How to Plan Your Next Visit to Milan, Italy

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Milan, Italy is fashion and financial capital, but we definitely associate it more with its fashion reputation. The city seamlessly blends history and modernity with elegance, where ancient history meets contemporary innovation. It is home to iconic landmarks like the Duomo di Milano, world-renowned art including The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci, and a vibrant fashion scene, as well as its green spaces and delicious cuisine.

The city also prides itself on being a welcoming atmosphere for pets, making it an excellent destination for dog owners. I note places that are dog-friendly because it was confirmed by me, but from what I’ve seen and heard dogs are very welcome all over Milan so not having ‘dog-friendly’ noted just means I couldn’t confirm it directly.

Whether you’re a history buff, a foodie, a nature lover, or traveling with your four-legged friend, Milan has something for everyone. Let’s explore what makes this city special, its rich history, and itinerary suggestions for your visit to help you in case you’re wondering how to plan your next visit to Milan, Italy.

A Brief History of Milan

Nestled in the Lombardy region in northern Italy, Milan sits on the vast plains of the Po Valley. While it doesn’t have the dramatic landscapes of coastal or mountain cities, it boasts stunning parks, charming canals, and impressive architecture. It was first settled around 590 BC by the Insubres, a Celtic tribe associated with the region. They named it Medhelanon (medhe = “middle, central” + -lanon = “plain”/“settlement”. The Romans conquered the city in 222 BC, latinising its name to Mediolanum and leading the way for its significant roles in the Western Roman Empire. Milan played a crucial role in Italy’s unification in the 19th century and evolved into the economic and fashion powerhouse it is today. Honestly, I cannot do justice to 2,000 years of Milan’s history in a travel blog post, so this is broad strokes here. I recommend these books to read more about Milan and its rich history: 

As I’m an art lover so I must mention how the city flourished during the Renaissance under the powerful Visconti and Sforza families, becoming a hub for art and commerce. At some point, Donato Bramante and Leonardo da Vinci each lived & worked in Milan. You would know Bramante for his role in designing St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, but before that he designed Santa Maria delle Grazie and Cloisters of Sant’Ambrogio, both located in Milan. Of course, Santa Maria delle Grazie church is also home to da Vinci’s The Last Supper mural. 

Cuisine & Dining in Milan

Milan is known for their saffron risotto as well as ossobuco, panzerotti, and panettone. My love of Italian cuisine is not from any cultural heritage I was raised with, but from the comfort food it offers. My own wedding reception was entirely Italian food in a restaurant space that was a converted car garage. From the eggplant parmesan to the cannoli & tiramisu, it was a celebration of love.

My knowledge of the cuisine of Milan specifically is limited to notes from my father’s travels, so in this case I am deferring to the experts. A lot can be said for those who have research teams on the ground testing these foods and restaurants out, so I’m linking to some resources you can count on:
• Stanley Tucci’s tour of Italy and all the restaurants he highlighted. He focused on Milan in S1E4
• Mikael Colville-Andersen’s The Life-Sized City Milan – S02 E04
• Anthony Bourdain in Italy: The Compete Country Guide
• Anthony Bourdain No Reservations: S1E6 Sicily, S3E15 Tuscany, S5E2 Venice, S5E20 Sardinia, S6E20 Rome, S7E11 Naples, S9E4 Emilia Romagna
• Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown: S2E6 Sicily, S10E8 Southern Italy
• Anthony Bourdain The Layover: S1E3 Rome
• Mark Wiens’s Migrationology with local On Tour with Keit: Ossobucco and Risotto

The consensus is that the best panettone in Milano is from a “pasticceria”, these are the top three:
• Marchesi 1824, Via Santa Maria alla Porta 11/a – the creator of the original panettone
• Pasticceria Cucchi, Corso Genova, 1 20123
• Pasticceria Confetteria Cova s.r.l., Via Montenapoleone, 8 20121

When you return home and want to make the saffron-infused risotto alla Milanese in your own kitchen, you can rely on Stanley Tucci’s recipe or Giada de Laurentiis’s Nonna’s recipe.

Four Different Day Itineraries in Milan based on Neighbourhood

I’m sure you’ll have your own ideas for an itinerary, but sometimes a few ideas can get you started in creating the exact plan that’s right for you, so I’m sharing four delightful day itineraries. Pick and choose what fits your interests. They’re arranged by area of the city for maximum walkability, though public transport is available and dog- & kid-friendly.

Day in East Milan – Route in Google Maps
• Start your day at the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a stunning shopping arcade with luxury boutiques and charming cafés.
• Visit the Duomo di Milano, Milan’s magnificent Gothic cathedral. Climb to the rooftop for breathtaking views.
• A close walk from the cathedral is lunch at Cantina Piemontese (Via Laghetto, 2, 20122)
• Giardini Pubblici Indro Montanelli – A historic park featuring a planetarium, playgrounds, and designated dog-friendly areas.
• For an authentic Milanese dinner walk to the Central Station Area to dine at Trattoria Sabbioneda Da Romolo (Via Alessandro Tadino, 32, 20124)

Cooking Class Day in West Milan – Route in Google Maps, with ALL cooking schools mapped out
• Start the day with people watching at the Darsena pond/reservoir
…then there are two different focuses for your day I’ve included. You could do both if you have the energy, but I’ve grouped them:
• Spend a few hours in a cooking class to learn how to prepare classic dishes, like tiramisu or ossobuco, which translates to “bone with a hole”. Options in this area are:
– Come ‘Na Vorta – Pasta e Vino Navigli (Ripa di Porta Ticinese, 3, 20143)
– Cook in Milano (Via Servio Tullio, 4, 20123)
– Basara Milano – Japanese food academy (Via Tortona, 12, 20144)
– LAC – Laboratorio di Antropologia del Cibo (Via Privata Metauro, 4, 20146)
Dining options near these:
– Osteria dal Cornuto (Ripa di Porta Ticinese, 55, 20143), dogs allowed inside
– Testone (Via Vigevano, 6, 20144), dog-friendly

Art Gallery Day in Southwest Milan – Route in Google Maps
• Visit the MUDEC Museum, which is dedicated to the interdisciplinary research on the world cultures.
• Stroll through the picturesque Navigli District filled with charming cafés and art galleries.
• One recommended gallery is Galleria Previtali, which is beside the unassuming but popular…
• Trattoria Bolognese da Mauro (Via Elia Lombardini, 14, 20143), which is open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday and for lunch on Saturdays & Sundays only. (reservations recommended)
• Other options for dining in this area are:
– Il Brutto Anatroccolo (Via Evangelista Torricelli, 3, 20136)
– Osteria Conchetta (Via Conchetta, 8, 20136)
• If you haven’t already visited it, enjoy sunset people watching at the Darsena pond/reservoir

Day in Central Milan – Route in Google Maps
• Enjoy a morning walk in Parco Sempione, one of Milan’s largest parks, where both dogs and children can roam freely.
• Head to Sforza Castle, a Renaissance fortress housing incredible museums and artwork. Kids will love the castle’s courtyards and the fascinating Museum of Ancient Art.
• For an Italian sandwich lunch, visit Al Politico (Piazza Castello, 5, 20121)
• Explore Brera, Milan’s artistic heart, with its cobblestone streets and stylish boutiques.
• Dinner in this area has many options, three recommendations are:
– La Salsamenteria di Parma (Via Ponte Vetero, 11, 20121), dog-friendly restaurant
– Riso e Latte srl (Via Camperio 6, 20123), dog-friendly restaurant
– Trattoria Torre di Pisa (Via Fiori Chiari, 21, 20121), known for their risotto alla Milanese

Day in North Milan – Route in Google Maps
• BAM – Biblioteca degli Alberi – A modern park with scenic walking paths and family-friendly activities.
• Savor a modern take on Lombard cuisine at Ratanà (Via Gaetano de Castillia, 28, 20124), a pet-friendly restaurant with a scenic outdoor seating area and a family-friendly ambiance near BAM.
• Explore the vibrant Isola District, filled with pet-friendly cafés, street art, and parks where kids can play.
• End the day with a relaxed meal at Frida Café (Via Antonio Pollaiuolo, 3, 20159), known for its laid-back ambiance and dog-friendly policy.
• Another food option, though a bit of a walk (and not mapped in the link above) is near Porto Garibaldi: Osteria Brunello (Corso Garibaldi, 117, 20121) and their cotoletta alla Milanese (veal).

Family & Dog-Friendly

I’ve focused a bit more on dog-friendly destinations this post because it was a special intention for a friend, so I thought I’d sum up a few of the destinations in a quick list to make it easy for others traveling with their best boi or girl in Milano. Milan, like much of Italy, is incredibly welcoming to families and pets. Many restaurants provide high chairs and child-friendly menus, while playgrounds are scattered throughout the city’s parks. Public transport welcomes both children and pets, making it easy to explore the city. 

Restaurants:
• Frida Café (Via Antonio Pollaiuolo, 3, 20159)
• La Salsamenteria di Parma (Via Ponte Vetero 11)
• Ratanà (Via Gaetano de Castillia, 28, 20124)
• Riso e Latte srl (Via Camperio 6, 20123)
• Trattoria Bolognese da Mauro (Via Elia Lombardini, 14, 20143)
• Trattoria Torre di Pisa (Via Fiori Chiari, 21, 20121)
• Osteria dal Cornuto (Ripa di Porta Ticinese, 55, 20143)
• Testone (Via Vigevano, 6, 20144)

Hotels:
• Grand Hotel et de Milan (luxury stay, allows pets, family-friendly amenities)
• NH Collection Milano Porta Nuova (stylish, pet-friendly, and great for families)
• Babila Hostel & Bistrot (budget-friendly with a relaxed vibe for pet owners and families)

Parks:
• Parco Sempione – A vast green space with shaded paths, open lawns, and playgrounds.
• Giardini Pubblici Indro Montanelli – A historic park featuring a planetarium, playgrounds, and designated dog-friendly areas.
• BAM – Biblioteca degli Alberi – A modern park with scenic walking paths and family-friendly activities.

Annual Festivals in Milan
• Carnevale Ambrosiano (February/March) – family-friendly carnival with parades
• Milan Fashion Week (February/March & September/October) – need I say more?
• Salone del Mobile (April) – Furniture & design fair
• Milano Film Festival (September) – Indie films
• Oh Bej! Oh Bej! (December) – Christmas market

This is a bit different than my other posts about travel, especially my posts about Italy, but I hope you enjoyed it. This is part of a series based on my own travel research intertwined with my late father‘s travel journal notes. But I also have many posts on travel from my own adventures in Continental Europe, Ireland, the United States, and, of course, Italy.

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