Milano is big Milano is beautiful Milano in the future.  when you first book your plane tickets to come to Italy Milano is in the plans. Of course, it is not Rome the beautiful and antique Rome.  but Milano has something of the future something I Vanguard that you really can not come across in any other place of the world. 

For he who steps foot for the first time in Milano, you should know you are landing in the playground of fashion, design, and all kinds of exciting events beyond your wildest dreams. In Milano, there is a week dedicated to quite anything. Design week, fashion week, architecture week – so many opportunities of meeting people and upgrading your skills and your life.

The Navigli, of course

When you are new to the city, one amazing area to get lost in is the Navigli. The Navigli is way more than simple canals surrounded by bars, restaurants, and clubs. First and foremost, they are an important part of the historical center of Milano. Little do most people know that in the past, Milano very much resembled Venice in that streets were linked with canals. Today, even though most of them have been destroyed, the area is still crossed by two canals that make the neighborhood cozy and friendly.

It is an amazing area to have fun in, whether you are hanging out with your partner, your friends, or your family. If you are a fan of vintage shopping, or if you like to grab a drink after a full day visiting the city, then this is the spot for you. Food tip: we strongly recommend having a bite at Pizzium, one of the best pizzerias around.

The Dome of Milano

Of course, this mini-guide of Milano wouldn’t be complete without the famous Dome of Milano. We know this is one of the top attractions in the city, and it looks fabulous from each corner of the Piazza del Duomo. You can even get on the rooftop to catch a glimpse of the grandeur of Milano – a cool spot for an Instagram sunset moment.

If you are a history and religion lover, we strongly recommend you to catch a  glimpse of the famous Leonardo da Vinci ‘Last Supper’ painting. It has been safely and jealously guarded by the city for ages, and it is truly an imposing part of the country’s culture that you would set your eyes on.

Shopping at the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

When you visit a city, bringing back souvenirs for family – and yourself – is a part of the deal. For this matter, another area that you would very well do to visit – especially if you are a shopping enthusiast – is the very elegant Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. How can you not feel like a queen or a king taking a stroll between the luxurious restaurants and clothing shops nearby? 

Churches, please

In Milano, much like in any part of Italy, churches and basilicas are very much loved. As part of our selection, we would recommend a visit to Chiesa di Santa Maria Presso San Satiro, a church that dates back from the 9th century. It is located in the Centro Storico, as is Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore. It is nicknamed the Sistine Chapel of Milano, and there is reason enough to regard this monument as one of the most famous in the world. It is gold, it is paintings, it is art and architecture all rolled into one. 

Fun fact: in this church, you will be able to enjoy a reproduction of the Last Supper painting. Then, close by, you can take a walk at The Palazzo Litta, an astounding baroque building from the 17th century. Your best bet to enjoy the city to the fullest is to lose yourself in the ancient architecture of this very avant-garde City.

Can a city be complete without a castle, though?

Despite its very artistic and design look at times, Milano still remains very much engraved in the past. It does not let go of its record nor of its gigantic history. A proof of this love for tradition and history is the Castello Sforzesco, one of the greatest pieces of evidence of the city’s power. In 2 or 3 hours tops, you can wander the Castle – absolutely for free. In the nearby park, you can come across a mini Arc de Triomphe that will teleport you to the elegant Paris, only a few meters away from the center of Milano.

Must-visit: the Monumental Cemetery

When you’re on vacation, the last thing that you would like to do is visiting a cemetery. However, catacombs, crypts, and cemeteries really boast a supernatural personality in Italy. We strongly recommend that you visit the Monumental Cemetery when you’re in Milano. No shady vibes, on the other hand, this is the very opportunity to enjoy Italian art from the 19th and 20th centuries. There are engraved and sculpted masterpieces all around, and the cemetery building itself is absolutely stunning.

Of course, you don’t have to do this on your own. If you would like to visit the city with a true local, you can always get a guided tour of the historical center or a ghost tour if you want to mix things up a little bit.  

So there you have it some of the very best places to visit get lost in and enjoy the finer things from the Italian culture. There are so many ways to visit Milano that it’s really difficult to end this article there. From luxury shopping to avant-garde design and buildings made from glass and concrete and wood, it is a city for the dreamer.

If you would like to get away from the city just for a day or two, Lake Como is a stone’s throw away. It is one of the most peaceful places you will ever find in your life, filled with blue, green, water, and mountains that surround you, your dreams, and your happiness. 

Rare are those who disagree on the fact that Rome hosts some of the most beautiful museums. From the almost alive statues of Gallery Borghese to the Egyptian room of the Vatican museums, the artworks will undeniably blow your mind away. 

However, we have to admit that the city itself is housing a particular aesthetic that you can only reach by walking in the streets of Rome, with your eyes wide open. Rome definitely is a museum by essence, unveiling new gems each and every day. 

Whether it is street art or simply places that showcase the most unusual beauty, we have gathered for you some of the wonders you might come across in the streets of the Eternal city. 

1. Church San Paolo Dentro le Mura 

Literally “St Paul within the walls”, this gothic church sits in the middle of Via Nationale. Walk by this amazing building and let yourself be amazed by the alternating pure white and saturated brick red. Its special appearance gives this church all the singularity that we love when wandering in the streets of Rome. 

2. Via della Conciliazione 

Considered as one of the main arteries of the city, this street is a must if you are looking for street art around the Vatican. The artworks are everywhere, defending all types of opinions, through all kinds of styles. Paintings, stickers, or sentences – we guarantee this is one of the best spots to enjoy a different type of art in a city full of ancient statues and paintings. 

3. Via Dei Pastini 

For lunch or dinner, day or night, you can enjoy the beauty of this street. Not so far from the Fontana di Trevi and the Pantheon, you can walk through this street and come across the many displays of fresh pasta, artichokes, and other Italian specialties at the entrance of the restaurants. Do not miss an occasion to eat in one of these, under the sparkling lights of the terraces!  

4. Quatro Fontane 

At the intersection of Via Delle Quatro Fontane and Via del Quirinale, you will find four built-in fountains. Nothing special so far, as Rome offers a plethora of amazing fountains. However, we advise you to take a closer look at these fountains, since each one is different from the others. Two of these fountains are the embodiment of two rivers, the River Tiber and the River Aniene while the two other fountains are the Goddesses Diana and Juno, representing chastity and strength. The details of each one of the Quatro Fontane will make your eyes sparkle!

5. Clet Abraham’s Unusual Traffic Signs

Walking in the streets of Rome, you will probably notice that some traffic signs are somewhat… diverted. Well, Clet Abraham is the creator of the funny stickmen stealing the show from the stop signs. Small arrows spiking hearts, tiny policemen, Andy-Warhol type bananas… Witness the ingenuity of his art by looking up to these traffic signs! 

6. Quartiere Coppedè 

Enter a real fairytale in Quartiere Coppedè, a housing complex built following the Modern Style movement. There, you will have the chance to walk around the Fontana delle Rane – the Frog fountain, to discover the many details of Villini delle Fatte and to walk under the arch of The Palazzi degli Ambasciatori. This neighborhood is a staple of the city of Rome, for its peculiar architecture and all the secrets it seems to be hiding.

Here they are – six of our favorite spots to experience Rome under a completely different aesthetic. But overall, we advise you to tie your shoelaces and to get lost in the Roman labyrinth. This way, you will uncover your own wonders: street art, little sculptures of the Virgin Mary on the corner of random buildings, and outstanding architecture! Get off the beaten paths, and always remember that even famous spots change daily. All that matters is the angle from which you see them…