Milan is an interesting place; it has beautiful architecture, delicious food, lovely activities and great shopping. After spending over a month in Milan, I can help you figure out exactly whether Milan is the place for you, and guide you to make the most of your trip there!
Man made things to do
The Duomo cathedral
This is a super place to see and it is right in the centre of Milan. Not only will you get to see beautiful architecture but you will also be right in the hot spot of things to do! You can go inside the cathedral and even visit the top of it by paying (the prices tend to fluctuate so I haven’t put them here) to experience a gorgeous view and get some awesome photos.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
A spectacular building that is known to be Italy’s oldest active shopping gallery, located right next to the Duomo cathedral, is worth going to even if you don’t plan on getting any shopping done. You can enjoy a different perspective by sitting in one of the cafes in the upper floors, but these tend to be very pricey so watch out for that!
The Galleria d’Arte Moderna
This place isn’t only worth the visit for the spectacular art (housing multiple paintings by Picasso etc…), but also for the incredible interior of the building itself. It’s an experience worth having, especially if you are into art.
QC therme Milano
I wouldn’t normally recommend anything to do that isn’t directly related to the place itself, but I just have to tell you about this place! It is the best spa I have ever been to and is so worth the money. For 2 people I would expect to pay just under 100 euros for entrance which includes some snacks and two drinks with 4 hour slot time. The place offers many different pools and experiences, the second I left I already wanted to go back! I would recommend going for an evening slot so you can experience the spa in the daytime, during sunset and then once all the night lights turn on too. They close at 12am most days.
Go for aperitivos* in Navigli
Get the full Italian experience whilst being surrounded by the gorgeous buildings and canals of the historical area which at nights turns into a hot meeting spot with many cool bars/restaurants.
*It is a part of Italian culture to have a drink and appetisers between 18:00-20:00, which they call aperitivos.
Santuario di San Bernardino alle Ossa
This is a church in Italy which has an open ossuary (place to store human bones) for everyone to look at. It is definitely not an everyday sight that could definitely make you feel uneasy, but it’s so interesting to visit. I wouldn’t recommend going there if you are sensitive/scared of death as it may trigger you, or if you are unsure of this I would at least give it a little google beforehand just to double-check!
Natural things to do
There really aren’t that many nature related things to do in Milan, however there are a couple of options there that can give you that experience of fresh air and calm surroundings:
Parco Sempione
This is the largest park in Milan which was built in the beginning of 1890s. It is lovely to walk through during the day and has little food stands, buildings and beautiful plants to visit.
Top tip- One thing that you must be very aware of here are the people who try to give you bracelets ‘for free’, they’ll put them on your hand and then be aggressive with making you pay.
These are usually found in the main entrances/ exits of the park and walk straight up to you. The best way to get rid of them is by simply ignoring them and going on your merry way, it may seem scary but they will quickly move on to the next person.
It’s also not wise to come here after sunset, that’s when the danger starts to get higher in that area. I got warned by many locals to stay clear from that area past that time of the day!
A bit further out
Lake Como
This is only a 2 hour journey by train from Milan, so if you have enough time to spare I would highly recommend giving it a visit! It is gorgeous there and it has many more natural things to see/ do, however, it can potentially get pricier than some places in Milan so keep an eye on that if you are there.
Lake Garda
You could also visit Lake Garda, which is 2h by car but a little longer by train; it is also very gorgeous there with a lot more natural things to do. Here’s my blog with my recommendations of Lake Garda from my experience!
Must-do
Navigli, Parco Sempione, Duomo cathedral, Gallerie Vittorio and QC Therme Milano.
Dining experience
There are a vast variety of restaurants that you can choose, but watch out for places in Duomo in particular as usually they charge way too much for next to nothing to take advantage of the tourism in that area. As strange as it may sound, I actually recommend looking for backstreet places as they tend to be the best portion sizes for the best prices.
- Signorvino- Small portion sizes and on the pricer side, however it is good to go there even just for their amazing wines and general vibe. They even have a small shop inside the restaurant where you can buy the wine that they serve. I recommend the wine pictured below on the right!
- Burgerz- Cheap, quick and easy. Basically, it’s like Burger King, but nicer! If you want to order this from Uber eats, I wouldn’t recommend getting any drinks as they always seem to spill on the way, therefore there is a big risk of your food getting spoiled.
- La Magolfa- One of the cheapest places and one of the best places in regards to portion sizes, sometimes the service can be a little on the slower side but it’s soon forgotten about once you have their food.
Miscusi- Good prices for portion size, lots of different types of pasta options, “build your own” pasta dish by selecting type of pasta & sauce & extras, fast and most importantly… very yummy!
- Macha Poke- Super yummy and fresh, good selection of ingredients and travels well if you are ordering it from Uber Eats like I did most of the time!
- Nima Sushi Sempione- I am a vegetarian and I adored their veggie sushi (pictured below) and the fish-eaters that I was with thoroughly enjoyed their dishes too! We chose the 20 EUR option (there is a 30 EUR one too) of having all you can eat from their extensive menu; I highly recommend getting this open menu as you can sit down and enjoy yourself for as long as you like. The only rule with this is that you have to buy one per person, you aren’t allowed to share. The staff here are also super welcoming and friendly.
- Frankly- It isn’t a food place, but I can’t write a blog about Milan without mentioning it. It is a bubble tea cafe that also sells all types of coffees, juices, milkshakes and options to add alcohol in too. I went every day up to 3 times a day for their iced caramel macchiato! It is more expensive than a Starbucks coffee, you’re looking at 4.20 euros for their largest-sized coffee, but it’s so worth it!
Honestly, they’re the ones I’ve visited most frequently and would recommend the most. I’m sure there are a lot more which are perhaps nicer, but for me these places were great for all factors including place, price, service, portion size and taste of food. I was living a pretty fast life when I was there, so all the places above (apart from the sushi place!) are relatively quick and usually take max 1h to eat there which works well if you’re on a tight schedule.
Where to stay
Below budget
- Gogol’Ostello & Caffè Letterario- 5 mins walk from metro, clean & tidy, basic needs are met such as clean sheets, clean bathroom and a washing/drying machine. The breakfast is already included in the price as is the wifi. It is a bargain considering the location and general price for Milan accommodation! For a bed in a 6 bed mixed dormitory- Price per night* PER PERSON- 28 EUR / 24.70 pounds/ 30.48 USD
- Ostello Bello Grande-10 mins from main buzz, clean & tidy, friendly staff, well decorated with lovely hang out areas, good beds and free toiletries for the private bathroom each dormitory has. For a bed in a 8 bed mixed dormitory- Price per night* PER PERSON- 54 EUR/ 47.64 pounds/ 58.77 USD
- Babila Hostel & Bistrot- if you prefer a cleaner finish looking hostel, then this is one for you. Their decoration is nice but minimal, they are 10 mins away from the main buzz, clean and tidy areas, a shared kitchen, good quality bathrooms and lovely shared living spaces. For a bed in a 8 bed mixed dormitory- Price per night* PER PERSON – 54 EUR/ 47.63 pounds/ 58.76 USD
Within budget
- Hotel Flora- TV, minibar, clean rooms and really friendly staff on their 24h reception desk. Breakfast is yummy and included in price, good working aircon and right next to the central train station. Price per night* PER PERSON- Single bedded room 98 EUR/ 86.47 pounds/ 106.61 USD. Double bedded room 150 EUR/ 132.34 pounds/ 163.19 USD
- Magville- Small elegant hotel, lovely modern decor, near metro station, good staff, airport transfer service, room service and yummy food. Price per night* PER PERSON- 164 EUR/ 144.67 pounds/ 178.44 USD
- Antica Locanda Leonardo- Boutique type hotel with amazing staff, nice setting, great location, clean and fresh rooms with comfortable beds, very good breakfast and strong wifi. Price per night* PER PERSON- Single bedded room 137 EUR/ 120.95 pounds/ 149.17 USD. Double bedded room 275 EUR/ 242.79 pounds/ 299.43 USD
No expense spared
- Château Monfort – Relais & Châteaux- unique rooms, amazing service, great facilities, perfect location and delicious food. Price per night* PER PERSON 337 EUR/ 297,46 pounds/ 366,77 USD
- Aparthotel Duomo- Perfect location, up to date, clean, tidy, comfortable beds, lovely showers, and overall good experience staying here. Price per night* 801 EUR/ 707.06 pounds/ 872.01 USD
- Excellent location, incredible facilities, impeccable service, lovely hotel and room decor. Price per night* PER PERSON 1.081 EUR/ 954.55 pounds/ 1.176,60 USD
*Prices all vary on when you are going and what type of room you select. The dates that I have chosen to go off of are the 19th-20th of May 2023
Transport
I would recommend getting a few day’s pass (depending on how long you are staying) for trams/metros as it usually turns out cheaper, especially if you are planning on using them a lot, which you will!
The best form of transport is the metros. They are cheap, come very often and can take you to most areas in Milan. The only problem with them is that they close just after 12am so if you are planning to go out partying just bear this in mind so that you don’t get stuck!
The trams are equally as cheap to use, but they just have trickier times and can get a little more confusing than the metros. A lot of people tend to get metros to the area they need to be in, and then a tram to get them to almost their exact location.
Top tip- Make sure you actually scan your pass on the trams, there is always a place at the front and a place at the back. Police often monitor these trams and tickets.
Taxis are not scarce at all in Milan, but the prices are quite honestly shocking. I would try to avoid taxis at all costs, whenever you can. Not only are there fake taxis around for human trafficking, but the prices are just way too high for even going down the road. Uber isn’t much better, of course you avoid the danger risk but then it is even more expensive still.
Bicycles and walking places won’t allow you to get anywhere near as many things done, which of course is okay if you are planning on having a slower trip to Milan with not many things to check off of your list, however overall I would strongly recommend just using the simple metro to save you so much more time and money.
There are applications in Milan that you can use to find & unlock “public” cars/ mopeds as long as you have a valid driving license and a card to link to the account. It charges you as you go along, a bit like a taxi but you’re the one driving it and able to park it in most places. My friends and I use this quite a lot, but it is the more expensive option over just the metro or tram. FreeNow is the name of the app for this, however, you must be eligible to drive and have a valid driving license in order to be able to use the app in the first place.
Key things to pack
Milan is generally a higher fashion city, especially around fashion week. I would always take some of the best outfits in your wardrobe to show off in Milan, and remember that nothing is over the top there.
Summer suitcase:
It can get extremely hot here around summertime, so check the temperatures before you go!
- Comfortable shoes,
- Light jacket,
- A few dress-up outfits,
- Very light and airy clothes,
- Shorts/skirts,
- Suncream,
- Sunglasses,
- Safe bag (not easily pickpocketable),
- Bikini in case of spa of public pool visit.
Wintertime suitcase:
It can get pretty cold here around wintertime, so check the temperatures before you go!
- Coat,
- Umbrella,
- Comfortable shoes/boots,
- Long bottoms,
- Thicker t-shirts,
- Jackets/jumpers,
- Safe bag (not easily pickpocketable),
- A few warmer going-out outfits.
Need to know before you go
There are lots of pickpockets here, no matter where you are you can’t really escape them… of course, they are in certain areas more, such as metros and duomo, however, you should always be alert.
There will be people who say they’re an Uber or a taxi but with no signs on their cars, do not get into cars with these people they are traffickers. I almost fell for this. Only go in Ubers that you booked from an app or taxis that are clearly registered, and don’t be afraid of saying no if you change your mind because you realise or feel uncomfortable. It can be very dangerous.
If there is a case where you get into registered taxi and they don’t have a taxi meter showing, it’s most likely because they will scam you for a lot more than the already high price. I once did this and the driver tried to make me pay 30 euros for literally 5 mins down the road. If you find yourself in one of these taxis, you can discuss and come to an agreement on a price before setting off.
Navigli is the cheapest area for food and drinks however it does get very busy both during the day and the night! There is also a lovely antique market during the weekend (either Saturday or Sunday, you will have to check due to the time of the year!) during midday which is worth the visit if you want to find vintage furniture, records, clothes etc…
All over Milan you will find people trying to sell you things such as roses, pictures and cigarettes. You have to be very stern with the majority of these to get them to leave you alone to the point where I felt very mean sometimes, but it’s needed). I wouldn’t actually recommend buying anything from them as you can get the same souvenirs from other places cheaper.
It’s not the place to be if you are looking for a budget holiday. It is possible to manage if you really want to go, but you’ll likely miss out on a lot due to their crazy prices. Milan is one of the more expensive cities in Italy to visit due to it being a thriving city for business.
The nightlife there is great, however expect to pay a minimum entry fee of 15 euros to clubs and a minimum of 15-20 euros per drink, even water. The best thing to do is buy alcohol from the supermarkets and pre-drink!
Staff everywhere in Italy can come across as rude, I think it’s just their manner and it’s not at all intended or personal towards you.
If you’re ever passing through Milan Centrale train station, I would recommend you get off to have a quick look around the station itself as it is very unique and beautiful!
If you are traveling solo or in a small group, I would try to avoid walking around quiet streets at night, it can be dangerous.
I spent just over month there which worked perfectly as I have made an amazing friend group there, however you don’t need longer than 5-7 days if you are going for a holiday as that is plenty of time to get it covered for the most part.
During this trip in Italy, I also went to Venice. Venice is very different from Milan, so if this didn’t sound like your cup of tea, or if perhaps you’re looking for a calmer holiday, then check out my tips for it here!
