It is never a bad idea to escape to Italy. The country always makes the days stretch in a real delight for the senses. Art, culture, gastronomy and always making you wanting more. Beyond Rome, Venice, Florence or Bologna there is much to discover. Milan does not have to be just a city of passage but a great escape in itself. If however, you’re only passing through the city and don’t plan to spend much time in it, then storing your luggage somewhere is recommended so you can explore the city more leisurely. Day Break Hotels offer such options, making them ideal if you’re only planning to stay for a short while. There are many reasons to visit it. Ill Duomo, Da Vinci’s Last Supper and Rissotto alla Milanese are just some of them. Discover the others below!
Milan is an expensive city
Keep this in mind before traveling especially when organizing your budget for accommodation. Consider staying in neighbourhoods like Isola’s. Perfectly connected by subway but relatively far from the city center and the most touristic areas. Your pocket will thank you. In addition, the Porta Garibaldi train station is located in this neighbourhood and it is there that buses arrive from the airport.
Moving by bus
One of the most economical and comfortable options to get to the city of Milan from Bergamo Airport is to go by bus. The ticket offices of several companies are located at the airport in the arrivals area. Terravision is one of the best known. If you take the round trip ticket it will be cheaper (9 euros). If your return flight is at an untimely hour, do not worry because there are buses throughout the night. The journey by bus is approximately 1 hour.
Traditional food
Want to try authentic Italian food? Be sure to ask local people since many restaurants are expensive and frequented by tourists. Here is a recommendation from our Italian landlady that we loved: the Bolognese da Mauro. This small restaurant is located in the heart of Navigli. It offers tasty and fresh Italian pasta that they make right there and great prices. The owners were lovely. Don’t leave without trying the tiramisu!
Book in advance
Don’t be as clueless as we were. Book your ticket to see one of the most famous works of art in the world that is in Milan. I speak of course of Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper which is located in the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie. Book or buy tickets weeks or months in advance or you will not see it as it happened to us. You can buy tickets online. There are guided tours in English and Italian and discounts for students.
Try the free tours
If you go for several days, you have time and you feel like it, try the free tour. The energetic guides will accompany you on a tour that will make you discover Milan in a different way. You can register online for free. The walk takes about three and a half hours and leaves at 10am.
Teatro alla Scala
I recommend visiting the Teatro alla Scala and trying to do it during one of the rehearsals or even better if you can afford to attend a performance. If you like to visit theatres it will be a very exciting visit. If you want more, you can go to Ansaldo’s workshops. It is there where the sets and costumes of the works are created and prepared. It’s a real luxury to enter this part of the creative process of one of the most famous opera houses in the world.
Il Duomo
The Duomo di Milano is the essential visit par excellence. You will probably find yourself at the arrival of a monumental queue to buy tickets in the front and an even larger one to enter. A tip? Buy tickets at the building office in the back of the Duomo. It is usually deserted.
Fashion
Milan is the city of fashion and people in general dress simply stylishly. If you want to drive the tooth in Milanese style and go in the autumn, don’t forget to wear sneakers, skinny jeans, a black leather jacket and maroon nails. It does not fail!
