Explore Milan

Where Rome is representative of the ‘old’ Italy, as the most modern of Italian cities, Milan is undoubtedly all about the new. An Italian saying comparing the cities roughly  translates, "Rome is a like a voluptuous woman whose gifts are very apparent, while Milan is the shy, demure girl whose treasures are plentiful, but discovered in time."

Milan is synonymous with style and fashion, and no wonder when the aficionados and beautiful people flock to its streets for its spring and autumn fashion fairs. The second-largest city in Italy, it’s also the country’s financial capital and a haven for worldly pleasures. It boasts the famed La Scala opera house and not one but two world-class football teams, Inter and AC Milan.

Though it is renowned for its sophistication, Milan still bears the scars of the heavy bombing it endured during World War II, with a lot of its buildings reflecting the blandness of post-war architecture. Nevertheless, the city retains links to its past with monuments, museums and churches collected downtown. 

There are a few dazzling views over the city if you know where to look. The best spot is undoubtedly the roof of the Duomo di Milano, the city’s cathedral. Another excellent  location is the Branca Tower, a classic example of 1930s architecture.  

Urbane Milan
Milan’s elegant and abundant shopping, its dedication to the Italian tradition of l’aperitivo — the relaxed cocktail hour that acts as a prelude to the fine dining for which the city is renowned — and its other cosmopolitan attractions make it the darling of those who love the best of urban life.

At the heart of Milanese high culture is La Scala Theater, a temple to the art of opera built in the late 1700s over the remains of the Church of Santa Maria della Scala, from which it takes its name. If you visit be sure to spare some time to appreciate the monument to Leonardo da Vinci and the Palazzo Marini, both also found on the Piazza della Scala.

Historic Milan
Though cities like Florence and Rome attract the classic art lovers, Milan does not disappoint with its offerings to the artistic palate. It is home to Michelangelo’s final sculpture and Da Vinci’s The Last Supper.

It’s also home to several buildings and monuments that bear witness to the history of this city as the economic centre of Italy. Among its numerous castles and palaces is the Castello Sforzesco, which dates back to 1450 and is now host to many important works of art and exhibitions.

The Columns of San Lorenzo are a must-see, as they are the only surviving monument that dates back to the Roman era. The 16 columns standing opposite the Basilica of San Lorenzo are all that remains of an ancient Roman temple thought to date back to the 2nd century.

The Royal Palace, in Piazza Duomo, is one of Milan’s finest palaces, and has been home to the rich and powerful over the centuries. Today it houses a number of temporary art exhibitions and is well worth a visit.

The Famous Lakes
Milan is part of the Lombardy region, best known for its Italian Lake District, which stretches across northern Italy beneath the Alps. The southern ends of most of the lakes are relatively flat, the northern ends mostly mountainous. Those with the chance to venture out of Milan into the Italian Lakes District will be rewarded with landscape which has been praised as “the closest thing to paradise”.