The British Traveller’s Guide to Milan Design Week 2026: Where to Go & What to Do

Milan Design Week — the world’s largest and most influential design event — returns in April 2026, bringing together global visitors for a week of creativity, innovation, installations, and city-wide exhibitions. For British travellers, Milan offers a mix of design culture, architectural beauty, great food, and easy navigation thanks to direct flights from London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Birmingham into Milan’s three airports (Linate, Malpensa, Bergamo).

This guide breaks down where to go and what to do, with accurate, reliable information based on the long-standing structure of Milan Design Week: Salone del Mobile at Rho Fiera and Fuorisalone across Milan’s most important districts.

Before planning your trip, you can also explore our Top 12 Things UK Visitors Must See at Milan Design Week 2026 for a deeper look at the city’s standout exhibitions and districts.

Your Guide to Milan Design Week 2026: Where to Go & What to Do

This section highlights the essential locations and experiences British travellers should prioritise, based on real districts, historical programming, and attractions that consistently define Milan Design Week.

Start at Salone del Mobile – The Heart of Milan Design Week

Location: Fiera Milano, RhoSalone del Mobile is the world’s largest design fair, featuring over 2,000 exhibitors annually. For British travellers working in interiors, architecture, furniture, or retail buying, this is the most comprehensive place to see the year’s new products and innovations.

Factual notes:

• Held annually since 1961; moved to Rho Fiera in 2005.

• Includes furniture, lighting, materials, décor, and major brand exhibitions.

Explore Brera Design District – Milan’s Creative Centre

Brera is one of Milan’s most visited districts during Design Week, known for elegant courtyards, flagship showrooms, and artistic streets.

What British visitors love about Brera:

• Premium brands including B&B Italia, Flos, Artemide, Cassina

• Beautiful Renaissance-era courtyards used for installations

• Walkable streets, artisan cafés, and independent shops

Fact: Brera has been an official Fuorisalone district since 2010.

Visit Tortona Design Week – The Home of Experimental Exhibitions

Tortona is historically the birthplace of Fuorisalone and remains an important area for bold, conceptual exhibitions.

Key locations:

• Superstudio Più — well-known for interactive, trend-driven installations

• BASE Milano — multidisciplinary design, talks, workshops

Discover Isola Design District – Emerging Designers & Sustainability

Isola is one of the fastest-growing creative districts, showcasing work from independent studios, material researchers, and young designers.

Why UK travellers enjoy Isola:

• Focus on sustainable materials and alternative production

• Over 300+ exhibitors annually

• Strong presence of international designers

Experience Alcova – Conceptual Installations in Unique Buildings

Alcova is a roaming exhibition that relocates each year into disused or historic buildings, such as former factories, villas, monasteries, or hospitals.

Why it’s unmissable:

• Architecture meets experimental design

• Often the most photographed part of Milan Design Week

• Strong presence of experimental studios and academic research projects

Stop at Triennale Milano – Italy’s Most Important Design Museum

Triennale Milano offers exhibitions in design, architecture, visual arts, and contemporary culture.

What to see:

• Major retrospectives

• International collaborations

• New design research exhibitions

Explore 5Vie Art + Design – Craftsmanship & Collectible Design

Located near Milan’s historic centre, 5Vie focuses heavily on artisanal work, collectible objects, galleries, and experimental design.

Highlights for British travellers:

• Thought-provoking gallery installations

• Handcrafted pieces and contemporary craft

• Beautiful historic streets

Walk Through Via Durini – Luxury Interior Design Showrooms

Via Durini and its surrounding streets form Milan’s high-end interior design showroom hub.

Brands typically featured:

• Molteni & C

• Poliform

• Porro

• Natuzzi

• Giorgetti

Visit Università Statale di Milano – The INTERNI Installations

The Renaissance courtyards of the University of Milan host large-scale, architectural installations curated by INTERNI magazine.

What to expect:

• Outdoor installations

• Collaborations with international architects

• Immersive large-format design

Explore Public Installations Around the Duomo

During Design Week, the area surrounding Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milano) frequently features brand-sponsored installations and open-air exhibitions.

Why UK visitors love it:

• Free and accessible

• Located in the heart of Milan

• Perfect for photography and walking tours

Attend Design Talks & Studio Openings

Throughout the week, studios, galleries, and brands host open discussions, previews, and networking events.

These typically include:

• Talks on sustainability

• Material innovation presentations

• Brand launches

• Designer Q&A sessions

Enjoy Milan’s Food, Streets & Neighbourhoods

Design Week is as much about the atmosphere as the installations.

Neighbourhoods British travellers enjoy:

• Porta Venezia – nightlife, restaurants

• Navigli – canals, bars, galleries

• Porta Garibaldi – modern architecture, shopping