Welcome to Milan, where history meets high fashion and every street feels like a runway. Often dubbed the world’s fashion and design capital, this vibrant city offers far more than just designer boutiques and glossy storefronts.
Whether you’re an art lover eager to see The Last Supper, a foodie chasing the perfect risotto, a shopper in search of Italian elegance, or a history buff exploring grand cathedrals and hidden courtyards, Milan has something for you.
From iconic landmarks like the Duomo to the electric energy of San Siro Stadium, this city invites you to experience Italy with a modern, stylish twist. Milan doesn’t just keep up with the times, it sets them.
My Posts on Milan
Areas:
- Historic Center (Centro Storico)
Attractions:
- Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology
- Naviglio Grande
- Sempione Park
- Sforza Castle
- Teatro alla Scala
Churches:
- Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio
- Duomo of Milan
- San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore
- Santa Maria delle Grazie (The Last Supper)
Events:
History of Milan
Before Milan became the global capital of fashion and design, it had a long, dramatic past that helped shape not just Italy, but all of Europe.
The story begins around 590 BC, when a Celtic tribe from the Insubres group founded a small settlement called Medhelanon. That humble village caught the eye of the expanding Roman Empire, which conquered it in 222 BC and renamed it Mediolanum. Under Roman rule, the city flourished into a major center for education, trade, and culture, boasting the third-largest amphitheater in Roman Italy.
In 286, everything changed when Emperor Diocletian moved the capital of the Western Roman Empire to Mediolanum. His co-emperor Maximian expanded the city walls, and just a few decades later, Constantine the Great issued the historic Edict of Milan in 313, granting religious tolerance across the empire and paving the way for Christianity to thrive.
Over the next few centuries, Milan was battered by invasions: the Visigoths laid siege in 402, Attila the Hun sacked the city in 452, and it was ravaged again by Uraias during the Gothic War in 539. The Lombards took control in 569, and Charlemagne claimed it for the Holy Roman Empire in 774.
By the 12th and 13th centuries, Milan was rising again, this time as a self-governing commune. In 1395, Gian Galeazzo Visconti (1351-1402) became the first Duke of Milan, and the city transformed into a Renaissance powerhouse, known for its art, architecture, and ambition.
Over the centuries, Milan fell under the rule of the Visconti, the Sforza, and later the French, Spanish, and Austrian Habsburgs, until Napoleon swept in during his 1796 campaign. After briefly returning to Austrian hands in 1815, Milan finally became part of a unified Kingdom of Italy on March 17, 1861.
Modern Milan
Today, Milan stands as Italy’s wealthiest city and its second most populous, a place where the past and future coexist beautifully. It’s a global leader in fashion, design, and finance, home to Italy’s stock exchange, and bursting with life through its art, culture, education, and tourism industry.
Whether you’re walking the ancient streets once roamed by Roman emperors or browsing the latest runway collections, Milan never stops evolving and always keeps you inspired.
Getting to Milan
The fastest and easiest ways to reach Milan are by air or rail, which are both efficient, well-connected, and perfect for hassle-free travel.
Milan Linate Airport
We landed at Linate Airport (LIN) on an evening flight from Madrid. The city’s smaller airport, it sits just a quick 10-minute drive east of the city center. It’s also connected to the city’s metro system via Line 4.
When we arrived, though, the metro connection wasn’t quite ready. With all our luggage in tow and the clock ticking past 10 pm, we opted for a taxi to our hotel. My advice is to head straight to the official taxi stand outside. You’ll score a fairer fare there and avoid any surprise charges. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly alternative, a public bus or shuttle to Milano Centrale runs regularly. One-way shuttles cost €7 for adults and €3 for kids under 12 (May 2025).
Milan Malpensa Airport
If you fly into Malpensa Airport (MXP), Milan’s main international hub, be prepared for a longer trip into the city. Located quite a bit further out, it’s connected to central Milan via shuttle buses and trains. The shuttle to Milano Centrale runs frequently, with a one-way ticket costing €10 for adults, €5 for kids age 2-12, and free for kids under 2 (as of May 2025). If you plan to leave from Malpensa, online tickets offer a discount with return fares at €16 for adults, €10 for kids age 2-12, and free for kids under 2 (as of May 2025).
For a hassle-free ride, taxis are available at a fixed rate of €110 straight to the city center (as of May 2025). While pricier, it’s a good option if you’re traveling with a group or heavy bags.
Milano Centrale
Milano Centrale is the main train station in Milan. It opened in 1931 replacing an older station built in 1864. It has 24 platforms and serves over 120 million passengers a year.
Milano Centrale connects to every major Italian city as well as several international destinations in Europe. High-speed domestic trains link it with cities such as Venice, Rome, Florence, Turin, and Naples. We took the train to Bergamo after buying our tickets at a machine.
Getting Around Milan
If you’re staying in the heart of the city center, you can walk to most attractions easily. To get further afield, the metro is reliable and easy to use.
Milan Metro
Milan has a good metro system, and it got us everywhere we needed to go. There are five lines. Unlimited 24-hour and 3-day passes are available for €7.60 and €15.50 respectively while a single ride costs €1.70 for the urban zone (as of May 2025).
Where to Stay in Milan
We stayed two nights in Milan and were happy with our choice.
Worldhotel Cristoforo Colombo
We stayed at Worldhotel Cristoforo Colombo, which is located in the city center and very near to the metro. The cost is reasonable for the location and quality of the room, and it features a restaurant and spa.
Although it was a little tight and the bed was very small, our room was comfortable and the staff was very helpful and friendly. We also enjoyed the huge breakfast buffet, which was our favorite during our trip to Italy.
Where to Eat in Milan
Milan has some of the most delicious food I’ve eaten (but that’s true for all of Italy). During our two full days in the city, we had the chance to try a few different restaurants.
La Locanda del Gatto Rosso
For our first lunch, we ate at La Locanda del Gatto Rosso, which is located in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. It was very crowded but we were able to get a nice table in the corner near the windows. I had the penne all diavola while Marisol tried the risotto alla milanese served in a bowl of parmesan cheese. Both meals were delicious. For dessert, we shared a tiramisu.
Overall, we were happy with the service and meal. It’s in a very touristy area and we expected the price to be bit high, which was true.
Vetusta Insigna
For our second lunch, we ate at Vetusta Insigna along Naviglio Grande. This small place had friendly service, an excellent house wine, a cozy decor, and great food.
I had the osso buco with risotto alla milanese while Marisol had spaghetti with meat sauce and mushrooms. I thought my osso buco was excellent and Marisol enjoyed her meal as well. In the end the bill was more than reasonable.
L’uovo di Colombo (Permanently Closed)
For our final dinner, Marisol wasn’t feeling very well so we tried the restaurant at our hotel, L’uovo di Colombo. I had tagliatelle with porcini mushrooms and Marisol had a salad with calamari. The service and meal were both good but it was nothing more than what’s to be expected from a hotel restaurant.
Emporio Armani Caffè
While walking around the city, we popped into the Emporio Armani Caffè located outside the Montanapoleone metro station. It’s a nice place but the cappuccino was so-so. Service was also slow.
Sports in Milan
For sports lovers, look no further than AC Milan and Inter. These two giants of Italian football both play at the iconic San Siro. We had the pleasure of attending a game between Inter and Lazio during our trip.
Save Money in Milan with MegaPass *
Want to see the best of Milan and save money in the process? Sign up for the Milan City Pass! All three options (Classic, Premium, and Deluxe) include an unlimited public transportation pass, a hop-on hop-off bus tour, and a best of Milan audio guide. Classic allows an additional 1 option listed below, Premium adds 2, and Deluxe adds 3:
- Duomo of Milan and terrace with Duomo Museum
- Entry to the Last Supper with a guided tour in English
- Leonardo3: The World of Leonardo Museum
- Pinacoteca Ambrosiana & da Vinci codex exhibition
- La Scala Theatre and Museum
- Navigli Canal cruise
- Ghosts, Mysteries, and Secrets guided walking tour
- Casa Milan Museum
- Serravalle Designer Outlet round-trip bus transfer
- Malpensa Airport express train
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