Milan is, after Rome, the second city of Italy, where modern architecture meets the past. Milan was founded around 400 BC. Today it is home to more than 1.3 million people and the financial capitol of Italy. With the Milan Travel Guide you get the best Milan Travel Tips to get the most out of your trip.
Travel from the Milan Airport(s) to the city
You can choose between the two airports (Linate or Malpensa), I advise you to fly to Linate. The last one is close to the city center and Malpensa is about 50 kilometers outside the city. A taxi ride from “Malpensa” quickly costs 100 euros! Do you travel by bus or train it costs about 8 to 12 euros and it takes about 45 to 60 minutes to get to the city. From “Linate” it only takes 15 to 20 minutes.
Duomo di Milano
In the center of Milan at the Piazza del Duomo (the Duomo Square) you will find the main attraction in the city. This is the impressive Duomo di Milano, the cathedral of Milan. It took a while to build it. The construction began in the 14th century and the cathedral was opened in 1965. When you’re in front of the Duomo, you see how spectacular it is. This is one of the biggest Catholic cathedrals in the world and of course The “St. Pieter” in Rome is just a little bit bigger. If you look closely you can see that the lighting is all LED. Not very charming, but you can say that a better environment starts with the Catholic Church. My advice is to visit also the roof of the cathedral. Over here you have a beautiful view of Milan and also over the top of the church. The entrance fee for the cathedral is 5 euros and for the roof about 13 euros.
Bosco Verticale
Milan also has a modern side. Some new buildings, like these towers Bosco Verticale. In the towers they used around 900 trees, plants and hedges. That’s a wise choice because Milan is one of the most polluted cities in Europe. These towers were named the most beautiful towers in the world in 2014.
Navigly
One of the nicest neighborhoods is certainly “Navigly“. What used to be a harbor area is now one of the coolest districts in Milan. You can walk by the water or go eat in one of the restaurants. It feels a little bit like small Amsterdam. This district is now an artistic hotbed with small studios and cozy markets. There is an antique and flea market in Navigli and you can visit it every last Sunday of the month.
Weather – Best time to visit Milan
My advice is to visit Milan in April, May, September or October and certainly skip August! Then it is really hot with a feeling temperature of about 45 degrees Celsius.
Streetcar ride
Just as in Lisbon and Porto in Portugal, old streetcars are still in service. It is a nice attraction to see the city during your ride. For me the best streetcar ride was with line 1.
Shopping
It’s said… Milan is perfect for shopping. Especially if you’re looking for the exclusive brands. My advice is to bring an empty suitcase so you can take your new clothed back home. You find the most expensive shops are around the Golden Circle. Over here a few importants streets are coming together.
Another place to shop is in this beautiful arcade, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. This is the oldest shopping center in Italy and maybe even in the world. The property has been around since 1877 and is named after the first king of the Kingdom of Italy. The main structure is made up of two glass-roofed passages, which intersect in a central hall with glass dome. You’ll find this arcade at Piazza del Duomo.
If you’re looking for cheaper clothes, or just a little more creative then don’t come shopping here. It’s a waste of time. You’d better just shop when you’re home or online.
Parco Sempione
If you want to run, walk or sit in the grass with your friends then you go to Parco Sempione. The English landscape park was established between 1890 and 1893. The park has an overall area of over 47 hectares. It has trees, bushes and flowers dispersed among its many vivid green lawns and a pretty artificial lake, which houses numerous kinds of birds.
Street Art – Quartiere Isola
You find the best street art in Quartiere Isola, near Porta Garibaldi metro station. Years ago, Isola was a type of “popular district”, where lower-class families used to live. The word “Isola” means “Island”, confirming the fact that the area was isolated from the rest of the city. Now it has turned into a giant open-air art gallery.
Cimitero Monumentale
Milan’s enormous Cimitero Monumentale is extremely famous for its numerous beautifully decorated tombs. The mausoleum is so extravagant and original that it is considered by many as an open-air museum with genuine “works of art” from the nineteenth century until the present day. The Cimitero was founded in 1866 to unify several small and unsanitary cemeteries distributed in Milan. Take some time to visit this place because it is really big, around 250.000 square meters.
