10 Things to Do in Milan at Night

Milan is known as Italy’s economic capital, yet it hides corners where time seems to have stood still. Its monuments are even more beautiful after sunset, when the city’s frenetic pace slows down.

Among the things to see and do in Milan, an evening stroll is always a good option. In this article, we reveal the best spots.

We Spaniards love to eat at different times to the rest of Europe and sometimes find it hard to sit down at the table at 7.30 pm or 8 pm. Luckily, in Milan you’ll find several options for late-night dining:

• Le Capannelle: also known as the temple of Milanese night owls, it offers an à la carte menu featuring starters, pasta dishes, meat, fish, Neapolitan pizza, ice cream and desserts. It’s a city institution and the only restaurant open all night. (Viale Papiniano 23)
• Hard Rock Cafe: this legendary restaurant will immerse you completely in a musical atmosphere, as whilst you enjoy your dinner you’ll be surrounded by unique collectables from icons such as Michael Jackson and Madonna. If you’re a music lover, this is undoubtedly the place for you. It closes at 11.00 pm, so you’ve got plenty of time. (Via Dante, 5)
• Anche Forno: a small bakery in the heart of Isola. Its slices of pizza and warm croissants are just the thing after a few drinks in the neighbourhood. Open until 4:00. (Via Carmagnola 5)
• Rosy e Gabriele: an international restaurant just a stone’s throw from the central Corso Buenos Aires. The shutters stay up until 2.30 am. (Via Giuseppe Sirtori 26)
• Tutti Fritti: a fried food paradise where you can wash down every dish with some excellent craft beers. It closes at 2 am, except on Sundays when it closes at 11 pm. (Corso di Porta Ticinese 18)

Every historic city hides some treasures underground, and Milan is no exception. Beneath Piazza San Sepolcro lies the church of the same name, whose construction dates back to the era of the Crusades.

During that period, the veneration of Christ’s tomb spread throughout Europe and also ‘captivated’ Saint Charles Borromeo, then Archbishop of Milan.

He himself would descend into the crypt to pray, and his cousin Federico Borromeo embellished the place with a copper and bronze palm tree. In the Christian faith, this tree symbolises life and rebirth. If you’d like to see it too, don’t forget to book a visit to the Crypt of the Holy Sepulchre so you don’t miss out.

Useful information

• Address: Piazza San Sepolcro
• Price: from €10.
• Opening hours: tours are available both in the mornings and afternoons

A symbol of Milan, the building with the most statues in the world, the largest Gothic cathedral on the planet... The Duomo is a record-breaking temple and when darkness falls over the city, its silhouette will take your breath away.

The monument is illuminated by over 500 LED spotlights that highlight the details of each sculpture. If you visit Milan in December, you’ll see the festive lighting that makes the cathedral shine even brighter.

Want to take the best photos? Great! Here are some tips to help you find the perfect angle whilst visiting Milan’s Duomo:

• If you stand at the start of Via Dante, you can frame the entire silhouette with the equestrian monument to Vittorio Emanuele on your right.
• If it’s rained, you can look for a small puddle to capture the reflection of the Duomo.
• If you have a good camera, I recommend capturing some of the details of the statues and gargoyles.

Useful information

Prices vary depending on the type of visit. For more information, I recommend reading the post on tickets for Milan Cathedral.

Milan is the economic heart of Italy and many people associate it with skyscrapers and a frenetic pace. However, just a few metres from the headquarters of multinational companies, there are neighbourhoods where time seems to have stood still. Brera is one such place, where its cobbled streets and elegant palaces bear witness to historic Milan.

If you visit the Lombard capital in winter, you’re likely to find the neighbourhood shrouded in mist. This atmospheric phenomenon adds a touch of magic and a dash of fantasy to your visit that you’ll love, especially at night. I recommend visiting:

• The Church of San Marco
• Palazzo Citterio

The Pinacoteca di Brera

Also, don’t miss one of its greatest treasures: a visit to the Pinacoteca di Brera, located in the Brera Academy of Fine Arts.

It houses masterpieces by Caravaggio, Hayez and Sanzio, amongst others. The last admission is at 6 pm, so it’s a good starting point for your evening tour. However, on European Museum Night, the last admission is at 9.30 pm. It is also open in the evening on the third Thursday of the month.

To get there, I recommend taking the metro and getting off at one of the following stops: Cairoli (M1 and M2), Lanza (M2) or Montenapoleone (M3)

After sunset, the centre of Milan takes on a new look. The streetlights create an evocative atmosphere and the monuments glow in the darkness. The Sforza Castle is one of these and is well worth a visit to admire its imposing façade.

The best spot for taking photos is in Piazza Castello itself, which features a large illuminated fountain. Behind it, you can make out the imposing silhouette of the Torre del Filarete, the main entrance to the fortress.

However, at night you’ll find it closed and can only view it from the outside, but you can always visit the Sforzesco Castle in the morning and then see it in a different atmosphere at night – the view is completely different.

Would you like to see the Lombard capital from a different perspective? Then I recommend booking a night-time tram tour. The tour takes place aboard a Model 1500 tram that was in use in the 1920s. These tours usually include an expert guide and headphones so you don’t miss a single explanation.

Once on board, you’ll pass through the Old Town, Ticinese and Porta Genova (Navigli), Repubblica (near the central Stazione Centrale) and Sempione, the neighbourhood home to the park of the same name and the Arco della Pace. There is also a more party-oriented version that includes cocktails or glasses of spumante.

If you prefer, you can also choose to book your ticket on the Milan tourist bus and explore the whole city at your leisure, even at night, across its 40 stops.

Although situated in the middle of a plain, Milan is a city of water. In the past, the urban fabric was criss-crossed by dozens of navigable canals that facilitated the transport of people and goods. The most important ones have survived being filled in, remaining as reminders of the city of yesteryear.

As night falls, the lights from streetlamps and signs reflect on the water, creating a romantic atmosphere, and one of the best ways to enjoy it is by visiting the Navigli district, located a few metro stops from the city centre and a half-hour’s walk from Milan Cathedral.

It is bordered by the old port, now converted into a leisure area, and two canals: the Naviglio Grande and the Naviglio Pavese. Here you can take a boat trip along the canals to soak up the night-time atmosphere.

In recent years, the range of rooftop bars in Milan has grown enormously, with new venues opening up both in the city centre and in up-and-coming neighbourhoods. The list below highlights some of Milan’s must-visit spots:

• Sky Terrace Bar Milano Scala: an oasis of tranquillity in the heart of Brera. As well as excellent cocktails – I recommend trying their famous Green Mixology – you’ll find an urban garden where the produce is used in both the restaurant and the bar. (Via dell’Orso 7)
• Terrazza Aria - Sina the Gray: this is the cocktail bar of the eponymous five-star boutique hotel. It is known for its Campari-based cocktails. I recommend ordering a Sea Dream or a City Bloom. It is just a stone’s throw from the Duomo (Via S. Raffaele 6)
• Ceresio 7: ideal for enjoying an aperitif by the pool without leaving the city. The drinks on the menu are far from conventional. From up here, you can see the skyscrapers of Porta Garibaldi and the Monumental Cemetery. (Via Ceresio 7)
• Radio Rooftop: the rooftop bar on the tenth floor of the Hotel Me Milàn Il Duca. Open every day until 1:00 or 2:00 am. Booking is recommended (Via Marco Polo 18)
• Globe: a restaurant and cocktail bar overlooking Piazza Cinque Giornate. Its menu is varied and includes exotic creations such as the Brazilian Sunset or the Gusano Desaparecido. It is located in the eastern part of Milan. (Piazza Cinque Giornate 1)

The Lombard city is renowned for its nightlife. Some of the country’s best clubs are concentrated here, and there are options to suit all tastes and budgets. The list below brings together the best options for a night out. Let’s discover them!

• Amnesia: a nightclub divided into two rooms: the House Room (playing house music) and the Sound Room (offering a more eclectic mix). (Via Alfonso Gatto)
• Magazzini Generali: a former industrial warehouse converted into a club. Artists of the calibre of the Chemical Brothers, Franz Ferdinand and Sven Vath have performed on its stage, though the list could go on. The ideal spot for electronic or rock music. (Via Pietrasanta 16)
• Just Cavalli: opens its doors at aperitif time (around 7 pm) and stays open late with a top-quality DJ set. You’ll find it beneath the Torre Branca in Sempione Park. (Viale Luigi Camoens)
• Fabrique: a venue for concerts and events. Check the programme on the official website; you might make the most of your visit to Milan to catch your favourite artist. It’s located in the eastern part of the city, not far from Milan-Linate Airport (Via Fantoli 9)
• Loolapaloosa: a trendy spot in the Porta Garibaldi – Corso Como area. You can enjoy an aperitif from 7.00 pm, whilst after 11.00 pm it transforms into a club. (Corso Como 15)
• Alcatraz: a multi-purpose venue in the north of Milan. Before midnight, it hosts concerts of all kinds, from rock to rap, including tributes to classic music and metal. After the gigs, it turns into a huge nightclub (Via Valtellina 25)
• Hollywood: a city institution. It usually plays dance, hip-hop, techno and house music and attracts a diverse crowd. It’s not uncommon to spot a few celebrities here (Corso Como 15)

A famous Milanese crime novelist, Giorgio Scerbanenco, wrote: “Milanese people kill on Saturdays because on other days they’re busy with work”. The Lombard capital has been the scene of quite a few crimes, and a ghost tour is the ideal way to uncover the most sinister stories.

Such as the one in Milan’s central Piazza del Duomo, where a spirit roams. This is the ghost of Carlina, a tormented soul who lost her life in the nearby Cathedral. Some believe she threw herself from the building, whilst others think her death was accidental. Since then, the woman has continued to wander around this area, and some couples who were married in the Duomo swear that the young Carlina appeared at their wedding.

Useful information

• Duration of the ghost tour: between one and a half and two hours.
• Route: Palazzo Marino, Via Torino, Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, amongst others.
• Meeting point: a central location such as the Castle or Piazza Duomo
• Price: around €15

Milan is a safe city, but you should still take a few precautions. As in any large city, it’s important to keep a close eye on your bags and rucksacks to avoid theft. The city centre is the most closely monitored area, but as it attracts the largest number of tourists, it inevitably draws pickpockets.