Milan — Design, fashion and aperitivo

For most gay travelers, gay Milan first means a single neighborhood: Porta Venezia, northeast of the center. This is where the highest density of queer bars, cafés and places to go in the city is located. They are loosely grouped around Piazzale di Porta Venezia and Via Lecco, which is considered the heart of the scene. Anyone who has only known Milan as a fashion and design metropolis will quickly notice that both worlds are intertwined. During the day, you can stroll through the Liberty villas of the quarter. In the evening, the venues fill with a mixed crowd in which the fashion industry is clearly represented.

Going out follows the Italian rhythm. Between six and nine o'clock in the evening, the stage belongs to the aperitivo, where people talk and make contacts. Around twenty-two o'clock the mood changes, and the club night often drags on into the early hours of the morning. In addition to the nightlife, Milan is worthwhile for its classic sights: the Duomo with its walk-out roof terrace, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and the Navigli canal district, where you can also find aperitivo outside the scene. In June, Milano Pride takes place with a demo and stage program, making the month the busiest time for queer visitors. Otherwise, it is pleasant to travel in spring and early autumn, when the summer heat of the Po Valley subsides. As a base, Porta Venezia is obvious, well connected and right in the middle of the action.