Marvelous Milano/Milan Highlights✨
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✈️Arrival
We flew into the Milano Malpensa Airport - Terminal 1. Of course, private car transfer or taxis are available; however, public transportation via the Malpensa Express Train (13€) or Malpensa Shuttle Bus from Milano Malpensa Airport to the city center - Milano Centrale train station or Milano Rogoredo station - is easy to use as well!
If you opt to travel to Milano Centrale station, there is a food hall called Mercato Centrale with a wide variety of food options across two levels. There is plenty of seating available (as well as a free restroom... or you can pay 1€ to access public restrooms in the train station).
🖼️Where to Stay
For places to stay, the Centro Storico neighborhood offers easy access to the main tourist sites: Duomo di Milano (Milan Cathedral), Galleria Vittorio Emanuelle II (shopping gallery), and Santa Maria della Grazie/The Last Supper. Here are a couple options to consider:
🚄Public Transportation
🛤️If staying at an Airbnb and/or using public transportation, look for a location near multiple Milan Metro lines for added convenience. We stayed just southwest of the Conciliazione station on the M1 line, though a location near Cadorna or Cordusio would offer access to the M1 as well as M2 and M3 lines, respectively.
The M3 line also goes to Milano Centrale to the north, the Duomo, and Milano Rogoredo train station to the south.
Milan Metro 3-day cards are available at ticket machines for 15€ for unlimited rides (Note: The website also sells Milan City Passes/Milano Card for 24 €, with added taxi credit, drink, and discounts but we didn't use this so not sure about its value).
🚕Taxi/Uber Service
You may have read or heard that Uber has been illegal in Italy since 2015. Well it is.... sort of. Unlike the United States where private individuals drive their own cars, only licensed taxi and limo drivers can provide service in large cities in Italy, like Milan.
You can use your Uber app to call an Uber Black car (or Uber van), with prices slightly higher than a regular taxi. You can also use the Uber app to summon an official taxi as well by choosing that option.
Note that the practice of hailing a taxi on the isn't common practice in Italy. Instead, be on the lookout for orange "Taxi" signs at taxi stands scattered around the city.
⛪Sightseeing Highlights
Santa Maria della Grazie/The Last Supper
To visit Santa Maria della Grazie/The Last Supper, make sure to check the timeframes online for advanced ticket availability, which opens quarterly (3 months at a time).
To reserve, you must enter names to prevent scalping, and you are asked to arrive at least 30 minutes before your visit to the ticket office (yellow building) located next to the museum entrance to show payment receipt and ID to collect your tickets.
The tour lasts about 45 minutes, with time limited to 15 minutes to view The Last Supper for a maximum of 35 people at a time for conservation reasons.
Our tour guide was a very passionate and knowledgeable art historian; well worth the visit!
Duomo di Milano (Milan Cathedral)
To visit the Duomo di Milano (Milan Cathedral), highly recommend the tickets including the elevator to the rooftop terrace for great views!
Also, the first time slot in the morning at 9am offers least crowded access, though sunset might be nice as well for views of the city.
Note that tickets are valid for three days from the date selected for visit.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping arcade
Many high-end shops and restaurants to peruse and enjoy. Make sure to take a spin on the Dancing Bull of Good Fortune!
For refreshments, you might start the date with a caffe (espresso) and pastry at the elegant Pasticceria Marchesi located above the Prada Galleria location.
For aperitivo hour in the afternoon, enjoy a spritz with a view at the Terezza Aperol or the namesake drink at Camparino in Galleria.
Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio
The Basilica is the inspiration behind my alma mater UCLA's Royce Hall! Make sure to go inside as well for a nice collection of artwork.
Next to the Basilica is the Queen's Bar outdoor cafe for drinks and light bites.
Also, you might stroll over to the nearby Tempio della Vittoria (Temple of Victory, also called the Shrine of the Fallen during the Great Wars) and/or the adjacent Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (Catholic University of the Sacred Heart) with nicely landscaped courtyards.
Teatro alla Scala
Castello Sforzesco
Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnologia Leonardo da Vinci (Leonardo da Vinci National Science and Technology Museum)
Pinacoteca di Brera art gallery
City Sightseeing Milan Hop-on Hop-off Tour Bus
Day Trip to Lake Como!
A day trip from Milan to Lake Como is easy to do and offers a nice excursion out of the city. Options to get there include private car, group tour, or public transportation (easy)!
We opted to travel from Milan to the town of Varenna by train and then over to Bellagio and Menaggio by ferry (10-15 minute ride). These towns are located in the middle of the lake (which is shaped like an upside down "Y"), so getting to all three towns on a day trip is easily doable.
Another option is to take the train from Milan to the town of Como at the south end of the lake. While the train ride is shorter, the ferry ride is much longer to reach the popular towns located in the middle of the lake.
Getting there by train...
If traveling by train, use the Trenitalia or Trainline app or website to book your train ticket to Varenna (easier than using the "Biglietti" ticket machines at the station, though that's an option as well).
At Milano Centrale station, look for the platform number for the train on the large digital signs and board the train heading towards Tirano.
The trip to Varenna takes about 75 minutes from Milano Centrale train station.
Public Ferries
Once in Varenna, follow the path to the ferry for the easy trips across the lake to Bellagio and/or Menaggio.
We opted to skip popular (and crowded) Bellagio for Menaggio and enjoyed a lovely lunch outing.
Make sure to check the ferry/train schedule for your return trip upon arrival!
More information
For more information, check out the video Rick Steves - Milan and Lake Como (25:05).
Book a Tour!
If you'd prefer to join a tour rather than doing it on your own, below are a couple day trip options for visiting Lake Como from Milan!
Helpful Info!
Clothes/Packing
Note that people in Milan dress very nicely... I felt underdressed the entire time I was there lol!
I intentionally didn't pack any jeans since they take so long to air dry (dryers are very limited in European Airbnbs).
If I were to return to Milan again, I'd bring a washable blazer and/or trench coat in a neutral color as a dressier jacket (I wore a denim jean jacket, which was a bit casual).
We traveled in late May/early June which is still shoulder season. Days were pleasant in the low- to mid-70s, while evenings were cooler in the upper 40s/50s. It was nice to be able to visit ahead of the summer crowds, and layering is key (bring a sweater, long sleeve shirt, and/or scarf).
Travel/Jet Lag
The first few days were a bit of a challenge due to jet lag. I did my best to stay hydrated as much as possible, too!
Make sure to wash your hands regularly and try limiting alcohol consumption until I was well rested and established in our new time zone.
It's also a good idea to bring U.S. medications as some are not readily available in Europe without a prescription. For more info, check out Select Italy - The Essential Guide to OTC Medicines in Italy.
👋🏽Greeting of the Day
The greeting during the day is "Buongiorno."
In the afternoon/evening, it's "Buonasera" and at night, "Buona Notte."
"Ciao" is a bit more casual, though many shopkeepers use it as well (often in combination with the greeting of the day or "Arrivederci," which means "until we meet again").
☕Ordering Coffee
To find coffee, go to a bar (yes, il bar is a coffee bar/shop in Italy, unlike American bars for alcohol).
When ordering coffee, "caffè" is a shot of espresso and "latte" means milk (like a glass of milk).
If you want a larger coffee, order a "cappuccino" (espresso with milk, generally ordered only before 11am), a "caffè macchiato" (espresso with only a splash of milk), "caffè latte" (espresso mixed with warm milk) or a " caffè americano" (espresso diluted with hot water - most similar to American coffee).
You can also order a "caffè con panna" (espresso with whipped cream), "caffè corretto" (coffee with a shot of alcohol), or "cioccolata calda" (thick hot chocolate).
Note that "latte di soia" (soy milk) and "latte di mandorla" (almond milk) is readily available in most places, including the grocery store.
To learn more, check out Devour Tours - How to Order Coffee in Italy: The Complete Guide.
🍎Grocery Shopping
When buying fruits and vegetables at the grocery store, make sure to wear disposable gloves that are provided in stands along with bags when picking out produce. Once you select your items, weigh the produce by entering the item number(s), and print out the price stickers!
🍝Takeaway Meals/Catering
One of the best meals we had in Milan was takeaway from Rosticceria Galli Gastronomia e Rosticceria, "the restaurant at your home." We enjoyed a delicious lasagna and an entree made with large shrimp, zucchini noodles, olives, and walnuts - delicious!
All dishes prepared by Rosticceria Galli can be consumed either on site or to take away from Monday to Sunday. They also have drinks available to accompany your meal as well!
👕Sustainable Clothing
For those looking for sustainable clothing, check out this wonderfully curated secondhand consignment shop! They have everything from high-end brands like Prada and Dior to Top Shop and Zara.
🍦Thanks so much for visiting! I hope you find this information to be helpful! If so, you're invited to offer a tip and "buy" me a gelato!
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