Milan is a heavily crowded tourist destination but in my opinion there isn’t a whole lot to do here. Known for luxurious fabrics and shopping, it has been referred to as the fashion capital of the world (although this is technically just an opinion and Paris is also notable here). This is definitely a more urban type of destination with lots of options for shopping.
Traditionally, people might opt to spend a bit more time in Milan for shopping and relaxing, but I think the majority end up just staying a day or two before or after their international flight (since MXP is the largest international airport in northern Italy).
How to get around
Milan’s airport is pretty far outside the main city. Most times I’ve been here, we rented a car and drove around ourselves. When renting a car anywhere in Europe, be sure to brush up on the rules of the road, especially concerning ticketing and how to navigate the Autobahn.
There is a train that will take you from the airport to the city center, and the train station is located underneath the actual airport. Your ticket can be purchased at the exiting end of the arrivals terminal in MXP, and then you can head straight down the ramp to the boarding area.
Many of the main tourist destinations are within walking distance of each other, but you will definitely get a lot of steps in! There are busses, trams, and a subway system to get around locally, as well as Ubers, taxis, and rental bikes and Segways.
Money
Milan is probably one of the more mid-priced cities in Italy, but budget yourself a little extra, especially if you plan on doing some shopping. Like the rest of Europe, Italy uses the Euro (€).
How long and when to go
A couple of days should be plenty. The more time you spend here, the more money you will spend. As with most European travel destinations, the best time to go is probably spring and fall. Italian summertimes are hot, humid, and crowded!
What to do
The L.O.V.E. Statue. Seriously, this giant middle finger is a thing, and it’s brilliant. It’s directly outside of Milan’s stock exchange. It was originally only supposed to be a temporary installment that ended up becoming permanent. We had loads of fun taking pictures flipping the bird to anyone who would look our way.
Two major landmarks, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II (a shopping area) and the Duomo di Milano (an absolutely gorgeous cathedral), just so happen to be next to each other. They are truly magnificent structures and are absolutely worth checking out. The gothic architecture is so beautiful, and this area is easily a great place to spend an afternoon. Daredevils can even get tickets to climb on top of the Duomo to see the spires up close!
Among other things, you can view the “Last Supper,” a famous painting that only became accessible to the public within the past hundred years or so, rent a Segway and ride through the streets like a true Italian passing by the Arco della Pace, and visit any of the many museums such as the Leonardo di Vinci Museum of Science & Technology. Although I haven’t been to all those places yet, I hope to visit some day in the future. There never seems to be quite enough time for all of it at once!
What to eat
Anything Italian. Use any review website to pick out a restaurant with good ratings that looks appealing to you.
Have you been to Milan? What would you recommend to someone who hasn’t been there before?
Happy traveling! 😀
(this post was last edited and updated on February 6, 2024)
Laura the explora: the blog 
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