Milan
Shopping is the first thing which comes to our minds when somebody mentions Milan. And it’s not surprising! Sales here happen twice a year and the number of fashionable boutiques per one square meter is the highest in Europe. Fashion weeks, stylish Italian ladies and gentlemen, noisy streets, a fast pace of life – Milan is fundamentally different from other cities in Italy. Even the coffee here is weak and served with milk in the evening - that’s an inexcusable frivolity for the true Italians. But you can excuse everything to Milan as it combines everything we love in Italy: its history, architecture, art, cuisine, and of course, its impeccable style.
Milan’s Boroughs
Nowadays, Milan is divided into 9 districts which are called boroughs here. They don’t have titles and are simply numbered in ascending order. Thus, borough #1 is located in the center, #2 is in the north-east, and so on in a clockwise direction. Every borough has its local regional government. The historical center of the city and the main attractions are situated in the first borough, while Milano Centrale railway station can be found in the second borough.
Map Milan
Attractions
Milan has a unique charm and fascination. Take its Duomo di Milano, La Scala, and Sforza Castle. The city enchants and makes you fall in love in the first few minutes.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Milan Cathedral
Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology
Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio
Sforza Castle
Pinacoteca di Brera
La Scala
Santa Maria delle Grazie
Da Vinci's Last Supper (Il Cenacolo)
Navigli District
Brera
Sempione Park (Parco Sempione)
Bramante Sacristy (Sacrestia del Bramante)
Ambrosiana Museum and Library (Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana)
Church of San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore (Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore)
Piazza Mercanti
Fidenza Village
Vicolungo The Style Outlets
La Triennale Museum (La Triennale di Milano)
Bagatti Valsecchi Museum (Museo Bagatti Valsecchi)
San Siro Stadium (Stadio San Siro)
Milan Monumental Cemetery (Cimitero Monumentale di Milano)
Church of Santa Maria at San Satiro (Chiesa di Santa Maria presso San Satiro)
Porta Nuova
Population
Despite its rich and vivid history, the representatives of two nationalities live in Milan: the Italians and Lombards. But the city doesn’t have a problem with people. Annually, tourists from all corners of the world come to explore it.
Unlike the majority of the Italians, local citizens are extremely punctual and have an excellent knowledge of English. Moreover, the Milaneses are gallant and tactful. They mention by name just their friends and relatives. Colleagues and acquaintances are called by the last name only.
A brief history of Milan
The largest city in Italy dates back to 600 BC and is considered to be the most ancient city in Europe. According to the scientists, it was one founded by one of the tribes of the oldest Celtic nation, insubres. Afterward, the city was conquered by the Romans and was named Mediolanum. Throughout its history, Milan was exposed to many declines and revivals, it was under the reign of Theodosius I and Visconti family, went through the Spanish domination, survived the epidemic of plague and the Napoleonic Wars.
It was one of the main centers fighting for the unification of Italy and even became the bulwark of Nazism led by Benito Mussolini. The city was severely destroyed after World War II and its two suburbs — Precotto and Terro — wiped off from the face of the Earth.
Despite the tragic events, it managed to save the cultural heritage of the past centuries: buildings in the Renaissance and Classicism styles, red-bricked Lombard romance. Milan Cathedral became the symbol of the city together with Sforza Castle, the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio, and La Scala theatre where you can listen to the best operatic voices in the world.
Worldwide renowned artists were born and worked in Milan: a painter of the baroque epoch Caravaggio, a composer Giuseppe Verdi and Leonardo da Vinci. He was an incredibly talented person who was the greatest painter, sculptor, architect, writer, scientist and naturalist, inventor, and innovator in one person. One of Leonardo da Vinci’s monumental works – “The Last Supper” – is still kept in Santa Maria delle Grazie.
Milan today is the trading and economic center of Italy, one of the capitals of the world’s fashion where Giorgio Armani, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada are being produced.
Trip budget
Before the trip, you should calculate the approximate budget that you will require for the travel:
Hotels | Apartment | Taxi | Gasoline |
Average bill | from 88 €/night | from 99 €/night | Start - 5.01 €, 1km - 1.13 € | 1.59 €/liter | 60 € for 2 person |
|---|
The best time to visit Milan
Spring and autumn are the best seasons for visiting the capital of Lombardy. These are the most favorable periods for long walks or throwing a real shopping-marathon. It’s too hot and stuffy during the summer months in Milan. However, if you are hunting for sales, this fact should not scare you off. Especially, when Versace has up to 80% off. Milan in winter is rainy and foggy, but the city undergoes a marvelous transformation before Christmas. It looks absolutely festive, stylish and becomes extremely cozy.
Useful notes
Don’t throw away the metro ticket until your ride is finished. Even if you chose the “one-way” option. At many stations, you will need your ticket to leave the metro. If you throw away a ticket, you may need to purchase a new one to exit the station.
If you want to return the value-added tax at the border, choose places tagged as Europe Tax Free Shopping for buying things and keep the cheques. Don’t take off the tags from the clothes and other items. They should be absolutely new.
What should a tourist do in Milan?
- Ascend to the roof of Milan Cathedral to see the mind-blowing view of carved statues and high arches. In the distance, you shall see the skyscrapers built by the projects of Zaha Hadid, Daniel Libeskind, and Arata Isozaki.
- Listen to the opera at La Scala theatre. Besides, it’s an excellent opportunity to show off your evening finery. The theatre has a strict dress code.
- Shop till you drop at the famous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and such streets as Via Manzoni, Via della Spiga и Via Sant’Andrea.
- Reserve a spot to admire the renowned fresco “The Last Supper” by Leonardo da Vinci in Santa Maria delle Grazie and get acquainted with the Italian art in the Pinacoteca di Brera.
- Get inspired by the spirit of antiquity in one of the oldest places in the city, the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio.
- Explore the non-tourist Milan where business districts and new architecture is being built. For example, Zona Tortona with Mudec Cultural Museum, Armani/Silos Museum, Fondazione Prada, and the mind-blowing “Vertical Forest” building. That’s a real triumph of urbanism!
- Taste wine at il Secco wine vault, real panini in De Santis snack bar, “Brasilian sushi” with mango and fruit in Temakinho restaurant. And, of course, don’t forget about ice-cream. You can buy it at every step.
- Purchase some ceramics, chinaware, and extraordinary decor for your home at one of the flea markets.
Milan in detail
Hotels in Milan
Hotel Mythos
from 45 $
Hotel Mennini
from 97 $
Antica Locanda Leonardo
from 79 $
Keb Hotel
from 95 $
Hotel Fiorella Milano
from 50 $
Hotel Giacosa
from 48 $
Delle Nazioni Milan Hotel
from 50 $
Canova Hotel
from 64 $
Hotel Soperga
from 43 $
Hotel Metrò
from 72 $
Hotel La Madonnina
from 90 $
Hotel Domenichino
from 60 $
Hotel Campion
from 84 $
Hotel Fenice
from 114 $
Hotel Rafael
from 103 $
Genius Hotel Downtown
from 80 $
Matilde Boutique Hotel
from 133 $
Hotel D'Este
from 108 $
Art Hotel Navigli
from 100 $
Hotel Manin
from 108 $
Magville
from 97 $
Hotel Mentana, by R Collection Hotels
from 63 $
Sonder Missori
from 169 $
Hotel Vittoria
from 80 $
Savona 18 Suites
from 164 $
Studio Inn Centrale
from 95 $
Room Mate Giulia
from 209 $
Worldhotel Cristoforo Colombo
from 124 $
Maison Borella
from 203 $
Rosa Grand Milano - Starhotels Collezione
from 233 $
The Corner Duomo Hotel
from 191 $
Windsor Hotel Milano
from 88 $
Hotel Galles
from 80 $
Hotel Indigo Milan - Corso Monforte, an IHG Hotel
from 157 $
Uptown Palace
from 128 $
Hyatt Centric Milan Centrale
from 137 $
Starhotels Business Palace
from 76 $
Clerici Boutique Hotel
from 140 $
Collini Rooms
from 109 $
J24 Hotel Milano
from 61 $
Grand Hotel et de Milan - The Leading Hotels of the World
from 515 $
Hotel Principe Di Savoia - Dorchester Collection
from 307 $
Park Hyatt Milano
from 664 $
Armani Hotel Milano
from 669 $
ME Milan Il Duca
from 280 $
Bulgari Hotel Milano
from 820 $
Excelsior Hotel Gallia, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Milan
from 291 $
Palazzo Parigi Hotel & Grand Spa - LHW
from 734 $
Galleria Vik Milano
from 381 $
Magna Pars l'Hotel à Parfum
from 251 $
NH Collection Milano President
from 176 $
Room Inn
from 119 $
Milano Navigli Apartment - Via Tortona
from 76 $
Milan Retreats Cadorna Duomo
from 36 $
Premium Suite Milan
from 134 $
numa l Camperio Rooms & Apartments
from 166 $
B&B El Brumista
from 90 $
Aiello Rooms San Babila
from 123 $
Aria Milano Boutique Apartments- Palazzi
from 139 $
Brera Flat Near Duomo
from 60 $
Joyce
from 211 $
The Unique
from 168 $
Duomo View Design Studio R&R
from 210 $
Hotel Amico
from 457 $
Milano Apartments Porta Genova
from 86 $
Casa da Suite Suprema
from 298 $
Renovated Penthouse Duomo & Via Torino
from 149 $
Torre Galfa Milano Luxury Apartments | UNA Esperienze
from 121 $
Milanocity MICO MIART
from 162 $
Residenza Cornaggia
from 169 $
Living Suites
from 111 $
Locanda Pandenus
from 194 $
Brera Apartments Alla Scala
from 93 $
S. Maria Valle Central Roomy flat
from 149 $
Duomo Hotel & Apartments
from 115 $
Residence Milano Bicocca
from 53 $
Easy Milano Apartment Navigli
from 88 $
Velvet Grey Boutique Hotel
from 99 $
Casa da Suite Historia
from 49 $
Serendipity Apartments - Duomo
from 60 $
BB Hotels Aparthotel Bicocca
from 66 $
Casa da Suite Eleganza
from 283 $
Castello Sforzesco Suites by Brera Apartments
from 115 $
Be Mate Via Tivoli
from 90 $
Rivière Luxury Rooms at the Park
from 121 $
Torino48 Guesthouse
from 138 $
INTOMILAN Galleria Duomo I Boutique & Design Aparthotel
from 71 $
Leonardo Duplex Apartment
from 61 $
Victor Boutique Hotel
from 99 $
Easy Milano - Rooms and Apartments Navigli
from 53 $
T7
from 147 $
Meta Italy da Alessandro
from 107 $
BB Hotels Aparthotel Arcimboldi
from 66 $
Via Breda 120
from 97 $
Enjoy Milano Skyline
from 80 $
Milano Apartments Mortara
from 151 $
iH Hotels Milano Centrale Guest House
from 67 $
Heart Milan Apartments San Sepolcro Duomo
from 68 $
Hotel Oregon
from 57 $
Carlo Goldoni Hotel
from 33 $
Popular tours
3 hours
Milan Highlights Walking Tour with Fast Entry to Duomo Cathedral & Last Supper
2 reviews
from
79€
2 hours
Milan Walking Tour with Food and Wine Tasting
7 reviews
from
163€
2 hours
Milan Art Tour with da Vincis ‘The Last Supper’ Skip-the-Line
267 reviews
from
67€
3 hours
Milan Food Tour with Cheese Tasting at Eataly
4 reviews
from
122€
1 hour 30 minutes
PRIVATE Milan Duomo Skip-the-line Tour
3 reviews
from
69€
4 days
4-Day Dolomites Tour from Milan
1 review
from
927€
6 hours
Milan Last Supper, Duomo, Rondanini Skip-the-Line Walking
37 reviews
from
112€
1 hour 30 minutes
Last Supper Tour with Santa Maria delle Grazie
4 reviews
from
69€
1 hour 30 minutes
Skip-the-line Duomo Tour with Rooftop Access
9 reviews
from
28€
1 hour 30 minutes
Navigli Walking Tour
1 review
from
154€
3 hours
Milan Walking Tour, The Last Supper Skip-the-Line Tickets
1201 review
from
81€
2 hours
Da Vinci's Last Supper and Sforza Castle Semi-Private Tour with Top Rated Guide
2 reviews
from
65€
2 hours
Brera district & Pinacoteca guided experience
1 review
from
57€
2 hours
Duomo of Milan guided experience
1 review
from
61€
3 hours
Milan Hidden Treasures Bike Tour
13 reviews
from
36€
3 hours
Historic Milan Tour with Skip-the-Line Last Supper Ticket
136 reviews
from
74€
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