Milan

Explore Milan

Tickets to the opera in hand, there’s only one thing left to do – find the perfect outfit to accompany tonight’s performance. It’s time to see if Italy’s fashion capital is everything you’ve heard. Spoiler – it is! Milan is often considered the industrious step-sister to the prettier cities of Rome or Florence, but come expecting billowing smokestacks and you’ll be very surprised indeed. This is the centre of Italy’s fashion and design empire after all, and it knows how to spruce up nicely.

Getting here and around

The city has 3 international airports. Malpensa is the largest and offers direct flights to European and intercontinental destinations. Linate is smaller, closer to the city centre and recommended for private jets, but offers limited flights. Bergamo is the furthest out and mostly caters to low cost European and domestic airlines. Navigating the city can be done via metro or tram. For those who aren't fans of public transport then chauffeur-driven cars are widely available but, be warned – the traffic can at times be challenging.

Climate & seasons

Spring and autumn are a great time to visit. These shoulder months of April, May, September and October are warm but not too warm, busy but not crazy like the summer high-season of July and August. Many local businesses shut up shop during the summer months. Winter is pretty cold here but it depends on the purpose of your visit. Fashion Week, one of the glitzy highlights of the year is typically February/March and September/October. The football season is played from August to May. The ritz of the Formula 1 show comes to nearby Monza in September.

Where to go

Wander from your city centre hotel and explore the timeworn streets of the city centre. Take in a performance at the world-renowned opera house La Scala. Stroll the glass-domed wonder that is the Galleria. Scale the heights of the Duomo for unrivalled city views. Head to Quadrilatero della Moda for a high-end shopping experience without rival. Relax in the refurbished parkland of Castello Sforzesco. Once night falls take a walk to Breda, home to the city’s most vibrant nightlife. A little further out from the centre football fans can visit the San Siro, and adrenaline junkies can make a pilgrimage to Monza, the home of Italian Formula 1 Grand Prix.

What to do

Shop. Milan is the fashion and design capital of Italy. This means it’s one of the most important fashion centres on the planet. Take advantage of this and put that bank card to good use. Sightsee, from the dizzying heights of the Duomo to the vertiginous heights of a private box at La Scala, Milan has some fine historic and cultural attractions that should not be missed. Pilgrimage. Football acolytes can visit the San Siro, home to two of Europe’s famous football teams, Inter and AC Milan. While Formula 1 devotees won’t want to miss out on a trip to Monza. Explore. Milan is the gateway to the Italian Lakes making it a perfect place to begin a road trip – maybe even one behind the wheel of a Ferrari or Lamborghini.