For my Italian vacation, this time I opted for an apartment experience in Milan.
Amabilia Suites, Milan Eleven, Sforzesco Suites, and Spiga Suites – all part of Brera Apartments – offer different accommodations for short stays – all in heart of city – and I chose to stay in one of the most historical, artsy and boho-chic neighborhood: Brera, also one of Milan’s most expensive and fashionable areas to live in.
Once destination for artists, intellectuals and writers, today Brera is known for the Accademia delle Belle Arti, design boutiques, artisanal shops, galleries, showrooms, cocktail bars, and its charming eateries… not by chance, deluxe five-star hotels like Mandarin Oriental hotel, and the Bulgari Hotel are also in this neighborhood.
Within walking distance of the Milan cathedral (Duomo), the Teatro alla Scala (the world-famous opera house), and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II (shopping center), Brera has a romantic charm with its elegant and historic buildings and churches…
Its picturesque and narrow cobbled streets won’t fail to enchant you!
The closest subway stops are Montenapoleone (M3), Lanza (M2) or Cairoli (M1).
Brera is very lively, especially at night: I got home around 2am on a vespa ride (of course!) with my dear friend Laura, and I couldn’t feel safer! The bars and restaurants were still filled up and some locals even asked me to join them for a drink… they had no idea that at that point I had been up for the past 36 hours – I left NYC in the morning (EST), I wasn’t able to sleep on the plane (my seat wasn’t reclinable) and I had one event after the other the entire day in Milan 😂
Brera Apartments has so many apartments to chose from, listed for neighborhoods (Brera, Duomo, Garibaldi, San Babila – Montenapoleone, other areas like Porta Venezia, Porta Ticinese, Porta Romana).
I loved being in Brera because it was one of my favorite places to hang out when I lived in Milan 😍
Here’s the view from the apartment I stayed at… via Formentini 5: LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!!!
Family friendly, the place is very spacious, with minimal decor and has everything you need for your stay in Milan, Nespresso machine including for coffee lovers like me!
I loved its cute bathroom (I traveled back to my Milanese memories!) and the queen size bed fit extremely comfortable!!! I slept like a baby. Besides the bedroom, the apartment also has a big living room area with 2 sofa beds.
At my arrival I got the keys from a Brera Apartments employee, a young man, very attentive, who made sure I got all the info needed to spend the night there, and he also showed me how to get assistance 24/7. The concierge service was excellent!
Must see in Brera
Palazzo Brera: dating back to the 12th century, its beautiful courtyard is home of bronze copy of Canova’s statue dedicated to Napoleon I by the artist Antonio Canova.
This monumental palace is home to many of Brera’s attractions, like:
– the impressive Academy of Fine Arts, Milan’s most prestigious art schools, founded in 1776
– the Pinacoteca di Brera, a splendid late Baroque space with masterpieces of the greatest artists such as Modigliani, Caravaggio, Tintoretto, Rubens, Rembrandt, Goya and Van Dyke, among others
– the Braidense Library, one of Italy’s oldest and most beautiful library, with a spectacular interior
– the gorgeous Botanical Garden dating back to the late 1700s, a true oasis of nature in the middle of Milan and one of the most suggestive green sanctuary full of medicinal plants and two-and-a-half centuries-old Ginkgo bilobas
– the Astronomical Observatory, founded by Giovanni Schiaparelli, one of Italy’s most famous astronomers. His telescope (used for his observations of Mars) is still accessible today.
Shopping in Brera
Via Fiori Chiari is one of best street for window shopping, and since 1981, every third Sunday of the month antique vendors meet here to sell their jewels, books, porcelains and clothing: it’s one of best antique markets in Milan. You’ll find plenty of vintage jewellery, art deco glassware, prints, paintings, and books.
For vintage and retro fashion, visit Cavalli e Nastri (Via Brera, 2) and find Chanel jackets, Hermès scarves, Louis Vuitton bags, Gucci, Prada, Armani and Ferragamo from the 1950s to the 2000s.
If you like stationary like I do, don’t miss Rigadritto (Via Brera, 6), a colorful place filled with beautiful recycled papers, super cute pop-out cards, pencils, notebooks, diaries, notebooks, pencils…
Brera is loaded with great eating and drinking options, and aperitivo is a must!
- Cinc (via Formentini, 5), below the apartment I stayed at and it’s were I was invited to join some locals for a drink. It’s a chic cocktail bar.
- Jamaica(Via Brera, 32), is a historic bar and bistro where artists, poets and intellectuals hang out.
- N’Ombra de Vin (via San Marco, 2) has an impressive wine collection and a wine cellar dating back to the 15th century.
- La Prosciutteria (Corso Garibaldi, 55) is the perfect spot for a plate of cold cuts, cheese, and wine.
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