A weekend in Milan & Lake Como

Style. Slowness. Sparkling moments. All in 48 hours (and a little bit more).

If Milan isn’t already on your list, this is your sign. Compact, stylish, and a little bit smug, in the best way. It’s the kind of city that lets you dress up and slow down all at once.

And just when you think it can’t get any better, you hop on a train and land in Lake Como, where the energy drops, the views go cinematic, and time kind of stretches in a good way.

We asked Ela, our Resident Travel Expert (and our go-to for going anywhere) to share her ideal long weekend - just the good stuff our WEMVision women would love.

Milan: Chic, Fast, Unapologetic

Before You Go

• Sort your airport transfer. Taxis will rob you blind. Pre-book it and arrive like you planned it.

• You’ll walk a lot. Trainers by day, heels by night. Non-negotiable.

• Book your restaurants. Especially if you’re going in peak season. Milan doesn’t do casual drop-ins.

• Two days is perfect. It’s not a big city. You’ll see a lot, eat well, and still have time for a late checkout.
  

Where to Stay

Our Top Pick: Westin Palace Milan

Big rooms. Marble bathrooms. Close enough to walk to the Duomo but far enough that you won’t hear it. Glam without screaming about it.

If you like your mornings slow, your bathrooms with a touch of luxe, and your location just-right, this is the one.

Tucked in the elegant Piazza della Repubblica district, The Westin Palace is quietly five-star. You’re walking distance from all the Milan moments (Duomo, Montenapoleone, the Galleria), but far enough to actually relax when you're done being fabulous.

The rooms are spacious and refined, with plush beds, blackout curtains, and that signature Westin calm.

The rooftop? Chic. The spa? Underrated. And the service is exactly what you want: helpful, not hovering.

It’s the kind of place that works whether you’re solo, with a partner, or tagging in your best friend for a Milan recharge. Stylish, but not shouty. Luxurious, but lived-in. WEM women will feel at home here.

Ella says: “I’ve stayed here on girls’ trips, work trips, and solo escapes. It always delivers. It’s grown woman luxury.”

Where to Eat (Depending on Who You’re With)

Crazy Pizza – £££– Loud. Fun. Dramatic in the best way.

This place doesn’t do quiet dinners. It does spinning pizzas, sparklers, and a live DJ mid-dessert. It’s giving “we made it” energy. Great for birthdays, reunions, or just a main character moment with your girls. Book the terrace if it’s warm and don’t skip dessert.

Just Cavalli– ££££– Dinner turns into dancing. Dress for the after.

Set in a glass pavilion in Sempione Park and dripping in Cavalli’s signature glam, this spot is half restaurant, half club. If you’re looking for a dinner that turns into a story, this is where to start. Go late. Dress later.

La Gioia – £££– Candlelight, eye contact, a long wine list.

From velvet chairs to mood lighting, La Gioia is intimate without being overdone. Ideal for slow conversations, anniversary dinners, or that moment when you want to look across the table and think, yes, this is a good life. The truffle pasta is a must.

Giacomo – £££ – For when you want great food and even better people-watching.

Milanese institution. Fashion crowd energy.

It’s the kind of place where you glance around the room and instantly know you’re in the fashionable company. Timeless decor, attentive staff, and classic dishes done perfectly. A solid choice for any night.

Things You’ll Actually Enjoy Doing

Shopping (Obviously)

Designer one minute, vintage the next.

Start at La Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II - yes, it’s touristy, but it’s also one of the oldest and most beautiful shopping arcades in the world. Think domed ceilings, mosaics, and flagship stores that feel more like museums.

Next, wander into Brera for curated concept stores, vintage boutiques, and quiet galleries that double as bookshops. If you're after something bold, stop by 10 Corso Como, part gallery, part fashion temple, part café.

Most boutiques close midday (yes, still). Plan accordingly. And leave room in your luggage.

The Duomo

Go inside. Go up top. Then stay awhile.

The Duomo is Milan’s crown jewel - ornate, imposing, and surprisingly peaceful if you go early. The rooftop terrace is where the magic happens. Spires. Sky. The full Milan panorama.

Once you’ve soaked it all in? Head to Terrazza Aperol or a nearby wine bar and toast to your effort.

Skip the queues by booking a Duomo + rooftop combo ticket in advance. Sunrise slots are quieter and golden.

Culture Fix

Milan knows how to flex softly.

• Fondazione Prada – Fashion meets contemporary art. Unexpected, bold, and beautifully curated. Go for the exhibit, stay for the architecture.

• Pinacoteca di Brera – One of Italy’s great art collections housed in a baroque palace. A quiet, beautiful reset.

• Teatro alla Scala – Even if you’re not an opera girlie, catch a ballet or just take a guided tour. The interiors are next-level.

  
  

Dress up. Even for the museums. This is Milan, style is language.

Pause & People-Watch

Because half the charm is in sitting still.

Find a piazza. Order something chilled. Watch the Milanese go by. A few favourites:

• Piazza San Fedele – Small, refined, often quiet.

• Via della Spiga – For fashion crowd sightings.

• Navigli – Edgier, artsier, best during golden hour.

Lake Como: Slower. Softer. More Champagne.

Take the train. It’s €4. It’s scenic. And in just under an hour, you’ll be on the edge of something very special.

Before You Get There

• Have cash. Not everywhere takes cards and you don’t want to be stuck.

• Plan ahead for ferries. They run on their own time. Leave room for faffing and walking.

• Give yourself space. There’s no such thing as rushing in Como. Don’t try.

  
  

Where to Stay

Hilton Lake Como – Great location. Great spa. Rooftop pool if the weather plays nice. Great if you like ultra modern spaces.

Grand Hotel Tremezzo – Old-school luxury. Think Wes Anderson in real life.

MUSA Como – Boutique, discreet, and perfect if you’re there for romance or rest (or both).

Where to Eat

L’Aria, Mandarin Oriental – ££££ – Italian-Asian fusion in a setting that deserves your best dress.

Set within the Mandarin Oriental, this is not just dinner—it’s theatre. Think: sashimi followed by risotto, served beneath pergolas draped in wisteria. It’s calm, quiet, and every detail feels considered, from the ceramics to the sommelier.

Giacomo al Lago (at Grand Hotel Tremezzo) – ££££ – Yes, again. Different location. Same magic.

If Milan’s Giacomo is where you people-watch, Lake Como’s Giacomo is where you soak it all in. Perched right on the water at the Grand Hotel Tremezzo, it’s a masterclass in old-school glamour. Crisp table linens, candlelight flickering as boats glide by, and a menu full of Italian classics that don’t need reinvention.

Come here when you want it all, great food, a front-row seat to the lake, and service that’s present without hovering.

LAGO Food & Co – ££

Cosy, casual, and delicious. Easy win after a day of ferry-hopping.If the other two are occasion dinners, this is your go-to for comfort and charm. Tucked into the village of Menaggio, LAGO Food & Co is relaxed but thoughtful—wooden tables, exposed stone, and a kitchen that knows exactly what it’s doing.

Pasta is fresh, the wine list is solid, and the vibe is all about good food, good company, and zero pressure.

WEM-Approved Experiences

• Town-hop by ferry – Each one has its own mood. Bellagio is classic. Varenna is underrated. Go where your feet feel drawn.

• Private boat tour – Venetian limo. Bottle of bubbles. You, gliding past villas and stories you’ll never Google.

  
  

Your Turn

Been to Milan or Lake Como? Got a hidden gem, or a dinner spot we need to try next time?

Drop your musts in the comments - we’re building the ultimate WEM-approved edit, together.