Milan is the great metropolitan city in northern Italy. Less than two hours away from Lake Como, and so many other great day trip cities, there is really a world of things to do in this area.
Where to Stay in Milan
Although staying in the center of Milan will definitely be the most convenient option for seeing famous attractions like the Duomo or the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a world-famous shopping plaza with an ornate interior, we recommend choosing a neighborhood a little less central.
You’ll truly get the authentic Milan experience near the Navigli, a network of city canals where artists and locals come to mingle at the end of the day. The nighttime crowd is pulled in by the canal-facing restaurants (a little dupe to Venice if you want a change of scenery) and artisanal art galleries.
While exploring the Navigli, go on an excursion to find the Ancient Lavoir. Another alias for this spot is Vicolo dei Lavandai (literally, the Alleyway of the Washermen). This is a sectioned off canal that had been used as a public bath until the 1950s. Nowadays, it remains filled with water from the Navigli and surrounded by small shops.
Hotel Gran Duca di York
We loved our stay at the Hotel Gran Duca di York because it has all the comforts and amenities you’d expect from a top-rated hotel, but with a more reasonable price tag.
The contemporary fixtures are set inside a grand palazzo from the nineteenth century. From here, you’ll only be a seven-minute walk from the Duomo.
Hotel Principe De Savoia
When you come to Italy, you want to really come to Italy—to immerse yourself in the charm, artistry, and beauty of it all. If you love being surrounded by stunning interiors, Hotel Principe De Savoia is exactly where to find that.
For example, the indoor pool below hand-painted frescoes, extravagant Art Deco rooms, and the rooftop spa with 360-degree views of the city.
What to Eat in Milan
Like all major metropolitan areas, Milan is up to the gills in variety. Combine that with the different expats gathered from all corners of the earth, and you’ve got yourself a global sampling platter.
The street Via Paolo Sarpi is the main artery of Milan’s Chinatown, with casual malatang eateries and bakeries selling moon cakes for the mid-autumn festival.
But if you’re a traveler in Italy, then chances are, you’re looking for some authentic Italian food. I have good news a bad news. The good news: there are places like Taverna Trastevere Milano and Viaggi nel Gusto that are whipping up some of the best Italian dishes north of Florence.
The bad news? Italian cuisine is regionally drastically different. “Italian” in one city might mean something totally different in another. Come with an open mind, a fresh memory of Italian etiquette rules, and remember: Milanese cuisine tends to be hearty (lots of meat and potatoes) to reflect the mountainous terrain nearby.
Milan City Guide: Things to Do
Mona Lisa? No, but Plenty of Da Vinci
Lots, and lots, and lots of people (approximately 25,000 per day) visit the Mona Lisa in the Louvre, which is totally ironic for several reasons. One, because those tourists run past several other Da Vinci paintings on their way to see the crowded Mona Lisa, and two, because Milan has a one-up on Paris in this case.
On display at the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana (Ambrosian Library) in Milan is a stunningly huge selection of Da Vinci’s sketchbooks. Not to mention other works of art from Caravaggio and Michelangelo throughout the gallery. The Ambrosian Library has often been referred to as ‘the greatest museum you’ve never heard of,’ and for good reason.
A few metro stops away is Da Vinci’s other Milan masterpiece—The Last Supper, a deteriorating fresco inside the Santa Maria delle Grazie Convent. Because it was painted on the wall, standing inside that room guarantees you stand in the same place as Da Vinci, and the energy of his work truly vibrates.
Explore The Fashion Capital on Foot
The fashion capital of the world deserves a bit of exploration, and what better way to do that than on foot. Rather than shop in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, go for a fashion history walking tour and discover how world-famous designers like Giorgio Armani, Prada, Gucci, and many more earned their claim to fame in Milan.
