What does Milan smell like?

Milan is many things. It’s an international and vibrant city, the fashion capital of Italy, home to thousands of young professionals trying to build something, a pool of opportunities waiting to be seized. But it’s also becoming increasingly touristified, a pricey playground for tourists and magnates. In short, a place of contradictions and compromises, both fascinating and overwhelming, fast-paced and hectic, ruthless yet beautiful. Perhaps that’s why it’s so fun to imagine its scents, dividing it into areas and associating each one with a fragrance. A city that defies judgment, difficult to grasp yet undeniably intriguing.

The Scents of Milan

Duomo - Rabanne Million Gold Elixir

Opulence, pigeons, shops, crowds, glasses of wine and aperitifs, tables with red and white checkered tablecloths. The Duomo of Milan (and its surroundings) is where everything happens, especially for those who don’t live in Milan or are just passing through, either for shopping or business. That’s why we’ve associated it with Rabanne Million Gold Elixir, the most opulent fragrance in the brand’s history, featuring notes of mandarin, pure vanilla, and sandalwood. Impossible not to turn heads when wearing it—just like the Duomo and Tony Effe, its new ambassador.

Gae Aulenti & Surroundings - Angels' Share Paradis by Kilian Paris

A dazzling center just outside the core of the city, where skyscrapers tower over Milan. This area speaks of distinguished gentlemen and business meetings. Think of Mad Men, where a troubled Jon Hamm in rolled-up sleeves always had a glass of amber liquid in hand. Now, that drink transforms into a cognac-infused perfume in the latest release from Kilian Paris, Angels' Share Paradis. Although, in reality, the boutique is closer to San Babila.

Brera - Christos by Giardini di Toscana

Brera is one of Milan’s most beloved and storied districts. Home to design galleries, jewelers, and niche perfumeries, it has long been considered an artists' quarter, thanks to the Pinacoteca di Brera and the Academy of Fine Arts. Though now interspersed with pizzerias and Italian restaurants, Brera retains its poetic and literary aura. That’s why we paired it with Christos by Giardini di Toscana, a fragrance featuring amber, incense, bergamot, but also rose, vanilla, and pink pepper. It instantly evokes the historic buildings of Via dei Giardini.

Porta Venezia - Gucci Flora Gorgeous Magnolia

Porta Venezia, besides being the heart of the LGBTQ+ community, has also become the nightlife hub. Whether it’s for a drink on Via Lecco or a trendy aperitivo on Via Melzo, the neighborhood offers everything—literally. Gorgeous Magnolia from the Gucci Flora line combines blackberry, magnolia, and patchouli in a blend that’s vibrant yet elegant. And, surprisingly, there’s even a hint of coconut. What fun!

Corso di Porta Ticinese - Tattoo Artist by Genyum

Home to the iconic Colonne di San Lorenzo, a longtime gathering spot for Milan’s alternative youth. Here, you’ll find stores featuring independent designers, leather and studded creations, piercing shops, and tattoo artists. It’s a lively melting pot, a bubble that endures while blending with its surroundings. That’s why we chose Tattoo Artist, a fragrance from Spanish brand Genyum, with notes of lavender, pepper, and cardamom.

Porta Romana - Black Opium Glitter by YSL Beauty

Stylish women out for the night, candlelit dinners, restaurants and bars celebrating milestones and the little joys of life. Porta Romana is an elegant, lively, food-centric neighborhood. Black Opium Glitter is the perfect match for this carefree, sweet, and nighttime vibe. YSL Beauty’s fragrance stands out with its unique blend: the sweetness of marshmallow meets the creaminess of dark coffee, enriched with bourbon vanilla and brightened by orange blossom.

Navigli - Classique by Jean Paul Gaultier

A classic, and for good reason. The Navigli district is where young people and students get their first taste of Milan, meeting and socializing on warm summer evenings. That’s why we paired it with Classique by Jean Paul Gaultier, in its feminine version. A fruity and floral explosion (orange blossom, rose, pear, mandarin, ginger, plum, orchid) that miraculously never feels too sweet. A fragrance you return to now and then, for the love of the good old days.

Isola - Bal d'Afrique by Byredo

Refined and luxurious, like a stylish yet modern Milanese lady, Bal d'Afrique by Byredo is the scent we’ve chosen for the Isola district. Featuring notes of African marigold, bergamot, cyclamen, and violet, with a base of cedarwood and vetiver, it’s a fragrance that feels almost tangible as you walk through Isola, under the shadow of Gae Aulenti, strolling through the Biblioteca degli Alberi, deciding whether to have Greek or Italian for dinner—at least for tonight.

Arco della Pace - CK One by Calvin Klein

Fun, aperitivos, evenings spent sitting on the steps, admiring the Arco della Pace. More than anything, though, it’s a place for connections—new encounters, fleeting crushes, leisurely strolls, and spontaneous adventures. That’s why we immediately thought of CK One by Calvin Klein. With notes of lemon, bergamot, mandarin, pineapple, orange, and papaya, this fragrance is well-known and familiar, yet always refreshingly modern.

NoLo - Exit the King by Etat Libre d'Orange

Patchouli, musk, soap, jasmine, rose—these are just a few of the notes found in Exit the King by Etat Libre d'Orange. Its evocative colors and dynamic essence immediately bring to mind NoLo, or North of Loreto, a youthful and free-spirited neighborhood just north of Loreto. A mix of hipster culture and creativity intertwines in one of the city’s most vibrant outskirts, with a touch of independence and alternative flair that never goes amiss.