The Slow Pace Guide to Milan Design Week 2026: What to See & Where to Go (Without The Overwhelm)
- milanwomennetwork
- 10 hours ago
- 6 min read
As much as we love the hype and buzz of Milan’s city centre as FuoriSalone takes over, sometimes the experience is so much sweeter when we take a calmer, more intentional approach to experiencing Milan Design Week. Fellow MWN member, Mariana, gave it a try last year and it was a game-changer. This is her guide on how to enjoy Milan Design Week without burnout, the best neighbourhoods and what to see in each, as well as her top 5 tips for both first-time and regular visitors.
Written by: Mariana Ugarte (interior designer, creative director, and founder of Casamar Studio)
There’s a certain kind of pressure around Salone.
And when I say Salone, I mean Fuorisalone. The one that takes over the city. The one that spills into courtyards, hidden palazzos, and side streets. (So, not the official Salone del Mobile in Rho.)
That version, in my opinion, is best suited for designers, architects, and anyone sourcing materials or meeting suppliers. I enjoy going as an interior designer, but if you’re not in the industry, I wouldn’t dedicate a full day to it.
The real magic, for most people, happens in the city.
And Fuorisalone? It’s wild.
I used to approach it like a military operation. Maps covered in colour-coded dots. A schedule broken down by the hour, sometimes even by the half hour. I felt like I needed to see everything. The hype was real, and I didn’t want to miss a thing.
It was…manic.
And if you’ve ever tried to do it all, you’ll know how it ends. By the final days, you’re exhausted. Your feet are covered in blisters. Your voice is gone. You’ve possibly caught something along the way. Maybe all three.
Last year, I did something different.
I slowed down and it completely changed my experience.
So if you’re approaching Salone this year already feeling slightly overwhelmed, this is your permission to do it differently. A softer, more intentional way to move through the week.
In L'Appartamento by Artemest in a stunning Milanese palazzo in Via Gaetano Donizetti. Photo by Mariana Ugarte
1. The Best Time to Start Exploring Milan Design Week
Start earlier than you think - the mornings are golden with the best hours of Salone being the quietest.
Between 8 and 10 in the morning, Milan still feels calm.
Cafés are just opening. The streets are quieter. There’s a softness to the city before everything fully wakes up.
Start your day slowly. Grab a coffee. Walk without a strict plan.
You’ll notice more. You’ll feel less rushed. And you’ll begin the day grounded, instead of already trying to catch up.
Lighting installation at Bocci, creative direction by The Future Perfect. Photo by Mariana Ugarte
2. Follow what draws you in
It’s easy to follow the crowd during Salone.
You see a queue, and immediately assume it must be worth it.
I’ve done it countless times, only to walk out thinking…that was it?
Instead, try something different.
Pay attention to what actually catches your eye, a doorway that makes you pause or material or texture you want to touch.
You don’t need a long line to validate something.
Some of the most interesting spaces I’ve seen were the ones I almost walked past.
Milan lighting studio 6:AM exhibited at historic former public baths of the Piscina Cozzi. Photo by Mariana Ugarte
3. Discover Milan's Hidden Spaces During Design Week
This is the perfect time to be bold and walk into that courtyard, or be curious about what’s behind a seemingly closed door.
One of the best things about Salone is that doors open that are usually closed. So, step inside - even when you’re not sure what’s there.
Behind simple entrances, you’ll find hidden courtyards, historic staircases, and quiet gardens. Milan is a city that doesn’t always reveal itself easily, but during Salone, it does.
If something is open, step inside.
Even if there’s no major exhibition, the space itself is often worth it.
And this is where you’ll discover smaller designers.
The ones without the big marketing budgets. The ones experimenting, taking risks, doing something different.
In my experience, those are often the most memorable.
A serene, sculptural installation at Rossana Orlandi. Photo by Mariana Ugarte
4. Choose less, enjoy more
You don’t need to see everything.
In fact, trying will likely leave you exhausted and unable to remember much of what you’ve seen.
Instead, pick one area per day.
There will always be one or two places you’re genuinely curious about. Go and see those.
But don’t overfill your schedule. Leave space in between.
Sit down. Take a break. Let things sink in.
That’s when the experience becomes more meaningful. Not when you’re rushing from one location to the next.
A subtle yet dramatic installation at Elle Decor Italia Palazzo. Photo by Mariana Ugarte
5. End your day gently
Evenings during Salone can feel intense.
Places that are usually easy to walk into suddenly feel chaotic. Packed crowds, long waits, and a very different energy from the daytime.
This used to stress me out.
I would pre-book everything, trying to control the chaos. But even then, the places I loved felt overwhelming.
Last year, I shifted my approach.
I stopped trying to do everything. I chose one night event, one dinner, and left the rest open.
Some nights, I stood outside with a glass of wine. Other nights, I sat on the curb with friends, people-watching. I wandered without a plan.
It’s a small shift, but it made the entire week feel more balanced.
Where To Go And What To See During Milan Design Week (Without The Chaos):
If you do want some structure, here are the places I return to every year.
They tend to offer a high density of design, without the same level of queues as the more hyped installations (especially if you go early!).
For palazzo hopping and layered exhibitions
This is where I go when I want depth over spectacle, and of course marvel over the architecture:
5VIE isn’t one single venue, but a network of exhibitions spread across historic palazzos, courtyards, and hidden spaces. You move from one to the next, often discovering places you’d never otherwise see.
Tortona – For high-density, one-stop exhibitions
If you want to see a lot in a short amount of time, Tortona is one of the most efficient areas.
Large industrial spaces host multiple designers under one roof, making it easy to explore without constantly moving across the city:
It can get busy, but the flow is usually better than standalone installations with long queues.
Isola – For emerging designers and fresh ideas
Isola Design District is where I go to see what’s next.
The district is more spread out, with exhibitions across studios and smaller venues.
It feels less polished, more experimental, and often more exciting because of it.
It’s also a great area to simply wander.
Alcova – For large-scale, experimental installations
Alcova is one of the few places I’ll say is worth the effort, even if it comes with a queue.
It’s outside the city and takes time to get to, but once you’re there, you can spend hours moving through large, atmospheric spaces filled with experimental work.
If it’s your first time, it’s absolutely worth experiencing.
Go in the morning and on the first few days of Salone.
Brera & beyond – For a calmer reset
Brera is one of the busiest areas during Salone, but it’s also one of the nicest to walk through.
There’s always something happening, but it’s less about ticking off exhibitions and more about soaking in the atmosphere.
For something calmer, I always recommend the Triennale.
It usually hosts strong exhibitions and, thanks to its size, never feels overwhelming.
The Orto Botanico is another favourite. It often hosts installations in a beautiful, quiet setting and a rare moment of pause during a very busy week.
Me at Triennale, coffee in hand and finally slowing down. Photo by Sydney Duncan.
Final thoughts
My favourite Salone moments have never been the most photographed ones.
They’ve been the unexpected ones.
The hidden courtyard I stumbled into. The conversation with a designer I’d never heard of before. The moment of sitting still and actually taking something in.
There’s no perfect way to experience Salone. But there is a more personal one.
One that’s less about ticking everything off a list, and more about noticing what’s around you.
If you allow yourself to slow down, you might find that those quieter moments are the ones that stay with you the longest.
Oh, and skip the fashion houses!
I guide clients on a collaborative, creative journey to make their homes reflect who they are through interior design services, (online) consulting services, as well as my ‘Style to Sell’ offer.
Our community always looks forward to this unmissable annual event. This year we are honoured to support "Materia" - an immersive installation created in collaboration with Slowear, telling the story of Franciacorta and Luce di Carrara through matter, nature, and time. As well as offering our members guided visits through Tortona and Brera
Proofread & Edited By: Ché Maria Milani
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