If you’re visiting Milan in December, this Milan packing list will help you dress the part for Italy’s fashion capital — even in winter!
Milan in December is where winter style meets holiday sparkle. Italy’s fashion capital offers dazzling lights, glamorous shopping streets, and festive cheer — but also chilly temps and damp days. If you’re visiting for Christmas markets, fashion inspiration, or just Italian food, your suitcase needs to blend warmth with style.
Expect crisp air, foggy mornings, and perfectly dressed locals. Whether you’re window shopping in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II or sipping espresso in Brera, you’ll want layers that look great and function in the cold.
📝Note: This article is all about what to pack for Milan in December. Here you can find a huge and comprehensive list. Feel free to adapt to your needs, and share your tips in the comments!
Weather & Travel Context 🌦️
- Average high: 7°C / 45°F
- Average low: 1°C / 34°F
- Rain: About 5–7 days of drizzle or light rain
- Fog: Common in the mornings
- Holiday events: Christmas villages, opera season, designer sales
What to Pack for Milan in December
Packing smart will help you make the most of your trip. Here’s everything you need to bring for a comfortable and stylish adventure.
Carry-On Suitcase / Travel Bag Duffle / Portable Steamer / Packing cubes / Luggage scale / Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones / Speaker / Portable Charger / Universal Travel adapter / Compact Hair Dryer / Eye Mask / Waterproof Toiletry Bag Hanging / Zipper Pouch / Water BOTTLE / Liquid I.V. Hydration Vegan
🧳 Luggage & Packing Tools
If you want more options to have everything organized and well packed, take a look at these suggestions.
1. Rolling Backpack / 2. Luggage (large) / 3. Luggage (small) / 4. Toiletry Bag / 5. Beach Bag / 6. Backpack / 7. Packing Cubes
- Hard-shell suitcase – Keeps contents safe on wet pavements 🧳
- Carry-on bag – Ideal for short trips to Lake Como 🎒
- Duffel or weekender – Stylish and functional 👜
- Compact daypack – Museum days or designer shopping 🛍️
- Packing cubes – Perfect for winter layers 📦
- Shoe bags – Keep your chic boots separate 👢
- Waterproof toiletry bag – Protects your essentials 🧴
- Travel document organizer – Passport, train tickets, insurance 📁
- Reusable tote – Eco-friendly and handy in fashion stores 🛒
- Laundry pouch – For delicates or wet socks 🧺
- Luggage scale – Don’t overpack Milanese style! ⚖️
- Bag lock – Especially useful on trains 🔒
- Neck wallet or pouch – For anti-theft peace of mind 🕶️
- Quick-dry towel – In case of hostel stays or gyms 🧼
- Neck pillow – Train naps are real 🛏️
- Sleep mask – For flights or bright rooms 😴
👗 Clothes
- Thermal tops (2–3) – Sleek, invisible warmth 🔥
- Long-sleeve shirts or blouses (3–4) – Dress up or down 👚
- Wool sweaters (2–3) – Milanese-approved winter wear 🧶
- Chic blazer – For aperitivo nights or shopping 🧥
- Tailored trousers or wool pants (2–3) – Stay stylish + warm 👖
- Midi skirt – Wear with tights and boots 👗
- Fleece-lined leggings – For layering under pants or skirts 🧘
- Statement dress – For opera or fine dining 👗
- Wool or down coat – A Milan must-have 🧥
- Packable down jacket – For flexible layering 🪶
- Activewear – Hotel gym or quick morning jog 🏃
- Warm pajamas – Drafty windows are real 💤
- Swimsuit – Spa day or luxury hotel pool 👙
- Underwear (7+) – Fashion starts with good basics 👙
- Bras (2–3) – Including one seamless or strapless 👚
- Wool socks (5–7) – Fashionable and functional 🧦
- Opaque tights – Layer under skirts or dresses 🧤
💆 Skincare
- Cream cleanser – Gentle on cold-exposed skin 🧴
- Hydrating toner – Boosts moisture barrier 💧
- Thick moisturizer – Lock in hydration 🧴
- Broad-spectrum SPF – Needed on sunny winter days ☀️
- Makeup remover – Micellar water or cleansing balm 🧻
- Exfoliator – For that glowing Italian skin 🧽
- Eye cream – Treat under-eye dryness 👁️
- Facial mist – Refresh mid-day 💦
- Sheet masks – Recover after long flights 🧖
- SPF lip balm (x2) – Chapped lips no more 💋
- Spot treatment – For travel breakouts 🩹
💄 Makeup
- Hydrating foundation – Better than matte in cold air 💁
- Concealer – For long days out and about 👁️
- Translucent powder – Control T-zone shine 💨
- Blush – Add warmth to pale skin 🌹
- Highlighter – Glow under Milanese lights ✨
- Bronzer – Subtle sculpting 🌞
- Compact eyeshadow palette – Neutrals or festive gold 🎨
- Eyeliner – Wing it for night looks 🖊️
- Waterproof mascara – In case of drizzle 💧
- Brow pencil or gel – Sharp arches in the city 👁️
- Lipstick – Deep berry or classic nude 💄
- Setting spray – Keeps makeup flawless 🌬️
- Makeup brushes – Compact and clean 🖌️
💇 Hair Care
- Brush or comb – Tame post-scarf static 💇
- Hair ties & clips – Hold your style together 💨
- Shampoo & conditioner – Travel-size or bars 🧴
- Dry shampoo – For fresh volume 💁
- Heat protectant – Before using any tools 🔥
- Styling cream or serum – Sleek winter hair 💧
- Mini hair dryer – Hotels might not cut it 💨
- Straightener or curling wand – Not both! 🌀
- Accessories – Headband, scrunchie, clips 🎀
- Wool hat – Stylish, warm, and selfie-ready 🧢
👟 Shoes & Accessories
- Waterproof leather boots – Italian street-ready 👢
- Comfortable sneakers – For museums & walking 👟
- Dress shoes – For evening outings 👠
- Scarf – Cashmere or wool for luxe layering 🧣
- Leather gloves – Chic and practical 🧤
- Wool beanie or beret – Winter glam 🧢
- Compact umbrella – Essential for rain ☔
- Sunglasses – Winter glare is still strong 😎
- Jewelry – Milan = statement accessories 💍
- Classic watch – Complete your Italian look ⌚
- Crossbody or tote bag – Fashionable + secure 👜
📑 Documents & Essentials
- Passport + copies – Carry a photo version 🛂
- Visa (if required) – Schengen zone rules apply 📝
- ID – May be required at galleries and shops 🪪
- Travel insurance – Mandatory for peace of mind 📄
- Booking confirmations – For hotels, tours, transport 🧾
- Cash + cards – Euros and contactless 💶
- Emergency contacts – Phone + printed list 📇
- Offline maps & metro apps – Milan’s system is efficient 🗺️
- Receipts – For returns or tax refund 🧾
- Notebook & pen – Jot down galleries, cafes 🖊️
- RFID wallet – Stylish and secure 👛
- Hotel-safe pouch – Leave valuables behind 🔐
🚑 First Aid
- Band-aids – For stylish shoes gone wrong 🩹
- Antiseptic wipes – Quick cleanups 🧼
- Gauze, pads & tape – Basic wound care 🩺
- Tweezers – Multi-use ✂️
- Mini scissors – Flight-safe ✂️
- Thermometer – Check fevers or colds 🌡️
- Cotton pads/Q-tips – Multipurpose ☁️
🧼 Health & Hygiene
- Prescription meds – Enough for full trip 💊
- Pain relievers – For long walking days 🤕
- Cold medicine – Winter sniffles are real 🤧
- Allergy pills – In case of reactions 🌾
- Motion sickness tabs – Day trips or flights 🚍
- Vitamins – Immune support 💊
- Feminine products – Bring what you prefer 🩸
- Hand sanitizer – City travel essential 👐
- Disinfectant wipes – Clean surfaces 🧽
- Bug spray – Rarely needed, but pack a mini 🦟
- Contraceptives – Always be prepared ❤️
- Eye drops – Wind & dry air 👁️
- Contacts + case – If applicable 👓
- Compact mirror – On-the-go grooming 🪞
- Toothbrush & paste – Travel size 🪥
- Floss – Don’t forget 🦷
- Deodorant – Solid is best 🧼
- Razor – Manual or electric 🪒
- Nail kit – Clippers, file, tweezers 💅
- Perfume – Small spray or solid 🌸
- Tissues – Always useful 🧻
📱 Tech & Electronics
- Smartphone – Your Milan map + camera 📱
- Tablet or laptop – If working or blogging 💻
- Camera – Fashion & architecture galore 📸
- Chargers – Don’t forget a power strip 🔌
- Power bank – Museums + photos = dead battery 🔋
- Adapter – Italy uses Type C and F plugs ⚡
- Hard drive or cloud – Back up those photos 💾
- Offline apps – Maps, guides, translator 🗺️
- eSIM/local SIM – Avoid roaming charges 🌐
- E-reader – Lightweight downtime 📖
- Headphones – Quiet walks & travel 🎧
- Waterproof phone pouch – Just in case 📱
🎧 Entertainment
- Books – Fashion, food, or Italian lit 📚
- Movies or shows – Download for downtime 🎬
- Music & podcasts – Create a Milan playlist 🎶
- Travel journal – Log cafes, outfits, museums 📓
- Card games – Compact fun 🃏
- Fashion mags – Perfect plane reading 📖
🎁 Extras
- Snacks – For trains, galleries, or late shopping 🍫
- Reusable bottle – Milan has refill stations 💧
- Foldable shopping bag – Designer finds 🛍️
- Travel detergent – For delicate fabrics 🧼
- Sewing kit – For fashion emergencies 🧵
- Whistle – Small safety tool 🔊
- Lint roller – Especially for dark coats 👕
- Footrest – Long flight comfort ✈️
- Shoe deodorizer – Manage sweaty boots 👃
- Melatonin – Jet lag helper 😴
🌍 Travel Tips
- Book train tickets in advance – Regional trains fill up 🚆
- Reserve Duomo rooftop tickets – It’s popular 🎟️
- Pack layers – Mornings are cold, afternoons warmer 🧥
- Use the metro – Fast, efficient, and clean 🚇
- Keep valuables in your carry-on 🎒
- Label all your luggage – Milan airports can be busy 📛
- Notify your bank – Especially for card safety 💳
🛂 Visa Tips
- Schengen visa – Required for some nationalities 🛂
- Apply early – Minimum 2–3 weeks before travel 🗓️
- Bring passport photos – Just in case 📷
- Print hotel + return flights – For entry proof 🖨️
- Customs: no meat, large liquids, or unsealed foods 🚫
⭐ Must-Haves
- Passport – And digital copies 🌍
- Travel insurance – Delays and illness covered 🛡️
- Credit cards + some euros – Cash for markets 💶
- Phone + adapter – Daily essential 📱
- Health kit – Keep it compact and useful 🧼
- Offline city maps – Even without Wi-Fi 🗺️
- Hotel & transport confirmations – Printed + saved 🧾
- Day bag – For all daily adventures 👜
- Water bottle – Hydration on the go 💧
👍 Good-to-Have
- Travel steamer – Fashion crease-free 🧺
- Blanket scarf – Flight warmth + outfit boost 🧣
- Spare mask or sanitizer – Still smart 😷
- Extra charger – For phone & camera 🔌
- Stylish umbrella – Function meets fashion ☔
- eSIM – For seamless data 🌐
- Gift tote – For bringing back Italian finds 🎁
