In Milan, the best time to visit depends less on the weather than on the calendar. Design Week and the fashion weeks fill the hotels and push up prices, August empties the city, and spring and autumn bring the most pleasant days for walking. Here is what to expect month by month, and the best time to visit Milan for sightseeing, shopping, opera and the lakes.
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The short answer
- Best overall: May, late September and October
- Most expensive: Design Week in April and the fashion weeks
- For opera: December to spring, when the La Scala season is in full swing
- For shopping: the sales in January and July
- Quietest: August, when many locals leave the city
Milan Month by Month
| Month | Weather | Crowds and events | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Cold, often foggy | Busy during the men’s fashion week | Sales, museums, opera |
| February | Cold | Busy during the women’s fashion week | Museums, opera, carnival |
| March | Cool, changeable | Moderate | Sightseeing before the spring fairs |
| April | Mild, spring flowers | Very busy during Design Week | Design Week, the lakes in flower |
| May | Warm | High | The best all round month |
| June | Hot and humid | Busy during the men’s fashion week | Rooftop bars, evenings outdoors |
| July | Hot and humid | Moderate | Summer sales, day trips to the lakes |
| August | Hot | Quiet, many shops and restaurants close mid month | Empty streets, low hotel rates |
| September | Warm | Busy during the women’s fashion week | Sightseeing, the Italian Grand Prix at Monza |
| October | Mild | Moderate to high | Sightseeing, museums, food |
| November | Cool, often foggy | Low | Museums, lower hotel rates |
| December | Cold, festive | Busy around Christmas | La Scala season opening, Christmas markets |
Milan has a continental climate: winters are cold and often foggy, summers hot and humid. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for walking the city.
Spring: March to May
Spring is a lovely time in Milan, with mild days, flowering gardens and the lakes coming back to life nearby. In April, Milan Design Week, built around the Salone del Mobile furniture fair, takes over the city with exhibitions and events in every district. It is exciting, but hotels are fully booked and very expensive. May is quieter and ideal for sightseeing. See our Milan design and fashion guide.
Summer: June to August
Summer is hot and humid, but the evenings are long and the rooftop bars at their best. The summer sales begin in July. In August, many Milanese leave for the coast and the mountains, so some shops and restaurants close for a few weeks, especially around Ferragosto on 15 August. Hotel rates are often lower, and a day trip to the cooler lakes is the perfect escape. See our guide to a Lake Como day trip from Milan.
Autumn: September to November
September brings the women’s fashion week and, nearby, the Italian Formula 1 Grand Prix at Monza, both of which fill the hotels. Late September and October are ideal for sightseeing and for the wine regions around the city. November is cool and often foggy, but museums are quiet and hotels more affordable. See our guide to Franciacorta wine tours from Milan.
Winter: December to February
Winter is cold, but it is the season of opera: the La Scala season traditionally opens on 7 December, the feast of Saint Ambrose, the patron saint of Milan, and Christmas markets and lights fill the centre. January brings the winter sales and the men’s fashion week, and February the women’s fashion week. See our guide to the best museums in Milan.
The Best Time to Visit Milan by Interest
- Sightseeing: April, May, late September and October
- Design: Design Week in April, if you book early
- Shopping: the sales from early January and early July
- Opera: from the opening of the La Scala season in December
- Golf and tennis: spring and autumn, see our guides to golf near Milan and tennis courts in Milan
Charlotte’s tip: check the fair calendar before anything else
Milan hosts major trade fairs throughout the year, not only for design and fashion. During the biggest events, hotel prices can multiply. Check the fair calendar first, then decide on your dates.
Where to Stay by Season
The best hotels in Milan are open all year. In summer, a hotel with a garden is a welcome retreat from the heat.
Bulgari Hotel Milano
A hotel with a large private garden between Brera and the fashion district, with a spa and pool.
Best for: a summer stay in the city
Check rates at Bulgari Hotel Milano
Grand Hotel et de Milan
A historic grand hotel near La Scala, closely linked with Giuseppe Verdi.
Best for: the opera season
Check rates at Grand Hotel et de Milan
Four Seasons Hotel Milano
A former convent with cloisters in the fashion district.
Best for: shopping trips during the sales
Check rates at Four Seasons Hotel Milano
Compare hotels in Milan
Prices change strongly with the fair calendar. Check current rates for your dates.
For the best areas, see our guide to where to stay in Milan.
FAQ
What is the best month to visit Milan?
May and October, with pleasant weather and no major fashion or design events, unless you are travelling for them.
When is Milan most expensive?
During Design Week in April and the fashion weeks, when hotel prices rise sharply.
Is Milan worth visiting in August?
It is quiet and hotels are cheaper, but many shops and restaurants close for part of the month. Combine it with a stay on the lakes.
When does the opera season at La Scala start?
Traditionally on 7 December, the feast of Saint Ambrose.
