Mag Cafe
A hip cafe-bar on the Naviglio Grande, packed morning to night with Milan’s creative crowd for coffee, vintage-styled cocktails and canal-side people-watching. A Navigli institution.
Milan
Colonne di San Lorenzo
A row of 16 ancient Roman columns facing the Basilica of San Lorenzo – among the few Roman remains in Milan, and by night one of the city’s liveliest free gathering spots, where students and locals spill out with drinks. History by day, party by night.
Magnum Pleasure Store
A make-your-own Magnum ice-cream bar pop-up that ran in Milan for a season, letting you dip and top your own bar. It has since closed permanently.
Mercato di via Fauche
A slice of Milanese history, busiest on Saturdays, where food stalls sit beside outlet coats, shoes and bags. A bargain-hunter’s paradise for quality Italian leather and discounted labels – bring cash and a camera.
Fiera di Sinigaglia
Milan’s oldest flea market, dating back to the 1800s and set a step from the Navigli. You can find just about everything – vintage and alternative clothing, handicrafts, books, vinyl, rare plants and collectibles – plus food and drink stalls and a great taste of the city’s underground culture.
Where to Eat and Drink in Milan Like a Local
Eat and drink like a Milanese: canal-side aperitivo, the Colonne steps, local markets and a Duomo panzerotto.
Where to Stay in Milan: Best Neighborhoods for First-Timers
Where to stay in Milan? A local guide to the best neighbourhoods, from the central Duomo area and chic Brera to canal-side Navigli and modern Porta Nuova.
2 Days in Milan: The Perfect Itinerary
A local’s perfect 2-day Milan itinerary: the Duomo and the Galleria, the Sforza Castle and La Scala, the Last Supper and Navigli aperitivo.
Best Things to Do in Milan: A Local’s Guide
The best things to do in Milan, chosen by locals: top sights, where to eat, where to stay and the best tours, with a handy trip planner.