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Guide to Milan, Italy
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Click to go to Flight Prices for Milan
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MilanHome to much of the commerce that runs through Italy, Milan is everything youd expect it to be: a world-renowned fashion center, an artistry magnet, and a melting pot for all things unusual and intriguing. You can see the site where one of da Vincis greatest works hangs, and visit one of the most exquisite shopping districts in the world, both in a short matter of time. Milan is continually brimming with excitement and events, and you may find yourself reminiscing with locals and not realize you may be among some of the most famous fashion designers of today. All aspects of the city are alluring, and even though Milan may not be as architecturally sophisticated as its fellow Italian cities, the attractions of Milan are undeniable. After all, Milan is the most visited city in the country.
When to go:
Milan doesnt have the most ideal climate and the weather patterns that exist here show this. Summers in Milan can be quite brutal, with not only heat baking the streets, but humidity clogging up the air as well. Winter brings the opposite effect; if you travel during this time, youre bound to hit a stretch of below-freezing-temperature days. However, all these nuisances and obstructions can be cast aside if you visit Milan in either the spring or autumn. Autumn brings beautiful weather, but Milan is a sprawling city, so you wont find much colorful foliage during this season, except for the occasional view of its outer-lying region. Spring, on the other hand, is when the flowers bloom, and anyone who has traveled to Italy knows that flowers blanket the streets and homes every year during this time. Everything looks attractive and cozy, and the people are friendlier after coming out of the cold winter.
Getting there and around:
Nearly all international flights to Milan arrive at Malpensa Airport, and though the airport and terminal are top-notch and deliver all necessary services, its location is not is greatest selling point. Malpensa is located about 50km (31mi) away from the city, so youre bound to have a long ride no matter what mode of transportation you take (although, taxi drivers and trains tend to make the trip relatively short). If youre traveling within Europe, you may be in luck. A smaller airport, Linate, is only 7km (4.5mi) from the city centre, but it only receives flights from a few European carriers.
Travel through the city is a breeze with Milans excellent public transit system. The system consists of four underground rail lines, and a great number of buses and trams running on a tight schedule day and night. Tickets are cheap, but remember to purchase them before boarding a bus, tram, or railcar. Taxis are plentiful, though they are not cheap, and you cannot obtain a ride in the conventional sense. Youll have to call a taxi from one of the many ranks existing around the city.
Attractions:
Castello Sforzesco, once a fortress, but now a palatial castle, is one of Milans principal architectural and artistic attractions. Inside the imposing structure (designed by Leonardo da Vinci), among the exuberant decorations, youll find the prized works of avant-garde artists such as Bellini, Tiepolo, Mantegna, Correggio, Titian and Van Dyck. Michelangelos sculpture /Pieta Rondanini/ and numerous Egyptian artifacts can also be found inside Castello Sforzesco.
The Duomo, probably Milans most visited site, is an architectural wonder. Despite its lack of a bell tower, the cathedral is beautiful in both its intricate design and its grandiose presence. The Duomo features spires, statuary, marble accoutrements, flying buttresses, and all the bells and whistles one would expect within and without the 4^th -largest cathedral in the world. Walk up to the roof, and youll get a breathtaking view of the metropolitan area. A section of the cathedral is reserved as museum space to catalogue the buildings history.
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