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
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.
Population
A brief history of Milan
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 |
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The best time to visit Milan
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.