10 Things to Do in Milan at Night

Milan is known as the economic capital of Italy, yet it has hidden corners where time seems to have stood still. Its monuments are even more beautiful after sunset, when the frenetic pace of the city 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 places.

We Spaniards love to eat at a different time than the rest of Europe and sometimes we find it difficult to sit at the table at 19:30 or 20:00. Luckily, in Milan you will find several options for late dining:

• Le Capannelle: also known as the temple of Milanese late-night diners, it has an à la carte menu with starters, pasta dishes, meat, fish, Neapolitan pizza, ice cream and desserts. It is a city landmark 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 you will be surrounded by unique collectibles of icons such as Michael Jackson or Madonna while you enjoy your dinner. If you are a music lover, this is definitely the place for you. It closes at 23:00 so you have time (Via Dante, 5).
• Anche Forno: a small bakery in the heart of Isola. Its pizza slices and hot croissants are ideal after a few drinks in the neighbourhood. Open until 4:00. (Via Carmagnola 5).
• Rosy e Gabriele: an international restaurant a stone's throw from the central Corso Buenos Aires. The shutter stays up until 2:30. (Via Giuseppe Sirtori 26).
• Tutti Fritti: it is the paradise of fried food and you can wash down every dish with some excellent craft beers. Closes at 2am, except on Sundays when it closes at 11pm. (Corso di Porta Ticinese 18)

Every historic city hides some gems underground and Milan is no exception. In the subsoil of Piazza San Sepolcro is the church of the same name, whose construction dates back to the time of the Crusades.

In that period, the cult of Christ's sepulchre spread throughout Europe and also "bewitched" St. Carlo Borromeo, then Archbishop of Milan.

He himself used to go down 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 would like to see it too, don't forget to book a visit to the Crypt of the Holy Sepulchre so that you don't miss it.

Useful information

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

Symbol of Milan, building with the largest number of statues in the world, the largest Gothic cathedral on the planet? The Duomo is a temple of record and when darkness envelops the city, its silhouette will take your breath away.

The monument is illuminated with more than 500 LED projectors that highlight the details of each sculpture. If you visit Milan in December you will see the gala illumination that makes the cathedral shine even brighter.

Want to take the best pictures? Good! Here are some tips to find the perfect perspective while visiting the Duomo of Milan:

• If you position yourself at the beginning of Via Dante you can frame the whole silhouette leaving the equestrian monument to Vittorio Emanuele on the right.
• If it has rained you can look for a small puddle to get the reflection of the Duomo.
• If you have a good camera, I recommend you to capture some details of the statues and gargoyles.

Useful information

The price varies depending on the type of visit. For more information I recommend you to read the post about tickets for the Duomo of Milan.

Milan is the economic heart of Italy and many people associate it with skyscrapers and frenetic comings and goings. However, just a few metres from the headquarters of the multinationals there are neighbourhoods where time seems to have stood still. Brera is one of these, where its cobbled alleyways and elegant palaces bear witness to historic Milan.

If you visit the Lombard capital in winter you are likely to see the neighbourhood shrouded in fog. This atmospheric phenomenon adds a magical touch and a hint of fantasy to the visit that will enchant you, especially at night. I recommend you visit:

• La Chiesa di San Marco
• Palazzo Citterio

The Pinacoteca di Breara

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, among others. The last entrance is at 6 o'clock, so it is a good starting point to begin the night route. But on the European Night of Museums the last show is at 9.30pm. Also, on the third Thursday of the month it is open at night.

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 changes its skin. The lights of the street lamps create an evocative atmosphere and the monuments glow in the dark. The Sforzesco Castle is one of these and it is worth a visit to admire its imposing façade.

The best place to take a few photos is in Piazza Castello itself, where there is a large illuminated fountain. Behind it you can see the imposing silhouette of the Torre del Filarete, the main entrance to the fortress.

However, at night you will find it closed and you can only see 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 image is totally different.

Want to see the Lombard capital from a different perspective? Then I recommend you to book a night tram tour. The tour takes place on board a 1500 model train that was used in the 1920s. As usual, these routes come with an expert guide and headphones so you won't miss any explanations.

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 of the homonymous park and the Arco della Pace. There is also a more party version that includes cocktails or a glass of spumante.

If you prefer, you can also choose to book your ticket on the Milan sightseeing bus and tour the city at your leisure, even at night, along its 40 stops.

Although it is located 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 burial and remain as witnesses to the city of yesteryear.

At nightfall, the lights of the street lamps and signs reflect on the waters 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 centre and a half hour walk from Milan's Duomo.

It is bounded by the old port converted into a leisure area and two canals: Naviglio Grande and Naviglio Pavese. You can take a boat trip along the canals to enjoy the nightlife.

In recent years, Milan's rooftop bar scene has grown enormously and new establishments have been opening in both the centre and in up-and-coming neighbourhoods. The list below lists some of Milan's must-visit rooftop bars:

• Sky Terrace Bar Milano Scala: an oasis of calm in the heart of Brera. As well as an excellent cocktail bar - I recommend trying their famous Green Mixology - you'll find an urban vegetable garden where crops are used in both the restaurant and the bar (Via dell'Orso 7).
• Terrazza Aria - Sina the Gray: this is the cocktail bar of the five-star boutique hotel of the same name. It is known for its Campari-based drinks. I recommend ordering a Sea Dream or a City Bloom. It is 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 unconventional. From the top you can see the Porta Garibaldi skyscrapers and the Monumental Cemetery (Via Ceresio 7).
• Radio Rooftop: the panoramic bar on the tenth floor of the Hotel Me Milano Il Duca. Open daily until 1:00 or 2:00. Reservations recommended (Via Marco Polo 18)
• Globe: a restaurant and cocktail bar overlooking Piazza 5 giornate. Its menu is varied and includes exotic creations such as the Brasilian Sunset or the Gusano Desaparecido. It is located in the eastern part of Milan (Piazza Cinque Giornate 1).

The Lombard city is known for its nightlife. Some of the best clubs in the country are concentrated here and there are options for 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: House Room (with house music) and Sound Room (with more eclectic sounds) (Via Alfonso Gatto).
• Magazzini Generali: an old industrial building converted into a club. Its stage has showcased artists of the calibre of Chemical Brothers, Franz Ferdinand and Sven Vath, although the list could be longer. The ideal place to listen to electronic or rock music (Via Pietrasanta 16).
• Just Cavalli: opens its doors at aperitivo time (around 19:00) and goes on until late with a quality dj set. You'll find it under the Torre Branca in Parco Sempione (Viale Luigi Camoens).
• Fabrique: a space for concerts and events. Look for the programme on the official website, you could take advantage of your visit to Milan to listen to your favourite artist. It is located in the eastern part of the city, not far from Milan-Linate Airport (Via Fantoli 9).
• Loolapaloosa: a trendy option in the area of Porta Garibaldi - Corso Como. You can try their aperitif from 19:00 while after 23:00 it transforms into a club (Corso Como 15).
• Alcatraz: a multi-purpose space in the northern part of Milan. Before midnight it hosts concerts of all kinds, from rock to rap, from tributes to the music of the past to metal. After the shows it is transformed into a big discotheque (Via Valtellina 25).
• Hollywood: a historic venue in the city. It usually offers dance, hip-hop, techno and house music and attracts a varied audience. It is not difficult to see some celebrities here (Corso Como 15).

A famous Milanese crime writer, Giorgio Scerbanenco, wrote: "the Milanese kill on Saturdays because the other days they are busy at work". The Lombard capital has been the theatre of quite a few crimes and a ghost tour is the ideal way to discover the most sinister stories.

Like the one in Milan's central Duomo square, where a spirit haunts. It is the ghost of Carlina, a tormented soul who lost her life in the nearby Cathedral. Some believe she threw herself away, others think her death was accidental. Since then, the woman continues to haunt the area and some couples who were married in the Duomo swear that the young Carlina appeared at their wedding.

Interesting information

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

Milan is a safe city and yet you should be a little careful. Like any large city it is important to keep bags and backpacks under control to avoid theft. The centre is the most heavily guarded area, but as it is home to the largest number of tourists, it inevitably attracts pickpockets.