Milan holidays

Milan

A passion for fashion, a love for art and a penchant for first-rate food mean Milan city breaks come with a side of style.

City breaks to Milan

Trendsetting Milan draws in big crowds thanks to its flare for fashion and its legendary shopping streets. Having said that, although fashion takes the lion’s share of spotlight here, there’s much more to discover than what’s next down the city’s runways. The city feels a little less tourist-driven than the likes of Rome and Florence, so you can expect a proper insider insight into Italian culture. Plus, thanks to its compact city centre, there’s no stress when it comes to sightseeing on short time.

A love for the arts

When you think of art and Italy, Milan might not be the first city that springs to mind. But don’t be fooled – this city’s in on Italy’s art game, too. Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper mural takes most of the glory when it comes to the city’s art collection. You’ll find it in its original home in a Catholic church in the centre of the city. Elsewhere, the walls of a former monastery showcase a collection of works stretching back to the 13th century at Pinacoteca di Brera – a must see for every art lover visiting the city.

Fashion first

Milan’s rise to worldwide fashion icon status began way back in the late 20th century. It was a big name in the industrial world back then, making and shipping all kinds of items around the globe. Then, when the biggest players in fashion – Giorgio Armani and Gianna Versace – based their brands here, things went from strength to strength. And when Vogue Italia launched its headquarters here in the early 60s, the deal was sealed. These days, Milan’s pair of fashion weeks are some of the hottest in the industry, while a group of four streets known as the Golden Rectangle line up some of the world’s most sought-after shopping streets.

Breaks in the lakes

There’s no short supply of things to do in Milan, but during its super-hot summer months you might find yourself needing a break from its busy streets. Italy’s lakes are within reach of the city and make a perfect match if you’re looking to escape for a few hours, or even a day or two. Lake Como is your closest spot – it’s an hour’s drive from the centre of the city. Or, if you don’t fancy hitting the road, there are plenty of direct train services to the lakes from Milan’s main train station.

Popular hotels in Milan

Top things to see and do in Milan

Beaches

Day trips to the beach

Milan is a landlocked city, which makes finding a beach more than a little difficult. But, there are a few options within a couple of hours’ drive if you’re in the mood for coastal views.

The big beach

You can reach the port city of Genoa in just over two hours from the centre of the city. Its coast is peppered with beaches which come in all kinds of shapes and sizes. Sand-and-pebble fronted Chiavari Beach offers a long stretch of sand that’s framed by bars and ice-cream shops.

The secret beach

A trip to the seaside village of Noli takes around two hours from Milan. The beach here is separated from a Medieval-time town by a promenade lined by palms. And its crystal-clear shallow waters bag it year-after-year Blue Flag status.

Shopping

Bargain buys

The neighbourhood of Navigli is home to Milan’s vintage shop scene and offers up a great place to nab a bargain. As well as a once-monthly flea market there are shops with low price tags on both sides of the river along here.

Mid-range buys

For something a little more affordable than the big names that line the streets of the Golden Rectangle, head to Corso Vittorio Emanuele II. It’s pitched close to the cathedral and it’s lined with friendly face from the UK’s high streets.

Designer buys

The Golden Rectangle doesn’t face any competition when it comes to where to go for designer buys in Milan. Prada, Gucci, Cartier and Fendi are some of the names you can expect to find along here.

Nightlife

Laid-back evenings

Milan’s Brera district is one of the city’s oldest parts, and a big name on its art scene. Its cobbled lanes pick up a bit of pace after dark and its trendy mood-lit bars are a great fit for lowkey after-dark drinks.

Lively evenings

The neighbourhood of Navigli is home to bars, restaurants, and riverside boutiques. Milan used to be criss-crossed with canals, much like Venice. But, with the exception of this neighbourhood, they’ve since disappeared. The bars along here are pretty sleepy during daytime, but come darkness its waterside nightclubs are set alive with foot-stomping dancers.

Food & drink

Minestrone Milanese

Milan’s take on minestrone sees pasta swapped out for rice, and the vegetables used vary depending on what’s in season. The dish gets a look in on menus year round, with a cold version providing some relief from the summer’s high temperatures.

Gorgonzola

If you’re a cheese fiend, make sure you try out gorgonzola, a blue-veined cheese hailing from northern Italy. It comes in two versions – dolce offers a sweet and creamy taste, while piccante serves a spicy kick.

Piadina

This one’s a favourite with on-the-go lunching locals. It looks like a bit like a quesadilla, but it’s just slightly thicker. Its stuffed full of meats, cheese and vegetables before it’s flash cooked on an electric griddle.

Panettone

The roots of this recipe are firmly held in Italy, with many believing it originated in Milan way back in the 19th century. And with use-by dates stretching for a few months, you can impress your family with a Milan-bought Panettone come Christmas time even if your visit’s a distant memory by then.

Risotto alla Milanese

Italy’s Europe’s largest producer of rice, with most of it coming from nearby Po Valley. Milan has its own recipe when it comes to risotto. Saffron gives the rice a yellow colour, while cheese and bone marrow add a creamy texture.

Average Weather in Milan

Facts about Milan

Currency
Euro
(EUR)
Language
Italian
Time zone
GMT +1
Flight duration
2 hours 5 minutes from Heathrow

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