Marianna Cerini

As a Roman, I was a little sceptical that I’d fall for Milan when I moved here two years ago. Sure, the city is way more international than my hometown, more efficient, and definitely more diverse (especially in terms of food), but I felt like it didn’t have the jaw-dropping charm or inspiring history of my hometown Rome.  Yet, two years on, I couldn’t see myself living anywhere else. Milan might not be as stunning as other Italian cities, but it has a quiet, elegant allure that tends to sneak up on you and never let go. You’ll notice it in the hidden courtyards of its early 20th century buildings; the stylish shops that dot the city, the sophisticated architecture of its prettiest neighbourhoods; the slow pace of its old-fashioned streetcars. Italy’s most European city, Milan is a little secretive, very cool, and a joy to discover. Trust me on that one. Here are its best things to do.  RECOMMENDED:🍴 The best restaurants in Milan🛏 The best hotels in Milan 🏠 The best Airbnbs in Milan🍕 The best pizza in Milan This introduction was written by Marianna Cerini, a writer based in Milan. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

The Milanese look pretty darn good, so it stands to reason that they all happen to be eating pretty well, right? Right. Few cities do good food like this stylish spot in the north of Italy, and gastronomic greatness is found across the city, from neighbourhood trattorias to high-end Michelin magic. Eating a good meal is an integral part of the perfect day in Milan, every bit as important as checking out the famous attractions and indulging in some world-beating shopping. The city kitchens are Milan’s great equalizer, where the celebrity chefs rub shoulders with homely history, and the results are delicious. Here are the best restaurants in Milan. RECOMMENDED: 📍 The best things to do in Milan🚂 The best day trips from Milan🏡 The best Airbnbs in Milan🛏 The best hotels in Milan This guide was last updated by Michelle Schoenung, a writer based in Milan. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

After a long day of shopping, sightseeing and soaking up Milan’s culture, there’s only one thing you need. Milan’s incredible restaurants serve up all the Italian delights you can imagine, but sometimes nothing will hit but a fresh-out-the-oven pizza.  Luckily, Milan has got some of the best pizza around. Fresh tomato sauce, buttery mozzarella, chewy, blistered dough wood-fired in the oven. Pizza here is an art, perfected over centuries and still delivering as the absolute best in the business. Here are our favourite pizzas in Milan.  RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Milan🍸 The best bars in Milan🍝 How to eat like a local in Milan🏨 The best hotels in Milan🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Milan This guide was recently updated by Marianna Cerini, a writer based in Milan. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.  

What’s the vibe?  A bit of a legend when it comes to pizza (it was first established in Naples in 1901), the Milan outpost of Starita does some of the best pies in the northern city. The atmosphere is simple – brick walls, a smattering of colourful tables, some cheesy paintings on the walls – but that doesn’t really matter: you come here for the food, not the ambience. Expect families, gregarious groups of friends out on Friday night, and a very Neapolitan-style approach to hospitality.  What are the prices like?  In a city like Milan, where pizza night now often costs as much as a gourmet meal in a fancy restaurant, Starita is delightfully easy on the wallet. Prices hover around €10 for a pie, with starters equally cheap and cheerful. This is the perfect spot for a casual lunch or a chilled dinner before an evening out.  What should I order?  Get the fried zucchini flowers and mini fried pizzas to start – a Neapolitan classic – then opt for a mix of classic pies like Margherita, decadent fried pizzas and Starita specials, like the Montanara Starita, which, besides being fried and then baked, features Naples-style ragout, smoked provola cheese, and PDO pecorino romano cheese. Enough said.  What’s worth visiting nearby?  Starita is a stone’s throw away from Arco della Pace (Milan’s smaller version of Paris’s Arc de Triomphe) and Parco Sempione, the city’s most beloved park, where you’ll also find the Triennale design museum. From there, it’s an easy stroll to Castello Sforzesc

What’s the vibe?  Originally founded in Bologna, Berberè has multiple locations around Milan (the one you’ll find here is the Isola branch), but the vibe is the same regardless of where you go: laidback, convivial and super friendly – all the traits of a classic neighbourhood joint. That doesn’t mean it compromises on aesthetics, though (we’re in Milan after all, Italy’s fashion and design capital). The ambience has a thoroughly retro-chic tinge, with design details like perfectly studied hanging lamps, tiled walls and pops of colour that feel playful and sleek.  What are the prices like?  More than affordable. Pizzas range between 6.5 euros for a Marinara to 13 euros for the Crudo e Burrata, which features Umbrian ham and, you guessed it, burrata from Puglia. The starters – called ‘sfizi,’ meaning treats –are around 5 euros and perfect for sharing, while the wine list stays below the 30-euro mark. Even better, a glass is only 3.5 euros – a steal.  What should I order?  Many of Berber’s pizzas change according to what’s in season – and they’re always worth trying – but among the staples, we’d recommend the Diavola, Napoli and Bufala. Besides the sourdough base that’s made Berbere famous, during dinner service you can also choose among a couple of other yeast-free, unconventional cereal flour doughs.  What’s worth visiting nearby?  As we mentioned, Berbere counts different outposts in Milan – five in total – all located in pretty lively districts. Our personal favourite, thoug

What is Navigli known for? Located in southwest Milan, Navigli is one of the city’s buzziest and most lively neighbourhoods. It gets its name from the two man-made canals (navigli in Italian) that cross it – the Naviglio Grande and the Naviglio Pavese – which back in the days were used for the transport of goods and people as well as for irrigation. Today, the area is filled with cool bars and art galleries, hip restaurants and vintage shops, not to mention Milan’s best flea and antiques market (held every last Sunday of the month).  Is the neighbourhood worth visiting? With its eclectic spirit, rich history and laidback vibes, Navigli is very much worth a visit – all the more so if you happen to come on the last Sunday of the month, when its flea-meets-antiques bazaar runs along the Naviglio Grande for almost 2 km. The district is also known for its nightlife, photogenic alleyways and architecture, including its palazzi di ringhiera (tenement buildings with shared balconies) typical of old Milan.  When is it best to go? Navigli gets extremely packed at the weekend, so weekdays are a better time to visit – unless you go especially for its antiques market, of course. The neighbourhood is a 30-minute walk from the Duomo, or a 20-minute ride away by subway, tram, or buses.  Where should I eat when I’m there?  So many options! Try Tenoha for ramen, Gloria for small plates and natural wines, and Osteria Conchetta for traditional Milanese dishes. Drink-wise, make sure to stop at Ri

Why is the Santa Maria delle Grazie so famous? A Renaissance masterpiece, Leonardo Da Vinci’s the ‘Last Supper’ draws hordes of visitors to Milan every year. With good reason: the artwork is possibly one of the most famous paintings in the world, not to mention a true showcase of Da Vinci’s artistic genius. You’ll still find it where it was first unveiled – on the dining room wall of the former Dominican convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, a Renaissance church that’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Observe the figures’ realism, take note of all the tiny details dotted across the mural, and marvel at Da Vinci’s clever use of perspective.  Is it worth seeing the ‘Last Supper’? Any work by Leonardo Da Vinci is worth seeing at least once in your lifetime (would you go to Paris and not check out the ‘Mona Lisa’?), and the ‘Last Supper’ is no exception. Perhaps one of the most famous paintings in the world, Leonard da Vinci’s The Last Supper has been reproduced to death, so much so that you might question the point of seeing it in person (especially considering that very little of the original painting remains today). But no tote bag or even large-scale reproduction can adequately capture da Vinci’s emotionally charged mural. The Italian polymath developed a specific type of fresco painting for it – rather than applying paint onto wet plaster, he painted on the drywall with a combination of egg tempera, oil paint and other mixed media – made use of linear perspective in a truly

What is it and why is it famous?  The fifth largest Christian church in the world – and the building with the most statues ever, supposedly – the Duomo is the very symbol of Milan. The Gothic-style cathedral dates back to the 14th century, although its construction actually lasted over six hundred years (it’s still not finished: it’s not unusual to see scaffolding around it), requiring thousands of workers, a new canal system to bring in the marble to build it – a special kind from the quarries of Candoglia, on Lago Maggiore – and at least 78 different architects. Marking the spiritual, cultural and social centre of Milan, the landmark enthrals visitors with the whirlwind of sculptures, gargoyles and carved figures that make up its façade, as well as the grand interiors and the view from the top, which you can reach via stairs or elevator.  Is it worth visiting? The Duomo is to Milan what the Colosseum is to Rome, so yes, no visit to the northern city would be complete without a visit to this OTT church. Also, its rooftop boasts what’s possibly the best panorama of Milan’s skyline in the whole city.  Is it free to enter?  The Duomo isn’t free to enter unless you’re attending mass – though you wouldn’t be able to walk around then. Ticket prices vary depending on what ‘combo’ you opt for: access to the cathedral, rooftop via the stairs, Duomo Museum and Church of San Gottardo in the nearby Palazzo Reale is €20, while the same package with the lift to the top is €25. Tours, skip