Guide: An Autumn Day in Milan

Milan during fall is a magical place. Gone are the heatwaves that bring the city to a boiling point during the summer months but left are that exhilarating feeling of fashion, culture, and of course aperitivo hour. 

If Hobnob suggested a full day in Milan for you, it would look like this.

Sleep 

We have experienced Milan as a complex city to find good hotels in. Why? One thing many hotels seem to have in common is that flare of decadence. That could of course be great if you are looking to Wes Anderson-up your life, but for a busy city weekend when you need a simply good place to sleep, we prefer something a little cleaner. We have found the Milano Verticale to be the Milano Design Week visitor’s (a true highlight of Milan) favorite hotel. Who are we, to argue? At the Milano Verticale you get a great location (across the building is the iconic Corso Como 10 store, gallery, and restaurant) and they serve great breakfast in Scandinavian measurements (not many Italian hotels can say that). 

Via Carlo de Cristoforis, 6, 20124 Milano MI, Italy

Shop 

OK, so post breakfast you are really energized, right? Time to go do something that requires both energy and concentration -outlet shopping. Italy is famous for its many great designer outlets. Why? Beacuse the label Made In Italy that is to be found in the neck of every design pieces you own means it’s actually made in Italy and therefore many fashion powerhouses sell their factory samples from both current and previous seasons to outlet stockists. D MAG is our outlet of choice in the city and it’s a true gem if you are looking for designer pieces at a better price or if you are on the hunt for something special you missed seasons ago. They have three addresses in the city center and each store is well worth a visit. 

Via Alessandro Manzoni, 44, 20121 Milano MI, Italy

Lunch

Ok, so now you a probably hungry because you took the main shopping street Via Montenapoleone to visit the flagship stores of Gucci, Jil Sander, Miu Miu, and Celine, after a few laps on D MAG, right? So, prepare your tongue because this is a tricky one to pronounce, Il Salumaio di Montenapoleone. Got it? Good. This courtyard restaurant is the fashion people’s favorite go-to place for late wine lunches. Did you see the House of Gucci movie you might recognize it from the scene where Maurizio Gucci introduces his girlfriend Patrizia to his father for the first time.  So you see, this is a great people-watching spot. Make sure to book a few weeks in advance though. 

Via Santo Spirito, 10, 20121 Milano MI, Italy

Culture 

So Milan isn’t all food and fashion. Or I mean, it can be if you want it to be. But since this is a list of our must do’s we want to recommend you a visit to Villa Necchi if you haven’t already. You might recognize this villa from the feed of your favorite fashion girls on Instagram. Its interior and architecture are highly coveted, and even though a picture might say more than a thousand words, seeing it IRL, is truly something else. And don’t forget to take a lap around the garden too. 

Book your tickets here.

Via Mozart, 14, 20122 Milano MI, Italy

Aperitivo 

Time for one of Italy’s finest inventions: aperitivo hour! This is the time of the day when you sit down to debrief everything you saw and shopped during the day. You order an Aperol Spritz which has its origins in Milan and together with your very well-filled glass, free of charge, you get a tray of snacks, typically focaccia with cheese, some charcuteries, nuts, and crisps. This is holy. 

If we are celebrating something (like a great catch at D MAG), we always love to go to Four Seasons and sit in the garden. Hey, you might not be able to stay a night at the hotel, but you can still get your luxury fix by enjoying the views and people-watching. 

Yes, I feel like we continue to come back to the people-watching of Milan, but there truly are no greater cities to watch people in, in Europe. The Milanese are effortlessly stylish in a very eclectic and fun way. They dare. 

Via Gesù, 6-8, 20121 Milano MI, Italy

Dinner

Ok, time for the day’s most important meal: Dinner. Here we in the Hobnob editorial team could not agree on which place is more worth a visit. So we are gonna give two options, one bookable and one drop-in where you need to be outside the restaurant when they open to get a spot in the line. 

First out: Da Giacamo. A true dream both in terms of menu and aesthetic. Every need is fulfilled here, we promise you. Da Giacomo is a true classic in Milan and it’s not hard to see why. Book in advance and order any pasta dish. 

The free card: La Latteria. Honestly like five tables and with the food in focus. The interior is how you imagine a restaurant in Milan but in real life. It does not get more easy Milanese than this. But I am warning you, be there before 19.30 or you can look elsewhere to eat. 

Via S. Marco, 24, 20121 Milano MI, Italy