Must Have Food:
- Osteria da Fortunata: best pasta in the world, famous for the carbonara, need a reservation or go early
- All’Antico Vinaio: really creative and delicious focaccia sandwiches
- La Prosciutteria: amazing charcuterie boards on the canal
- Trattoria Bolognese de Mauro: offer a 3 course pasta dinner, one of my favorite spots in Milan because it feels very authentic no glitz or glam just great food, tons of famous people have eaten there, a reservation is necessary
- LúBar: restaurant inside of an art museum, soooo pretty, fairy cottage core
- Al Cantinone Trattoria: traditional Lombardian food (Lombardy is the region of Italy where Milan is located) by the Duomo, must try the ossobuco with Milanese risotto
- SanPietro Milano: romantic outdoor setting with covered canopy & string lights, have some healthier feeling options
Must Have Drinks:
- Starbucks Reserve: go to the second floor where there’s a bar, must try the espresso martini, they offer great apertivo snacks also
- Ceresio 7: rooftop bar with a pool
- Aperol Spritz bar or Terraza 21: both over look the Duomo and have fancy drinks, very expensive but you’re paying for the location
- Nik’s & Co: craft cocktail bar
- Coke Tales: fun cocktail bar in Porta Venezia with creative drinks and naming
- any bar along the canal in Navigli will be fun at night
- Gattopardo: famous club, more expensive than other clubs in Milan but definitely my favorite
Sights to See:
- Castello Sforzesco: super old fort from the 15th century, walk around and admire all the artistry
- Parco Siempre: most beautiful and peaceful part of the city located right behind the castle
- Arco della Pace: walk all the way through the park and you will end up here, the Milanese version of the Arc de Triomphe
- Duomo: highly recommend getting a ticket to go to the top
- Galleria Vittorio Emanuele ii: beautiful mall full of designer stores next to the Duomo, find the mosaic bull in the floor tiling, put your heel on the bull’s testicles and spin clockwise 3 times for good luck!
- The Last Supper: Leonardo da Vinci’s mural is located in the Basilica di Santa Maria delle Grazie, buy tickets months in advance
- Milano Centrale: Milan’s central train station, insanely stunning architecture with multiple levels for shopping, dining, and exhibits
- Parco Biblioteca degli Alberi: beautiful park surrounded by ultramodern buildings, in spring the wildflowers are unreal
- Fondazione Prada: slightly outside the city but this is where they have all the Prada shows and it’s also a museum
- Armani Silos: archival Armani pieces on display
Neighborhoods to Explore:
- Navigli: area along the canal, lots of young people, tons of restaurants & bars, great for bar hopping, also a great place to meet other English speakers
- Porta Venezia: super cute area, lots of restaurants, perfect for late night drinks
- Brera: elegant and artsy neighborhood full of tight cobblestone streets
- Sant’Ambrogio: one of the oldest churches in Milan is here as well as Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore (the school I attended), very pretty area to explore
- Porta Nuova: the main business district of Milan, this is the modern Milan
- Carrobbio: considered one of the best neighborhoods to stay in while in Milan, I highly recommend Hotel Ariston
Beyond the Postcard 