A gem of northern Italy, Milan is an exquisite blend of timeless elegance, contemporary sophistication, and a rich historical tapestry. It’s a fashion and artistic hub where discerning travelers can indulge in style and luxury.
In this post, we’ll explore this city’s finest offerings. We’ll delve into cultural treasures, upscale accommodations, private tours, gastronomic wonders, and luxury shopping in Milan.
Interested? Let’s uncover the secrets of a luxury vacation in Milan.
Luxury Hotels in Milan
When it comes to luxury accommodations, Milan effortlessly raises the bar. Lavish hotels such as the iconic Hotel Principe di Savoia and the Palazzo Parigi redefine opulence. These hotels offer a harmonious blend of exquisite design, impeccable service, and world-class amenities.
Hotel Principe di Savoia
First established in 1927, the Principe di Savoia Hotel is a tribute to Milan’s past and present. A 5-star establishment, the Principe di Savoia has seen guests of the caliber of Queen Elizabeth II, Bill Gates, and former President George W. Bush.
This venue boasts 257 rooms and 44 suites, of which six are designed as “signature suites.” These luxury suites are carefully curated to provide the best experience for their guests, each with its own unique theme and décor.
The Acanto restaurant functions inside the hotel, with a menu combining traditional Italian cooking with a modern twist. There is also the “Principe” bar, specializing in the traditional aperitivo culture of Italy, an amaro or vermouth accompanied by a canapé.
Wellness is also a concern for the Principe di Savoia, with an area offering:
- A spa offering personalized treatments
- Heated swimming pool
- Sauna and hydro-massage
- An outdoor terrace for relaxation
- A fully equipped state-of-the-art gym
Principe Di Savoia’s presidential suite, the very definition of luxury.
Palazzo Parigi Hotel and Grand-Spa
Perfectly located near the Duomo and the Teatro Alla Scala, Palazzo Parigi is a haven of tranquility in busy Milan. The Palazzo has a small number of rooms compared to other luxury hotels in the city. You can take your pick of one of 54 rooms and 41 suites in either a Milanese style (modern, with cream tones) or a chic Parisian style.
The “Gastronómico” restaurant opens its doors for all guests of the hotel, offering a decidedly classic Italian menu. There is also the Café Paris, with both traditional cafe and bar service. And if you are feeling the call of nature, you can have dinner al fresco in the private gardens.
Perhaps the biggest draw for the Palazzo is its massive spa facilities. The Grand Spa offers everything you could need for relaxation. From a Moroccan-style Hammam suite tastefully decorated in North African style to a restaurant specializing in wellness cooking, you’ll find something that suits you. The Palazzo also collaborates with Valmont, a leading skincare brand, so you can leave the spa feeling completely pampered.
Be transported to Morocco at the Grand Spa’s Hammam suite.
Luxury Shopping in Milan
First, you should start with the grandfather of all shopping malls, the Vittorio Emanuelle Gallery. This massive construction, topped with an awe-inspiring glass dome, was finished in 1877 and houses some of the greatest luxury shops in Milan.
The Vittorio Emanuelle Gallery
From Gucci to Versace, with specialized boutique jewelers and watchmakers, this temple of fashion has anything you could wish for. But that isn’t all it has to offer. Haute cuisine restaurants share space with some of the oldest cafes in the country. And if that wasn’t enough, the Gallery houses the iconic Borsalino hat shop, specializing in luxury hats since the turn of the 19th century.
But of course, a shopping trip to Milan wouldn’t be complete without visiting the neighborhood of Quadrillatero della Moda, a fashion mecca where many fashion movements began. There, you’ll find the famous Via Montenapoleone, Milan’s luxury shopping street, lined with majestic buildings housing iconic brands such as Prada, Rolex, and Burberry.
It goes without saying that the best time to visit Milan is during fashion week, when the streets are abuzz with models, designers, and fashion insiders.
Enjoy the Finest of Milan’s Culture
Milan has more than 2500 years of history, being one of the key cities on the Italian peninsula. The city is absolutely peppered with monuments, landmarks, and other sites of interest. It’s great for both the history buff and the casual tourist who just wants to absorb some of the local color.
Going to the Teatro Alla Scala for an opera performance or ballet is an experience you can’t afford to miss. This legendary house of culture was founded in 1778, and during its illustrious history, it has been host to many great artists like the Three Tenors.
Teatro Alla Scala
Another breathtaking sight is visiting the location of Da Vinci’s most famous work, the Last Supper. This fresco is still located right where Leonardo painted it, on the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria Della Grazia. Your best option for seeing it is to book a private tour through Milan. These tours can cost up to a thousand euros per person and are usually customizable, so you can catch all the sights you want. We’ll discuss a bit more about private tours in our next section.
To immerse yourself further in art, you can also visit the Brera Art Gallery (Pinacoteca di Brera). Mantegna, Raphael, and Caravaggio are among the artists featured in this museum’s impressive collection of Renaissance and Baroque art.
Lastly, another activity you can’t miss in Milan is an escapade to Lake Como. Well known for its natural beauty and fantastic luxury facilities, Lake Como is less than 2 hours away from Milan. A tip: You can rent a Ferrari to visit Como in style.
Exploring Milan: Private Tours
Private tours provide tailored experiences, allowing you to explore a city’s finest offerings. Plus, they often also take care of transportation, making your trip more enjoyable and stress-free.
Here are some top-rated private tour services in Milan:
Charm and Adventure
“Charm and Adventure” is a travel agency specializing in deluxe experiences.
Their tours cover a wide range of refined interests, including:
- Art and culture: Visit Milan’s historical landmarks and museums
- Fashion and design: Enjoy private shopping experiences and shop at top Italian boutiques and showrooms
- Romance and passion: A tour designed for couples to immerse themselves in Milan’s romance
- Food and wine: Delight yourself with the finest cuisine and wine tasting in Milan
Find out more and book an unforgettable tour at Charm and Adventure’s website.
Italian Allure Travel
With Italian Allure Travel private tours, you can enjoy:
- Historical Milan: visit all the marvelous historical sites of Milan
- Designer tours: Let a personal shopper take you on a high-end shopping experience tailored to your style.
- Exclusive designer boutiques: Shop and meet designers at luxury boutiques and showrooms.
- Hidden gems: discover Milan like a local.
- Best of Milan: Walk through the city’s main sights
- Luxury men’s fashion tour: an exclusive tour around the finest shops of men’s clothing and beauty, including Italian tailors.
Their guides will meet you at your hotel reception, or your preferred location. You can also request a private Mercedes with a chauffeur to take you around the city. Want to book? Visit Italian Allure Travel’s website to learn more.
Milan Private Tours
With Milan Private Tours, you can customize your travel experience based on your preferences. Some of their tours include:
- The best of Milan: The city’s most famous landmarks, perfect for first-time visitors
- Hidden gems: Discover the magical and epic spots of Milan’s historical center
- Leonardo da Vinci: Retrace Leonardo da Vinci’s steps and visit his marvelous work
- Full-day tour: See the highlights of Milan in just one day.
Get personalized assistance, skip lines, and visit Milan at your own pace. Want to learn more? Visit Milan Private Tours’ website.
Best Luxury Restaurants in Milan
Milan’s culinary scene stands out for its unique combination of Northern Italian traditions and contemporary innovation. The city’s aperitivo culture adds a stylish and convivial dimension to dining, highlighting Milan’s cosmopolitan atmosphere.
Here are some luxury restaurants in Milan that you can’t miss:
Enrico Bertolini al Mudec
Enrico Bartolini, the chef with the highest number of Michelin stars across his Italian restaurants, consistently wows and astonishes his guests.
In the words of a Michelin Guide critic: “Having achieved three stars for this restaurant (his flagship address in Milan), Bartolini has no intention of resting on his laurels. Instead, he continues to create new, skillfully prepared dishes full of intense flavors which take guests on a sophisticated culinary adventure.”
Located on the third floor of Milan’s Museo delle Culture (Mudec), Bertolini’s restaurant exudes an elegant and contemporary lounge-style ambiance.
Enrico Bertolini al Mudec’s address is Via Tortona, 56. You can book a table by visiting their website or by calling +39 02.84.293.701 between Tuesday and Saturday, from 17:00 to 18:00. Alternatively, you can reach out via email at [email protected].
Andre Aprea
Andrea Aprea’s restaurant stands as another opulent gem in Milan’s culinary scene.
As a Michelin guide critic puts it: “The setting is visually impressive, with a superb panoramic window boasting views of Porta Venezia park and Milan’s urban skyline. The large central dining room is dominated by a sparkling circular chandelier made from Murano glass and gold leaf, while the walls clad in black “bucchero” ceramics (from which the Etruscans used to make vases) lean slightly, directing the gaze towards the open-view kitchen. Here, guests can admire the chef and his team at work as they prepare the different dishes for the three tasting menus: Contemporaneità, a 5-course menu that explores the relationship between memory and innovation; Partenope, a 6-course menu focusing on specialties from Campania; and Signature, an extraordinary 8-course experience which expresses the chef’s culinary philosophy.”
Andre Aprea’s restaurant is located in Venezia, 52. Want to book a table? Visit their website, or simply call +39 02.3827.3030.
Key Takeaways
Milan’s allure lies not only in its illustrious fashion houses and design. It’s an immersive journey through history, culture, and the finer things in life. This is a breathing city with a lot to offer. For the sake of brevity, we couldn’t tell you everything there is to do.
Milan offers you an infinity of luxury experiences, and they are all in our online directory. Check it out and have the luxury experience you deserve.