Milan

10 Corso Como

Found in the early 1990s, this sort of "multi-functional" shopping complex is found in the same place as its name. Considered a lifestyle emporium and 13,000 square feet big, it contains some fashion shops, design, photography and art gallery, luxury goods, a bookshop, accessories, a cafe and a restaurant. Situated in the Garibaldi district, near the Centro Direzionale (Milan's business district), it has a courtyard, and a European/Oriental inspired interior design.

Al Matarel

Specializing in Paduan cuisine with dishes like ossobuco con risotto.

Allianz Tower (Torre Isozaki)

The Straight One - Il Dritto

It is not accessible, but since it is 207 m high with 50 floors you can see it from far away. Designed by Arata Isozaki.

Ambrosian Gallery and Library

Pinacoteca e Biblioteca Ambrosiana

Historical library that also houses the Ambrosian art gallery with treasures such as Leonardo Atlantic Codex.

€17, or €20 including the crypt

Arco della Pace

Porta Sempione

The triumphal arch of peace stands at the place at one of Milan's seven city gates. First the gate was known as Porta Giovia and was closer to the city center. Porta Sempione means "Gate towards Simplon", and once the road leading over the Simplon Pass to Paris went through this gate. The current gate was built in the early 19th century and at that time it was referred to as Arco della Pace.

Armani Megastore

Giorgio Armani's flagship store. Covering over with outlets for his high-fashion creations, the Emporio Armani and Armani Jeans lines, plus the new Armani Casa selection of home furnishings, and flower, book, and art shops; a high-tech Sony electronics boutique/play centre in the basement; and an Emporio Café and branch of New York's Nobu sushi bar.

Armani/Nobu

Part of Japanese restaurant chain serving sushi with South American influences in Armani-themed surroundings. Apart from sushi, dishes such as ceviche, spicy tuna, different soups, lobster, seaweed, salmon, or different forms of vegetables and meat (and several others) are on the menu, and you can find desserts such as carrot cakes, tea ice creams, chocolates, exotic fruits, or different, both European and oriental plates. You also get sake and champagne.

Lunch 12:00–14:30, dinner 18:30–21:30

Auditorium di Milano

The seat of the Verdi orchestra with a program of classical and modern music.

Bagatti Valsecchi Museum

Museo Bagatti Valsecchi

Extraordinary, somewhat bizarre 1880s house museum of the aristocratic Bagatti Valsecchi brothers, showcasing their passion for Renaissance art and design. Slightly spoiled by unsympathetic electrical wiring and noise-generating machines.

Tue Wed Fri-Sun 13:00-17:45, Thu 13:00-21:00·€14; entrance is included in the Case Museo (house museums) card

Bar Bianco

It's cash only at this bar, but with Gucci-clad clubbers and their well-suited companions, money seems easy to come by. The life of a party can always be detected in here.

Bar Jamaica

A small, trendy and artsy bar in the bohemian Brera district, which in summer times uses its verandah for open-air drinks.

Bar Magenta

This popular bar is best visited with a bunch of friends during apperitivo, a time when free appetizers are given out, usually around 19:00. It was said that Bar Magenta coined the now very popular “aperitivo”, and having a drink in here is a classic experience.

Basilica di San Lorenzo Maggiore

Saint Lawrence

A lovely 4th-century basilica, perhaps is one of the oldest basilicas in Western Europe. It is famous for its beautiful courtyard, with Roman-age columns and statue of the emperor Constantine. The Colonne di San Lorenzo (St. Lawrence's columns) are actually a remain of the Roman "Mediolanum", dating from the 3rd century AD. Further south the square you can see Medieval Porta Ticinese (there is also a homonymous newer gate which lies about 600 m south by Corso di Porta Ticinese).

Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio

Saint Ambrose

A beautiful and huge Romanesque church which was almost destroyed by allied bombing in World War II, although some of its mosaics left well preserved.

Basilicas Park

Parco Papa Giovanni Paolo II or Parco delle Basiliche

Named the Basilicas Park as it connects two basilicas: the Basilica of San Lorenzo and the Basilica of Sant'Eustorgio. Formerly a place for drug use and anti-social behavior, it has been cleaned up and redesigned and is now more pleasant. It was renamed after the late Pope John Paul II.

Biblioteca Nazionale Braidense

Biblioteca di Brera

A library established in 1770 by the Austrian governor. It has since acquired other historical collections and the archives of RAI (Italy's state television). It is very active in organising workshops and debates on new media and new technologies.

Biffi

Opened in 1867, it is an old fashioned restaurant/café in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, surrounded by a plethora of interesting shops, which serves drinks, and foods such as spaghetti, veal, steak, fish, and desserts such as chocolate Sacher, Tiramisu, ice cream and fruit salads. The waiters serve in the formal white gloves.

12:00–24:00 (you can have breakfast at 07:30)

Borgo del Tempo Perso

On Sunday nights, hundreds flock to the largest and classiest spot in town, the Borgo del Tempo Perso.

open year-round although outdoor area open May-Sept only

Boschi Di Stefano House Museum

Casa museo Boschi di Stefano

Extensive collection of 20th century art. Building (1929–1931) and some furniture by Piero Portaluppi.

10:00–17:30, closed Mon·Free

Bosco Verticale

Vertical Forest

The residential twin tower's name should be interpreted literally, as it stems from the fact that the buildings' intricate facades contain actual living trees on various levels, which serve a variety of purposes beneficial to the residents. The total amount of vegetation growing on the facades is equivalent to a hectare of an actual forest.

Brasserie Bruxelles

A bar specialising in beer from Belgium. 5 beer on draught and 50 in the bottle.

Daily 18:00-02:00

Brera Art Gallery

Pinacoteca di Brera

One of Italy's most important art collections and one of the foremost collections of Italian paintings. The ticketing system is a bit unusual – there are no "standard" single-entry tickets, only a "Brera card", which allows one to visit any number of times within 3 months. It costs €15, but the entry date/time slot still needs to be booked and may be sold out for the current day!

8:30-19:00 Tue-Sun·15€

Caffè Cova

Founded in 1817, this pasticceria (pastry shop) relocated to the exclusive Montenapoleone street in 1950, and is a good place for a cake/tart with a hot drink, such as coffee. At Christmas, enjoy the traditional Panettone cake.

Caffé Panzera

A lively Italian restaurant with decent ossobuco, pizza and other dishes at about €15 and delicious desserts.

Castello Sforzesco

"See who's in charge!" The round corner towers of the castle are two fists smacked down on the city plains, while the central square tower stares balefully down towards city centre. Who'd dare challenge the Duke? Yet so confident is he, he's built an extra redoubt within those walls, the military design is already outdated by the 15th century, and that rasping noise is his own family sharpening their knives against him. The Sforza-Visconti dynasty was ousted in the 16th century and the city was ruled by Spain, Habsburg Austria then Napoleon. The castle encloses a large grassed courtyard which is free to enter. Within are several museums, including museums of applied arts, ancient art, historical musical instruments, prehistory, Egyptian art and fine arts.

Certosa di Garegnano

The Garegnano Charterhouse houses Capuchin Friars and 16th century frescoes.

Chiaravalle Abbey

A beautifully-preserved medieval abbey still run by monks today.

Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Grazie al Naviglio

This landmark at the northern bank of Naviglio Grande bears the same name as the UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Western part of the country. The church is just a little over a century old, built in Romanesque Revival style, and is the third church built on that place.

Chinatown

Sarpi

Not as big or famous as the ones in London or New York, Milan does also have a Chinatown, dating from the 1920s. Main street is the Via Paolo Sarpi, which is mainly a pedestrian street. Wide varieties of Chinese food is available. See Eat section for specific recommendations.

Cicco Simonetta

A bohemian pub hosting comics, musicians, and €3 beer on Mondays.