We spent Easter weekend in Milan, staying at Palazzo Loreto and planning much of our time around restaurants, hotel dining and architecture. Dinner at Gloria Osteria, brunch at Four Seasons Hotel Milano and a visit to Ralph’s Bar gave each day a different focus.
We also visited Villa Necchi Campiglio, walked around the Duomo and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and stopped at Café Kitsuné and Acqua di Parma. This is an account of that weekend; for practical planning, see my Milan city guide.
Palazzo Loreto Hotel, Milano
Staying at Palazzo Loreto
Palazzo Loreto was a comfortable, practical base for the weekend. I appreciated having somewhere quieter to return to after spending the day in the city, particularly around the busier Easter period.
It worked well for a short stay built around restaurants, cafés, shopping and sightseeing.
Gloria Osteria, Milano
Dinner at Gloria Osteria
Dinner at Gloria Osteria was an energetic start to the trip. The dining room felt warm and expressive, with a sense of occasion that suited our first evening in Milan.
The restaurant was lively without feeling overly formal. For the meal and the interiors in more detail, read my Gloria Osteria feature.
Easter at Four Seasons Hotel Milano
On Easter, we went to Four Seasons Hotel Milano for brunch. I ordered croissants with salmon and avocado, along with coffee.
The calm setting and attentive service gave us time to enjoy the morning. The table presentation was beautiful, but the experience was equally enjoyable beyond the photographs.
My Stilla Garden breakfast feature looks more closely at the courtyard setting and food.
Four Seasons Hotel, Milano
Ralph’s Bar, Milano
Ralph Lauren Milano and Ralph’s Bar
The following day, we explored Ralph Lauren Milano before brunch at Ralph’s Bar. Each floor of the store had its own character, with warm interiors and an elevator connecting the retail spaces and bar.
At Ralph’s Bar, we sat in the garden with music playing around us. The table settings, greenery and sheltered location made it feel removed from the busier streets outside.
Our brunch included burgers, gelato, mimosa cocktails, coffee and a generous basket of pastries with jams and sauces. The combination of the garden and the meal made this one of the highlights of the weekend.
Read my Ralph’s Bar Milano review for the full brunch experience.
Villa Necchi Campiglio, Milano
Villa Necchi Campiglio
Villa Necchi Campiglio was our main architectural visit. I liked the proportions, materials and restrained decoration of the rooms, as well as the quiet garden.
Walking through the villa offered a useful counterpoint to the restaurants and shops. It is a visit I would include in a Milan itinerary for anyone interested in domestic architecture and interiors.
Cafés, Shops and Central Milan
Between our main visits, we stopped at Café Kitsuné and the Acqua di Parma store. The café and fragrance shop added smaller, enjoyable stops to the weekend without requiring a separate day of planning.
We also spent time around the Duomo and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. The cathedral’s marble and the Galleria’s glass roof make these obvious landmarks, but both were worth seeing alongside the less prominent addresses on our itinerary.
Leaving time to walk between places helped us enjoy the city beyond our reservations.
What I Would Repeat
Ralph’s Bar was a highlight of the weekend, while Villa Necchi Campiglio was the architectural visit I would most readily recommend. Palazzo Loreto gave us a comfortable base for both.
For another short stay, I would keep the same balance: a few restaurant reservations, one substantial cultural visit and time to explore on foot. The Milan city guide brings the practical details together, including areas to stay and a suggested itinerary.