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Milan |
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It’s easy to see why Milan is the fashion and style capital
of Italy. Even building-site workers seem to know which colour hard hat and
fluorescent vest goes best with
Luckily there are plenty of attractions to divert your attention from the fact that everybody else is better dressed than you.
The city has one of the largest and most spectacular religious buildings anywhere in the world, a vast and intact 15th-century castle, the excellent Pinacoteca di Brera art gallery and, of course, Leonardo Da Vinci’s Last Supper.
Flying time to Milan’s main airport, Malpensa, is as little as 90 minutes. It has two terminals and is around 30 miles from the city centre. Here is a selection of flights; arrival times are in brackets and all times are local.
The Ferrovie Nord Malpensa Express train goes to Cadorna station (map), which is in the north-west of the centre and three metro stops, or a 15-minute walk, from the duomo. Map
Trains leave every half hour at 23 and 53 minutes past and you can buy tickets in the arrivals hall or the station ticket office. See table below.
There are two bus/coach services that shuttle between the airport terminals and Milan’s Stazione Centrale rail station - map. This is north of the centre and three metro stops, or a 30-minute walk, from the duomo.
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The
Express leaves every half hour at 15 and 45 minutes
Tickets for both services can be bought in the arrivals hall or on the bus - see table below.
From Terminal 2 This doesn’t have a train station, so if you want the train you’ll have to take the free shuttle bus to Terminal 1 and get off at bus stop 13. Buses leave every 20 minutes and the journey takes five to ten minutes.
The city bus services from Terminal 1 also stop at T2. The Malpensa Express leaves at 25 and 55 minutes past and the Shuttle Air Pullman at 10, 30 and 50 minutes past.
All road journey times are approximate and depend on the traffic; allow more time during rush hour.
Milan is served by two other airports, Linate and Bergamo, but neither of these currently offers any day-trip flights.
If you'd like more information on getting to Milan, take a look at our booking and travel planning section.
Eco-friendly travel - to find out how you can make your travel carbon neutral visit CarbonNeutral or ClimateCare.
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Most of Milan’s principal attractions are comfortable
walking distances from the duomo, but if you need a rest or you're
A single ticket is €1 and valid for 75 minutes from the time you validate it in one of the yellow ticket machines. It gives you unlimited travel on buses and trams but only one metro journey.
A one-day travel card for unlimited travel on all three networks costs €3.
Tickets must be stamped at the start of a journey, and can be bought at metro stations, newsagents and bars displaying the green and orange ATM sticker.
To download the metro map, click here.
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What To Visit
It’s not hard to see why this dazzling Gothic cathedral and Milan’s most famous land mark took almost 430 years to complete - admission times.
There’s so much detail, including around 3,500 statues, that you could spend the rest of your life looking at it and still find something you hadn’t noticed before - virtual tour.
Take the lift or stairs to the roof for one of the best views of the city and the duomo’s incredible forest of spires, statues and carvings. Map
On opposite sides of Piazza del Duomo are two other
Palazzo Reale - this former royal palace was one of the most lavish neo-classical palaces in Europe - map. It now houses three museums.
Museo della Reggia is used for temporary exhibitions and showcases the building’s sumptuous interiors.
Civico Museo d’Arte Contemporanea is a contemporary art gallery with a collection that includes Boccioni, Kandinsky, Klee, Matisse, Modrian, Modigliani and Picasso.
Museo del Duomo contains items removed from the cathedral for safekeeping, including stained-glass windows, sculptures, tapestries and Tintoretto’s The Infant Christ among the Doctors. It’s currently closed due to restoration work on Palazzo Reale.
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Built between 1865 and 1877, it’s the world’s oldest shopping arcade and worth a visit just to admire the building - virtual tour.
Its designer, Giuseppe Mengoni, never found out what retail therapists thought of his creation because he fell off scaffolding and killed himself days before it opened. Map
Castello Sforzesco - this vast red-brick fortress dominating the north-west of the centre dates back to 1358 - virtual tour.
It’s home
to the Civic Museums, which contain a huge
Highlights include Bellini’s Madonna and Child, Mantegna’s Madonna in Glory, the Trivulzio tapestries designed by Bramantino (virtual tour), and Michelangelo’s last sculpture, Rondanini Pietà. Map
Pinacoteca di Brera - yet another art gallery that has Napoleon’s looting sprees to thank for much of its contents.
There are works from major Italian artists from the 13th century onwards, as well as Dutch and Flemish painters, making it one of Italy's most important collections.
It includes contributions from Bellini, Boccioni, Canaletto, Caravaggio, Mantegna, Modigliani, Picasso, Raphael, Tintoretto and Titian. And Hayez’s The Kiss - every bit as spellbinding and sensual as Klimt’s. Map
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Da Vinci’s Last Supper - many people come to Milan just to
It’s ironic that his greatest work started deteriorating before he’d even finished it and the contrast with the excellent condition of Donato Montorfano’s Crucifixion on the opposite wall could not be starker.
If you particularly want to see it, you should always book a few weeks in advance of your visit. Map
If you visit the Last Supper, don’t forget to drop in
on the
It has a beautiful brick and terracotta exterior and is interesting inside (virtual tour), not least for its sculptures, frescos and etching work. Map
Sant’Ambrogio - of Milan’s 100 or so churches, this one dating back to 379 is one of the oldest, and for many, the most interesting. Map
It’s named after the city’s patron saint and is an important example of Lombard Romanesque architecture. A colonnaded atrium surrounding the main entrance was used as a market place and refuge - virtual tour.
Pinacoteca Ambrosiana is an art gallery and academic library established in 1607 by Cardinal Frederico Borromeo.
The gallery was intended to inspire up-and-coming artists, although given the rate at which Italy was producing great artists and art, it hardly seemed necessary.
Its 24 rooms display works by Botticelli, Bergognone, Caravaggio, da Vinci, Francesco Hayez, Jan Breughel, Raphael, Teipolo and Titian. Map
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San Lorenzo Maggiore - Milan was once the capital of the
The columns were assembled here in the 4th century about the same time as the church was founded. Although the church has been rebuilt several times it still retains its basic Roman circular design - virtual tour.
In addition to a wonderful and cavernous interior - including the city’s largest dome, which also had to be rebuilt after it collapsed in 1573 - it has some amazingly well-preserved 1600 year-old palaeo-Christian mosaics. Map
Teatro alla Scala is the most famous opera house in Italy if not the world. Performances sell out months in advance even with tickets costing up to £3000.
The museum contains La Scala-related exhibits including paintings, sculptures and musical instruments and will probably mainly be of interest to opera lovers - unless you particularly want to see Toscanini’s baton. Map
If you want to find an address that’s not listed on this page, click here.
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Milan is in the north-west of Italy in the Lombardy region.
The city’s specialities include rissotto alla Milanese, made with rice, onion, white wine, saffron and Parmasan; and costolette alla Milanese, a breaded veal cutlet served with lemon.
The region produces some of the country’s best cheeses such as Gorgonzola, Fontina, Robiola and Taleggio.
Lombardy is not one of Italy’s major wine producing areas but it does have some good wines such as Franciacorta (red, white & sparkling), Lugana (white), Valcalepio (red & white), and the Botticino, San Colombano al Lambro and Valtellina reds.
If you want to book a restaurant, the dialling code is 00 39.
Boeucc apparently opened its doors in 1696, making it the oldest restaurant in the city. It’s at the expensive end of Milan dining but you get a stylish setting, wonderful Milanese and Italian dishes, and great service. Piazza Belgioioso 2, closed Saturday and Sunday - 02 76020224. Map
Don Lisander is few minutes walk from La Scala and a great place for lunch in the summer as you can eat outside in the courtyard. The food and service are excellent and the wine list is massive. Ask for a table overlooking the garden. Expensive to mid-price. Closed Sunday. Map
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Trattoria Milanese - anywhere that's been cooking for over 70 years from the same spot must be doing something right. In the case of this mid-price, I’m guessing it’s the excellent local cuisine, pleasing surroundings and efficient service. Via Santa Marta 11, closed Tuesday - 02 86451991. Map
Agnello - a few minutes from the Duomo you’ll find this budget to mid-price pizzeria and ristorante. The helpful and friendly staff serve tasty pizzas and classic Italian dishes in relaxed surroundings. Via Agnello 8 - 02 86461654. Map
Hostaria Borromei - a vine-shaded courtyard makes this a great venue for outside dining in the summer. The speciality is cooking from the Montova area in this budget to mid-price eatery. Via Borromei 4, closed Sunday - 02 86453760. Map
Da Giannino L'Angolo d'Abruzzo - this ristorante
on the
Osteria delle Vigne - a cosy, relaxed and inexpensive osteria by one of the canals in the Navigli district. The varied menu changes monthly and there are around 200 wines to choose from. Ripa di Porta Ticinese 61, closed Sunday and August - 02 8375617. Map
Trattoria da Pino - this very budget lunch eatery down a quiet side street is usually packed with locals. It's basic, and you might have to share a table with strangers, but there’s no arguing with the first-rate food. Via Cerva 14, closed Sunday - 02 76000532. Map
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Galleria Vittorio Emanuele is also a choice spot and Biffi and Zucca (Caffè Miani) on the duomo side of the arcade are the most famous of the Galleria’s dwindling number of cafés. Zucca, the birthplace of Campari, also gives you a marvellous view of the front of the cathedral. Map
Cova - situated in the city’s main designer shopping street, this wonderful café with its elegant tearoom is a Milan institution. Run by the same family since 1817, their superb homemade sandwiches, cakes and chocolates are among the best in town - Via Montenapoleone 8. Map
Bar Magenta near Cadorna train station is a charming
and
Pasticceria Marchesi - the sweet toothed will find it hard to resist the pastries in this lovely café, also near Cadorna station. If you’ve not tried panettone, this is a good place to give it a go; it’s their speciality. Closed Monday - Via Santa Maria alla Porta 13. Map
Cotti - this wine bar and enoteca on the northern edge of the centre is a must for wine lovers. It has over 1300 different wines in the cellar and a wide selection of gourmet treats to go with them. Closed Sunday and Monday - Via Solferino 42. Map
Bacco Bar is a friendly wine bar at Via Marcona 1 on the eastern edge of the centre. It doesn’t have the biggest selection of wines on offer in the city, but the 250 or so varieties are carefully chosen - closed Sunday. Map
And watch out for the price of beer in Milan, it can be ridiculously expensive (over £10 a pint), even for rubbish beer, out of season and away from the tourist hotspots. Or perhaps we’ve just been very unlucky.
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As Italy’s economic, cultural and fashion powerhouse, Milan
February - Carnevale Ambrosiano - a citywide celebration involving parades, floats and general frivolity that continues until the first Saturday of Lent.
April - Bagutta-Pittori - in the third week of the month Via Bagutta in the city centre pays host to an open-air art exhibition. Map
May - Cortili Aperti - once a year towards the end of the month the public gets the chance to look around the courtyards and gardens of some of Milan’s private historic buildings free of charge.
December - Fiera di Sant’Ambrogio or Oh Bej! Oh Bej! - Milanese celebrate their patron saint with a week-long street fair in Piazza Sant’Ambrogio that begins December 7. Map
And four times a year the city is overrun by the fashion industry for the Milan shows. The men’s collections are aired in January and June and the all-important womenswear shows are held in February and September - more events.
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For serious shoppers, especially those with a passion for
For the ultimate indoor shopping experience nothing comes close to Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. It’s not the biggest concentration of shops in town but it’s definitely the most beautiful setting. Map
For designer labels at discount prices try Salvegente at Via Fratelli Bronzetti 16 - map; and DMagazine at Via Montenapoleone 26. Map
For general shopping head for Corso Buenos Aires. Map
Markets
Fiera di Senigallia is a big flea market along the Darsena canal on Saturday morning. Map
Mercato di Viale Papiniano in the
Navigli district is
Mercatone del Naviglio Grande is an antiques and general bric-a-brac market on the banks of the Naviglio Grande canal - virtual tour. With over 400 stalls it’s one of the largest of its kind and is held on the last Sunday of each month between 8.30am and 6.30pm. Map
Most city markets are closing up by 1.00pm.
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If you’re planning on coming to Milan during the fashion shows and you’ve got your heart set on a particular restaurant, it’s a good idea to book in advance. Be aware that a lot of restaurants, most shops and some bars close on Sunday.
Public transport tickets must be validated at the start of your journey by stamping them in the yellow ticket machines. Although a single ticket - valid for 75 minutes - can be used for unlimited travel on buses and trams, it can only be used once on the metro.
Italy is a very safe country for tourists, but you need to
Never leave bags or valuables unattended, especially in bars, cafés and restaurants with outside seating areas.
All major credit cards are widely accepted throughout the city, and there are plenty of ATMs and places to change money.
Tips and service charges - most restaurants include a cover charge on the bill, as well as a service charge of around 15%. But if the service was good it’s customary to leave a few euros for the waiter. If service isn’t included, a tip of around 10 to 15% is fine.
Taxi drivers won’t expect a tip for journeys around the city but people usually round up the bill to the nearest euro.
Local time and other useful information.
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Copyright (c) 2008 daytripstoeurope.co.uk |
cement-stained jeans and hobnail boots.
in a hurry, there's an good metro, tram and bus system.
important buildings, Palazzo Reale and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.
Western Roman Empire and in front of this church is one of the few reminders of
the city’s Roman past - a colonnade of 16 Corinthian columns (
Here there is less emphasis on olive oil and pasta and more cooking with
butter, rice and polenta. 
Trattoria al Muleto is a mid-price restaurant
spread over two levels, the ground floor and a cosy brick-lined cellar. Fish is
a speciality in this family-run eatery and there is good selection of wines.
Corso XXII Marzo 57, closed Sunday evening - 02 70126814. 
edge of the centre serves excellent food at reasonable prices. Abruzzo regional cuisine and seafood are the house
specialities. Via Pilo 20, closed Monday and August - 02 29406526. 
If your main reason for stopping at a café or bar is to
spend some time people watching, there’s no better place than
area around the duomo. 
popular Art Deco bar that’s handy for a drink or light bite before
catching the train back to Malpensa airport - corner of Via Carducci & Via
Magenta.
Bar Brera is a stone’s throw from the Pinacoteca di Brera
and a great pit-stop, whether you want a bite and a coffee, or
something stronger. Outside seating means you can also enjoy the
sunshine with your drink. Closed Sunday - Via Brera 23. 
is host to plenty of festivals, special events and exhibitions. Here are some
of the highlights.
designer labels, there can be few cities in Italy or Europe that can compete
with Milan. Even if you’re not particularly interested in shopping, this is the
kind of place that makes you feel you should be. 
For fashion and designer labels your best bets are Via
della Spiga - 
Milan’s largest and most famous open air-market. It’s
renowned for clothes and shoes but also sells food and housewares and is open
Tuesday and Saturday morning. 
beware of pickpockets, especially on public transport and in crowded areas.