9 Things to do on a Hen Party in Milan
I recently planned a hen party to Milan for my best friend Naomi. As one of her Bridesmaids and a travel fanatic, it was my job to plan the whole weekend. Naturally, I turned to the web for ideas and inspiration for our weekend and became the reader instead of the blogger. Other than the usual sightseeing Top 10s, I was surprised to find that content about hen parties in Milan was non-existent. I wasn’t planning on blogging about Milan or the hen party, but when I discovered the lack of information online I couldn’t resist. Here are 9 great things to do on a hen do or bachelorette in Milan, all of which I included on our own hen do itinerary.
1. Do a Segway Tour
For something fun and cultural at the same time, book yourself onto a Milan Segway tour. (You can read reviews and book tickets safely all via Trip Advisor) Our friendly tour guide took us through the most iconic areas of central Milan including the Castello di Milano, Sempione Park, The Porta Sempione, The Duomo di Milano and the iconic Galleria Vitorio Emanuelle II shopping mall. We learnt a bit about the history of the city whilst having so much fun in the process.
Top Tip: It costs 60 euros per person for a 1 hour 30 minute guided tour, but if you’re booking for a large group be sure to ask about group booking discount. For our booking of 6 people they offered us 20% off.
2. Aperitivo Hour in Navigli
This is one of the most fun and authentically Italian things you can do on a hen party in Milan. Navigli is one of the most picturesque areas in Milan and sits on a series of canals. Alongside the canals are an abundance of bars, restaurants and cafes where you can enjoy al fresco food and drink.
Many of them take part in Aperitivo hour, which typically runs from 6-8pm. If you buy one drink during this time (for about 9 euros), you’ll also get free access to a buffet of unlimited Italian food. Imagine delicious pastas, salad, meats, cheeses, breads. If you get involved in Aperitivo hour, I would recommend making this your evening meal as you certainly wouldn’t need to eat again afterwards. By night Navigli really comes alive so expect bustling scene with crowds and street entertainers.
3. Take an Italian cooking class
If your bride is a foodie, why not book an Italian cooking class and learn to make fresh pasta, or the perfect pizza? Some cookery classes are combined with food tours of the city for a full day experience, and you’ll get to enjoy your cooking with a glass of wine at the end. If your hen party is a large group, you may be able to make an exclusive cooking class booking and have it all to yourself.
4. Window shop or splurge in Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Milan is the fashion capital of Italy, so no hen weekend would be complete without a little retail therapy. Start your shopping trip at the iconic Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. With a glass dome ceiling, classical paintings and marble floors, it feels more like a palace than a shopping mall. Prada’s original flagship store has been in business here since 1913 and it was recently joined by the likes of Louis Vuitton and Gucci. Even if you can only afford to window shop, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is a must-do.
5. Join the in-crowd at Cereiso 7
Cereiso 7 has to be the most stylish rooftop bar in the city, which is no surprise as it was opened by the design duo Dsquared2. Located on the top of a skyscraper, its two chic outdoor pools are the ultimate place to see and be seen. Inside there is also a bar and restaurant, so you can come for lunch, dinner or drinks. We came to Cereiso 7 to start off our night in style, and sipped prosecco poolside. If you want to stay for the day and swim in the pool, you have to pay for a guest pass. If you want to just come and enjoy drinks and food, there is no charge but the menu is expensive. For a setting as beautiful as this though, what else would you expect?
Address: via Ceresio, 7, 20154 Milano
6. Picnic in Sempione Park
Sempione Park is a tranquil escape from the busy streets of Milan. Located right in the city centre, it’s an expanse of manicured gardens, pathways, rivers, bridges and woodland. There are cafes within the park, but you can set up camp almost anywhere in here. Head to an Italian deli for some bread, meats and cheeses or a panini, then pick up some local prosecco and enjoy a picnic in the park. This is a low-cost activity that will be sure to include lots of giggles. Why not bring or think of some hen party games to do whilst in the park?
7. Sip Aperol Spritz at Terazza Aperol
I’ll start by saying that the Terazza Aperol is incredibly touristy and quite expensive, but for good reason. Situated in the Piazza di Duomo overlooking Milan’s famous cathedral, it’s location is absolutely incredible. We queued for about 30 minutes to get a table for 6 out on the terrace, but it was totally worth the wait. A glass of Aperol Spritz (or any other cocktail) will set you back 13 euros, and then they become 9 euros for the second and all subsequent rounds. If you’re looking for things a little off the beaten track, it may not be for you, but I personally loved it.
8. Party at Hollywood Club
Take your bride-to-be for a glamorous night out in Hollywood, one of the most famous clubs in Milan. The club feels something similar to what you’d find in London’s West End, with everyone dressing to impress. You can hire a table with a minimum spend or just turn up and dance. Either way, if you’re looking for a great club for a hen weekend in Milan, this is it.
Address: Corso Como, 15, 20124 Milano, Italy
9. Stay in an airbnb
As we were a group of 6, we decided to book an airbnb instead of a hotel. It was a much cheaper option and being self-catered meant that we didn’t have to eat out all the time. Being in a large group, the airbnb apartment was much more inclusive and sociable compared to being in separate hotel rooms. It was my first time using airbnb and I loved how much more authentic it felt compared to staying in a hotel. We stayed in a spacious apartment on the Corso Italia which sleeps 6 people. Everything ran smoothly with the key collection and there is a fantastic pizza restaurant over the road called Bio Pizza. It’s also a 5-8 minute walk from the Duomo. I would genuinely recommend this airbnb apartment, however it doesn’t seem to be listed on Airbnb anymore.
If you’d prefer to book a hotel in Milan, check out booking.com for the best rates and free cancellation.
Milan is not the most typical place to go on a hen party (you won’t see many other hen do or stag groups) but with a little planning and research, you can throw your bride-to-be a fabulous weekend in true Italian style. Some of these tips and ideas would also work well for a stag do in Milan.
What did you think of our 9 things to do on a hen party in Milan? Are you planning a hen weekend to Milan or just trying to find some inspiration? If this post has helped you in anyway or you can add some extra tips, please leave a comment in the box below. Travelista x
sammy
Rose, you can’t remeber the name of the villa can you? or who you booked through? That sounds perfect and just what I am looking for for my friends hen party? xx