MILAN

Duomo
Duomo

Milan is the Italian city that exceeds the capital, Rome, in economic supremacy. The city was founded by the Celts and occupied by the Romans, who in the first place named it Mediolanum. Milan is the centre of a rich agricultural region that also has a varied industry. It is also the central market for Italian book publishing and music production. The city is also well known as a fashion capital because you can find in it the best international fashion designers. This is one of the reasons, as it is a city that offers thousands of possibilities to its visitors, that attracts tourists to Milan.

Places of interest

Milan is not the ideal city for walking so it is advised that you make a careful selection among the many treasures that can be discovered everyday while visiting this beautiful city. Milan's historical centre is located in a web of streets inside the Cerchia dei Navigli, which follows the route of the ancient Medieval city walls. The Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral Square) is the main guidance point in the centre: most of the places of interest are found in this area as well as the most chic shops and elegant cafés. The visits to the art galleries, museums, the Duomo and other churches can be combined with a walk through the Quadrilatero d'Oro (designer's shop windows). The area is spectacular but also one of the most expensive in the city if you decide to sit among the clients dressed in designer's clothes at the cafés of the Galleria Vittorio Emmanuele or those located near the art gallery of the Pinacoteca di Brera. The second Cerchia, la Viali, surrounds the two parks in the centre, Parco Sempione and the Giardini Pubblici (public gardens) to the south bank of the Navigli channel, following the route of the defensive walls built during the Spanish occupation. Inside the Castello Sforzesco (Castle) and the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, home to the most famous painting in Milan, The last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci, should be visited.

Tours around

Pavia was known as the city of one hundred towers even though nowadays only a few of them remain. This city, very close to Milan, still has a Medieval aspect due to its Gothic and Romanesque churches found in some of the paved narrow streets and squares. Pavia is attractive in itself, more than any specific place in the town. A walk through the city will be the best way to get to know it; the visitor can find something interesting in any street, it could be a medieval tower, a beautiful Romanesque or Gothic church, o simply a calm piazza (square). Do not forget to pay a visit to the Piazza della Vittoria, the church of San Michelle or the Castello Visconteo (Castle).

East of Pavia, one hour distance by bus, is where Vigevano is found. It represents the richness and comfort of the Lombardian area. It is a small town full of clothes shops, antiquaries and mainly shoe shops. Footwear is the main industry of Vigevano and that is why the reason for its prosperity is present throughout the town. The only Footwear museum in Italy is located at the Corso Cavour (10.30-12.30 h and 15-18 h; Closed on December and August), where there is an exhibition of the most bizarre and extravagant shoe designs in the country. Other musts are the Piazza Dúchale, the Castello (Castle) and the Tower of Bramante, the entrance is next to the Castle.

Links:

Services Directory

Hotels:

PRINCIPE DI SAVOIA HOTEL *****
Piazza della Republica 17
Milano
+390262301
299 rooms

Milano MARIOTT HOTEL *****
Via Washington 66
Milano
+390248008991
323 rooms

SANPI HOTEL Milano ****
Via Lazzaro Palazzi 18
Milano
+390229513341
71 rooms

CENTURY TOWER HOTEL ****
Vía Fabio Filzi 25 B
Milano
+390267504
144 rooms

HOLIDAY INN Milano ****
Via Lorenteggio 278
Milano
+3902410014

Museums:

SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL NATIONAL MUSEUM
(MUSEO NAZIONALLE DELLA SCIENZA E DELLA TÉCNICA)
Via S. Vittore 21
Milan
+3902485551
Visiting Hours: Tuesday to Friday: 9.30-16.50 h.
Saturday and Sunday: 9.30-18.20 h.
Closed on Mondays.
Admission Fees: General: 6.20 €
Citizens under 18, citizens over 60 and groups of more than 20: 2.60 €
Friends of the Museum: free admission.

DUOMO MUSEUM
(MUSEO DEL DUOMO)
Piazza Duomo 14
Milan
+390272022656
Visiting Hours: Monday to Sunday: 9.30-12.30 h., 15-18 h.
Closed on the 25th and 1st January, 25th April and 1st of May.
Admission Fees: General: 5.16 €
Youth card and groups of more than 15: 2.58 €
Students: 1.03 €

MUSEUM OF MILAN
(MUSEO DI MILANO)
Via Sant Andrea 6
Milan
+390276006245
www.museidelcentro.mi.it
Visiting Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 9-12.30 h., 14-17.30 h.
Closed on Mondays, 25th December, 1st January and 1st May.
Free Admission.

ARCHAELOGICAL MUSEUM
(MUSEO ARCHEOLOGICO)
Corso Magenta 15
Milan
+390288465720
Visiting Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 9-17.30 h.
Closed on Mondays, 25th December, 1st January, 25th April and 1st May.
Free Admission.

Restaurants:

GRAND´ITALIA
Adress: Corso Garibaldi 9, Milano
Via Palermo, Milano

LUINI
Adress, Via S. Padegonda 16, Piazza Duomo, Milano.

FONDACO DEI MORI
Adress: Via Solferino 33, Milano

Transports:

BUS:

Information telephone number: +390248032403

TRAINS:

STAZIONE CENTRALE (CENTRAL STATION)
Piazza Luigi di Savoia 1/17
Milan
+390266984543

TAXIS:

Telephone de taxis en Milano 8585/ 8188

Emergency:

Ambulances 118
Ospedale Maggiore (Hospital)
Via Francesco Sforza 35, Milan
0554277111