Milan Holidays

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.

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.

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.

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.