Since its time as the capital of the Western Roman Empire, Milan has been constantly flourishing. Today it is most well known as one of the “big four” fashion capitals of the world as well as Italy’s financial capital. It is Italy’s second biggest metropolitan area after Rome, and it is one of the European Union’s top 10 largest urban areas. Milan differs from other Italian cities in that it has really embraced and encouraged modernization. That’s not to say other Italian cities don’t have modern amenities, but rather that Milan has focused the most on becoming a modern city like London or New York. However, it still boasts its old city center that is highlighted by the majestic Duomo and DaVinci’s timeless “Last Supper.” The New York Times listed Milan as the top city to visit in 2015, in large part because it hosted the 2015 World Expo which ended on October 31st, but there is still plenty to see and do for those who want to go.
Friday
- Duomo di Milano | 4 p.m.
Milan’s cathedral, known as the “Duomo,” is by far the most breathtaking, awe-inspiring feature of the city. It took nearly 600 years to construct and is one of the biggest churches in the world. The detail of the Gothic architecture that characterizes the cathedral is almost too impressive to believe. Hopefully the day will be clear and sunny, as the short climb to the Duomo’s roof offers an incredible view of the city’s skyscrapers contrasting with the Italian Alps. If the weather does not allow you to climb to the roof then you can explore the famous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II that features flagship stores for major fashion brands such as Prada, Gucci, Giorgio Armani, and more. There is also a variety of museums within several hundred feet if you prefer to explore the rich history of the city.
- Castello Sforzesco | 6 p.m.
After visiting the Duomo you can take a short walk down Via Dante to another of the city’s major landmarks -- the Castello Sforzesco. Built by the Duke of Milan in the 1400s, the immense castle now hosts several art collections and museums. You can walk through the castle’s courtyards at no cost, which, if you enter through the front, will take you out the back into the beautiful green space of Parco Sempione -- one of my favorite areas in the city. Looking toward the far end of the park from the rear of the Castle you will get a beautiful view of the Arch of Peace.
- Navigli & Porta Genova | 7:30 p.m.
From Castello Sforzesco you can walk to Cadorna Metro Station and take the green line three stops to Porta Genova. This is one of the best nightlife and restaurant areas in the city. There are two large canals, used in ancient times to transport cargo, lined with cobblestone streets, restaurants, and bars. Here, you will have to try Italy’s famous “aperitivo.” Similar to happy hour in the US, aperitivo is an Italian custom (started in Milan) that began as meeting for drinks with friends before dinner, but has since turned into drinks and dinner. However, the food is buffet-style Italian cuisine in which you pay anywhere from 6-12 euros for your first drink and the buffet. The best aperitivos in the area are at Tongs, Sprtiz, Mas, and Manhattan.
- Darsena | 9 p.m.
When you’ve finished enjoying some delicious Italian cuisine you can head to the Darsena. The Darsena is where the two canals meet and was recently renovated to feature a pedestrian area with benches and green areas right next to the water. You and your friends can grab some beers and hang out by the water. This is a great place to meet locals and tourists alike! If you want to head to another bar, La Fontanella is located on one of the canals and offers a unique beer-drinking experience. Aside from a fine assortment of beers, this bar prides itself in how it serves its beers. You can order individual drinks, or, if you have several people with you, you can order pitchers of varying sizes and shapes, including a locomotive, an octopus, a cannon, a horn, and several others.
Saturday - Papiniano Market | 9:30 a.m.
The market on Via Papiniano, at Sant’Ambrogio metro stop on the green line, operates on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 7 a.m. until around 2 p.m. This is one of the biggest street markets in Milan and features food, clothing, and more. It is a very intriguing event from a cultural perspective, and is a great place to find some fresh fruits for breakfast without spending very much. If you hear yelling, do not worry, as that is simply the way in which vendors attract customers.
- Monte Stella | 10:30 a.m.
With what will likely be a hectic visit to a busy market, getting away to a quiet park with a great view is a perfect break before lunch. Monte Stella is a man-made hill that was built from post-WWII debris, and has since been turned into a park. The hill is located at the QT8 metro stop on the red line, just north of AC Milan and Inter Milan’s San Siro Stadium. The hill, covered with trees, does not seem like much from the bottom, but the peak offers a serene view of Milan. This is a unique place that many tourists don’t get the opportunity to visit. - The Last Supper | 12 p.m.
A trip to Milan would not be complete without a visit to Leonardo DaVinci’s famous mural, “The Last Supper.” The mural is painted on one of the walls of the church Santa Maria delle Grazie in the city center between the red line metro stops Conciliazione and Cadorna. Due to the mural's popularity, it is necessary to make a reservation to get into the church and see it. It is recommended to make the reservation at least one week in advance to ensure a spot.
- Spontini | 1 p.m.
Spontini is one of Milan’s signature restaurants. It is not a fancy, high-class restaurant, however. Instead, it is a by-the-slice pizza shop with 11 locations worldwide, 6 of which are in Milan. The thick-crust pizza offers a delicious blend of Italian ingredients in a recipe that has been perfected since its inception in 1953. There are several locations throughout the city -- one by the Duomo, another on the famous shopping street Corso Buenos Aires, one right by the Papiniano Market, and three others in less central locations.
- Brera | 2:30 p.m.
After lunch you can head to the beautifully preserved Brera district. From the Duomo you can walk north towards the famous Teatro alla Scala and take a left on Via Giueseppe Verdi, which will take you straight into the heart of Brera. This district is one of the finer areas of Milan and features a lot of unique, boutique-style shops and a variety of restaurants. It is also home to the Pinacoteca di Brera, which is a public art gallery with beautiful architecture and a small botanical garden.
- Eataly | 5 p.m.
Eataly is a unique blend of food market and restaurant that offers a wide variety of Italian foods, as its focus is to promote the culinary diversity of each region of Italy. It is a multi-story building next to Porta Garibaldi and Corso Como. The first floor features fruits and vegetables as well as sweets and also food-related books. The second floor is home to the olive oil, meats (including seafood), and cheeses section, with an additional restaurant. The top floor is dedicated to wine and beer and offers wine-tasting courses and free samples. After checking out each floor you can stay there for an aperitivo, or you can head to Corso Como which is just a few hundred feet away. It is one of the main nightlife areas of the city with plenty of restaurants, bars, and several nightclubs.
- Piazza Gae Aulenti & Corso Como | 9 p.m.
Walking off your aperitivo is never a bad idea, and Piazza Gae Aulenti is a great place to do it. It is home to Milan’s most notable skyscraper, the UniCredit Tower, as well as several other stores and buildings. This is one of the most innovative areas of the city, featuring the award-winning Vertical Forest apartment buildings, a number of different skyscrapers, and a large wheat field that promotes urban sustainability. After your walk you can head back to Corso Como for the night. There are plenty of options for bars, and I recommend 11clubroom if you want to go to a nightclub that is not too loud and too crowded.
Sunday
- Giardini Pubblici Indro Montanelli | 11 a.m.
Sunday morning you can head to Porta Venezia on the red metro-line to the public park Indro Montanelli. After grabbing a typical Italian breakfast, a cappuccino and brioche, you can take a stroll through the beautiful park that features a planetarium and the Natural History Museum of Milan. From here it is just a 15 minute walk to Milan’s central station where you can get on the train or the bus to any of the airports.
*If you are looking for a place to stay, I recommend Ostello Bello. It is a very nice hostel with great prices and an ideal location that's within walking distance of the Duomo, Navigli, and The Last Supper. It is on a small side street off of Via Tortona, which is a major shopping and commerce street full of stores, restaurants, and people.
