Milan is located in the north of Italy and is the capital of Lombardy. It is called the city of fashion, as the biggest fashion houses are located there. Milan has been associated as a destination for crazy shopping, intense nightlife and walks in its beautiful neighborhoods. You may not be interested in shopping, but this city deserves your attention for a weekend!
We found ourselves there at Christmas time, during a road trip we did in Italy, from Milan to Florence and back. We stayed in the city for only 48 hours, leaving with the best impressions. Below we have compiled what you can see and what can be affordable in the capital of Lombardy.
Where to hang out & what to visit
- Piazza Duomo: The central square and the most crowded in Milan. There you will see the 3rd largest cathedral in the world, the Duomo. If you have time, it is worth going up to the roof of the temple enjoying the view from above.
- Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II: The most popular shopping center in Milan, where all the famous brands of the world lay out in front of you.
- The historic Sforza castle, is considered one of the largest fortresses in Europe between the 16th and 17th centuries.
- Church of Santa Maria della Grazie, with the famous Last Supper fresco by Leonardo Da Vinci. Reservation is necessary. You can book your appointment here.
- Milan’s La Scala, for opera lovers. It is worth a visit, as the decoration of the space is very impressive. Also, there, you can get information about Mozart’s life, since you will find halls dedicated to this great composer. You will find more information here.
- In the Arco Pace and Brera neighborhoods you will find the most atmospheric bistros in the city.
- The Naviglio Grande area, located to the south, includes many stylish shops spread along a canal.
In Milan you will be impressed by the well-dressed inhabitants of the city. With their unique Italian finesse, they leave their mark.
Where to drink the best coffee/Aperol
Inside the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping center, if you look up, you will see a very sweet cafe, “Marchesi 1824”. There, you will taste delicious sweets, drink wonderful coffee and of course one of the best Aperol. The cafeteria is all glass, which means you will have a panoramic view of the mall.
Where to eat cheap
Milan in general is a bit expensive in its food. But it goes without saying that we discovered economical, but at the same time quality tasting options. A very good choice for food, which we would highly recommend, is Mercato Centrale Milano. A two-storey, industrial building of gastronomic shops with a wonderful atmosphere, quality food, affordable prices and modern music. There you will find available all the Italian flavors in pasta, pizza, meat, fish, sweets and wines. Buy your dish from the respective kitchen, take your tray and sit in any corner you like, while enjoy music and admire the graffiti on the walls.
What we liked most about Milan
The Naviglio Grande area impressed us the most. You will take a tram to get there as it is further outside the center of Milan. It is a beautiful and picturesque area with a canal, which mainly attracts young people. Along the canal there are many shops for drinks and food. In one of them you will definitely get a Happy Hour, with drinks in extra-special discount. Walk along the canal, take pictures on the bridges and explore the alleys. You will soon discover that each shop is better than the other. Thus, you’ll have a bit of a hard time deciding in which to sit.
Excursions from Milan
If you a couple more days in your schedule, Milan offers you many options. By train, in a few hours, you can find yourself to Verona, Venice or alternatively move south to Bologna and Florence. You also have the option to rent a car and visit the beautiful Lake Como, north of Milan.
Extra tip: Generally, whenever possible, prefer travelling by train. During our visit to Italy, we had a lot of trouble with the car as we encountered incredible traffic on the national road network. In addition, we received a fine for speeding, which came by mail in Greece.
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