Milan

by Jessica

duomo

For many people, Milan is the airport through which they begin or end their visit to Italy and the city itself is overlooked. There can be good reasons for this, because in many ways, Milan is anything but quintessential Italy. Those cobbled Medieval streets you have been dreaming about? They are not in Milan. Neither are the Roman ruins or quiet public squares. Milan remains, however, an important Italian city in both banking and fashion. It can be said that Milan is to money what Rome is to history - this is a modern city we are talking about here, one dedicated more to la bella figura than perhaps any other city in Italy (as the many pretty people in Milan are testament to). It is a busy and crowded and, truth be told, polluted city - not necessarily a place you would want to spend more than a couple of nights. Luckily, the main sights of Milan (yes, there are some) are easily covered in a day, so if you want to pause in this bustling metropolis you can do so.

>> For a hotel right in the heart of the tourist center of Milan, you can’t do much better than a hotel near the Milan Duomo.

>> Looking for a cheaper place to stay? Here are some budget hotels in Milan, and while you may not think about it there are, in fact, Milan hostels, too!

For some tips on the most efficient way - especially on a budget - to get from Milan Malpensa Airport into the city, be sure to read the posts about taking the Malpensa Express train and about the various Malpensa bus options there are. Personally, I love the train - it’ll cost you a fraction of what a taxi would cost, and it’s reliably quick. You won’t be a victim of Milan’s notorious traffic jams, and you’ll be dropped off at one of the busiest Metro stations in the city. From there, you should be able to get just about anywhere you want. If you’ve got a long layover at Malpensa, the Malpensa Express is also a great way to get into the city for a look around (which sounds like a more fun option than hanging out at the airport). Depending on your final destination, however, the buses from Malpensa may be the better option for you.

>> You’ll find all your options for getting to/from the airport into the city on this post: Getting from Malpensa Airport to Milan
>> And if you need to spend the night near your flight, these Malpensa Airport hotels are at your service.

You might want to thank Milan’s designers - the city designers, not Armani and friends - for making pretty much everything you will want to see within a short walk from the famous Duomo. By staying right in this historic center, you will be able to cover lots of ground and not get overwhelmed by the business-focused rest of the city. And if you find walking at a breakneck pace annoying and tiring after awhile, Milan’s fine public transit (Metro, tram and bus) is there for you. See my posts about the Milan Metro system in general and also the color-coding in the Metro stations.

So, with a full day in Milan, how should you spend your time? Here are the city’s major sights, listed in no particular order, along with a tibit or two about each to help you decide whether it is worth your time. And be sure to read about what to do in Milan if you’re in the city for more than just a few hours, too.

>> And if you want help prioritizing your trip, here’s my list of the top 10 things to do in Milan.

Duomo - Milan’s Duomo, its main cathedral, is conveniently at the city’s center and well worth a visit. It is positively dripping in ornamentation, with more than 130 spires and 3000 statues. This church, the second-largest Gothic cathedral on earth, is missing one key thing, however - a bell tower. If you want to feel small, wander through the Duomo’s interior and look up. While it costs nothing to enter the cathedral, the audio-guides cost a few Euro as does a trip to the roof. In good weather, you can see for miles, and you also get to walk amongst some of the spires and statues. Modest dress is required to go inside the Duomo, meaning no bare knees or shoulders (kids included). And lingering in the square in front of the Duomo, Piazza del Duomo, is encouraged. Just be on the lookout for pickpockets.

Teatro alla Scala - The building might not look like much, but La Scala is one of the most famous opera houses on earth. Any opera fan worth their salt will want to come home saying they saw an opera here, and even non-enthusiasts might enjoy a tour of the La Scala museum (during which you can wander into the theatre itself).

Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper - This famous fresco graces a room which was once a dining hall in the church of Santa Maria della Grazie, but it is pretty much impossible to just show up and hope to get in. Reservations are required and often booked months in advance. Entry is severely limited in order to maintain a certain level of humidity inside the room, all in an effor to preserve this crumbling masterpiece. You can find out more information about booking a trip to see it for yourself here.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II - The Milanese love to shop, and this shopping center is proof that they would never dream of putting the art of shopping into a crass mall building. No, shopping deserves a temple, and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is just that. Even if you are not a shopper, the people-watching is fantastic. And should you happen to see people walking up to a mosaic bull on the floor and spinning around with their heel balanced on the bovine’s testicular region, do not be surprised - it is a tradition in Milan that if you stand on the bull’s balls you will have good luck. The spinning comes in because many believe it produces even better luck. For everyone except the bull, one guesses.

Pinacoteca di Brera - This art gallery houses one of Italy’s nicest collections of paintings, and features primarily Italian (of course) artists from the 15th and 16th centuries. Highlights include Raphael’s “Marriage of the Virgin,” Mantegna’s “Dead Christ,” Francesco Hayez’ “The Kiss” and a Caravaggio “Supper at Emmaus.” In other countries, this gallery might be more noteworthy - but in Italy, where the collections in Rome or Florence surpass it in terms of grandeur and fame, the Pinacoteca just can’t compete. Still, if you like Italian paintings and you’re in Milan, it’s a beautifully-arranged collection. Find out more here.

Museo del Duomo (Duomo Museum) - If you loved the Duomo but did not always understand what was going on inside, or if you just want to see the original art that once graced the cathedral’s walls, head to the Museo del Duomo. You can get a discount on your entry ticket if you buy a combo ticket to the Museo along with a trip to the Duomo’s roof or treasury - you just have to ask for it.

Risorgimento Museum - This small and free museum is dedicated to Italy’s path to becoming a unified country, which is a relatively recent phenomenon. If you are interested in Italian history, it is a good thing to understand.

Castello Sforzesco - Milan’s castle dates from the 1300s and eventually became the home of the prominent Sforza family. Leonardo da Vinci himself lived here for a time, as well. There is a series of museums in the castle now, including one which contains the Pietà Michelangelo was working on when he died. Best of all, it is free. For a few Euro, however, you can climb the nearby Branca Tower (through the park), which gives you a great view of Milan that actually includes the Duomo.

And with all of that, don’t forget to eat - foodies and budget travelers alike will be pleased with a stop at the famous Luini for a panzerotto.

Of course, it could be said that an entire day spent shopping is a day well-spend in Milan. Whether you are a high-roller or just there to window-shop, this city is ready for you. And for those of you on a budget, there are even some stores that actually have reasonable prices. No, really. After a marathon day of sight-seeing or shopping, you might not feel up for it - but just in case, Milan has a reputation for great nightlife around the Brera and Navigli neighborhoods (which also happen to be my favorite places to just wander in Milan in daylight hours, too). And sports fans, be sure to see whether either of Milan’s two home soccer teams are playing at San Siro during your stay. It’s not a cheap night out, but it’s a heckuva lot of fun.

Milan might not be your idea of a perfect romantic Italian holiday, but with a well-planned itinerary it is worth the time. And any city where shopping is considered a legitimate pastime is alright by me.

Day-Trips from Milan
Need to get out of the city for a day or an afternoon? Here are some day-trip options from Milan that are easy & fun.

Italy Lakes Region - The towns on the southern ends of either Lago di Como or Lago Maggiore are nice day trips from Milan, though they’re not exactly undiscovered!
Turin - This nearby city was on the world stage in 2006 as the host of the Winter Olympics, but it’s been famous for longer than that as the home of the Shroud of Turin.
Bergamo - The old walled city of Bergamo is delightful, and even though there are some churches and museums to see the best thing to do is just stroll the cobbled streets.
Vigevano - This picturesque little town doesn’t have “sights,” but it boasts one of the prettiest piazzas you’ll ever see, and the tourists are pretty much all Italians.