🇮🇹 2 days in Milan 🇮🇹
How to spend a stylish weekend away in Milan from London.
Why Milan? and when?
As the summer sun began to bid its farewell and with one of my friends about to turn 40, what better way to bid adieu to the warmer months with one last adventure before the brisk autumn winds swept in ? The destination of choice: Milan, the fashion capital of the world. The weekend of choice: the last weekend of September; we were not disappointed by the weather ☀️ . And this time, no kids – only girlfriends!
Nestled in the heart of Northern Italy, Milan beckons with its captivating blend of fashion, culture and history. Milan is only an hour train journey away from the famous lake Como 😍… more on that in a future post!
From world-class shopping on Via Montenapoleone to exploring iconic landmarks like the Duomo di Milano, my 48 hour Milan adventure was bound to be a memorable one.
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WHERE I STAYed
Having only a couple of days in Milan, we took the decision to stay in a central location (zone 1) and that proved to be invaluable. That meant we didn’t waste time travelling to the main sites or money using taxis or the metro. The weather was so gorgeous (27 degrees the whole weekend) that we enjoyed walking out of the door and walking pretty much everywhere; the best way to explore in my opinion.
Choosing accommodation in Milan can be a fashion show in itself and it has some of the best hotels, all the big names are there; Four Seasons, Park Hyatt, Bulgari, Mandarin Oriental and more but, not for us (we wish!), we stayed for 2 nights in a boutique apart hotel named Numa Camperio 10 minutes walk from the main piazza and this was perfect for us. We found the best deal through Expedia Hotel + flight package which included our Easyjet flight.
Have a glimpse of my trip ☀️
DAY 1: evening FLIGHT
My weekend getaway began at London’s Luton Airport, where we boarded a late afternoon – direct Easyjet flight to Milan Malpensa Airport (for £80 return per person!). And just two hours later, we landed in the fashion capital of the world! It was late and decided to take a taxi from the airport to our hotel in central Milan, (taxis are expensive in Italy!) the ride cost about 110€ and took 50 mins. There is also the option to take the train from the airport to Milan Centrale train station, this costs €13 per adult and €6.50 per child aged 4 to 13, free for under 4.
Upon arrival, the city’s energy immediately embraced us, despite being 11.30pm by then.
I knew this weekend held promises of adventure, celebration and hopefully a culinary exploration of vegan delights for me.
After dropping our suitcases, we were not ready to end the day. There were loads of bars still open and that was enough for us to have a drink and a few bites!
Day 2: A Day of Cultural Glam
Morning
We started the day with a visit to Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, “The Last Supper,” located in the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie (25 mins walk from the Duomo). Be sure to book your tickets well in advance. It opens at 9am every day apart from Sundays, it opens at 3pm.
We carried on walking towards the iconic Duomo di Milano. Gothic grandeur and Instagram-worthy moments set the stage for a fabulous afternoon. Wow what a monument.
Before exploring further, we sat down for lunch at one of the many restaurants surrounding the piazza del Duomo. I’ll be honest, there were not many vegan options here and found it disappointing for such a touristy square. We did find a vegan burger, it wasn’t great and it was pricey but hey we had a great view of the Duomo whilst eating and enjoying the sun.
Afternoon – no time for siesta
Visiting the Duomo and its terraces is a must. We saved this for the golden hour which was around 5.30pm at that time of year. The architecture, the view and colours didn’t disappoint – note that if you buy a combined ticket which includes terraces and visit of the Cathedral for a visit towards the end of the day (to enjoy the sunset from the rooftop), you may not be able to visit the Cathedral as the last entry is at 6.10pm. The entrance of the Cathedral is on the way down from the terraces. We didn’t know and were not told to make sure to head down to enter the Cathedral before 6.10pm but luckily tickets are valid for 3 days from the day and time you booked your ticket for so we were able to quickly sneak in the following day.
In between lunch and the visit of the Duomo, we strutted through Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a beautiful shopping arcade known for its mosaic floors and glass-domed ceiling – high-end boutiques and charming cafes. It is a must see whether it is to window shop there (like me!) or buy from designer shops. Milan is a great place to shop for UK residents! The prices for certain brands are the same whether it’s in euros or pounds and if you spend over 100€ you are usually able to claim the VAT back. Win-win! The saving may pay for most of that weekend away.
EVENING DRINKS
No bash is complete without drinks, right? And by the time we had finished visiting the Duomo terraces, it was apéro time.
We couldn’t resist the beautifully-lit Duomo as backdrop for that. Had a penne arrabiata on the spot and we headed to Navigli, one of the city’s trendy neighbourhoods showcasing beautiful canals for a taste of the local nightlife (tip: the drinks are almost half the price there 😉)
Day 3: Fashion, BRUNCH AND FLYING HOME OR..
Our Sunday morning started with a cheeky oat milk cappuccino and some peanut butter /homemade raspberry jam toast at a local vegan-friendly café. Fully caffeinated, we began the day by exploring the trendy Brera district, known for its artsy vibe and quaint streets. You can shop for unique souvenirs or visit more art galleries. The renowned Pinacoteca di Brera Gallery is a must-visit for any art enthusiast. Housing an impressive collection of Italian Renaissance art, the gallery provided a serene escape into the world of masterpieces by artists such as Raphael and Caravaggio.
We carried on towards the Milan’s fashion district, Quadrilatero della Moda. Luxury boutiques, designer stores, and street style that could rival the runway. Even if shopping wasn’t on the agenda, the allure of the fashion houses and stylish locals provided an unforgettable experience.
We enjoyed a leisurely brunch at a charming café, savouring Italian pastries (I did find one to be vegan) and coffee back by the Duomo so we could visit the Cathedral this time and collect our bags from the hotel, which was minutes away.
Before heading to Milan Malpensa Airport, make a quick stop at a gelateria to indulge in some gelato aka sorbet to savour your last moments in Milan OR and that’s a big OR do like us and catch a 1hr train to Varenna for a couple of days in dreamy lake Como. That place deserves a post of its own, stay tuned 😍
I would go back!
Whether you’re a fashion enthusiast, an art lover or simply seeking a taste of Italian dolce vita, Milan has something to offer every traveler. Milan is your runway to fabulousness. It is a great European city for us Brits /UK residents to do shopping and save VAT.
Milan’s charm, mixed with its rich history and vibrant atmosphere, left me with a treasure trove of fashion-forward memories. As I sashayed onto my return flight to London, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for the spontaneity that led us to this Italian gem and the perfect way it set the stage for a milestone celebration. I hadn’t been to Italy in such a long time and this short trip made me fall in love with Italy again. How could I not with that stunning sunset over the Dolomites..
And I also couldn’t help feeling Milan didn’t do me justice with the vegan food it had to offer, it was one of those weekend getaways which we purposely didn’t fully plan – let’s see what we come across kind of weekend. I missed some opportunities to try tasty vegan food there – a reason to go back and explore the city in a different way.
Grazie e Arrivederci Milan – until our next encounter! 🌱
With love, Caroline
