Milan Gay Travel Guide & Map 2024
Upcoming Events in Milan
Free entry.
22:30 – 02:00 @ Il Doria (Via Plinio 50)
@ Fieramilanocity (MiCo)
@ Fiera Milano Rho
About Milan and its gay life
Milan is the second largest city in Italy after Rome
and the capital of Lombardy.
It is located in the Po Valley and is therefore characterized by a
mild Mediterranean climate with warm summers and moderately cold winters.
Founded 400 BC by the Celts, Milan was conquered by the Romans in 222 BC and repeatedly plundered and destroyed during the Barbarian Invasions. From 774 on Milan belonged to the Frankish Empire. In 1162 it was destroyed completely by Frederick Barbarossa. After reconstruction, a golden age followed, and under the noble family of the Sforza Milan became one of the leading cities of the Italian Renaissance. The Sforza brought Leonardo da Vinci to the city, who worked at their court for nearly 20 years and in that period produced some of his most famous works.
In the 16th century Milan fell into Spanish hands, after the War of Spanish Succession it was awarded to Austria in 1714, until finally in 1859 the Italian Kingdom began to emerge. In the age of industrialization Milan became one of the first strongholds of the labor movement. During World War II Milan suffered heavy destruction as center of the Italian defense industry. In the 1980s it became an economically thriving metropolis, leading especially in the fields of fashion, design and media.
Four times a year the Milan Fashion Week takes place. Over the course of one week the world's most prestigious fashion labels present their latest collections in elaborate catwalk presentations. When it comes to men's fashion, Milan is setting the tone ahead of Paris, New York and London.
For art and culture lovers Milan has plenty to offer, too.
Lovers of architecture should visit the Milan Cathedral, one of the largest
churches in the world. Built in Gothic style, it is an exception within
Italian architecture. Particularly impressive are its colorful glass windows
and the statues on top of the cathedral, of which
For opera lovers, we recommend visiting the Scala, the most famous opera house in the world, where the biggest stars of the opera world have performed and are still performing, from the divine Maria Callas to Placido Domingo. Since it is nearly impossible to get one of the coveted tickets for a performance, and individual visits are not allowed, you should take part in a guided tour to gain access to the impressive interior.
Milan also has the biggest gay scene in the whole of Northern Italy. The bars and clubs are scattered all over Milan, with a certain concentration in the Porta Venezia area.
Annual highlights and queer events in Milan are, among others, the LGBTQ film festival MIX and the Milan Gay Pride in June.
For Italy, see also our Gay Rome Guide and Gay Florence Guide.