Top hotels in Milan

Milan City Guide

Milan is the second largest city in Italy. The city, which is located in Lombardy, is the cultural centre of the country. The city has made a name for itself with fashion and its economic importance above all things. Milan is deemed to be the most important industrial centre in Europe, well-known businesses such as Pirelli or Alfa Romeo have a seat here. It must also not be forgotten that Milan has a long history and there are many sights to see as a result of this.

Journey to Milan

Milan is considered to be an important junction in Italy by road, railway transport and by plane. The city has 3 airports, 6 railway stations and motorway access from every direction. If you arrive with your own car you need to be aware that the Italian motorways are subject to charges. The airport Bergamo-Orio al Serio lies approx. 45 km away from the city centre and it is predominantly used by budget airlines. The cityairport Linate is situated 8 km from the centre in the East of the city and it is the destination for many flights from all over Europe.

The Structure of the City in Milan

The metropolitan area of Milan is divided up into 9 zones. These can then be divided further into individual urban districts. Zone 1 is the city-centre which forms a circle on the map. In clockwise direction, the other zones are then located around this circle.

Numerous Tourist Attractions to be Explored

Throughout Italy, theMilan Cathedral is considered to be an important building that is well worth seeing. The construction of the cathedral began in the year 1386 but it was not completed until the year 1965. In 1572, the inauguration took place in the cathedral. Today in terms of surface area, the cathedral is the third largest church in the world with a length of 157 metres and a width of 109 metres. It is Italian architecture dating from the late medieval times in particular that is characterised by this cathedral. Regarding style, the cathedral is Gothic which is very rare in Italy, the façade is rather baroque through to neo-Gothic and it has been kept completely in white marble. Almost 400 statues adorn the cathedral. You do not have to pay an entrance fee to visit but if you want to climb to the top of the cathedral, that costs 7 euros and if you want to go with the lift then it will actually cost 9 euros. If you look out from the top of the tower, you will see a gilded Madonna statue there.

It is also worth seeing the Santa Maria delle Grazie Monastery. The renaissance building constitutes a UNESCO World-Heritage Site. You can also go and see the only preserved wall painting from Leonardo da Vinci in the Dominican church that was built in the 15th Century. The artist ́s depiction of The Last Supper is situated on the northern wall of the frater and it dates back to the time from 1494 to 1498.

In the North West of the old town, you should go and take a look at the Castello Sforzesco. The castle, which dates back to the 15th Century, was built where a fortress once stood. Today only one of the frescos is remaining and Da Vinci worked on this. It is not only the building itself which is crowned with battlements that is worth seeing but also the parkland surrounding it. Alongside the many blooming flower beds, there are also some tourist attractions to behold such as theobservation tower or the triumphal arch Arco della Pace that was built between 1807 and 1838. Today, you will also find a few museums in the castle.

Milan the City of Culture

The Pinacoteca di Brera is the most important painting gallery in Milan. It is situated in the baroque Palazzo Brera and it presents you with collection mainly from Lombard artists. It is the museum of medieval and modern art. There are also several altarpieces included in the collection whichwere added to the collection during the dissolutions of the churches by Napoleon.

The Castello Sforzescois the largest museum complex in the city. Nine very different museums took up residence here. The museum Pinacoteca del Castello Sforzesco belongs to this and it has the most extensive painting collection. They date from the period between the 15th and the 18th Centuries. There are also pieces of art from Michelangelo and Leonardo. In particular, it is the last sculpture from Michelangelo Pietà Rondanini that is very popular amongst visitors.

Milan can thank its worldwide renowned opera house for its title as the cultural centre of Italy. The Scala has enjoyed international prestige since 1778. Numerous significant and influential operas premiered in the Scala.

Enjoy Milanese Cuisine

The Milanese cuisine is really varied. As a result of the influences from the French and the many foreign guest workers in Milan as well as the Italian dishes from all regions, you can get anything in Milan. It is important be aware that you will pay significantly more for food in the city-centre than if you eat on the outskirts of the city. If you want to let the evening fade away in the Il Ristorante Trussardo alla Scala, then you can sample the haute cuisine. You can order a menu here that you put together yourself from the restaurant menu. Including water and coffees, you will pay 50 euros for a 2 course menu and 65 euros for a 3 course menu.