Capital of Lombardy, Milan is the second largest city in Italy with nearly 1.4 million inhabitants.
It is home to many religious and architectural gems, such as its Duomo, a huge Gothic-style cathedral.
To discover
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City of art, Milan has become the country's temple of fashion, design and economy.
It hosts Fashion Week twice a year, and shines around the world for its Quadrilatero.
The city also lives to the rhythm of the calendar of AC Milan and Inter, the local football teams that have become cults.
45 km to the north, we escape to Lake Como, a marvel of nature with emerald waters.
Read alsoMilan: our ten favorite boutique hotels in the Lombard capital
Historic Milan
The Sforza Castle houses the Museum of Ancient Art, the Pinacoteca, the Egyptian Museum, the Museum of Decorative Arts and the Museum of Musical Instruments.
Berg
The rich history of Milan is discovered by surveying its center.
We marvel at the Sforza Castle, a 15th century fortress destroyed and then renovated several times, which now houses the Museum of Ancient Art, the Pinacoteca, the Egyptian Museum, the Museum of Decorative Arts and the Museum of Instruments. of music.
During the visit to the estate, we also discover the Salle delle Asse decorated by Leonardo da Vinci, we walk in the ducal court, before enjoying a breathtaking view of the city at the top of the Branca Tower.
To better understand Milanese history, visit its Royal Palace, the former seat of government.
A true cultural centre, the Palazzo Reale is home to several museums and exhibition halls.
Not far away, we go to Piazza Affari with the impressive Milan Stock Exchange.
VISIT SFORZA CASTLE
A city where culture and religion reign
In the heart of the city, La Scala is one of the most famous Italian opera houses in the world.
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Italy being considered the cradle of the Catholic Church, Milan is home to many religious buildings, including its legendary Duomo.
Pride of the region, this majestic cathedral can be visited for its interior of impressive dimensions, its Baptistery and its panoramic terrace.
Another masterpiece, the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
On one of its walls is The Last Supper, an illustrious painting by Leonardo da Vinci.
Located on an eponymous square, the Saint-Ambroise Basilica is admired for its Romanesque style and its four red porphyry columns.
As for the cultural richness of Milan, it can be discovered with its prestigious opera house, La Scala.
The curious will also appreciate the Museum of Science and Technology, dedicated to the genius of Leonardo da Vinci.
BOOK A GUIDED TOUR OF LA SCALA
Milanese Pride Contemporary Art
A few steps from the Duomo, the Vittorio Emanuele II gallery houses luxury boutiques, bookstores and antique dealers.
franco ricci
Milan, capital of fashion…
Considered the most glamorous city of the “Big Four”, Milan hosts Fashion Week twice a year since 1958. During the 80s, many fashion houses were born there like Dolce & Gabanna, Versace, Prada, and still today, there are prestigious fashion schools, as well as the National Chamber of Italian Fashion.
Founded by Miuccia Prada and Patrizio Bertelli, the Prada Foundation is a contemporary art center that will delight fashion enthusiasts with its exhibitions, its cinema and its Bar Luce, a café designed by Wes Anderson.
Symbol of the city, the Quadrilatero della Mode is a district that brings together luxury stores and historic boutiques, bounded by Via Manzoni, Via della Spiga, Corso Venezia and Via Montenapoleone.
Another must-see, the Vittorio Emanuele II gallery houses luxury boutiques, bookstores and antique dealers.
GET THE MILAN PASS
… and design
Reputed to be the world temple of design, Milan is famous for its Triennale, a cultural institution that takes place in the Sempione park, behind the Sforza castle.
You can admire design exhibitions and attend conferences dedicated to contemporary art and architecture.
Every year, the city hosts its famous Salone del Mobile, an event that showcases artists and furniture trends from around the world.
VISIT MILAN BY BUS
A popular Milan
With its canals and waterside restaurants, the Navigli district looks like “Little Venice”.
Boris Stroujko
The Navigli district
The Navigli district is certainly the most picturesque in the city, with its canals on which it is so pleasant to walk.
This former industrial area with the air of “Little Venice” offers a bohemian and soft atmosphere, perfect for a stroll along the canal or why not a boat trip.
At the end of the day, enjoy an
aperitivo
before enjoying the lively atmosphere of the bars and nightclubs.
Chinatown
Like many cities, Milan has its own
Chinatown
, nestled a stone's throw from Sempione Park.
Nicknamed Paolo Semoir and not very popular with tourists, Chinatown is home to many typical shops and boutiques.
The ideal place to enjoy a bubble tea and a pastry.
Local delicacies
The Milanese gastronomic culture has several specialties, including the unmissable
risotto alla Milanese
, a dish made with rice and saffron.
Other classics that will delight meat lovers, the Milanese escalope and
the osso buco
have made the reputation of the Lombard city, as is the
cassoeula
, a typical winter dish that is very gourmet.
On the sweet side, the
panettone
is one of the symbols of Milan;
it goes perfectly with a
Barbajada
, a drink made with chocolate, coffee and milk.
COOKING CLASS WITH A LOCAL
The north and the Lombard lakes
Lake Maggiore is home to the three Borromean Islands, located off Stresa.
Freesurfing
Lombardy is a charming region full of sublime lakes, easily accessible from Milan.
The most famous of them, Lake Como, is surrounded by hills and alpine mountains.
Its banks are dotted with picturesque villages with sumptuous villas and gardens.
The largest lake in Italy, Lake Garda, offers calm and serene landscapes, like its Riva del Garda.
The second largest lake in the country, Lake Maggiore is home to the three Borromean Islands, located off Stresa.
LAKE COMO BUS DAY
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