A concierge’s guide to Milan

By Mario Picozzi

July 13, 2023

No one has the feel of a city quite like a Mandarin Oriental concierge, and Milan’s man on the ground is Mario Picozzi.

Milan is elegance and sophistication, but knowing where to begin your culture-rich journey through the global capital of fashion and design can be a delightful challenge. Thankfully, Mandarin Oriental, Milan’s Head Concierge is on hand to help guide you in the right direction and reveal the city's hidden spots.

Sightseeing

Whether business travellers or holidaymakers, 70 per cent of guests ask to see Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper (thanks to author Dan Brown). One of the most famous images in the world – and Milan’s most celebrated historic site – it can be found on the same wall it was painted back in the 15th century, in the dining room of the former Dominican convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie. It's incomparable. I would encourage anyone to see it, and have even arranged for private viewings. But to truly experience Milan as Leonardo did, there’s nowhere better than Leonardo’s vineyard which was gifted to him by the Duke of Milan (who incidentally commissioned The Last Supper) in 1498 and was reopened to the public in 2015.

Best coffee

Cova and Marchesi are the two oldest pastry stores in Milan and well worth a visit. Or if you want to hang out with the fashionable crowd then it has to be Mandarin Oriental’s Mandarin Garden. There’s also 10 Corso Como, which is a brilliant concept boutique in the heart of Milan’s best shopping streets.

Getting around

Jump on a historic tram. Of Milan’s 18 tram lines, the number 1 is the best route, it crosses most of Milan's most famous landmarks, from via Montenapoleone, in the heart of the fashion district, to the Arco della Pace passing through the Teatro alla Scala.

Views of the city

For the best view of Milan – with a cocktail, of course – and a slice of real Milanese nightlife, you can’t beat Ceresio 7. The high-level bar and restaurant even has a pool if you need to cool down. And, if you’re looking for romance, an aperitivo at Restaurant Torre on top of the Fondazione Prada also offers an unprecedented view of the skyline.

Waterside dining

Did you know Milan has its own network of canals? It’s in the Navigli area, which is now also the best place to eat and drink with the locals. From the hundreds of restaurants and bars, Al Fresco is great for classic Italian dishes and has a beautiful garden in summertime, while Langosteria is the top place in town for fish. Don’t miss Vicolo Lavandai – a preserved street where laundry was traditionally done, which will transport you back hundreds of years.

Steeped in history

La Scala, just steps away from Mandarin Oriental, Milan is more than the just the greatest opera house on earth. At nearly 250 years old, it’s a living museum, and one of the most important in the world. For more history, step into one of Milan’s fascinating Case Museo (house museums) now open to the public.

Greatest sport

For more drama than even the opera, the greatest game in town is watching our two great football teams – AC Milan and FC Internazionale – go head to head at the San Siro. It’s modern history in the making.

For a tipple

Campari. Drink it on ice with aperitivo snacks at Camparino in Galleria – the liqueur-maker’s own cocktail bar in the ever-astounding Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Milan’s cathedral to shopping.

Escaping the city

More than half our visitors will take a trip to Lake Como. It’s no wonder, as it’s the best of Italy’s beautiful lakes and it’s only 40 minutes away. Having Lake Como on our doorstep is one of the things that makes Milan such a wonderful city, while the sea is also not far, with Genoa and Portofino just a couple of hours’ drive south. There was a time when the whole of Milan would head for the country at the weekend leaving the city deserted, but not anymore. There's too much going on here today, from new restaurants opening every week, to bars and galleries springing up.

All offers and experiences available at time of publication. Please contact the hotel team for more information.

About the Author

Mario Picozzi

Born in Lombardy, Mario worked around the world before returning to Milan 17 years ago. The most consummate concierge any hotel could hope to have, he’s the beating heart of Mandarin Oriental, Milan and your guide to the must-see sights in the city.