Milan is known as Italy's fashion capital and one of the world's most important fashion capitals. It is traditionally a major industrial and commercial centre and this is not something that appeals to all travellers. However, those looking to plan a chic city break in Italy will find few other cities that can offer the same amount of cosmopolitan pursuits and stylish attractions. If you are interested in a holiday focused on some of the best shopping in the world, elegant cafés, cool bars, delicious food in trendy restaurants, incredible galleries and museums then a vacation rental in Milan is just the thing. As with any city, there are many sides to Milan and lots of reasons to visit but here are five excellent reasons to get planning a vacation in Milan today...
1. It is Home to Some of the Cutest Cafes in the World
Foodies will find plenty to enjoy and try while on holiday in Milan as, as noted, the city is home to some of the coolest and most stylish bars and eateries in the world. As of 2021, the city boasts a whopping seventeen different restaurants with at least one Michelin star and 81 different restaurants in the city in total that are listed in the Michelin Guide. However, coffee-lovers and those who really enjoy a cute café, in particular, will be especially delighted by the excellent coffee culture and range of stylish and adorable cafés in the city. From experiencing the pastel perfection of stepping into the cinematic world of one of the 21st century's most recognisable and iconic directors in the Prada-owned and Wes Anderson designed Bar Luce, to sampling treats from one of the city's oldest and most beloved candy brands and falling back in time to the early 20th century in Zàini Milano's traditional chocolate café, to hanging out with adorable felines in the Crazy Cat Café, there is a wide variety of café options and something for everyone!
Foodies will find plenty to enjoy and try while on holiday in Milan as, as noted, the city is home to some of the coolest and most stylish bars and eateries in the world. As of 2021, the city boasts a whopping seventeen different restaurants with at least one Michelin star and 81 different restaurants in the city in total that are listed in the Michelin Guide. However, coffee-lovers and those who really enjoy a cute café, in particular, will be especially delighted by the excellent coffee culture and range of stylish and adorable cafés in the city. From experiencing the pastel perfection of stepping into the cinematic world of one of the 21st century's most recognisable and iconic directors in the Prada-owned and Wes Anderson designed Bar Luce, to sampling treats from one of the city's oldest and most beloved candy brands and falling back in time to the early 20th century in Zàini Milano's traditional chocolate café, to hanging out with adorable felines in the Crazy Cat Café, there is a wide variety of café options and something for everyone!
2. It is the Place to Shop in Some of the Chicest Stores in the World
As a fashion capital, Milan is home to stylish locals and lots of different high street stores, designer flagship shops, luxurious department stores, high-end boutiques, vintage stores, and markets. If you are interested in shopping and bringing a bit of Italian style home with you, a villa in Milan and some time in her wide array of wonderfully chic clothing shops is just the thing. For a very Milanese shopping experience in an exceptionally beautiful setting, a visit to the opulent 19th century shopping centre Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is a must. An unbelievable architectural gem in its own right, it is home to luxury retailers such as Prada, Louis Vuitton and Versace as well as a selection of restaurants and cafés. Another key fashion institution in Milan is the exceptionally trendy 10 Corso Como, a boutique that stocks an ultra-cool edit of clothes, accessories, gifts, books, art, food, and beauty items from brands such as Comme des Garçons, Converse, Loewe, Herschel, Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood and more, as well as their own clothing brand. This is such a beloved fashion gem, in fact, that it has spawned other branches in the likes of Shanghai, Seoul, and Bejing. Bargain hunters and those on a bit more of a budget, however, should head to the city's numerous markets to get more bang for their buck. Two of the best for those looking to find great deals are the Mercato Papiniano that is held every Tuesday and Saturday in the centrally located Via Papiniano and part of the Piazza S.Agostino and is where you can find stands selling fish, fruit and veg, dairy products, meat, flowers, books, and clothes and the Via Fauchè Market that is held on the same days and has developed a particular reputation for amazing clothes at bargain prices, being favoured by local fashionistas who seek out brand names at serious discounts. Those who love fashion but are looking for more sustainable options and the elegance and trends of the past will be glad to know that Milan has a vibrant vintage scene and there are great vintage stores to choose from, ranging from the famous Cavalli e Nastri with its upscale interiors and vintage pieces from your favourite designer brands such as Chanel and Gucci, to the carefully curated collections of Elio Ferraro. For our full guide to the city's best vintage stores, click here.
As a fashion capital, Milan is home to stylish locals and lots of different high street stores, designer flagship shops, luxurious department stores, high-end boutiques, vintage stores, and markets. If you are interested in shopping and bringing a bit of Italian style home with you, a villa in Milan and some time in her wide array of wonderfully chic clothing shops is just the thing. For a very Milanese shopping experience in an exceptionally beautiful setting, a visit to the opulent 19th century shopping centre Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is a must. An unbelievable architectural gem in its own right, it is home to luxury retailers such as Prada, Louis Vuitton and Versace as well as a selection of restaurants and cafés. Another key fashion institution in Milan is the exceptionally trendy 10 Corso Como, a boutique that stocks an ultra-cool edit of clothes, accessories, gifts, books, art, food, and beauty items from brands such as Comme des Garçons, Converse, Loewe, Herschel, Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood and more, as well as their own clothing brand. This is such a beloved fashion gem, in fact, that it has spawned other branches in the likes of Shanghai, Seoul, and Bejing. Bargain hunters and those on a bit more of a budget, however, should head to the city's numerous markets to get more bang for their buck. Two of the best for those looking to find great deals are the Mercato Papiniano that is held every Tuesday and Saturday in the centrally located Via Papiniano and part of the Piazza S.Agostino and is where you can find stands selling fish, fruit and veg, dairy products, meat, flowers, books, and clothes and the Via Fauchè Market that is held on the same days and has developed a particular reputation for amazing clothes at bargain prices, being favoured by local fashionistas who seek out brand names at serious discounts. Those who love fashion but are looking for more sustainable options and the elegance and trends of the past will be glad to know that Milan has a vibrant vintage scene and there are great vintage stores to choose from, ranging from the famous Cavalli e Nastri with its upscale interiors and vintage pieces from your favourite designer brands such as Chanel and Gucci, to the carefully curated collections of Elio Ferraro. For our full guide to the city's best vintage stores, click here.
3. And it is Where You Can Learn More About Some of the Most Famous Brands in the World
If you're not just interested in clothes but have a real love for, and interest in, fashion and the history of design, Milan is a great destination. Browse our villas in Milan and try and time your trip for fashion week, which takes place twice a year, once in February and once in September (we would advise looking up the exact dates before planning your trip as they somewhat change year to year). Not only is the whole city abuzz with fashion shows, events, exhibitions, parties, and more (some of which may be open to the public) but there are lots of incredibly dressed people darting about that make people-watching with a coffee on holidays even more interesting than normal! In addition to current collections and brands that you can learn about at fashion week, you can also learn more about the history of fashion in Milan by heading to incredible institutions such as the Armani Silos, a museum dedicated to the Armani brand that displays around 600 items of clothing and over 200 accessories. Comprised of an exhibition space, a café, a gift shop, and a digital archive, it is the perfect museum for a fashion enthusiast.
If you're not just interested in clothes but have a real love for, and interest in, fashion and the history of design, Milan is a great destination. Browse our villas in Milan and try and time your trip for fashion week, which takes place twice a year, once in February and once in September (we would advise looking up the exact dates before planning your trip as they somewhat change year to year). Not only is the whole city abuzz with fashion shows, events, exhibitions, parties, and more (some of which may be open to the public) but there are lots of incredibly dressed people darting about that make people-watching with a coffee on holidays even more interesting than normal! In addition to current collections and brands that you can learn about at fashion week, you can also learn more about the history of fashion in Milan by heading to incredible institutions such as the Armani Silos, a museum dedicated to the Armani brand that displays around 600 items of clothing and over 200 accessories. Comprised of an exhibition space, a café, a gift shop, and a digital archive, it is the perfect museum for a fashion enthusiast.
4. It is Where You Can See One of the Most Famous Works of Art in the World
However, if you are also interested in the history of art, a vacation rental in Milan is also a great idea. Not only is it home to a truly stunning cathedral and lots and lots of excellent museums and galleries, it was the adoptive home of Leonardo da Vinci for part of his career. As a result, traces of the great artist are located all over the city. The most famous of these is, without a doubt, his Last Supper mural. This iconic late 15th century work was painted on a wall in the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan and is, unfortunately, very damaged due to being centuries old, damage that happened during WWII, poor restoration jobs undertaken in the past, and da Vinci's own experimental techniques in creating it that lead to it visibly deteriorating in his own lifetime. Though faded, it is one of the most famous works of art in the world and is a must-see for art-lovers visiting Milan.
However, if you are also interested in the history of art, a vacation rental in Milan is also a great idea. Not only is it home to a truly stunning cathedral and lots and lots of excellent museums and galleries, it was the adoptive home of Leonardo da Vinci for part of his career. As a result, traces of the great artist are located all over the city. The most famous of these is, without a doubt, his Last Supper mural. This iconic late 15th century work was painted on a wall in the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan and is, unfortunately, very damaged due to being centuries old, damage that happened during WWII, poor restoration jobs undertaken in the past, and da Vinci's own experimental techniques in creating it that lead to it visibly deteriorating in his own lifetime. Though faded, it is one of the most famous works of art in the world and is a must-see for art-lovers visiting Milan.
5. And it is Home to Some Other Unique Attractions & Museums
In addition to all of these fascinating attractions, there are lots of gems and surprises in Milan including its beautiful old Aquarium located in a stunning Art Nouveau building, the sprawling and imposing Castello Sforza that is one of the largest castles in Europe and was commissioned by Francesco Sforza, the largest and most important Planetarium in all of Italy, the incredible street art covering great swathes of the city (learn more about it here), and more. There is an endless list and variety of things to see and do for those who have found a vacation rental in Milan! Come and begin discovering it all on your next holiday in Italy...
In addition to all of these fascinating attractions, there are lots of gems and surprises in Milan including its beautiful old Aquarium located in a stunning Art Nouveau building, the sprawling and imposing Castello Sforza that is one of the largest castles in Europe and was commissioned by Francesco Sforza, the largest and most important Planetarium in all of Italy, the incredible street art covering great swathes of the city (learn more about it here), and more. There is an endless list and variety of things to see and do for those who have found a vacation rental in Milan! Come and begin discovering it all on your next holiday in Italy...
