Italy might be one of my favorite countries to visit in Europe. Pasta, pizza, coffee and ice cream; I can not get enough of it. Still, I wouldn't go to Milan again. In my opinion, this modern city detracts from the authentic Italian feeling. If you can find yourself a good deal, you can certainly do it. But I think two days in Milan is enough.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Highlights⚡️
- Duomo; beautiful church in the center of Milan. Light a candle, pray or go to the rooftop to get a nice view of the city. As a woman, don't forget to bring a scarf to cover your hair in church.
- Football match; Italians are very passionate when it comes to football. If there happens to be a match, I would definitely recommend going!
- Outlet shopping; buy a bus ticket to Serravalle Outlet to shop the big brands for a nice price.
- Back door 43; smallest bar in the world with only 4 seats. Funny experience. Do make a reservation.
- Navigli antiques market; takes place on the last Sunday of the month. Here you can enjoy strolling around and do some vintage shopping.
Brera
Lowlights 😔
- It's a very modern city. Compared to other Italian cities (such as Rome or Florence), the atmosphere here feels different. Walking through Rome or Florence felt like I was walking through a museum. I didn’t feel that in Milan.
- It is a great city for (window) shopping and drinks on a terrace, but two days will be more than enough to spend in this city.
- On Sundays and public holidays (almost) everything is closed. My first time in Milan was in Easter weekend. That wasn’t a good choice.
- When it comes to culture, there are a few must-sees, such as Leonardo Davinci's 'The Last Supper'. However, the chance that you will see it is small, because you have to book a ticket months in advance.
- In general, Italians don’t speak the English language very well.
Arco della Pace
Duomo
Lasagne
Location and transportation 🚕
Upon arrival at the airport, you can take the train or bus to the center. Then you can transfer to a subway, which will take you near your hotel. It sounds like a bit of a hassle, but it's actually quite doable. In Milan you can easily travel by public transport. The metro network is extensive and will take you wherever you need to be (and it is also cheap). If you plan to do everything by public transport, it is best to buy a ticket that is valid for several days.
Personally, I wouldn't book a hotel in the center. It is very expensive and busy. I loved the neighborhood Brera! You will find some nice places to have a cup of coffee or lunch. In addition, you also have small boutiques, sneaker shops and some more exclusive urban brands. Done shopping? A large park borders Brera, which you can walk through or have a picknick.
Another nice neighborhood is Navigli. Here you can go out and eat alongside the canal in the evening. It is a busy area, so be sure to make a reservation at a restaurant before you go. But once you are seated, you will definitely enjoy the atmosphere.
When food = life 🥗
Every area in Italy has its specialties and Milan is famous for its risotto! You will also encounter the well-known Aperitivo on almost every street corner. This is a snack with a drink before dinner. What a life huh? Basically, you are just eating all day :). If you are looking for a good Halal food spot, I recommend Nun taste of Middle East. I also advise you not to eat near the Duomo, because restaurants in that area are more expensive.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Milan center
Milan center
Good to know before you go 🙋🏽♀️
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Italy is in the EU, so you can travel here with your European ID or passport and you pay with Euros
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The best time to travel is in the months of May, June and September, with an average temperature of 23 degrees Celsius
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Plane tickets from the Netherlands can be found fairly cheap. With a low-budget airline you are already in Milan for 40 euros return flight!
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I spent about 500 euros in 3 days (2 adults). This excludes flight and hotel
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With the 'Milan Pass City Card' you will get a metro card and discount at several restaurants, shops and other activities
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Although Italians are improving in their English, it is still useful to download the app 'Google Translate' if communicating with each other remains difficult
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Italians prepare their recipes traditionally and therefore do not deviate from the recipe. You can therefore insult an Italian if you ask to adjust the recipe. Fun fact by the way: did you know that 'Spaghetti Bolognese' does not exist in Italy?
Milan, I've been here two times now. I would say, nice to visit once, but not worth visiting again.
Ciao,
Nathalie
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