Milan
Known as the “Ambrosian city”, Milan is a metropolis that offers visitors a wonderful variety of experiences and emotions. Many people view Milan solely as a grey city characterised by skyscrapers and office blocks housing important banks and multinationals. In reality, Milan is far more than that. On one hand, there’s the charm of a city that has managed to preserve over time a truly unique historical and artistic heritage, whilst on the other, we have Milan as Italy’s financial centre and business hub where it’s easy to create and find opportunities.
You’ll move from the modernity of Piazza Gae Aulenti with its stunning skyline to the charm of the Cathedral, from Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper to the boutiques of Via Monte Napoleone. Milan is a city rich in contrasts but also brimming with opportunities, and you need to know it well to fall in love with it. The Lombard capital is also a highly sought-after destination for visitors who enjoy its elegant shopping streets, stopping for an evening aperitivo in the Navigli area, and letting loose for the night at one of its many venues.
Long known as one of the world’s leading “fashion capitals”, Milan hosts both runway shows from major brands and international events such as the Salone del Mobile. The city, therefore, is not only easy to reach and packed with interesting sites and venues for spending wonderful evenings, but also hosts numerous cultural, musical and sporting events. For all these reasons, Milan is certainly a destination that shouldn’t be missed on a journey exploring our country.
Milan was long seen as an important business hub and metropolis with little to offer visitors. In reality, the city has its own charm, numerous attractions and various international boutiques that appeal to shopping enthusiasts.
Thanks to its character and the many opportunities it offers, Milan is a city that attracts tourists from all over the world throughout the year. Moreover, major international companies are based here and international events and trade fairs are organised that draw many business travellers.
For this reason, Milan presents itself as an ideal destination in every season; however, the best months to visit are the so-called “shoulder seasons” when the climate is mild and temperatures allow you to enjoy the city at its best. Winter in Milan can be cold, grey and features short days with the sun shining for only a few hours a day. The winter weeks of the festive season, however, are a good time for those who want to experience the city adorned, fully embrace the Christmas atmosphere and do some shopping.
Summer, on the other hand, is a time of year with many hours of daylight but also days that can be hot and humid. Humidity in particular can make it difficult to enjoy the city and visit its attractions. Finally, as we’ve already mentioned, Milan is a city that organises numerous international trade fairs, so it would be better to check and avoid visiting it during these events as it could be very chaotic and prices could be higher than average.
An essential stop on a trip to discover the Lombard capital is certainly Piazza Duomo, home to the famous Milan Cathedral. The church and its terraces offer all visitors moments of incredible wonder. From the Cathedral, you can walk through Galleria Vittorio Emanuele and reach the La Scala Theatre, one of the world’s most famous theatres. Once in the city, a visit to the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie is a must, whose refectory houses the famous “The Last Supper” by Leonardo da Vinci, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Fans of the great master Leonardo da Vinci can also visit the Leonardo3 Museum to learn about his history and admire the reconstruction of some of his works such as the Mechanical Eagle, the Great Kite, the Rapid Crossbow and the Time Machine. Don’t miss a visit to the National Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo da Vinci, where you can discover the technological progress that has affected countless objects and processes throughout history.
Two other important stops we recommend including are the Sforza Castle and the Pinacoteca di Brera, which allow you to admire masterpieces by not only Italian but also European artists. A visit to the Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio is also unmissable – it’s one of Milan’s oldest churches and is considered a highly significant religious building in the history of the Ambrosian Church.
After spending some time shopping, our advice is not to miss an aperitivo at one of Milan’s beautiful venues. Among the most popular areas where you can enjoy the famous “spritz” and have a true Milanese aperitivo, we recommend the Navigli, a truly lively and bustling neighbourhood boasting numerous bars and restaurants. Alternatively, Piazza Gae Aulenti and the nearby Corso Como are full of venues that come alive in the evening.
Milan is a city truly rich in interesting sites and attractions that often require several days to visit. The city, moreover, can be considered an excellent base for exploring the surrounding area, where you can organise excursions and day trips or longer.
One of the first stops you can visit from Milan is certainly Lake Como, with its charming villages, numerous villas and some of Italy’s most beautiful gardens. Along the shores of the lake, Bellagio and Varenna in particular are two very popular destinations. A visit to the beautiful town of Lecco is also a must – overlooking Lake Como, it offers splendid views and a truly unique historic centre. Lake Como, moreover, is often considered the ideal destination in summer to escape the city heat. Along its shores, you’ll find small beaches and the chance to enjoy water sports.
Without going far, less than 20 km from Milan is Monza with its beautiful Royal Palace and Park, two stops you absolutely shouldn’t miss. The Royal Palace was built in the 18th century by the Empress Maria Theresa of Austria for her son, the Archduke Ferdinand, who was then Governor of Milan.
Those who enjoy spending leisurely days immersed in nature can visit the beautiful Lake Iseo, which offers the chance to organise numerous outdoor activities. Around Lake Iseo you’ll also find the Franciacorta area, famous for its excellent wine and numerous wineries offering tastings. The town of Iseo, moreover, is a real gem – not too large, easily explored on foot – that allows you to immerse yourself in a bygone atmosphere. Going a bit further afield you’ll find the beautiful Lake Garda, an undisputed destination for those who love hiking, walking or cycling.
History and architecture lovers cannot miss a visit to the famous Certosa di Pavia, built in the 14th century by Gian Galeazzo Visconti, who wished to create a mausoleum for his family. With a convenient train journey from Milan, you can also easily reach the towns of Bergamo, Brescia and Mantua, three destinations with truly unique architectural heritage. For a trip combining history and nature, we instead recommend Lake Maggiore with its beautiful Borromean Islands, stately villas and charming parks.
Finally, don’t forget that in the Milan area there are numerous small villages that can be visited in a day – charming places that are little-known. In particular, we recommend Morimondo, which was founded by Cistercian monks in the Middle Ages, Vigevano, which houses important works by artists such as Leonardo da Vinci and Bramante, and Trezzo d’Adda. And if you have time and fancy some shopping, pop over for the day to the Serravalle Designer Outlet.
Thanks to air, motorway and rail links, Milan is a city in northern Italy that is easily reached not only from other locations in the country but also from Switzerland and other European and non-European countries. At Linate, located less than 8 km from Milan, you’ll find the Linate International Airport, which is well connected to major Italian and European cities via flights from many airlines, including budget carriers. From the airport you can easily reach the city centre via bus line no. 73, the Linate Shuttle, Autostradale buses or a convenient taxi ride.
About 50 km from Milan, in the province of Varese, lies Malpensa Airport, a hub offering both domestic and international flights, including long-haul services. From the airport you can reach Milan’s Central Station via the Malpensa Express train or via bus lines from various companies. The journey from the airport takes about an hour and services depart every 20 minutes.
Another option is to reach the Lombard capital by train, as Milan has more than twenty railway stations that provide connections with major towns in Lombardy and throughout the country. Central Station is certainly the main one, where regional and high-speed trains (both Trenitalia and Italo Treno) arrive from major Italian cities. High-speed rail lines allow you to reach Milan in an hour from Turin, two and a half hours from Venice and in five hours from Naples. Other main stations in the Lombard capital are Milan Porta Garibaldi, Milan Rogoredo and Lambrate. Porta Garibaldi railway station in particular connects Milan with Paris and Lyon as well as with Bergamo, Cremona, Turin, Arona, Domodossola and Porto Ceresi.
Those travelling by car can easily reach Milan from any direction as the city is served by an extensive motorway network that includes the A4 Turin–Trieste, the A35 BreBeMi, the A7 to Genoa and the Lakes motorways (A8 to Varese and A9 to Como).
From luxury hotels to hostels, from apartments to exclusive residences, Milan is a hospitable and welcoming city that boasts various types of accommodation at different price points. The best area to stay is certainly the historic centre (particularly around Piazza Duomo), where you’ll find the main attractions to visit in the city as well as numerous restaurants and venues.
For those looking for accommodation at more affordable prices, we recommend considering options in the Città Studi area, a perfect neighbourhood for those who love nightlife too, as there are numerous bars and venues here and a very young population. The area is also well served by public transport, so it’s easy to reach the main attractions from here. Other neighbourhoods slightly away from the historic centre but still well served by public transport are Piazza Garibaldi, Isola and Parco Sempione.
Sant’Ambrogio, on the other hand, is a quiet neighbourhood on the edge of the historic centre close to Piazza Affari. The area was regenerated in the early 2000s and is now an affluent area that hosts hotels, B&Bs and accommodation at fairly high prices. If, however, you don’t have budget constraints, you can choose to stay in Brera, an exclusive, elegant neighbourhood well served by public transport. Brera is located not far from the Cathedral and the city’s main attractions and is home to some of Milan’s most elegant and luxurious hotels.
Milan’s city centre is best explored on foot, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in its atmosphere. However, since some attractions are spread out across the city, you may want to use Milan’s public transport, particularly the metro network, which stretches for approximately 97 km and is the longest in Italy. Milan’s underground railway extends beyond the city boundaries into the surrounding hinterland communities and features 113 stations. In addition to the metro, you can get around the city by tram and trolleybus.
If you prefer convenience, taxis are also available, though this isn’t always the quickest option, as journey times depend on city traffic.
Driving in Milan can be quite challenging if you’re unfamiliar with the city, as there are numerous restricted traffic zones and limited parking. If you’re travelling by car, we recommend booking a hotel with parking and exploring the city on foot or by public transport instead. A car can be useful, however, if you’re planning to venture out of the city for day trips.
Milan is the capital of the Lombardy region and one of the most densely populated cities not only in Italy but across Europe. The city sits at the heart of the Po Valley, approximately 35 kilometres north of the Po River.
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