. An optical highlight is a chandelier made of Murano glass.

You can party from Wednesday to Sunday until dawn. To give you just a small taste that there truly is the right party location for everyone in this city, we've picked out a few clubs that couldn't be more different. For example, in Loolapaloosa or The Club Milano, younger guests celebrate exuberantly at frequent themed parties, while the elite flock to the upscale Armani Privé or Cavalli Club. The trendiest clubs of the Milanese LGBTQ community are Club LeccoMilano and MONO Bar. These are located in the Porta Venezia district, particularly on Via Lecco, which is known for its clubs and bars. Here, you can enjoy a delicious cocktail and dance the night away. While Milan may not be as open as other European cities, it is still one of Italy's more progressive cities where you don't have to hide.

You see, 'As long as it's Italy' is not the motto in Milan! In this world-class city, a very special breeze blows. A wind full of charm, class, and exclusivity!