Milan is the capital city of Italy and the second most populous city. It has a population of about 1.3 million people, who mostly live in the central area around Duomo Square. Milan has been an important part of Italian history for more than 2,000 years: it was founded by the Lombards and was first ruled by their King Arioald in 735 AD until 875 AD when it became part of the Holy Roman Empire.
Thanks to being at such a strategic position along major trade routes between northern Europe and southern Europe, Milan became one of Italy's most important cities during medieval times (even though it was not officially recognized as such). The city grew even larger during Renaissance era when huge infrastructure projects were undertaken that helped make it one of Europe's largest cities at time (it remained so until 17th century).
Must Do Things In Milan
Milan is an alluring, captivating city. Tourists will find that there are many things to do while they are in the city.
- Spend an afternoon at one of Milan’s many parks
- Have breakfast at the most popular coffee chain in Milan, Caffè Giacosa
- Walk through the city’s historical center and visit the Royal Palace and Duomo Cathedral
- Attend a concert of the Milan Philharmonic Orchestra
- Walk the paths of Leonardo da Vinci
- Enjoy Italian food
- Take a trip to Como Lake
- Visit Galleria Vittorio Emanuele
- Take a photo in front of the Duomo
- Get an Italian ice cream cone
- Walk the red carpet at a film festival or premiere
- Browse the selection of designer clothes at some of Milan’s best boutiques
- Cuddle up with gelato on a bench by the river Sforzesco
- Go shopping in Corso Buenos Aires, one of the most famous shopping districts in Milan
- See Saint Giuseppe and Don Bosco Church because it is a masterpiece by architect Carlo Buzzi
- Enjoy some pizza
- Eat some gelato (the best in Italy)
- Tour Leonardo da Vinci’s home (Casa Reale) with your loved ones and friends. It costs around 15 euros per person but it is well worth it especially if you love
Attractions of Milan
People often visit Milan for its world-famous museums, opera houses, and churches. However, in recent years Milan has become known as a fashion capital with high-end boutiques throughout the city. As a result, shopping is one of the most popular things to do in Milan. Many tourists enjoy walking along the Corso Buenos Aires shopping district that is lined with designer stores and luxury brands.
Duomo: The Duomo, Milan's cathedral and one of the largest churches in Italy, is an essential part of any visit to Milan. Those who have time should also visit the Castello Sforzesco where Leonardo da Vinci once lived during his time in Milan; Monza Cathedral; the Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio; the Piazza del Duomo; and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II just to name a few!
The Milan Cathedral, or Duomo di Milano, is a towering Gothic cathedral with a roof terrace and viewing windows. It's the fourth largest church in the world and one of the most impressive structures you'll see.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II: The largest shopping center in the city with over 280 stores, it was built over a span of 10 years from 1867 to 1878. The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is an ornate, arcade-like shopping mall with high-end shops and colorful mosaics. It was designed by architect Arnaldo Pomodoro in 1873.
The Galleria's centerpiece is a colonnaded arcade that once housed 200 shops but now houses only 45 businesses due to budget cuts. The rest of the space has been carved up into small boutiques and restaurants.
Watch football at San Siro: Nicknamed "Stadium of Light", this stadium has been around since 1926 and has hosted some of the best matches in world football history. It currently houses two teams that both have won 25 league titles each, Inter Milan and AC Milan. Watch them battle for dominance on the pitch!
Leonardo da Vinci's mural: Leonardo da Vinci's mural "The Last Supper" is one of the most famous works of art in the world and one of Milan's top attractions. The work is located in Santa Maria delle Grazie, a church in Milan.
Sforza Castle: The Sforza Castle is located in the center of Milan and houses several museums including the Museum of Ancient Art and the Applied Arts Collection. It was built by Francesco Sforza in 1450, who had it built for his family’s protection against enemies.
Teatro alla Scala: One of the great opera houses in the world, which is also famous for its beautiful frescoes by Tiepolo and ceiling paintings by Giandomenico Tiepolo. It was opened on October 17th, 1778.
Castello Sforzesco: Castello Sforzesco was built in the late 15th century by Francesco I Sforza. The castle is surrounded by a series of moats and has, at its center, a fortified donjon with two rectangular towers projecting from its four corners. The donjon is topped with crenellated battlements, has a cylindrical tower on each side and houses an observation deck which offers splendid views over Milan.
In addition to the long stone walls that circle the complex, Castello Sforzesco has six square towers which are connected by thick round walls. There is also a number of buildings inside, including living quarters for soldiers and their families as well as administrative buildings like kitchens and stables.
Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio: The Basilica of Saint Ambrose is a church in Milan, northern Italy. It is the most ancient church in Milan and indeed one of the oldest Christian churches in Europe. Built for the most part between 350 and 400 AD, its architecture shows a mixture of Eastern and Roman influences.
The basilica was created with an Eastern flavor but also with Roman influences which make it quite unique among the other churches in Milan.
La Scala Opera House: The La Scala opera house is a world-renowned opera house which was built in 1778. It replaced the Teatro alla Scala, which was destroyed by fire. Piermarini, with his immense creativity and knowledge about theatres and opera houses, rebuilt an opera house which was beyond compare. The marriage of Baroque and Rococo style created a magnificent building with a rich history.
Along with the beauty and history, La Scala also has great acoustics and lighting design that gives it an air of sophistication. It is considered to be one of the most prestigious opera houses in the world.
Useful Tips When Travelling to Milan
- Visiting Milan in the winter can be quite cold. If you plan to visit Milan during this time, bring jackets and warm clothes with you.
- As for food, it's not a good idea to eat street food or drink tap water. It's advisable to eat at restaurants that have higher hygiene standards such as McDonalds, Burger King or Subway.
- Milan has a very strict immigration policy so it is important that you confirm that you have all the necessary documentation with you before leaving. Make sure that you check Milan's visa requirements before booking your flight/ train ticket.
- If possible, avoid going out after 10 p.m., because the nightlife scene in Milan is not as vibrant as other parts of the world.
- Always have cash handy, because some restaurants and shops do not accept cards or credit cards for payment.
Best Time to Visit Milan
The best time to visit Milan is during the month of July. This is when the weather starts getting warmer and it is also the time when there are different cultural festivals. It is also less crowded during this time.
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