Milan is a city of pure, understated sophistication. Italy's second-largest city is especially famous for being one of the fashion capitals of the world, and indeed you can see that through the well-dressed populace and the superabundance of fashion shops lining its streets. However, Milan is also a classically beautiful Italian city, which is brimming with art, history, fine cuisine, and high culture in general.

Although Rome may be bigger and draw more tourists, it’s Milan that stands out with Italy’s largest and most visible gay scene, leading to it becoming known as the “gay capital” of Italy. Despite Italy easily being Western Europe’s most socially conservative country, Milan’s gay scene is free to come slightly more out of the closet than Rome’s, due to it being far from the disapproving shadow of the Vatican. Milan is the perfect destination for LGBTQ+ travelers wishing to explore Italian culture in more depth, but also enjoy a thriving gay nightlife scene as the sun sets.

Table of Contents

1. General Tips
2. Transportation & Airport Transfer
3. Gay Hotels in Milan
4. Sightseeing & Activities in Milan
5. Gay Tours in Milan
6. Restaurants and Cafes
7. Milan Gay Bars and Clubs
8. Milan Gay Saunas & Cruising Bars
9. Gay Events in Milan
10. Day Trips from Milan

General Tips

Milan isn't a huge city, but there's still a lot to see and do. Besides shopping for the latest fashion trends, don’t miss a visit to the Duomo, the 15th-century cathedral and Milan’s most famous landmark. Before day turns to night, you might also visit the Scala Opera House or the Museo del Novecento—a contemporary art museum worthy of an afternoon.

As with many European cities, the best times to visit Milan are either in spring (April to May) or autumn (September to October). This way, you avoid the hectic peak tourism season and the summer's hot temperatures. Milan has two fashion weeks, one in February and the other in September, which are also great times to visit if you want to see the city doing what it does best and don’t mind the crowds.

Porta Venezia is Milan’s LGBTQ+ neighborhood and a natural choice as a place to stay. Here, you'll find a large number of the city's gay bars and also the very gay-friendly shopping street, Corso Buenos Aires.

You can download the Gay Milan guide for free. Just provide your email address and we’ll email you a PDF.

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Transportation & Airport Transfer

Milan has two airports: Malpensa Airport (MXP) and Linate Airport (LIN). Malpensa Airport is located 49 km outside of Milan, but it’s easy to reach the city center via train. Take the Malpensa Express train to the centrally located Cadorna Station. Linate is closer to the city, just 7 km away, but it is only connected by bus. Take bus #73 from the airport and stop at Piazza San Babila. Taxi fares from the airport are expensive, costing €110 from Malpensa or €55 from Linate.

Once you’re in the center of Milan, you can easily get around by public transport. The metro (train/subway) system in Milan is straightforward to navigate. Buying tickets is simple, and you can even tap your credit card directly at the entrance and exit, skipping the need for a traditional ticket altogether.

Gay Hotels in Milan

Though you won’t find exclusively gay hotels in Milan, there are plenty of gay-friendly accommodations that are welcoming to LGBTQ+ travelers.

Luxury

ME Milan Il Duca – A contemporary-style hotel with stylish interiors and a rooftop terrace overlooking Milan's skyline. Located in Piazza della Repubblica square, it’s near Milan Centrale Train Station and the Quadrilatero della Moda fashion district. Guests can enjoy a fine aperitivo at the rooftop Radio Bar, where daily DJ sets take place, or drinks at Il Giardino del Duca bar, located in the ground-level garden.

Château Monfort – This five-star hotel is housed in a historic building from the early 20th century, close to major attractions like the Duomo (Cathedral) and Teatro alla Scala. Enjoy on-site dining options such as Restaurant Rubacuori, which serves classic Italian cuisine, the Mezzanotte Lounge Bar, and La Cella Di Bacco wine bar with an extensive wine list.

Mid-Range

Nhow Milan – Featuring a unique collection of contemporary art, this modern hotel is set in Milan's lively Tortona district. Nhow’s elegant restaurant offers an eclectic menu for lunch and dinner. Guests can relax with a drink at the stylish bar or on the terrace. A buffet breakfast is served daily, and the on-site fitness center includes modern Technogym equipment.

Uptown Palace – A contemporary hotel offering a daily breakfast buffet and a restaurant that serves a mix of Italian and international cuisine, including homemade pasta and seafood specialties. Its central location makes it easy to explore the city on foot.

Hotel Manin – With beautiful views of Indro Montanelli Park, this hotel is a 10-minute walk from La Scala Opera House and Milan Cathedral. Owned and run by the Colombo family since 1904, it’s housed in one of Milan’s oldest and most famous buildings. The glamorous outdoor terrace features a colorful garden. Restaurant Manin serves regional, Italian, and international cuisine, and guests have free access to the fitness room.

Hotel Sanpi Milano – A four-star boutique hotel located in the gay-friendly Porta Venezia neighborhood, making it convenient for visiting nearby gay bars, clubs, and cultural attractions. The hotel, housed in a 19th-century building recently updated, offers a complimentary breakfast, fitness center, and a bar set in an interior garden. The staff is friendly, professional, and welcoming.

Room Mate Giulia – This centrally located boutique hotel is just steps from the Cathedral and a 10-minute walk to the Milan Fashion District. Guests can enjoy a breakfast buffet with a wide selection, a bar serving popular cocktails like Aperol Spritz (Thursday-Sunday), a 24-hour gym, and a spa and sauna.

Citta Studi Suites – Formerly known as “Too Cute 2b Str8″—why they changed such an excellent name, we’ll never know—this elegant B&B features a spacious living room with sofas and tables. An Italian-style breakfast is served daily. Some rooms are en suite, while others share a bathroom.

Budget

Ostello Bello – A hostel offering shared or private rooms and three furnished terraces with hammocks. It’s a 10-minute walk from Milan Cathedral, and guests receive a free drink upon arrival. A buffet-style dinner is available daily from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, and a breakfast buffet is served all morning with sweet and savory options.

New Generation Hostel Milan Center – An affordable option located in the city center, just a 15-minute walk to Porta Venezia, where many gay bars and clubs are situated. The hostel offers mixed and women-only dorms, as well as private rooms. Guests can use a shared kitchen space for cooking and enjoy a traditional Italian breakfast.

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Sightseeing & Activities in Milan

Duomo di Milano – Milan’s impressive cathedral and without a doubt the most iconic landmark of Milan, located in the central plaza of the old town. Marvel at this stunning Gothic building, explore the archaeological area under the cathedral and later discover the Duomo Museum. Book tour →

Leonardo di Vinci Museum – Immerse yourself in the genius of Leonardo da Vinci. Experience digital restorations and 3D reconstructions of his inventions, recreated using manuscripts from his studies in technology, science, and engineering. Book tour →

Parco Sempione – This large park is located in the historic center of Milan. Constructed in 1888, it offers a variety of attractions, including an aquarium, sports stadium, Napoleonic arch, and a medieval castle.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II – Italy's oldest shopping mall and one of Milan’s most famous landmarks. Located next to the Duomo, this four-story building is named after the first king of the Kingdom of Italy. Book tour →

The Last Supper and Santa Maria delle Grazie – Follow in the footsteps of Leonardo da Vinci and marvel at his masterpiece mural, The Last Supper, in the Dominican convent church of Santa Maria delle Grazie. Book tour →

Starbucks Experience – Visiting a Starbucks might not be at the top of your list, especially in a country with such a rich coffee culture. However, this Starbucks is totally unique and pays tribute to the coffee traditions cherished by so many Italians. Located in the historic turn-of-the-century Palazzo Delle Poste building on Piazza Cordusio, the Starbucks Reserve Roastery is the culmination of a decades-long dream. Every detail of the space is designed to honor the timeless magic of Milan.

Gay Tours in Milan

Untold History Tours – Learn about the untold history of LGBTQ+ people with tours developed by history experts. These tours provide a unique perspective on Milan’s cultural history. Explore the Navigli district, visit the La Scala Theatre, and discover fascinating stories about Leonardo da Vinci. Book tour →

Gaily Tour of Milan – Explore Milan to uncover Leonardo da Vinci’s secrets, or take a fashion tour of Milan by night. This tour offers an insider’s view of gay Milan. Book tour →

Restaurants and Cafes

Ceresio 7 – Located atop a former Enel building from the 1930s, now the headquarters of the international fashion brand Dsquared2. Enjoy fine dining, premium wines, quality craft cocktails, and sophisticated, metropolitan vibes, all while surrounded by stunning 360-degree views of Milan’s modern skyline.

Leccomilano – Un buco di bar – A friendly, open-minded bar and restaurant offering international cuisine, high-quality cocktails and spirits, healthy food, and nightly music, often featuring an in-house DJ.

Blanco – A creative space inspired by music, photography, art, and design. Enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, or the famous Italian aperitif in the evening. DJ sets make weekends especially lively.

Pizza AM – An inexpensive and delicious pizza spot, perfect for a quick and tasty lunch. A must-visit for pizza lovers.

Piz – Another excellent pizza spot, open for lunch or dinner. Great for a quick bite on a budget.

La Prosciutteria Milano Brera – A wine bar serving exceptional Tuscan and Italian food. Dishes feature high-quality, artisan products presented simply—either on a cutting board or between two slices of bread.

Milan Gay Bars and Clubs

Many gay bars and venues in Milan are spread across the city, with a few clustered on the aptly named “Gay Street” on Via Sammartini, near Milan’s central train station. A popular local activity is the Italian aperitif, which involves enjoying drinks and buffet-style snacks early in the evening. Many gay bars incorporate this tradition alongside music and DJ sets.

Mono Bar – Located in Milan’s gay district, this large club is a popular meeting spot for locals. It offers great cocktails, rich aperitifs, and DJ sets.

LeccoMilano – Opening at 6 PM, LeccoMilano serves an amazing aperitif with a buffet that caters to every palate.

Afterline – A small gay bar on Via Sammartini featuring theme nights, go-go dancers, and drag shows.

Red Cafè – A cozy and popular gay bar in the Lazzeretto neighborhood with reasonable prices and good food.

Sui Generis – A small gay bar with outdoor seating, specializing in cocktails and aperitifs.

Noloso – A gay cocktail bar in the NoLo neighborhood featuring DJs, a small art gallery, and tasty drinks.

Tropical Island – A snazzy cocktail bar with a beachside vibe—complete with fake sand. During summer, it hosts a popular gay night called Chiringay.

Track Milano –A large gay club in Milan hosting parties every Saturday night. Events like  Gate, Block, and Cox feature international DJs alongside elaborate dance and light productions.

Club Plastic – An iconic gay dance club in Milan that’s been open since the 1980s.

La Boum Milano – A gay nightclub featuring DJs, drag performances, and dancers.

Toilet Club – A free-for-all LGBTQ+ alternative club playing indie tunes with occasional performances and shows. Located at the Black Hole venue in Viale Umbria, it attracts an eclectic mix of queer people.

Milan Gay Saunas & Cruising Bars

It’s important to point out that you’ll probably need a membership card to enter most cruising bars, saunas and some parties. This is common practice throughout much of Italy so don’t be surprised if you’re asked. Luckily, it’s easy for foreigners to buy the membership as most places will sell it to you at the door for 15€.

Company Club – A gay cruising bar catering to the bear and leather crowd, with weekly theme nights and happy hour.

Inferus Club – A gay cruising bar featuring a dark room, private cabins, and live shows. Open daily.

Bangalov – A cruising bar with a dark room and weekly theme nights such as leather, naked, underwear, and swimwear.

Depot – A two-floor cruising and leather bar offering theme nights like jockstrap, underwear, and naked events.

Royal Hammam – An upscale, relaxed gay sauna featuring a swimming pool, terrace, Turkish bath, dry sauna, jacuzzi, dark room, and bar.

Fenix Sauna – Popular with bears and an older crowd, this sauna is located in the northeast part of Milan.

Hot Dog Milano – A gay cruising club located in the same building as Fenix Sauna.

Metro Club – A popular sauna near Milano Centrale railway station. It spans three floors and includes a dry sauna, two Turkish baths, a bar, and private cabins.

Circlo TBlue Sauna – A gay sauna offering a pool, jacuzzi, bar, mazes, video room, and massage services.

Gay Events in Milan

Milan Pride – Typically held at the end of June, Milan Pride features a week of events culminating in a parade that attracts around 200,000 attendees. Pride Square hosts music and performances throughout the nine-day celebration.

MiX Festival – An international LGBTQ+ film festival held each June since 1986, celebrating queer culture and independent cinema.

Day Trips from Milan

Lake Como – An incredibly beautiful region about an hour away from Milan. Cruise on Lake Como and experience the stunning scenery of the Italian and Swiss Alps. Visit the historic center, explore the Old Town, and shop in the local boutiques. Admire the lakeside villas and the majestic mountain scenery before crossing the Swiss border. Enjoy views of soaring mountain peaks, green meadows, and glistening blue water. Book tour →

Cinque Terre – A stunning and picturesque coastal region on the Italian Riviera comprising five colorful and charming villages that cling to the rugged cliffs along the Ligurian Sea. Known as one of the most picturesque regions of Italy, you’ve no doubt seen the visage of the colorful beachside houses of Vernazza – one of the villages – on many a screensaver. Book tour →

Venice – The legendary Italian city needs little introduction, being renowned for its romantic cityscape split into islands by a crisscrossing network of canals. It might seem a little far, but Venice is only three hours from Milan by coach and actually doable as a day trip. That’s more than enough time to ride a gondola down the Grand Canal, take a look at iconic landmarks such as St. Mark's Basilica and then be back for dinner. Book tour →

Verona – Speaking of romance, Verona is a historic and romance-infused city located in the northern part of Italy's Veneto region. Verona is famously associated with the tragic love story of Romeo and Juliet, immortalized by William Shakespeare. The city attracts visitors to Juliet's House (Casa di Giulietta), where a balcony is said to have inspired the iconic scene from the play. The Verona Arena is another key sight as one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters in the world, hosting a variety of events, including opera performances and concerts. Book tour →

Featured image courtesy of Quiiky – Model: Ivano Marino Photographer: Roberto Chiovitti Custom: Rufskin

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