The Best of Milano: Where to Eat, Drink, and Explore

Conclude your night with a classic Milanese summer tradition: open-air cinema in the majestic courtyard of the Palazzo Reale. Watch a film under the stars surrounded by centuries-old stone walls, right next to the illuminated Duomo.

Start your morning at this beautifully restored 1930s public pool complex in the Porta Romana district. It is a masterclass in rationalist architecture, complete with wooden cabins, deep blue water, and a chic, relaxed crowd of locals sunbathing on the deck.

No day in Milan is complete without a stop at this legendary wood-paneled drinking den. It is the birthplace of the Negroni Sbagliato, served in giant, custom-blown chalices with a single, colossal hand-carved ice cube.

Wind down your day at this legendary Brera spot, which functions as a working florist by day and a chic, low-lit bistro by night. Sip a glass of biodynamic wine or a botanical infusion surrounded by wild, fragrant floral arrangements.

Housed in a former distillery reimagined by Rem Koolhaas, this cultural complex is a masterclass in spatial design. Don't miss the golden tower, the provocative contemporary exhibitions, and a quick campy espresso at the Wes Anderson-designed Bar Luce.

Hidden behind an unassuming gate in a former artistic foundry, this ivy-draped courtyard is the ultimate summer aperitivo spot. Sip a classic Negroni Sbagliato under the fairy lights while enjoying a curated buffet of small bites.

Housed in the neoclassical orangery of the Villa Reale, this Sicilian-inspired oasis is filled with lush palms and high ceilings. Order the light pasta with pistachios and a fresh granita to beat the midday Milanese heat.

Set inside the 18th-century Villa Reale, this high-ceilinged orangery is a masterclass in light-filled, slow dining. Order the fresh pistachio pasta or a clean, seasonal salad, and dine surrounded by towering potted palms and classical statues.

Tucked behind the grand Pinacoteca, this historic botanical garden is one of Milan's most peaceful hidden oases. It is the perfect spot for a quiet, screen-free stroll among the Ginkgo trees and centuries-old brick walls.

Start your morning where the fashion crowd gets their espresso fix. Climb the green marble steps to this Prada-owned pastry heaven for a pristine pasticcino and a perfectly pulled macchiato standing at the elegant bar.

Skip the evening crowds and start your day inside these thermal baths set against ancient Spanish walls. The multi-sensory saunas, salt rooms, and outdoor pools are incredibly restorative when you have them mostly to yourself in the morning.

Chef Cesare Battisti serves what is arguably the best risotto alla Milanese in the city, topped with rich, slow-braised ossobuco. It’s housed in a beautifully restored 19th-century railway building, set against the striking modern skyline of Isola.

An elegant, subterranean sanctuary designed by Antonio Citterio that feels miles away from the city center. Book one of their signature Asian-inspired body treatments to melt away any lingering travel tension.

Chef Diego Rossi has elevated humble offal and classic Lombard fare into a cult culinary phenomenon. The atmosphere is that of a warm, retro trattoria, but the cooking is precise, inventive, and deeply satisfying.

Step into Piero Portaluppi’s 1930s modernist masterpiece, a secluded villa that defines Milanese understated wealth. The heated swimming pool, glass-walled veranda, and flawless art collection will make you want to move in immediately.

Escape the peak afternoon sun inside Piero Portaluppi’s modernist architectural masterpiece. Walk through the cool, marble-clad interiors before securing a spot in the shaded garden beside Milan's very first private heated swimming pool.