Live like a local

Reasons to visit Milan in summer 2022

May 25, 2022

From the Milano Summer Festival to a globally-renowned design fair and fireworks display, here are five top reasons to visit Milan this summer.

Legendary bands at Milano Summer Festival

Some of the world’s most renowned musicians will take to the stage this summer at a prestigious horse-racing venue. Ippodromo Snai San Siro is on the north-west border of Milan – just a 20-minute drive from Hotel Principe de Savoia. Listen to top performers such as Italian singer Brunori Sas (June 24) and electronic music duo The Chemical Brothers (July 7). Consider going early to extend your evening with dinner in an enchanting garden in the grounds of Ristorante Canter, an elegant Italian restaurant nearby.

June 7 – July 17

1 Via Diomede 1, Ippodromo Snai San Siro, 20151 Milan

The English gardens of Villa Melzi d’Eril

The alluring medieval town of Bellagio, known as the pearl of Lake Como, lies in the foothills of the Alps, an hour’s drive north of Milan. It’s here you’ll find the Neoclassical complex I Giardini di Villa Melzi. The villa was completed by architect Giocondo Albertolli in 1810 to serve as the summer residence of Francesco Melzi d’Eril, former vice president of the Italian Republic. Set against rolling hills, it’s surrounded by woodland and English gardens, complete with a wrought iron bridge over a pond. As you meander the grounds, you’ll also come across sculptures by Antonio Canova.

Lungo Lario Manzoni, 22021 Bellagio

The Festival of San Giovanni

The annual Festival of San Giovanni (St John the Baptist Festival) takes place in Ossuccio on the western shore of Lake Como, transforming the village into a haven of food stalls and fairground rides. A spectacular fireworks show commemorates the battle between Milan and Como in 1169. For dazzling views of the display, hire a steamer, some of which are illuminated by hundreds of lamps. Another highlight of the festival is a boat procession to Comacina Island, where a Holy Mass takes place in the ruins of the Basilica Sant’Eufemia.

June 25 – 26

Ossuccio, 22016 Tremezzina

Terraforma Festival

This festival bills itself as experimental, so if you’re looking to discover new musicians and experience abstract sounds, you’ll find it here. Set in the woods around the 18^th century Villa Arconati on the north-west border of Milan, Terraforma Festival welcomes Italian and international artists, including the likes of DJ Bambounou. This summer’s edition showcases DJs Paquita Gordon and Crystallmess, the experimental singer-songwriter Lafawndah and electronic duo Voices From the Lake.

July 1 – 3

1 Via Fametta, 20021 Castellazzo

Milan Design Week

Design lovers, rejoice: the world’s most prestigious design fair returns to Milan this June. The must-attend event includes the furniture fair Salone del Mobile in Fiera Milano exhibition centre near Sforzesco Castle. More than 2,000 exhibitors are scheduled to take part this year, which is themed around environmental awareness. One highlight is ‘Design with Nature,’ an installation by Italian architect and designer Mario Cucinella. Made of upcycled and recycled materials, it resembles the rings of a tree and fills a hall with a mirrored ceiling. There are also smaller events, known as ‘Fuorisalone’, taking place across the city.

June 7 – 12

Fiera Milano, 65 Foro Buonaparte, 20121 Milano