Milan (Italian Milano; ancient Mediolanum), city, northern Italy, capital of Milano Province and of Lombardy Region (Lombardia). The second largest Italian city in population (after Rome), it is a leading commercial, financial, and manufacturing center of Italy and a major center of intellectual and artistic life. Milan is mainly a modern city, surrounded by industrial suburbs. It has many tall apartment and office buildings in the business district and extensive residential and industrial sections. A subway system was opened in 1964. The principal square is the Piazza del Duomo, at one end of which stands the Duomo, or cathedral, a huge Gothic structure of white marble, begun in 1386 and completed in 1965. To the southwest of the Piazza del Duomo is the Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio (ad 386). Near the basilica is the 15th-century Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie. Adjacent to the church is a former Dominican monastery, in the refectory of which is the famous fresco Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci.
Get in to milan
By planeThe main international airport is Malpensa (Milan Malpensa, code MXP). It's a two runway airport, well connected to the center of the city by public transportation.
* SEA Aeroporti di Milano (http://www.sea-aeroportimilano.it/) - official site of SEA, the firm operating Malpensa and Linate airports.
* Malpensa Express (http://www.ferrovienord.it/webmxp/ing/index.html) trains leave every 30 minutes from the Airport and arrive in Stazione Cadorna after a 40 minutes travel. Tickets are pretty cheap (about 9 euros).
* Buses leave every 20 minutes for Centrale Station, costing about 5 euros.
* Using a taxi to get from Malpensa to the city centre can be pretty expensive: it may cost 60-75 euros.
Many European or national flights arrive at Linate Airport (LIN). This small one runway airport is closer to the city centre than Malpensa but less well connected by public transport.
* There is a public transport bus stop for the 73 line outside the terminal building, linking to San Babila Square, in the city centre, which is served by MM1, the first underground line. The bus runs every ten minutes and costs one euro. This bus service is managed by ATM (http://www.atm-mi.it), the public transport society of Milan. You can buy the ticket from the newsagent or the ATM vending machines. With the same ticket you can transfer to one or more buses, trams or subways within a 75 minutes period. You can also directly use a compressive ticket to many city and town in the suburbs. For more detail see #Get around. You can obtain informations and the timetable from the ATM web site. At the moment this is the link to the frame of the timetable of the 73 line (http://www.atm-mi.it/eng/asp/oraper/orari3.asp?linea=73). The "Direction SAN BABILA M1" list the stops from outside Milan (from Segrate San Felicino) passing trough Aeroporto di Linate and going to the city center of Milan (end of line in San Babila). The "Direction S.FELICINO" list the stops from the city center (San Babila) to Seate San Felicino passing through Aeroporto di Milano. Click on the clock icon near the name of the stop to have the timetable for the selected stop.
* Taxis from Linate to the City Centre cost 12-18 euros.
Some budget airlines such as Ryanair (http://www.ryanair.com/) fly into Orio al Serio Airport (BGY), some 45km North-East of Milan near the town of Bergamo. Ryanair refers to this as Milan Bergamo Airport. Public transport into Milan is slightly less convenient than Malpensa or Linate:
* Orio al Serio Airport (http://www.orioaeroporto.it/) - official site of Milan Bergamo airport.
* Trains to Milan leave from Bergamo station, which you can get to by shuttle bus or taxi. Buses to Bergamo are run by ZANI and take 10 minutes, at a cost of around €1.50. Trains from Bergamo to Milan run every 30-60 minutes and take around 1 hour. Adult one way fare approx €4.
* Autostradale (http://www.autostradale.it) run a direct bus from Orio Airport to Milano Centrale station. Departure times vary but mostly buses run every 30 minutes and take about 1 hour. Adult one way fare approx €7.
* ZANI (http://www.zaniviaggi.it) also run a bus service from Orio Airport to Milano Lambrate station on the eastern outskirts of Milan, from which you will need to take the metro, train, bus or tram to central Milan. Adult fare €6 one way or €9 return, online discount available.
* Taxis will set you back maybe €100 from Orio to Milan.
By trainThe main railway station is Central Station (http://www.milano-centrale.com/), which is served by Trenitalia (http://www.trenitalia.it/), the State Railways. Regular trains to and from all Italian cities (Turin, Venice, Rome, Naples, Florence and many others), and for some European Cities (Zurich, Munich, Paris,Stuttgart, Zagreb, Vienna)
Note that the station is not in a great part of town, though there are a number of decent budget hotels in the area (see "Sleep" below). Options for food and drink in the area a pretty much limited to the cafes inside the station. At night, parts of Central Station become a sleeping area for vagrants.
Central Station is served by MM1 and MM3 underground metro lines and could be an interesting place to see, since it's very big and typical, built in fascist style.
The main taxi companies are 02.40.40 and 02.69.69 There is a taxi stand directly in front of the station.
Another important railway station is Cadorna, served by Ferrovie Nord (http://www.ferrovienord.it/) (North Railways), where the Malpensa Express stops and which is also a stop for MM1 and MM2.
Garibaldi station, is the stop for most commuter railway lines, and is served by the state railways. It is also a stop for the MM2 and for the Passante (see "Get Around").
By carThe main highways linking Milan to the rest of Italy are:
* A1 , the Autostrada del Sole (Highway of the Sun), linking Milan to Bologna, Florence, Rome and Naples;
* A4, linking Milan to Turin, Brescia, Bergamo, Verona and Venice;
* A8, the Autostrada dei Laghi (Highway of the Lakes), linking Milan to Como Lake, Maggiore Lake and Switzerland.
* A7, linking Milan to Genova.
The main highway operating firm is Società Autostrade (http://www.autostrade.it/).
By busThe main national bus lines are operated by Autostradale (http://www.autostradale.it/) and stop near Garibaldi Station.
Get around
ATM (http://www.atm-mi.it/) operates a public transport network which is pretty efficient (especially the underground lines and the streetcars). Single tickets are available from newsstands and bars, daily and two-day tickets are available at subway newsstands and the tourist information office. Single tickets are valid for 75 minutes, during which you can use them on as many trams and buses as you like and for one metro ride. Your time starts once you validate it by inserting into a box which prints the date and time on it. These are found inside trams and buses and at the turnstiles at the metro. If you've first used a single ticket on a bus or tram you must also validate it when you enter the metro.
* The Metro has four lines, each commonly identified by a color as shown below, and is the best way to get around if you're near a station. The lines are: MM1, red (rossa); MM2, green (verde); MM3, yellow (gialla), and Passante, blue. Note that Passante trains pass less often than other lines' trains.
* Trams run above-ground on rail lines running through the streets. Being above ground means you get a view of what you're passing, so if you don't need to go far they're convenient and fun.
* Buses should probably be your third public transport option. Less comfortable than the metro and trams but more routes to choose from.
* Taxis are pretty expensive and can be hard to find while walking around, since taxi drivers prefer waiting in long lines near major landmarks. Don't bother trying to flag them down as they'll only pick up from taxi stands.
* Cars are definitely not a good idea to take into the city centre. Like most major cities traffic is a considerable problem, not to mention the hassle of parking.
* Several buses connect suburban cities and towns surrounding Milan. Some are managed by ATM, other from some other society. You can travel on most on them with an inter-urban ticket (biglietto interurbano) which are sold in two forms: including travel in Milan or without. In the without form you can just arrive to the end of the line, while in the cumulative version you can transfer to any line of the ATM. There are several rules associated, inform yourself about them. On some buses managed by ATM (note not on bus of other society and not on all suburban bus of ATM) you can travel on these buses while you keep yourself inside Milan boundary with the urban ticket.
SeeMuseums
* Pinacoteca di Brera, on Brera Street. Reach by bus or tram
* Poldi Pezzoli Museum, on Manzoni Street. Reach by subway, line MM3, Montenapoleone Station, or with many buses and trams.
* Egyptian Museum, in Sforzesco Castle. Reach by subway, line MM2, Lanza Station, or with many buses and trams.
* Modern Arts Museum (PAC), in Palestro Street, near Porta Venezia Gardens. Reach by subway, line MM1, Palestro Station, or with many buses and trams.
The Palazzo Reale, behind Duomo, always hosts a different exposition. Usually expositions are very interesting.
ChurchesSome of the most beautiful churches one can see in Milan are:
* The Duomo, in Duomo Square, is Milan's main Cathedral, a massive late Gothic church in white marble, with hundreds of spires and thousands of statues on its exterior. Currently the famous facade is covered in scaffolding. Don't miss the chance to climb up onto the roof. Great views between the Gothic spires. Reach by subway, lines MM1 or MM3, Duomo Station, or with many buses and trams.
* Saint Mary of the Graces ('Santa Maria delle Grazie') , where the Last Supper ('Cenacolo Vinciano') by Leonardo da Vinci is housed. You must make a reservation several days in advance as tickets are usually sold out, recently by as much as three weeks or more. Tickets can be only be reserved by phone (02.8942.1146). Reach by tram 20-24-29-30.
* Saint Ambrose, in Sant'Ambrogio Square, a beautiful early romanic church which was almost destroyed by allied bombing in World War 2.
Historic Monuments
* The Sforza Castle, where the Sforza-Visconti ruling families of Milan resided. Later it was the Austrian governor residence, when Lumbardy was part of the Hapsburg empire.
* La Scala Theatre (http://www.teatroallascala.org/), one of the most renowned opera house in the world has recently reopened after extensive renovations.
Other sights
* Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, the mother of all shopping malls, upscale shops in splendid 19th century palace of a mall.
* Biblioteca Ambrosiana historical library with treasures such as drawings by Leonardo on display.
* Via della Spiga and its neighborhood is the center of shopping, where almost every luxury brand can be found.
DoMilan is a great city to walk around and see the sights and people.
Football - watch the AC Milan (http://www.acmilan.com/) or FC Internazionale (http://www.inter.it/), at the famous San Siro. Tickets for most matches available in advance or on the day.
BuyMilan is a fashion shoppers' paradise.
The main shopping area is the fashion quadrangle, roughly between Duomo Square, Scala Square and San Babila Square. Here, in Montenapoleone Street, Vittorio Emanuele Street and Manzoni Street, all major stylist have their main shops: Giorgio Armani, Prada, Gucci, Versace and so on.
For people wanting to spend a bit less, while still buying beautiful things, other areas are better. One of these is Vercelli Avenue, another one is Buenos Aires Avenue.
For hipsters there's the elongated Porta Ticinese area.
For artisanal male shoes, you can do much worse than going in Via Belfiore, near Vercelli Avenue.
Eating and drinkingPlease, eat Italian food. It's great. Try one of the risotto dishes, for example.
However if you're on a long tour of Italy and want a break, in Milan you can also find good Chinese, French, etc. food.
Avoid the restaurants around the Duomo (cathedral), they tend to be very low quality at high prices.
Breakfast
Cappuccino and brioche.
Pizza
Milan is full of pizzerias.
The two best areas for getting a pizza are near Marghera street, at the end of Vercelli Avenue, and on the Navigli.
In Milan pizza is eaten with a knife and fork, not with one's hands.
Snacks
Gelato, excellent Italian ice cream
Drinking
In the last several years Milan has established a local version of the Aperitivo or Happy Hour.
Roughly from 7pm to 9pm, many bars offer drinks and cocktails at a fixed price (5-8 euros each), also offering buffets with snacks, pasta, rice, and many other appetizers.
It is not difficult to get a dinner's worth out of an Happy Hour.
Some of the best places for the Happy Hour are:
* Exploit Cafè, near the San Lorenzo Columns, in Porta Ticinese Avenue;
* Bar Bianco inside the Sempione Park;
* Roialto, in Piero della Francesa Street, near Sempione Avenue;
* Honky Tonks, in Fratelli Induno Street, near Sempione Avenue;
* Bar Magenta, in Carducci Street
* Birrificio Lambrate (http://www.birrificiolambrate.com) with it's own beers, in Adelchi Street, near Lambrate Station.
* Many others (http://www.milanotonight.it/locali.php/categorie/Aperitivo.html), especially near Vetra Square and on the Navigli (the navigable canals).
Sitting down for coffee or for a drink in Duomo Square or in the Vittorio Emanuele Gallery can be nice, but it can also be very heavy on the wallet.
CheapIYHF hostel: Follow the signs from QT8 stop on the red line to Molino Dorino. Very relaxed curfew compared to most in Italy. Look out for the nightwalkers you pass on the way to the hostel.
Postello: http://postello.realityhacking.org/ (in English too)
Mid-rangeAll these have ensuite facilities, shower,bath, WC, TV in room, 24 hour lobby.
Hotel Canova as of 2004 Tel: 0266988181 Fax: 0266713433 Via Napo Torriani 15, singles Euros 51 doubles Euros 68 cheapest booked via Octopus Travel, more expensive direct. Parking Euros 20 per night, or use cheaper local garage. Excellent location near Stazione Centrale and low price restaurants.
Mercure Milan Corso Genova as of 2004 Tel: 02 643 50 03 singles Euros 60, doubles Euros 70, parking Euros 20 per night.
Best Western Galles as of 2004 Tel: 02204841 singles from Euros 75, Queen size bed from Euros 92, parking Euros 21 per night.
Try Wotif.com for a good range of hotels in Milano (http://www.wotif.com/Search.jsp?refine=simpleSearch&country=21®ion=1723),
Stay safeAlthough Milan is generally a safe place it pays to watch ones valuables, especially while making use of public transportation or in other crowded areas.
Get outLake Como - Beautiful lake in the foothills of the Alps. See the villages of Como, Mennagio, Bellagio & Varenna. Regular trains & buses.
Bergamo - Elegant walled hilltop university town. Regular trains & buses.
source :
http://encarta.msn.com
http://wikitravel.org
