If you have only 24 hours to spend in the city and you’re into fashion, here’s what to see in Milan in one day.
The Duomo (1 – 1.5 hours)
Your visit should definitely start with the Duomo. This is unquestionably one of the world’s most interesting cathedrals, the largest in Italy and one of the largest in Europe. Imposing and solemn yet at the same time graceful and elegant, its construction lasted five centuries ‒ from the 1300s until the 1800s (and some further alterations took place in the 1900s). In terms of style, it’s a late Gothic masterpiece made of beautiful Candoglia marble, with 135 soaring spires and pinnacles, large and majestic stained glass windows and the gilded copper statue of the “Madonnina” on the top, overlooking the city.
My advice is to start your visit at approximately 8:30 a.m., so as to avoid the large crowds that tend to gather inside and around the cathedral. Be sure to go up to the rooftop of the Duomo ‒ the highlight of your visit ‒ not only for the stunning view but especially to admire the details of the spires, enriched with statues (3,400 statues in total, making Milan’s Duomo the most decorated building on Earth).
Galleria (1 – 1.5 hours)
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele is located right next to the Duomo. It’s known as “Il Salotto dei Milanesi” (the lounge of the Milanese) because after its official inauguration in 1877 ‒ when construction work was completed ‒ it was the centre of the city’s social, literary, artistic and political life for decades.
It is considered the first shopping centre in Europe and it connects Piazza del Duomo with Piazza della Scala. From an architectural point of view, the Galleria is a brilliant example of neoclassical and neo-Renaissance style. The main structure is masonry, while the dome is made of glass and steel.
The flooring was created by Venetian artists using marble slabs and glass paste. In the centre is a mosaic depicting the coat of arms of the Savoy family, to which King Vittorio Emanuele II (to whom the Galleria is dedicated) belonged, but the most famous mosaic in the Galleria is the mosaic of the Bull, linked to a curious tradition. It is said that spinning around with your feet pointing towards the bull’s testicles is a good omen. Some Milanese and many tourists never fail to do a quick spin whenever they pass by.
If you’re into fashion, the Galleria will be heaven for you because you’ll find luxurious boutiques from the most important fashion and accessory designers such as Prada, Louis Vuitton, Armani, Versace, Chanel, Dior, Balenciaga, Fendi, Bottega Veneta, Loro Piana and Tod’s.
Without detracting from the splendour of all the boutiques in the Galleria, perhaps the most glamorous are those of Armani, Prada and Balenciaga. You definitely cannot miss them.
But the Galleria is also home to some historic shops, such as the Bocca bookstore (founded in the 19th Century), not to mention its legendary cafes. Here’s what you need to know about them, so that you know what to expect.
Caffè Biffi and Savini Milano 1867 are perfect if you’re looking for a very elegant and retro Milanese vibe, with beautiful interiors and wonderful pastries.
Camparino in Galleria is ideal for signature cocktails.
Pasticceria Marchesi 1824 is your go-to place for delicious chocolate and desserts.
Cracco Café provides a real gourmet experience for coffee lovers.
Needless to say, these cafés are more expensive than other similar places in the city, because the prime location and the atmosphere of the Galleria drive up the price. That said, it’s really a unique experience so it might be worth the money if you’re willing to relax for half an hour or so.
As you head towards your next destination, you can admire the beauty of La Scala Theatre, one of the most famous opera houses in the world.
The Fashion District (1.5 hours)
The so-called Quadrilatero della Moda (literally, “Fashion Quadrilateral”) is the area included between Via Montenapoleone, Via della Spiga, Via Manzoni and Corso Venezia and nearby streets such as Via Sant’Andrea and Via Gesù. The area bounded by these streets is the most fashionable and elegant in Milan and is home to the most luxurious boutiques.
Strolling through these streets especially in the morning will give you the chance to see the authentic Milanese style with your own eyes: elegant ladies walking their (often tiny) dogs, carrying designer bags and wearing the latest outfits seen at fashion shows, it-girls with perfect hair and makeup talking on their mobile phones while walking briskly, and many foreigners dressed eccentrically in an attempt to match the local style (which, incidentally, tends to be anything but eccentric).
Another typical figure you may see on these streets is the Milanese vintage fashionista, who categorically refuses to wear the latest runway designs, but instead wears strictly designer clothing, strictly vintage, perhaps from a collection from a decade ago. She walks her dog, chats with a friend, and then disappears into one of the Fashion District’s splendid buildings. One of them is Palazzo Bagatti Valsecchi, in Via Gesù 5. Check it out because it’s really worth it. It also hosts a museum open to the public.
In the Fashion District, you’ll find flagship stores of the most important designers and fashion and accessory brands, both Italian and international. Let’s begin with the Italian ones: Gucci, Prada, Giorgio Armani, Valentino, Missoni, Gianni Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Etro, Larusman, Ermenegildo Zegna, Bottega Veneta, Brioni, Miu Miu, Moschino, Ferragamo, Cesare Paciotti, Fendi, Bvlgari and Sergio Rossi.
As for the international ones, you’ll find Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Givenchy, Hermès, Jil Sander, Michael Kors, Maison Margiela, Jimmy Choo, Viktor & Rolf, Cartier and Tiffany’s.
After shopping (or simply window-shopping) in this veritable paradise for fashion lovers, you will probably want to stop for lunch nearby.
Here are my tips for you:
Langosteria Montenapoleone (pricey but worth it if you want to treat yourself to something special)
This is one of the newest and most talked about gourmet destinations in the Fashion District. Very elegant and chic setting, ideal for fish and sea-food lovers. Creative cuisine.
Where:
Via Giacomo Matteotti 9 (corner with Via Montenapoleone), Milan (on the fifth floor)
Tel +39 02 7601 8167
www.langosteria.com
Il Salumaio di Montenapoleone (more affordable, but it’s still in the Fashion District so don’t expect low prices)
This place is absolutely loved by locals and it has a laid-back but very stylish ambiance: there’s a restaurant, a café-bistro and a gastronomy area.
Where:
Il Salumaio di Montenapoleone
Via Santo Spirito 10 / Via Gesù 5 (Palazzo Bagatti-Valsecchi), Milan
Tel. +39 02 7600 1123
www.ilsalumaiodimontenapoleone.it
Castello Sforzesco (1 hour)
The original structure of the castle was a medieval fortress dating back to around 1350. The construction of the current building, so imposing and majestic, started in 1450 and was commissioned by Francesco Sforza, the Duke of Milan, who wanted to create a Renaissance court.
Today, the Castello Sforzesco houses immense artistic and historical masterpieces and is home to numerous museums: the Museum of Ancient Art, the Art Gallery (with works by the painter Canaletto), the Egyptian Museum, the Museum of Prehistory, the Museum of Decorative Arts and the Museum of Musical Instruments.
Even an incomplete tour of the treasures preserved inside the Castello Sforzesco would take several hours, so I recommend postponing it until your next visit to Milan, when you will have more time available. So, for this time, my suggestion is to stroll along the outer perimeter of the castle and go inside to take a quick look at the beautiful inner courtyard.
Castello Sforzesco
Piazza Castello, Milan
Brera (1.5 – 2 hours)
The Brera district has a truly unique atmosphere: artistic, creative and bohemian. It’s an extremely interesting district especially if you love fashion and art. Its narrow cobbled streets, charming low-rise houses, small restaurants, bars and stylish boutiques ‒ which are very different from the luxurious flagship stores of the Fashion District ‒ make Brera a favourite destination for tourists and Milanese alike.
Strolling through the streets of Brera, you can immerse yourself in this unique atmosphere. But that’s not all. In terms of shops, Brera is boutique-forward, with independent designers and curated fashion stores.
Here are some shops you can’t miss.
The Store
Via Solferino 7, Milan
www.thestoremilano.com
An ideal place to discover the typical Milanese style in this very cool concept boutique, with fashion-forward clothing and accessories.
Filippo De Laurentiis
Via Solferino 2, Milan
www.filippodelaurentiis.it
A beautiful shop where you’ll find premium knitwear ‒ a perfect example of master craftsmanship ‒ created by an Italian designer.
La Franci
Via Ponte Vetero 15, Milan
Lovely clothes and accessories in this cute little boutique run by a former architect with a passion for colour-matching.
For more information about this shop, discover more in this article.
Amelie
Via Fiori Chiari 24, Milan
www.amelie.it
An Italian brand that was created with a very specific mission: creating clothes that do not conform to standards, but adapt to the people who wear them, according to the principle “no size, no age, no season”. Check it out, because it’s worth it.
Alfonso Garlando
Via Madonnina 1, Milan
www.alfonsogarlando.it
High-quality shoes still made using traditional methods, in a variety of styles and colours.
And if you love high-end vintage fashion, you need to check out these two places:
Cavalli e Nastri
Via Brera 2, Milan
www.cavallienastri.com
This is a truly iconic vintage fashion store in Milan that Milanese women swear by. Very chic and unique.
La Belle Epoque Boutique
Via Mercato 8, Milan
www.labelleepoqueboutique.com
Curated fashion and accessories in a stylish vintage boutique.
If you’re into art, you can’t miss a visit to Pinacoteca di Brera, which is truly wonderful (even its inner arcade and courtyard). Founded in 1776, this is one of Milan’s most important art museums, with masterpieces by Italian Renaissance and Neoclassical artists. Bear in mind that a visit is going to take at least 1.5 – 2 hours. Reservation is required, and you must book your ticket for a specific time slot (you can do it online).
Pinacoteca di Brera
Via Brera 28, Milan
www.pinacotecabrera.org
At this point, you’ll probably be a little tired. So here’s where you can have dinner in Brera. I particularly recommend two places: an elegant but certainly not inexpensive restaurant and a more affordable one, without compromising on quality.
Sea Signora (crazy good pun, as “sea” is pronounced like the Italian “sì”, so this would be “Yes, Madam”, and it’s a particularly witty play on words for a seafood restaurant). Perfect if you’re looking for a more elevated dinner experience. This restaurant specializes in high-quality seafood and has a reputation for upscale atmosphere, refined dishes and superb presentation.
Where:
Via Fiori Chiari 32, Milan
Tel. +39 345 2831086
www.seasignorarest.com
Brera29 Cucina & Cocktails
Restaurant and cocktail bar where you’ll find both traditional and creative gourmet cuisine.
Where:
Via Brera 29, Milan
Tel +39 02 4953 4949
www.brera29.com
This concludes your visit. I do hope you’ll get to enjoy your day in Milan!
Photo credits (for the photos of the Duomo, Galleria and Castello Sforzesco): Pexels
This post was all about what to see in Milan in one day, specially tailored to fashion lovers.