When I announced to my friends that I would be traveling to Milan just before Christmas, some responded with a sneer: "What are you going to do there? It's a drab industrial city that's only worth shopping in."
As a traveler, over the years, I have learned not to listen to recommendations and advice, but to go wherever I go with a good mood and form my own opinion... And once again I was right!
Undoubtedly, the capital of Lombardy cannot be compared to a picturesque city in central Europe. However, it has all those characteristics that make it a unique urban center full of style, fashion and design in all aspects of the everyday life of people and buildings. It has a special energy and an “air” that sets the boundaries from the beginning… And whether you like it or not!
In the article you will read, you will not only see the classic sights of the city, but also a valuable guide to "get" everything the city has to offer you generously.
Where to stay and how to get around
Accommodation is something that shouldn't worry you as there are countless options. accommodations. Το μόνο που πρέπει να φροντίσεις είναι το μέρος που θα μείνεις να βρίσκεται κοντά σε ένα σταθμό μέτρο. Το μετρό της πόλης είναι το μεγαλύτερο στην Ιταλία, διαθέτει τέσσερις γραμμές που συνδέουν όλες τις περιοχές και είναι ιδιαίτερα σύγχρονο και οικονομικό. Με την κάρτα που θα βγάλεις μπορείς επίσης να κινηθείς και με το τραμ. Εμείς σου προτείνουμε αυτό το όμορφο διαμέρισμα!
What to see
In the center
– The number one attraction of the city is none other than the Cathedral, the cathedral in Piazza Duomo. It is the second largest Gothic church in the world and took almost six centuries to complete. Your visit to the church ends with a walk on the roof of the building with its beautiful statues and stunning views of the city. Tip: Don't forget to book your tickets online as the queues are huge!
– West of Piazza Duomo is the Piazza Markets which is one of the most beautiful squares in Milan. Although it is located in the city center, it still maintains an authentic medieval atmosphere thanks to the unique buildings it houses.
– Opposite the Duomo is the Gallery Victor Emanuel II named after the first king of Italy. This architectural masterpiece of the early 19thth century is considered the forerunner of modern shopping malls and is home to some of the most famous fashion houses. You will cross it window-shopping, have a coffee in some of the oldest shops in the city or admire the bustling Piazza Duomo from above in Aperol Terrace.
– At the northern exit of the Galleria is the most famous opera house in the world, the Milan's La Scala (Teatro alla Scala). If time permits, you should watch a performance there because it is really worth it. Information about performances can be found at here. If that is not possible, visit the theater's amazing acoustic hall and museum. You will see a valuable archive of costumes and elements from Maria Callas' performances while listening to her velvety voice. The ticket costs 12 euros and opening hours are daily 9:30 – 17:30 unless rehearsals are taking place.
– East of La Scala in Milan is the “golden quadrilateral of fashion” Golden Quadrilateral formed by the streets Via Montenapoleone, Via Borgospesso, Via Della Spiga and Via Sant' Andrea. The area is synonymous with haute couture houses, expensive shops with ornate window displays, luxury cars and well-dressed Milanese. Even if you don't intend to buy anything, window shopping here is... priceless!
Near the center
– One of the most famous landmarks in the world is located in Milan and I had no idea about it before I started researching information for my trip. It is none other than the fresco – a masterpiece by Da Vinci.”The Last Supper” (Cenacolo Vinciano) located in the monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazie. The success of the book and the film “The Da Vinci Code” has skyrocketed the number of visitors to the monument to unimaginable levels. Finding a ticket even through the official site is a difficult task. That is why I suggest you start looking for the coveted “card” at least two months before you go and visit it daily. official website as there are always cancellations or ticket refunds. Entry is in groups of thirty people strictly for a quarter of an hour only.
– Nearby is a favorite place of Milanese people, the park Sempione. The park is a huge oasis in the hustle and bustle of the city where you will meet many locals exercising or walking. In addition to the small ponds, bridges and beautiful trees, you will admire the Arch of Peace at the beginning of the park and the Arena Civica, a stadium dating back to 1807 and which could hold up to 30,000 spectators!
– At the end of the park stands the medieval Sforza castle (Castello Sforzesco). The castle houses several interesting museums, which have a fee for admission. However, wandering around its central courtyard is free.
– A few minutes walk away is a unique art space, Gallery Brera. In a 16th century palazzoth century you will encounter one of the leading art collections in Italy, including masterpieces by Raphael, Caravaggio, Tintoretto and others.
– You are in the picturesque district of BreraYou will walk through the cobblestone streets, browse the numerous shops and galleries, and end up in the Brera Botanical Garden next to the Observatory.
– By metro you will go to Milan cemetery (Cimitero Monumentale). Don't be surprised. It has nothing to do with anything you've seen so far! It is considered by many to be an open-air museum full of sculptures from the 19the century and beyond. At its entrance you will encounter a “Hall of Fame” where hundreds of popular architects, athletes, actors, journalists, and musicians are buried.
Modern architecture
Milan, beyond being a "Mecca" of fashion, is also a city with "State of Art" architecture and as an engineer I could not overlook this very interesting side of it.
– The area around and within the Piazza Gae Aulenti is one of the most modern neighborhoods in the city with its tower Unicredit (the highest in Italy) and a series of modernist glass buildings. A few meters below lies perhaps the future of sustainable urban architecture. The towers Bosco Vertical with the “vertical forest” that hosts vegetation equivalent to that of 20,000 square meters of forest in just two apartment buildings! Nearby is the impressive office building Palazzo Lombardy and the Pirelli tower.
– At the metro station Three Towers is another modern neighborhood of the city. The famous architects Zaha Hadid, Arata Isozaki and Daniel Libeskind created the largest shopping center in Italy, the Citylife, in a park of 170,000 sq.m. dominated by the skyscrapers of the Allianz and Generali companies. In the same area are two complexes of ultra-modern residences designed by famous architects. They harmoniously combine wood, glass and concrete and to tell the truth, I would really like to live there!
On his channels Navigli
Did you know that Milan has canals designed by Da Vinci? They used to be very extensive. Unfortunately, in the mid-20th century,th century were covered over to make way for roads. What remains is in the picturesque area of Navigli (Porta Genova FS metro station) with picturesque bars, restaurants, antique shops and small houses with wooden roofs. Nearby you will also see Porta Ticinese, an arch that was the entrance to Milan from the south, while continuing on the homonymous street you will come across the Basilica of Saint Ambrose (the oldest church in Milan) with its 16 Corinthian columns in the courtyard.
Lake Como
If you have an extra day to spare, a day trip to the picturesque Lake Como is a must! The lake is home to some of the most picturesque villages in Italy, such as Bellazio and the Varena, with iconic mansions and heavenly gardens. To get to the lake you will take the train from Milan station Cardona and in about an hour you will be in the settlement of Commode (North Lake Como).
The feeling you will get while walking through the settlements of the lake is unique! Wherever you turn your gaze, you will feel the beneficial peace that the place generously offers and you may even feel like you are in another era. It is also worth taking the cable car and going up to the Brunate to enjoy the view of the lake from above. The Christmas The squares of the settlements are filled with traditional wooden houses selling Christmas decorations and local delicacies... Magic!
Food – entertainment
With a plethora of excellent restaurants that even have Michelin stars, the issue of eating out in Milan is something that won't worry you. But because I know you'd like to keep your budget low, I have the most useful tip for a "free" meal!
Italians have a specific time of day that they call aperitif. And while in other cities it tends to disappear, in Milan it is particularly widespread. It starts at 6 or 7 in the afternoon and ends by 9, where with the purchase of a drink you can eat as much as you want from the buffet! The classic cocktails - drinks that you will try are Vermut, Negroni, Americano, Spritz and Prosecco and so for 6-7 euros you can have unlimited food. 80% of the bars - restaurants have aperitivo and especially those in the districts of Brera and Navigli.
Near the Duomo, don't forget to try delicious panzerotti (a type of calzone with tomato and mozzarella) from the bakery. Luini, while if you sit down at a restaurant, try local specialties such as Risotto alla Milanese, Ossobuco alla Milanese, Minestrone and Cotoletta alla Milanese.
You'll drink coffee like a Milanese at Armani Caffé, in Trussardi at Scala, the Gorilla Cafe and Cova which is the oldest cafe in the city.
Closing
So, the “fashionable” Milan never ceases to captivate. Especially during the holiday season with the thousands of lights adding an extra dose of stardust to the already “glamorous” city. It doesn’t matter even if you don’t buy anything from the undoubtedly expensive stores. You will return full of images but also with a dose of the finesse of the Italian north. Ciao!
