Brera District

You’re in the heart of a bohemian, artistic, and picture-perfect neighbourhood, welcome to Brera. Here, cobblestone streets are lined with charming boutiques, bars, and restaurants. Different eras blend seamlessly, historic buildings are full of new life, and people stroll, shop, and gather over drinks when aperitivo hour rolls around. Feel free to wander off the route to explore the side streets in more depth.

On the third Sunday of every month, the area comes alive with antique stalls brimming with jewellery, rare books, fine glassware, and vintage or designer pieces. Known today as Milan’s “district of ideas,” Brera takes its name from the word Brayda, meaning “cleared land.” In the Middle Ages, this area lay outside the fortified city walls, a treeless plain serving a purely defensive purpose.

In the 18th century, with the founding of the Brera Academy, a new community began to take root. By the 1950s, artists gathered around the Academy had truly made the neighbourhood their own, turning it into one of the most elegant and sought-after parts of the city. Today, wandering the streets of Brera is a must if you want to experience a taste of Milanese bohemian life, so go on and enjoy it.