Discover Milan, Italy’s vibrant capital of Lombardy, known for its rich history, iconic landmarks like the Milan Cathedral and Castello Sforzesco, and world-class shopping at Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.
Explore the tranquil Simplon Park and artistic treasures at Brera Art Gallery. Indulge in Milanese cuisine with dishes like Risotto alla Milanese and Panettone. Whether strolling through museums or enjoying the nightlife, Milan offers something for every traveler.
Experience Milan’s Cultural Tapestry
Milan is the capital city of Lombardy located in Northern Italy. It is the second-most populous city in Italy. April-May or September-October is the recommended time to visit.
In winter Milan gets freezing cold with more rain than snow. There is a lot to do in Milan such as laid-back nightlife, exploring museums, relaxing at public parks, and shopping at traditional markets.
Things to do in Milan:
1. Milan Cathedral:
The construction of this cathedral, locally known as Duomo di Milano, began in 1386 and took almost six centuries to complete. It is the largest church in the Italian Republic and second largest in Europe and the third-largest in the world.
Once you enter the cathedral you will find a nave with four side-aisle. This nave is the highest Gothic vault of the complete church and measures about 45 metres.
These five broad naves are divided by 40 pillars You will also have access to the roof of the cathedral. On the roof, you will find the forest of openwork pinnacles and spires. This cathedral opens every day from 9 am to 7 pm.
2. Castello Sforzesco:
This castle is alternatively known as “Sforza’s Castle.” This castle is located in Milan in northern Italy. The shape of this castle is quadrangular. On the wall facing the countryside north of Milan, you will find square towers and an ogival gate.
The north tower goes by the name Torre della Corte, while the tower in the west is known as Torre del Tesoro.The castle complex also houses nine museums that you can explore. This castle opens at 7 in the morning and closes at 7:30 in the evening. You have to buy a ticket worth 10 Euro to explore this castle.
3. Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II:
It is the oldest shopping gallery in Italy. This is a four-story double arcade located in the centre of the cityThis shopping gallery takes its name from Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of the Kingdom of Italy.
This shopping gallery consists of two glass-vaulted arcades intersecting in an octagon and connecting Piazza del Duomo to Piazza della Scala. In the gallery, you will also find a lot of shops selling haute couture, jewellery, books and paintings.
Plenty of restaurants, cafes, bars, and hotels are also located where you can try the local cuisines. This shopping gallery opens 24 hours a day.
4. Simplon Park, Milan:
Parco Sempione is the local name for this park.
This large city park is located adjacent to Sforza Castle and the Arch of Peace in Milan, Italy and is spread over 95 acres. In this park, you can explore a public stadium, a public aquarium, and Torre Branca Tower.
Earlier this park was a forest consisting of oak and chestnut woods and housed exotic animals. In the park, you will find permanent sculptures by Arman, Francesco Barzaghi, Giorgio de Chirico, and Antonio Paradiso. This park opens from 6:30 am to 9:00 pm. The entrance to his park is free.
5. Brera Art Gallery, Milan:
This place is locally famous as “Pinacoteca di Brera”. This is a public gallery of paintings located in Milan, Italy. Napoleon I was the founded of this gallery in 1809. In this museum, you can explore a wide collection of Italian paintings from the Quattrocento to the Rococo period.
The major attraction in this gallery is the painting from the Renaissance and Baroque periods. This gallery opens from 8:30 am to 7:15 pm. The entry fee to this gallery is 12 euros.
Food to try in Milan:
1. Risotto alla Milanese:
This is a classic Italian dish prepared with Arborio rice, beef stock, saffron, onions, shallots, butter, white wine, and Parmesan cheese.
Once the dish is prepared it is garnished with butter or cheese and seasoned with a pinch of salt. It is served hot in the shallow bowls.
2. Panettone:
This dish is specially prepared for Christmas as breakfast. It is a towering round of sweet bread speckled with raisins, citrus, and almonds with a plush, buttery texture.
At some shops, you will find panettone with added artificial flavours.
How to reach Milan, Italy:
1. By flight:
Milan has three international airports: Linate, Orio al Serio, and Malpensa. Out of these three Linate international airports is located closest to the city.
The major airline operations in Milan are Air Berlin, British Airways, Air France, Easy Jet, and Swiss airlines. You can get into Milan from all the major cities in the world such as Delhi, Toronto, London, Beijing, and Moscow.
2. By train:
The nearest railway station to Milan is Milan Centrale located in Piazza Duca d’Aosta.
You can reach Milan from all the major cities such as Rome, Milan, Florence, Padua, Austria, Germany, Paris, and London as well.
3. By road:
The bus is the most convenient way to reach Milan from all the nearby cities. Buses connect Milan to all the major cities in Italy as well as Europe.
The most popular bus service providers are iDBus and Megabus.