Feeling cool in Milan isn’t difficult. Not only because this northern Italian city combines the famous Italian fashion flair with a rough sexiness; Milan offers so many authentic places and hip hotspots, you will feel the Italian style-power right away. Put your sunglasses and walking shoes on, or your highest heels if you want to be Italian ‘incognito’. Sharing some of the places we spotted in Milan, while being on a business trip this November…
// Areas
Navigli
A great area to stay or visit is Navigli, the area of the little canals. You won’t find many tourists here, since the quays in this area are crowded with hipsters and students. Navigli is one of the cosiest areas in Milan. In the 14th century the canals were used to transport the marble for the Duomo to the centre of the capital.
Since the popular area of Brera is becoming an expensive yuppie neighbourhood, Navigli is the place to be for the artistic and creative scene nowadays. In Navigli you will find antique shops, – markets and art cafe’s. Combine your stroll in the neighbourhood with a lunch or ‘un bicchiere di vino’ in one of the many restaurants and bars at the quays.
Solari
Pass the beautiful railway bridge at Porto Genova and you’re in Solari, a former working-class neighbourhood filled with old factories and warehouses. Solari is the place to be for the fashion and design crowd. Don’t be surprised to spot a model, crossing the street on her way to show her portfolio at an agency or to find one the top designer headquarters on the courtyard of an old factory. Although the streets of Solari aren’t that beautiful, this is the area were housing prices go up and rich Italians invest in spacious lofts.
// Hotspots
Duomo & Galleria
When in Milan…. I was amazed by the beautiful white marble renovated Duomo and couldn’t stop taking pictures. Just take some time on the Piazza del Duomo to enjoy the scenery, people and the pigeons.
Enjoy classic Italian style in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele with the beautiful mosaic floor and high glass dome. The galleria is filled with designers shops, just window-shopping will do… Top your visit with a Campari Orange or Americano at the famous bar Camparoni in Galleria.
10 Corso Como
Located in an industrial building in the inner courtyard of a traditional Milanese palazzo, 10 Corso Como is a network of spaces all rolled into one experience. Founded in 1990, 10 Corso Como is a multifunctional space, a meeting place, a union of culture and commerce. 10 Corso Como marks the beginning of the concept store. Visitors and customers move from the insight to the next, from the Gallery to the bookshop, from the design and fashion store to the Restaurant and the Café, rest in the courtyard garden or stay in the 3 Rooms hotel and share the philosophy of 10 Corso Como. 10 Corso Como is designed by Kris Ruhs. To fully enjoy the courtyard choose lunch over dinner at 10 Corso Como.
Bahama Mama
One of the top moments of our visit to Milano was spending a relaxing hour at Bahama Mama at the end of a long day of working and walking. Bahama Mama is a vintage store, juice bar and nail studio. Take your time, enjoy a drink, while looking around in this little vintage museum and don’t forget to book a manicure! We loved this total experience, which was a perfect surprise on a late Friday afternoon, before diving into the happy hour.
// Food & cocktails
Bond
Bond is one of the cute cafe’s in Navigli. For us it was a perfect place for a ‘stand-up’ Italian coffee in the morning, but in the evening and especially on Friday nights, Bond is the place to be for cocktails and music (sorry no pics, but we were there…). We loved it since Bond has the atmosphere of a cool club, but the size of a cosy bar.
Morna
Best place for GT’s. We loved this bar in Solari next to a jeux-de boules lane, where old Italian men line up to compete. Beautiful bar, music and a bit of sports in style.
El Porteno
Eating Argentinian food might not be the first thing that crosses your mind, while being in Milan, but this stylish meat restaurant seemed the place to be on Friday night. Not only was the place packed with families and friends, celebrating the start of a their weekend; the food was fantabulous! We fell in love with the waiter (and the waiter with the coolest Sharon) and the very attractive and elegant interior. Book a table here. El porteno!
Milano, we will be back!
Links //
Airbnb Navigli // Massimo’s place
Aperitivo classico in Galleria // Camparoni in Galleria
The Milanese Concept Store // 10 Corso Como
Vintage, juice & nails // Bahama Mama
Coffee & Cocktails // Bond
GT’s // Morna
Classy Food // El Porteno
Pictures // Rosan Gompers, picture shop 10 Corso Como – 10 Corso Como
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