How To Plan A Stylish Milan Vacation, According To 3 Hotel Insiders
How do you plan a Milan city break like no other? Insiders from three of the city’s most outstanding hotels share their expert recommendations for the perfect itinerary, including unmissable views, secret spots and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. By KATIE BERRINGTON
For an unforgettable Milan experience…
It’s all about timing for two of the insiders: “Going for a run (or walk) at dawn allows you to experience a rarely seen Milano that, in its tranquility, highlights all the peculiarities of the city,” suggests Valeriano Antonioli, CEO of the design-led Portrait Milano and the Lungarno Collection. Meanwhile, Luca Finardi, general manager at the breathtaking Mandarin Oriental Milan, advises “visiting [Leonardo da Vinci’s] Last Supper after the usual opening hours. Facing this masterpiece in silence, with no crowd, is something you’ll never forget.”
On another artistic note, sitting “in the living room of Villa Necchi Campiglio, after having watched the movie I Am Love by director Luca Guadagnino [which is set in the architectural masterpiece),” is a highly memorable experience, according to Pier Giorgio Lomascolo, creative director of the luxuriously boutique Senato Hotel.
The local delicacies to eat and drink…
“Panettone! And only artisan-made, but you won’t find it after February 3,” says Lomascolo. “[And] a Campari Shakerato cocktail at Camparino in Galleria, or a post-theater Milanese dinner at Ristorante A Santa Lucia.”
“Two typical delicacies are mondeghili meatballs and Barbajada – a popular sweet drink made with whipped chocolate, milk and coffee in equal parts, topped with whipped cream and accompanied with winter sweets,” enthuses Antonioli. “These may be enjoyed in many local cafés and restaurants, including Portrait Milano’s 10_11 bar, but also at Sant Ambroeus, just around the corner.”
Finardi shares: “We have a motto that says: ‘In Milan, you may find the best fish of Italy’. It sounds like a joke for a landlocked city, but it’s true: the local fish market is one of the most important in the country. Here in Milan, there is also my favorite fish restaurant in Italy, Langosteria, where freshness and top ingredients are prioritized. For a drink, a classic negroni is always a good idea. One of my favorite places is LùBar, located in the courtyard of the Galleria d’Arte Moderna, with a beautiful winter garden.”
The unmissable spots…
The elegant Corso Venezia is ideal for a stroll. “In the space of one kilometer, you can see the history of the city by its architectural diversity,” says Lomascolo.
“Without being biased, I have to say that the Piazza del Quadrilatero [the location of Portrait Milano] is currently one of my favorites. I love to see how it has changed the dynamics of the fashion district and created a new social hub for locals and visitors,” says Antonioli. “I also love to suggest the Cimitero Monumentale – not only is it the resting place of many famous Italians, but it is a real demonstration of art, sculpture, romanticism, gratitude, life and death, beauty and sorrow, war and peace.”
Villa Necchi Campiglio, the aforementioned location for Guadagnino’s I Am Love, is a place beloved by Finardi. “It’s an icon of 1930s architecture, located in the heart of the city. An incredibly modern private mansion designed by renowned Milanese architect Piero Portaluppi, open to the public thanks to the association FAI [Fondo Ambiente Italiano, National Trust of Italy]. The Villa houses sensational works of art and is surrounded by a beautiful garden perfect for a moment of relaxation.”
For the most impressive vistas…
“On the rooftops of the Duomo di Milano cathedral, the view over the city and the mountains is just breathtaking,” says Finardi. “Another spot to enjoy a beautiful view is from the Tower at Fondazione Prada, located in the heart of one of the most dynamic neighbourhoods of Milan, Porta Romana.”
“On clear days, from the northern parts of Milan, you can see the beautiful Monte Rosa, a mountain massif in the eastern part of the Pennine Alps on the border between Italy and Switzerland – the east side towards Italy is the highest mountain wall in the Alps,” shares Antonioli. “Another treat is the most colorful street in Milano, known as Via Lincoln. Towards the end of the 19th century, the workers’ cooperative decided to design a neighborhood with appreciable gardens and affordable housing – no one would have imagined that Via Lincoln would turn into the most colorful street in the city and an under-the-radar tourist destination.”
For Lomascolo, the must-see panoramas are from “Torre Branca for 360-degree views; and Pasticceria Marchesi for the best view of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele and the flow of people.”
Something that only insiders know about a vacation in Milan…
“Milan is a small city with the soul of an international metropolis,” says Finardi. “You can easily explore it by foot, and this is my simple suggestion: strolling around and discovering its authentic lifestyle.”