Milan is the second largest in Italy, and capital of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has about 1.3 million inhabitants, while the Milan metropolitan area, is estimated to have over 7 million inhabitants. Milan is distinguished as one of the world capitals of design and fashion. More than for its tourist attractions, this city is known for its way of living: a heaven for shopping, opera, and nightlife.

REASONS TO GO

The overwhelming Milan fashion quarter - Quadrilatero d'Oro

Art and architecture: La Scala, “The Last Supper” by Leonardo da Vinci (at Santa Maria delle Grazie Church) and the Duomo

The aperitivo - a glass of sparkling wine or a Campari soda before dinner, in a sophisticated bar or trendy hotel

ORIENTATION

Milan is an important industrial centre in the north of Italy, set in the valley between the rivers Ticino, Adda and Po. The district of Milan is located in the Lowland Padana in the west-central area.

The main point of reference of the city is Piazza del Duomo, right on the centre, where the city’s principal highlights are located. Art galleries and museums, the Duomo and other churches can be combined with fashion designers shopping, or having drinks at the fine galleries and cafés.

In the north, there is one of the largest commercial main streets – Corso Buenos Aires, easy to get to and close to the metro.

BEST TIME TO GO

Milan's summers are typically warm and humid, while winters are cold. This city is very well known for its Trade Shows. When the most important of them take place (like the fashion weeks) the city gets really chaotic, much more expensive and harder to get around.

HOW TO GET THERE

Milan Malpensa Airport

The main international airport is Malpensa. The airport has two terminals, with Terminal 1 being the largest (international and intercontinental flights). Terminal 2 is used by a number of budget airlines. The two terminals are connected by a free shuttle bus service (running approximately every 20 minutes).

Malpensa Express Train leaves every 30 minutes from Terminal 1 and arrives at Milan's Cadorna train station after 40 minutes (Cadorna station is connected to Milan's subway network). This is probably the best way to get to the city centre.

You may also use the special train from Malpensa airport to Saronno and a regular service from Saronno to Milan.

Buses leave about every 20 minutes for Centrale Station and Linate airport, costing about €6 (€10 for a return ticket). Travel can take from 40 minutes (weekends) to 1 hour or more (during weekday mornings). Buses are the best option if you arrive at Terminal 2.

Using a taxi to get from Malpensa to the city centre is expensive: €70 (fixed fee for a City-Airport trip, without further stops).

You can also reach Milan by Trenitalia trains departing from Gallarate train station. A bus service is available from Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 to Gallarate.

Linate Airport

Some European or national flights arrive at Linate Airport. This is small but rather efficient and very close to the city centre (7 km). It is mostly serviced by airlines to domestic destinations and some European destinations.

Since the airport is so close to the city, it is served by buses of the city public transport network: Autostradale "Starfly" buses run every 30 minutes from Linate to Centrale station (5 euro).

Bus no. 73 (direction "SAN BABILA M1") outside the terminal building goes to San Babila Square, in the city centre, which is served by metro line MM1. The bus runs every ten minutes and is managed by ATM, the public transport company of Milan. With the same ticket, you can transfer to the metro (subway) system once and unlimited buses or tram streetcars in a 75 minute period.

A bus service connects Linate airport to Milan's centre running every 30 minutes.

Taxis from Linate to the city centre cost around €12-20 depending on traffic.

Orio al Serio Airport

Some budget airlines fly into Orio al Serio Airport, located about 45km north-east of Milan near the city of Bergamo. Ryanair refers to this as Milan Bergamo Airport.

Trains to Milan leave from Bergamo station, which you can get to by shuttle bus or taxi, but is quite far from the airport.

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.

Autostradale runs a direct bus from Orio Airport to Milano Centrale station, which is probably the best choice. Buses generally run every half hour during the day, less often at night, and take about 1 hour.

Zani Viaggi also runs a bus service from Bergamo Airport to Milano Centrale station with a stop at the Cascina Gobba MM2 station on the North Eastern border of Milan.

By Train

The main railway station is the Central Station ('Milano Centrale'), which is served by Trenitalia, the State Railways. Regular express and fast trains serve all Italian cities and some European cities (Barcelona, Zurich, Geneva, Munich, Paris, Stuttgart, Zagreb, Vienna, etc.).

TRAVELLING AROUND

The public transport network is very efficient (especially the underground lines and the trams). The Metro has three lines that cover most areas of town. Trains run every 1-3 minutes.

Trams run on rail lines running through the streets, meaning you get a view of the places you are passing by.

Cars are definitely not a good idea to get into the city centre. Like most major cities traffic is a substantial problem, not to mention the parking problems.

INFO

www.hellomilano.it

www.turismo.regione.lombardia.it