48 hours in Milan – Weekend Edition
Milan In Less Than 48 Words
Milan may not be the capital of Italy, but is certainly the richest city in the nation. In fact, if it was a country, it would be the 28th richest in the world. The city is also one of the world’s foremost fashion and design capitals.
The Milan Cathedral towering at Piaza del Duomo (Photo by Curtis Poe)
First 24 Hours
Touch down on the vibrant city of Milan via the Milano Malpensa Airport, the city’s largest airport and hub for international arrivals. It is located 39.97 kilometers northwest of the city center. From there, you can take a Malpensa Express train at the airport terminal to the Milan Cadorna Station. You can also get into a Malpensa shuttle, which will take you to the Centrale station. The ride takes around 50 minutes, and will cost you around €6. Alternatively, you can opt to hire a taxi at the Arrivals of Terminal 1 & 2, although this will cost you more.
Milan is a fairly big metropolis, and so navigating the city may prove to be a little challenging. It may be a good idea to first pay a visit to the city’s main tourist office (Piazza del Duomo, Via Marconi 1, 00 39 02 72524301, website). There you can learn a lot about the city, its attractions, accommodation facilities and transportation. You must collect a street map too.
CHECK IN: Get your bearings back at Milan’s abundant accommodation facilities.
Luxury room at Park Hyatt Milan (Photo by Dan Macy)
Once in the heart of the city, you can rest your tired mind and body at Milan’s famous hotels.. One of the best in the city is the Park Hyatt Milan (Via Tommaso Grossi 1, 20121 Milan, +39 02 8821 1234, website). If you have sufficient money with you, this is the place to stay, with its cutting-edge facilities, great location, and helpful staff. A nice alternative is the Hotel Spadari al Duomo (Via Spadari, 11, 20123 Milan, +39 0272002371, website). It offers an excellent location near tourist attractions, plus modern amenities.
You can also try out Una Maison Milano (Via Mazzini 4, 20123 Milan, 02 85605, website), featuring an accessible location, comfortable rooms, and room service breakfast.
DUOMO: Let’s enjoy the sights
Perhaps one of the most popular tourist attractions in Milan is the Piazza del Duomo, which is found near the city center. You can reach it via a ride aboard the city’s metro train system. It is Milan’s main square, and is known for its shops, restaurants, and historical sites.
You can see there the Milan Cathedral, which dominates the square’s skyline. The church is also known as Duomo, and was the major reason for the square’s name. It is an impressive Gothic structure that took around 500 years to complete, and, incidentally, it is the fourth largest church in the world and the seat of the Archbishop of Milan. The main thing to do at the site, of course, is to admire its architecture. Inside, you will see exquisite sarcophagi of former archbishops, as well as statues. You can also clamber up the 250 or so steps to its roof terraces, where you will be rewarded with sweeping views of the Milan cityscape.
Statue of Vittorio Emanuele II stood at the center of Piazza del Duomo (Photo by Mike Fleming)
The Piazza del Duomo also contains the Royal Palace of Milan, which was the former seat of government for the city. It is today an important cultural center, and is often a site of choice for numerous exhibitions and expositions. At the square’s northern side, you can find the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. It is regarded as one of the oldest shopping malls in the world. It is still in operation, and is home to a variety of high end shops and restaurants.
The glass-vaulted arcades of the Galleria connect the Milan Cathedral to the Teatro alla Scala (Via Filodrammatici 2, 20121, +39.02.88.79.1, website), another important attraction in the square. It is a world-renowned opera house, and one can see performances from some of the top opera and ballet acts around. You can also see inside it the Museo Teatrale alla Scala, a museum dedicated to opera. It features relics from early opera performances, as well as the history of the art form.
BIBLIOTECA AMBROSIANA: Go visit a library
Another Milan attraction worthy of a visit is the Biblioteca Ambrosiana (Piazza Pio XI, 2 – 20123 Milano, +3902806921, website). It is a historic library featuring more than 800 important manuscripts from the Benedictine monastery of Bobbio and the library of the Paduan. Perhaps its most famous display is the Iliad by Homer. The site also houses the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, which is an Ambrosian art gallery. Other noted finds in the library are fragments of the gospels of the Apostles Matthew, Luke, and Mark, as well as “On the Soul” by Aristotle.
DINNER TIME: Recharge after sightseeing tours in Milan with dinner at its posh restaurants.
(Photo by Javier Lastras)
A perfect way to relax after sightseeing is by recharging at the superb restaurants all over the city. One of the best dining experiences is available at Antica Hostaria della Lanterna (Via Mercalli, 3, 20122 Milan, +39 02/58.309.604). It offers an authentic Italian cuisine, delicious pasta, and excellent service. Another nice choice is the Il Luogo di Aimo e Nadia (Via Privata Raimondo Montecuccoli, 6, 20147 Milano, 02 41 68 86, website), a Michelin-star restaurant with excellent dishes at extravagant prices.
You can also try out Giglio Rosso (Piazza Liugi di Savoia 2, 20124 Milan, # +39 02 6694 174, website), where you can enjoy good food and nice service at reasonable prices. An alternative is Finger’s (Via San Gerolamo Emiliani 2, 20135 Milan, +39 02 54122675), which offers Japanese and fusion food, plus a great atmosphere.
Next 24 Hours
Your next 24 hours in Milan can be used to discover the city’s other famous attractions. One of the must-sees in the city is the Castello Sforzesco (Piazza Castello 20121 Milan, +39 02/88463700, website). It is an impressive castle that was once used by the ruling family of Milan. Today, it is used as a museum, containing great sections like the Museum of Ancient Art, the Egyptian and Prehistoric sections of the Archaeological Museum, Museum of Musical Instruments, Furniture Museum, and the Applied Arts Collection. It is open daily between 7 am and 6 pm, with admission costing €3.
Castello Sforzesco (Photo by Mohan S)
SANTA MARIA DELLA GRAZIE: Have your “Last Supper.”
One of the most popular attractions in Milan is the Santa Maria della Grazie (Piazza Santa Maria delle Grazie 2, off Corso Magenta, Sant’Ambrogio, Milan, 20123, 02/89421146). It is a famous Dominican convent known for being home to the Leonardo da Vinci mural “The Last Supper” – and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The church is open weekdays from 7 am to 7 pm, and in the weekend from 7:30 am to 9 pm. The Last Supper painting can be viewed weekdays from 9am to 6 pm, and from 9 am to 2 pm on Saturdays (admission will cost around €6.50).
MILAN MUSEUMS: Go for a historical tour
Milan is also known for its fascinating array of museums. One of the most popular is the Pinacoteca di Brera (Via Brera, 28, 20121 Milano, 02 722 631, website). It is an art gallery considered to have some of the foremost collections of Italian paintings in the world. Notable works by Raphael, Caraveggio, Tintoretto, and Andrea Mantegna can be viewed there. The museum is open daily from 8:30 am to 7:15 pm, and admission will cost as much as €10.
Pinacoteca di Brera (Photo by Olivier Bruchez)
Another museum worthy of a visit is the Museo Poldi Pezzoli (Via Gerolamo Morone, 820121 Milano, 02 79 48 89). It is an art gallery that was set up in the 19th century as a private collection of Gian Giacomo Poldi Pezzoli. Inside, you will see a rich collection of Northern Italian works, as well as an excellent collection of Dutch artists.
Another is the Museo della Scienza e della Tecnologia “Leonardo da Vinci” (Via S. Vittore 21 – 20123 Milano, 02 48 555 1, website). It is a museum dedicated to science and technology, the most notable exhibits being the works of the famous Renaissance maestro Leonardo da Vinci. The museum is open from 9:30 am to 5 pm on Wednesdays to Fridays, and from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm on Saturdays and holy days. Admission will cost €8.
NIGHTLIFE: Indulge in Milan’s vibrant nightlife scene.
Indulge in the hedonistic pleasures afforded by Milan’s bars and clubs. One of the most popular is the Chandelier Restaurant Living Bar (Via Broggi 17, Milan, 20129, 00 39 (0)2 202 404 58). It is known for its extravagant décor, lights, and sounds, plus a red-carpeted lounge fitted with Baroque thrones, candelabras, and chandeliers. A nice alternative is Dynamo (Piazza Greco, 5, Milan, 20100, 00 9 026 704353), which offers a two-level venue that is part art gallery and part cocktail lounge. You can also try out the Yar Bar (Via Mercalli, 22, Milan, 20122, 00 9 0258309603), a trendy Russian bar that serves up vodka, mean cocktails, and delicious Russian dishes.
Related posts: