Spend one or more days in a vibrant and modern city with a rich historical background with a local photographer... me.
Milan might not have the appeal and the breathtaking quantity of historical monuments that other Italian cities, like Rome, Venice, or Florence boast, but to the discerning photographer who wants to go beyond the usual tourist shots, it has a lot to offer.
Photographers with an eye for architecture will find here some of the best examples of modern and contemporary Italian styles, ranging from the monumental public buildings of the late 1800's, to some of the finest examples of Art Nouveau and Art Deco, to the uniquely Italian modernist style of the 1930's and 1940's, all the way to shiny steel and glass skyscrapers of the 21st century that have revolutionized Milan's skyline.
Those who prefer a more intimate approach will certainly enjoy quaint neighborhoods, like Brera, the Navigli, Corso Garibaldi, and NoLo. Those areas offer a glimpse of what the Milanese, who are known for being hard-working and business-minded, like to do in their spare time. Lots of opportunities for street photography can also be found there.
The Milanese are also know for being elegantly dressed on any day of the week and they are certainly aware of the fact that Milan is considered Italy's capital of fashion. Nowhere is this more evident than in the streets that form the so-called Quadrilateral of Fashion, where you are likely to be able to photograph dapper gentlemen and posh ladies in their Prada, Armani, or Versace outfits, and sometimes celebrities who came here to do some fine shopping.
For a decidedly more serious and unglamorous approach to Milan, the Cimitero Monumentale (Monumental Cemetery) is not to be missed. This vast expanse of land northwest of the center is the resting place of many famous Milanese, but its main interest for the photographer lies in the hundreds of statues that are contained within it. The tombs, erected in the span of 160 years, exhibit some wonderful masterpieces of sculpture, but the context makes everything so much more meaningful and poignant.
If you'd like, I can be your private photo guide for a day or more and lead you to discover some of the above, with prices starting at 400€.
If you think one day is not enough to enjoy all that Milan has to offer, two- or three-day packages are also possible. In this case, we can choose together an itinerary that will suit your personal preferences.
Thanks to its extensive connections via the high-speed railway network, Milan can also be an excellent base to reach nearby cities, like Bergamo (48 minutes by train), Turin (64 minutes), Verona (73 minutes), or Genoa (99 minutes). We can hop on a train in Milano Centrale in the morning and return in the evening, giving you a chance to explore other less touristy, but not less interesting, Italian cities.
If you think this tour might interest you, please use the form below and I will be in contact as soon as possible. No obligations implied.
My husband and I had the pleasure of an early morning photography walk around Milan while on our visit to the city for the 2026 Olympics. It was a great opportunity to see the city wake up, photograph reflections on the canals, and catch the sites without crowds of people. Ugo gave us not only photographic tips and suggestions, but also a historical perspective in Milan. We covered a lot of the city on foot as well as city transit to visit an architecturally interesting area of contemporary Milan. We would highly recommend Ugo!
Karen and Don Lang
I spent a beautiful day walking around Milan accompanied by Ugo who made me discover fascinating places on a photographic level.
Despite the bad weather, Ugo prepared a very interesting and varied program. He gave me the technical support I needed and together we did photographic experiments that I liked.
Furthermore, Ugo is a very cultured person. He told me many anecdotes about the history of Milan that I did not know. It was very pleasant to spend time with him. I will return.
Isabelle Bruhin
