Milan or Milano as the Italians calls it is not only the second-largest city in Italy but the most important one financially speaking. We visited Milan last year, not our first time of course, and we also admire how Milan is Italy’s most modern city but it manages to keep most of its historical past intact. International Fashion houses have their headquarters in this lavish metropolis such as Valentino, Gucci, Versace, Prada, Armani and Dolce & Gabbana. Milano is also home to world-famous soccer teams like Inter Milan or AC Milan. Milan means good fashion, good food and great nightlife, what more could you possibly want from a city? Milan is the type of city that is good to visit all year round. The following are just some of our favorite spots and tips for you. Enjoy WOW Travel’s Top 10 Things To Do In Milan.
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Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio
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Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio (Also known as Basilica of St. Ambrose) in Milan was consecrated by St. Ambrose in 387 AD. Rebuilt in the 11th century, It is one of the oldest churches in the city and one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture in Italy. It became the model for all Lombard Romanesque churches.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
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Completed in 1877 (designed by Giuseppe Mengoni) at the hub of Milan’s political and social life. Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is one of the oldest enclosed shopping malls in the world, housed in a magnificent glass-covered 19th-century arcade with charming boutiques, luxury clothing stores that include Gucci, Tod’s, and Louis Vuitton & upscale dining. If you want to shop in the most special place in Milan, it’s off to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II you go to.
Sforza Castle
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Built in the 14th century by Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan. Sforza Castle is a huge Medieval-Renaissance fortress. It was one of the largest citadels in Europe. Largely remade by Luca Beltrami in 1891-1905, it now houses several of the city’s historical museums and art collections by da Vinci and Michelangelo.
Navigli Lombardi
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Navigli canals were dug out in the Middle Ages to facilitate irrigation and create cheap waterways to deliver to the city raw materials and goods. The Naviglio Grande or Grand Canal represents Milan’s first and most important hydraulic work and soon became a waterway as its navigation system was improved by the genius Leonardo da Vinci. The neighborhood around Navigli Lombardi is today one of the most popular, filled with cafés, bars and small shops. Don’t forget to take the 1 hour cruise along the remaining Navigli Lombardi.
Santa Maria delle Grazie
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Built between 1466 and 1490 by renowned Renaissance architect Donato Bramate, Santa Maria delle Grazie Church is a UNESCO World Heritage Listed building and a work of art in its own right. Santa Maria delle Grazie is home to one of the most striking monuments of Lombard Renaissance and the most famous artifact: ‘The Last Supper’ by Leonardo da Vinci. This famous mural depicts the scene of Jesus’s last supper when Christ tells his apostles that one of them will betray him.
Quadrilatero d’Oro
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Milan natives pride their city for being known as the fashion capital of the world so visiting Quadrilatero d’Oro (the rectangle of gold) will not disappoint you. It is Milan’s most exclusive shopping district and one of the world’s most important centers for fashion in the world. Quadrilatero d’Oro is bound by 4 main streets: Via Montenapoleone (the most famous street), Via Manzoni (home to the Grand Hotel et de Milan), Via del Corso and Via Senato – and traversed by a few more boutique-laden thoroughfares such as Via Sant’Andrea (with Chanel, Armani, Moschino, Fendi and Hermès), Via della Spiga (with Bulgari, Krizia, Sergio Rossi, D&G and Prada).
Piazza Mercanti
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Not so far from Milan’s Piazza del Duomo we find the Piazza Mercanti, also known as “Merchants Square”. This picturesque square was the beating heart of the commercial and governmental life of the 13th century. Nowadays, it is filled with amazing architecture and great historic significance, but slightly fewer crowds. Some of the most important historic buildings facing the square are: the Casa dei Panigarola (15th century, the see of the notaries), the Loggia degli Osii (14th century, with the balcony where the edicts were read out to the citizens), the Scuole Palatine (17th century) and the Palazzo dei Giureconsulti (16th century), Palazzo della Ragione or Broletto (12th century, former seet of the City Council).
Teatro alla Scala
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Teatro alla Scala, or La Scala, is the cultural heart of Milan and perhaps one of the world’s most famous opera houses. it is famous for Italian opera & ballets, with a museum & music library. The initial structure of the Teatro alla Scala got destroyed in a devastating fire. However, the new theater was soon constructed in the previous setting of the Santa Maria della Scala Church. It was designed by the neoclassical architect Giuseppe Piermarini and opened in 1778.
Milan Cathedral (The Duomo)
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It took half a millennium to build, and it all began in 1368. One of the world’s largest Catholic Churches, the Milan Cathedral, is the most breathtaking landmark in the city. The cathedral building stretches for 158 meter (520 ft) in length and the tallest spire is more than 91 meter (300 ft) high, it is so massive (can hold 40,000 people) it is almost impossible to conceive its proportions. When you go in, it only gets better, the light that comes through the stained glass window is inspiring. By the way, don’t miss a visit to the roof, take the elevator or stairs and enjoy incredible panoramic views over the whole city.
Stadio Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro Stadium)
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Home to Milan’s two best football teams, AC Milan and FC Milan. The imposing San Siro Stadium (also known as the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza) is a must visit if you are a fan of the game. There is also a museum that tells the history of both clubs with memorabilia including cups, medals and shirts. If you’re lucky enough to be in town when AC Milan is playing at home, definitely get a ticket to a game, the atmosphere in the stadium is incredible.
Just So You Know…
- The roman name of the city was “Mediolanum”.
- Milan is considered to be the fashion center of the world. The place has headquarters and businesses of some of the leading international designers, which include Gucci, Prada, Armani, Versace, and Dolce & Gabbana.
- Take a day trip out to Lake Como – one of the most spectacular places to visit in whole Italy with red-roofed holiday homes, grand hotels, flower-filled shores and on-the-water restaurants. It is a 40-minute train journey from the city center.
- 20% of the Milan population is made up of foreign immigrants. Philippines, Ecuador, Sri Lanka, Egypt, China, Peru, Romania, Morocco, Ukraine, and Albania are the top ten countries from where these foreigners have migrated.
- The ‘Gran Premio di Monza’, the Italian version of the Grand Prix, is held in Milan annually.
- The ATMosfera dinner tram – Milan has a tram that is been turned into a mobile boutique restaurant. Though, you must book your table ahead of time.
- Check out L.O.V.E., the provocative 11 meters (36ft) high installation by Italian contemporary artist Maurizio Cattelan, located just outside Milan’s stock exchange, in Piazza Affari.
- From 6:30pm to 9pm the overwhelming majority of Milan’s bars offer the so-called aperitivo, a Milanese’s favorite social event. Basically buying a drink unlocks you access to often rich and mouth-watering food buffets. a good place to start with is Bar Basso where they serve the cocktail symbol of Milan, Negroni sbagliato.
- Make your visit even more unforgettable by staying at one of the 11 Best Hotels in Milan.
- Milan is a gay friendly city. Enjoy the best welcoming vibe at one of the Top 11 Gay Friendly Hotels in Milan.
Get Some Culture:
- Pinacoteca di Brera – A world-class museum with an astonishing assortment of fine paintings.
- Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Milano – With large displays of minerals, skeletons, fossils & preserved animals.
- Museo di Milano – A museum that documents the history of the city.
- Museo della Scienza e della Tecnologia – The largest science and technology museum in Italy.
- Museo del Novecento – With modern and contemporary art in Milan.
Grab A Bite:
- Ratanà – One of the best places for authentic Milanese flavors. Try their famous risotto that are coupled with thoughtful and contemporary presentations by chef Cesare Battisti.
- Taglio – An eclectic and informal place to eat some of the most popular dishes from Milanese tradition. It is not only a restaurant, but also a cocktail bar and a workshop where you can buy cheese and many other genuine products.
- Rebelot – One of the most exhilarating places to dine in Milan with beautifully elegant and thoughtful dishes.
- Alice – Contemporary Italian Michelin-starred fish restaurant features Chef Viviana Varese’s refined take on classic Italian dishes.
- Bagutta – A typical Tuscan & Lombardian cuisine trattoria.
- Al Garghet – Set in a 13th-century residence filled with elegant rooms and surrounded by an orchard. Serving classic Lombardy dishes with influences from France, Austria and Spain.
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