Milan Luxury City Guide: The biggest industrial city in Italy, Milan is a magnet for fashion and design, attracting designers, artists, photographers and models and other VIPs from around the world.

Milan has a history that dates back to 400 BCE, and became part of the Roman Empire. Shortly after, a great deal of cathedrals and churches were built in the city. Many important families also influenced the architecture of the city, including the Duomo, which has become a symbol of the city. The wealthy families also helped turn Milan into an epicenter of art, science and culture, a status which it retains today with its multitude of museums and special events.

City Scene:
The city of Milan is arranged in circles that fan out from the city's center, Piazza del Duomo.

The Magenta neighborhood is a wealthy suburb with the popular tourist attractions of the Castello Sforzesco and the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, as well as other museums and churches.

On the Via Montenapoleone you will find the world famous high-fashion shopping district, the epicenter of Italian design. Shops here include Alberta Ferretti, Armani, La Perla, Louis Vuitton, Gucci and an array of other luxury Italian and international designers.

Must Sees and Do's:
Milan is host to a wealth of museums and churches that have given rise to the current artistic status of the city. In addition to the year-round exhibits at its museums and churches, Milan also hosts various festivals and happenings throughout the year, from Fashion Week to Carnevale. You can find out more about these special events at the tourist information center in the Piazza del Duomo.

The Duomo is the best-known landmark in Milan. It is a Gothic cathedral that took five centuries to build and marks the center of the city. In addition to its many architectural wonders, it is also home to a great deal of Italian art pieces, some of which is housed in a museum across the street.

The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is a steel-and-glass-covered, cross-shaped arcade and 19th century vision of the modern mall. It encloses shops and is great for watching the well-dressed people of Milan come and go.

One of the world's best known citizens of Milan was Leonardo Da Vinci. The Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology pays tribute to the great man and his many inventions, including working scale models of his drawings.

The Last Supper fresco by Leonardo Da Vinci is one of the city's greatest draws. People gather in droves to see it, although only 25 viewers are allowed in at a time at the Santa Maria delle Grazie which houses the work of art.

Wining and Dining:
Milan has an active nightlife and each neighborhood hosts its own variety of pubs and restaurants. In the Brera, you can find the popular, old-school style Bar Jamaica, where Mussolini himself used to have a drink. Hollywood is a current club-style bar in the area, favored by the fashionable, including models, actors and sports stars. Rolling Stone is one of the oldest music venues in the city, open since the 1950s.

The Magenta and Brera districts also have a great deal of restaurant options. In the fashion district, where everyone is on the go, grab a cup of the best coffee ever and a pastry and indulge in window-shopping. You can also dine at Il Teatro, an award-winning restaurant in the Four Seasons Milano that is consistently ranked in the top five restaurants in the city.

For the VIP:
While Milan is an industrial hub with plenty of affordable options, these luxe services will have you enjoy the same level of sophistication as other VIP visitors to the city:

Savior Service offers premiere chauffeur services around Milan and the whole of Italy. Hire a car to take you from your hotel to some of the city's best attractions. They can also take care of large groups and get you to and from the airport in style. Want to drive yourself? Rent A Dream in Milan offers a large selection of luxury automobiles including Aston Martin, Bentley and Ferrari.

The JustLuxe City Guides have been created for you, our discerning readers, to highlight the most sophisticated, the most popular and the most elegant locations in every destination.

Our local concierge continuously strives to ensure we feature the best of the best in luxury services, dining, hotels and more. Every city offers new things to enjoy, cultures to immerse yourself in and sights to see. We have sought out the best places to see, be seen or just be.

Best Things To Do >

In a city that offers a wide array of things to see and do, deciding where to start can sometimes prove to be a challenge. View All Things To Do in Milan >

The Best Restaurants >

Here, you will find only the finest restaurants, each which has been carefully selected based on its cuisine, ambiance, location, chef, awards and reviews. View All Milan Restaurants >

The Best Nightlife

From multi-level dance clubs and celebrity hotspots to popular watering holes and jazz clubs, experience the local nightlife scene at its finest with our list of top recommendations. View All Milan Nightlife >

The Best Art & Culture >

Before your next luxury trip to the city, be sure to check out some of our favorite local landmarks, cultural attractions, and diverse blend of museums and art galleries. View All Milan Culture >

Best Designer Shops >

From the best shopping districts, department stores, and local boutiques, you're sure to find the shopping destination that best suits your needs. View All Milan Shops >

Milan
Members who live here

Gianlorenzo Molaroni
Member since 03/31/2011
Gary Beach
Member since 06/02/2011
James Hill
Member since 02/03/2011
6 Members live here

Have a take on what's
Best in Your City?  
 share now >

 

JustLuxe.com Luxury NEWS >