Girlfriend Getaway to Milan
When it comes to the top destinations for a girls-only getaway, what better choice than the city of Milan? The capital city of the Lombardy region in Northern Italy, Milan has a population of over 1 million people and is widely considered the fashion and financial capital of Italy. Throughout the years, Milan has experienced a huge economic rise and is now one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe.
Milan has everything that you and your best friends could possibly need in a trip – from art, history and culture to food, nightlife and shopping. If you want to discover the best the city has to offer, check out this list of top things to do during a girlfriend getaway to Milan.
(Tip: If you have extra items you don’t want to carry around, look for a luggage storage locker around the city and temporarily store your things there).
Top Girly Things to Do in Milan
- Shop until you drop!
One of the main things that Milan is known for is its huge fashion industry. The city is part of the “Big Four” fashion capitals of the world, along with London, New York, and Paris. This is why it’s really no surprise that shopping is a major activity in the city.
People from all parts of the globe fly to Milan to splurge and shop until they drop. If you and your girls are feeling overwhelmed by all the choices, here’s a quick rundown of the shopping areas in Milan:
- Quadrilatero della Moda: Also known as the city’s “fashion quadrilateral”, this district is made up of four main streets, namely Via della Spiga, Via Manzoni, Via Montenapoleone, and Via Sant’Andrea. As you probably already guessed, the area is where all the top fashion brands, designer labels and luxury boutiques can be found, including the likes of Hermes, Gucci, Versace and Prada.
- Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II: Commonly referred to as “Milan’s drawing room”, this 19th-century shopping arcade is one of Milan’s most impressive buildings and a favorite shopping destination in the city. The elegant building houses some of the world’s most renowned brands and high-end names such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Prada. It is also home to some of Milan’s dining institutions, such as the iconic Café Biffi.
- Corso Vittorio Emanuele II: For a slightly cheaper shopping option, head over to this pedestrian-only shopping street which has a good mix of mid-range boutiques and upmarket shops. The street is also home to the La Rinascente shopping mall, where locals go to buy household items, clothing and other products.
- Via Torino: Found within the Piazza del Duomo, Via Torino is one of Milan’s oldest streets and is a one-stop shopping destination. The street features well-known brands such as Zara, H&M, Pull and Bear, and Foot Locker. Aside from that, Via Torino is also lined with independent boutiques and small shops selling home décor, cosmetics, furniture and other cool finds.
- DMAG: An outlet store with several branches all over Milan, DMAG features over 3,000 local and international brands at more affordable rates. If you’re lucky, you can find designer items such as Yves Saint Laurent and Valentino at lower costs.
- Stuff yourself with amazing food.
Italy has arguably the most famous and celebrated cuisine, and in the city of Milan, eating is a top activity enjoyed by both locals and tourists. Whether or not you consider yourself a foodie, you and your ladies should definitely check out the best food that Milan has to offer. The following are some of the must-try restaurants:
-
- Ratana: This spot serves modern versions of traditional Milanese cuisine.
- Panzerotti di Luini: A Milanese dining institution that’s been around since 1949, this small shop is known for its mouthwatering pastries. Their specialty is the panzerotti – a fried dough that’s stuffed with spicy salami and mozzarella.
- Pescaria: This is one of the best spots in the city for fresh seafood dishes, particularly their signature octopus sandwich. Expect long queues but the food is definitely worth the wait.
- Trippa: This trattoria is run by renowned chef Diego Rossi and aims to repurpose “peasant” cuisine and turn it into delectable Italian dishes. The menu changes constantly, depending on what is available in the market on that day.
- Explore Milan’s historic city center.
Milan has plenty to offer when it comes to culture and sightseeing and one of the best places to do some exploring is at Milan’s Centro Storico. The historic city center is teeming with wonderful landmarks, stunning architecture and other points of interest to keep you and your girls occupied for hours. Some of the must-see spots are:
- Duomo di Milano: See Milan’s most recognizable church and a fine example of Gothic architecture in the city.
- Palazzo Reale: This is the former seat of government in the city, transformed into a world-class art center that hosts various local and international art exhibitions.
- Santa Maria delle Grazie: Admire this 15th-century church and convent, home to Leonardo da Vinci’s iconic The Last Supper.
- Castello Sforzesco: Explore this historic castle that now contains several museums such as the Museum of Ancient Art, which houses various works of art, including Michelangelo’s Rondanini Pieta.
- Check out the nightlife scene in Milan.
With a huge concentration of young people in the city, it’s no wonder that Milan has one of the top nightlife scenes in Europe. In fact, there are various areas around Milan where you can have a ball with your friends, socialize and hang out. Some of the most popular nightlife districts in Milan are Brera and Navigli.
Brera has great sidewalk eateries to stop at for a snack and drink. Navigli is the perfect boho scene. Other trendy neighborhoods to venture into are Piazza del Duomo and Isola.
- Take a quick day trip outside Milan.
Even though Milan has more than enough sites and activities to keep you and your ladies occupied, you might want a change of scenery to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Fortunately, there are plenty of neighboring towns and destinations to take a day trip to.
Perhaps the most popular day trip from Milan is the Lake District, which is only around half an hour away; the most prominent and frequently visited town in the district is Lake Como. Other noteworthy day trip options from Milan include the Swiss Alps, Cinque Terre, Verona and Turin, to name a few.
