Milan Italy
Milan is one of Italy’s main cities, but isn’t of necessity a city that travelers go to massively when touring the area. Milan is Italy’s financial center and also one of the important fashion capitals of the world. Those things add up to extraordinary high-end shopping and posh nightlife, but they don’t do much good for the backpackers. Milan unquestionably has some attractive views and tons of history, but except you are really a fashion person there might be better choices for those doing a short tour of Italy.
Milan – Milano
For the people knowledgeable, Milan is a choice getaway. What Milan has generally supplied is chic, and so discretely that lots of occasional guests have initially neglected to detect its charms. For many who do want to find out Milan’s secrets and who are ready to go behind the city’s somewhat austere façades, the location provides a great experience.
Milan is culturally rich. The city features the world-renowned La Scala opera house. You will find plenty of museums and art galleries to keep any art lover satisfied – without a doubt the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana is among the most beautiful European art collections.
Though Milan lost houses during WorldWar II, it has many great architectural examples from the Roman period right through to the 20th century: basilicas, churches, chapels, castles, palaces – including the massive Stazione Centrale is of historical and design importance. For shoppers, the city’s Sunday antique markets and the bohemian communities in the south of the town offer another Milan – less noisy, more enjoyable.
Any nearby stores – the pasticcerie, the salumerie – are a delight. At the other end of the scale, Milan hosts the world’s greatest fashion brands: Versace, Fendi, Armani, Dolce e Gabbana. Many visitors come here exclusively for fashion, to buy, to see and to rise above the crowd. At specific times of the year, the fashion shows are the appeal, other times the sales, where the promise of a Versace or Armani item at a small percentage of the original cost encourages shoppers from all over Europe.
What To Do in Milan Italy
Alike so many other European cities, the main attraction here is the old duomo. The Duomo, as it’s called, is a massive Gothic church that was constructed beginning in the late 14th Century. You can get to the roof for amazing sights of not only the city, but of the spires on top of the building as well. Referring to shopping, the Galleria Vittorio Emmanuale is just looking at Duomo Square and this main indoor shopping mall is an attraction unto itself.
The well known painting The Last Supper was painted into a wall in a convent in Milan, but it’s not in the condition it used to be in. Da Vinci’s masterpiece dates from 1495 and is interesting to experience in person, but you must attain reservations way in advance to enter. In addition to fashion, Milan is known for its celebrated football (socer) teams. AC Milan and Inter play at a stadium known as San Siro and tickets are from time to time available on game day or at least by scalpers out front.
Getting in Milan Italy
Milan is well located on the train lines so it’s a favorite stop for Eurail Pass bearers or anyone else moving through northern Italy. If coming up from further away than next entrance you’ll want to book a flight into Malpensa airport (code: MXP). This is the largest of three airports and the most common for longer flights. Also check Linate Airport (code: LIN) and Orio al Serio Airport (code: BGY) as each covers some local and low-cost carrier traffic.
Where To Stay in Milan Italy
The heart of Milan is fairly compact and the public transportation is solid. Since this is a commercial city from time to time things will be booked up at unexpected times so plan ahead. There are several hostels in Milan and the usual assortment of hotels in Milan as well. Finding a cheap bed might be more difficult than getting one at one of the hotels in Rome, but if you start your preparation in advance enough you should have no problems. Prices tend to be very high for the business-oriented accommodations, but during slow times of year these same rooms can be very low-priced.
Park Hyatt Milano
Via Tommaso Grossi 1, Milan City Center, 20121 Milan, Italy
Facing the entrance of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, Park Hyatt Milano is set in the heart of the fashion district, 200 m from the Cathedral and La Scala Theater. The hotel features free WiFi, a spa and gym.
Spacious and luxurious, rooms at the Park Hyatt feature large marble bathrooms. Some rooms are complete with a private terrace with views of the city’s skyline.
117 rooms and word has it the largest bathrooms of any hotel in the city – sunken bathtubs, double-washbasins, capacious showers. Great restaurant and bar. Very central, very luxurious and expensive.
Hotel Straf
Via San Raffaele 3, Milan City Center, 20121 Milan, Italy
Milan’s most avantgarde hotel, with 64 rooms, a stunning interior, all slate, concrete, glass and metal. Cool and very hip. Gym, therapy rooms, bar and two restaurants. Very central, within spitting distance from the Duomo.
The ultramodern Hotel Straf is just 50 m from Milan Cathedral. It offers a 24-hour gym and an international restaurant, and its rooms have large bathrooms with luxurious bathrobes and slippers.
Rooms at the Straf feature modern art and designer furnishings. Each comes with free Wi-Fi, a daily newspaper, and an interactive LCD TV. You will find a selection of organic teas in the room, along with an electric kettle and Bluetooth speakers. Some rooms also feature a Nespresso machine and Ironing facilities.
Hotel Principe Di Savoia
Piazza Della Repubblica 17, Central Station, 20124 Milan, Italy
Luxury hotel, with 404 rooms, including the Presidential Suite, originally built in 1927. Superb restaurant and impressive guest list.
Offering a top-floor spa and spacious rooms with classic design and luxury furniture, Hotel Principe Di Savoia is 100 m from Milan’s Repubblica Metro and Train Station.
Guest rooms at the Principe Di Savoia Hotel are decorated with traditional dark-wood furniture and deluxe fabrics. Each comes with cozy bathrobes and slippers, and an LCD TV with satellite channels.
The Spa includes a sauna, Turkish bath, and pool with frescoes. The Principe Di Savoia’s attentive staff can book tickets and a free limousine service to the city center.
The Rho Fiera Milano Exhibition Center is within 9.3 mi of the property. Piazza Ge Aulenti square and Porta Nuova area are within 951 m of the hotel.
The Square Milano Duomo
Via Albricci 2-4, Milan City Center, 20122 Milan, Italy
Set in a historical building, The Square Milano Duomo is a 5-minute walk from Milan Cathedral, the Scala Opera House and the Vittorio Emanuele shopping area. It offers a restaurant, a bar and free WiFi throughout.
Each modern-style room here comes with air conditioning and a mini-bar. The private bathroom is complete with a hairdryer and free toiletries.
The Square Milano is a 15-minute walk from Parco Sempione. Missori Metro stop is 100 m away.
