If you want to visit a big city in Italy, you can travel to Milan or Rome. Milan is the second largest city, and is known for its fashion and design. Additionally, the beautiful Duomo (Cathedral) is unique and worth seeing both outside and inside. The city is extensive, and although it is possible to walk around the centre, you will probably want to utilise the public transport system. The architecture around the city is stunning including the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. There are also many wonderful museums including the Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci. Be sure to book in advance so you are not disappointed!
Highlights
- Milan Duomo (cathedral), beautiful outside and worth a tour of the inside
- Arco della Pace
- Sforzesco Castle and park
- Colonne di San Lorenzo
- Naviglio Grande canal
- Santa Maria delle Grazie Basilica
- Cenacolo Vinciano– see The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci
- Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping area
- ADI Design Museum
- Teatro alla Scala Opera house
- Pinacoteca di Brera art gallery
- GAM – Galleria d’Arte Moderna
- Cimitero Monumentale
- Palazzo Marino Town Hall
Before you go
- Milan is the English name for Milano
- The second largest city in Italy after Rome, Milano is the regional capital of Lombardy
- Known as a fashion capital in Europe
- Buy tickets in advance for Duomo and Last Supper
- Food from Milan often has the word Milanese
- Many museums are closed on Mondays, and smaller shops may have reduced hours
- Also, during August, many smaller shops may be closed for summer holidays
- Although the city is relatively safe, be aware of pickpockets
- Summer can be very hot or humid, so Spring and Autumn are nice times to visit
- I found this website Introducing Milan useful
Transport
- The main international airport is Milan Malpensa Airport, about an hour from the city by public transport or car. Closer to the city by metro is Milan Linate, with domestic and shorter international flights
- To the north of the city is Milano Centrale Railway Station
- Milano has a metro system, buses and trains
- You can explore the centre on foot, but public transport or taxis might be needed
Accommodation
- I’ve not stayed overnight in Milano so can’t recommend a specific accommodation. I was just passing through at the time
- As usual I recommend checking reviews on Booking.com or using AirBnB
Food
There are a number of dishes that come from Milan, often with the word Milanese in the name. For example: Costoletta alla Milanese, Risotto alla Milanese, and Minestra di zucca alla Milanese (pumpkin soup). Additionally, you may recognise these other well-known foods: Panettone, Ossobuco, and Minestrone soup.
However, when I visited Milan for a short time, I was only able to try some Italian snacks on the move. Sorry, no photos so this is a photo of my homemade version of Minestrone soup.
FAQs
Q: Do I need a tour guide?
A: No, it is easy to find the places of interest
Q: Do people speak English?
A: Many people speak English, but it is useful to have a translation app. At the rail station, I found that the announcements about delays and changes were only in Italian
Q: Is it a walkable city?
A: Yes, it is walkable if you like to walk a lot
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