All eyes are on Milan as it hosts the Winter Olympics—but the city isn’t normally associated with sports.
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Instead, it’s got a reputation for high fashion. In fact, Milan Women’s Fashion Week will start in just a few weeks, from February 24 to March 2, 2026.
The Lombardi city stands alongside London, New York, and Paris as one of the world’s bona fide fashion capitals. It’s the hometown of major brands, from Dolce & Gabbana to Moschino to Prada. Their global reach has drawn visitors to Lombardi for decades.
Still, fashion is hardly the only activity on the docket. Coupled with history, culture, food, and architecture tours, you need to balance your fashion tours with other must-see attractions around Milan.
Want a short list of the fashion tours in Milan that are worth your precious time? Here’s what I would book.
Fashion tours in Milan with an expert guide
Design & fashion walking tour
Learn the ropes with this introductory walking tour. You’ll hop around downtown Milan, where your guide will point out artisan boutiques and big-name designers. Along the way, you can also do a bit of browsing. You can book this tour as part of a group or privately.
Multi-district design & fashion walking tour
Dive even deeper into Milan’s fashion and design history with this thorough tour. You’ll walk through chic neighborhoods like Brera and Navigli, where you’ll learn about the big names, then shop at smaller boutiques and vintage clothing shops. It’s a balance of learning and shopping, and is great if you want to dig deep into local favorites.
Custom Milan trendsetting scene tour
Speaking of local favorites, this tour takes you behind the scenes to Milan’s more modern and avant-garde fashion scene from its biggest design houses. You’ll explore the Golden Quarter, including Via Gesu, Via della Spiga, and Montenapoleone as you take a peek into the operations and outlook of major fashion houses like Roberto Cavalli, Dolce & Gabbana, and Versace.
Fashion & beauty walking tour with expert designer
Fashion is just the beginning in Milan—this tour lets you explore the world of beauty trends. From fragrances to accessories, you’ll learn a bit more than on other fashion-centric tours. Just know that there’s a pretty strong emphasis on makeup, which may or may not interest fans of high fashion.
Master Atelier experience
Want to know how the sausage is made, so to speak? This tour takes you behind the scenes to see how Milan’s high-quality clothing is made. You’ll get to see a master atelier do their thing, then ask questions about their expertise. You even get to make a few sketches, then learn about textiles, measurements, and other insider knowledge.
Fashion tours in Milan that let you shop
Vintage shopping tour
Let a passionate local take you into the heart of Milan to discover its best vintage boutiques. Whether you want to shop for yourself or find the souvenir(s) of the century or simply learn about Milan’s love of fashion, this low-key walking tour will get the job done.
Private fashion tour
Want to direct your own fashion adventure, so to speak? This private tour will show you the foundation of Milan fashion, then take you behind the scenes so you can check out some of its lesser-known boutique gems. Because it’s a private tour, you can also ask questions and take a few side quests.
Shop local designers with a stylist
Want a little bit of help as you’re shopping in Milan? This tour doesn’t just take you to the coolest shops and boutiques. It gives you the chance to learn about how to style yourself from a professional. In other words, you won’t just learn about the biggest fashion houses, but also how to wear them and which styles work best for you.
Street tour with a personal shopper
Explore the lovely streets of Via Montenapoleone as a personal stylist shows you the fashion ropes. Along the way, you’ll learn a few tips on how to style yourself based on your features and build. There’s even a little aperitif at the end.
Serraville Designer Outlets
Yes, Milan has outlets. Yes, they’re stuffed with pieces from famous designers at discounted prices. This tour gives you round-trip bus tickets to and from the famous Serraville outlets for a little DIY shopping adventure. I recommend booking this after you’ve learned the ropes from a guide, whether a stylist or designer.
Self-guided audio tour of capital
If you want the chance to do some shopping on your own, book this tour. It’s a simple, self-guided walking tour that takes you around the Golden Quarter to point out major fashion landmarks. You can pause the tour and pop in to whichever shops catch your attention.
Fashion tours in Milan that teach you how to make something
Style your own fedora hat
This workshop teaches you about how hats are made. You’ll get to see a master hatter create a fedora hat using Milanese techniques. From there, you also get the chance to craft and style your very own fedora.
Embroider your own t-shirt
Learn about the history of embroidery and how it’s done today with this master class from a local artisan, Stela. Stela will teach you how to hand embroider using just a needle and thread. From there, you’ll get to create your own hand-embroidered masterpiece.
