The 'haute couture' city of Milan is one of Italy’s wealthiest cities. Wide boulevards will give you a sample of its riches.
Milan is not really known as a holiday destination. Nor does it have any really important sights. The most important building in the city is the Duomo, with its 135 turrets. This cathedral is 160 metres long and 92 metres wide and has a cross on each tower. The construction of the cathedral was a huge undertaking, which took about 500 years.
Castello Sforzesco, a Renaissance castle with a magnificent peaceful park, is also worth a visit. You also go to Milan to shop, of course, since it is not known as Europe’s city of fashion for nothing. Versace, Armani, Gucci and other major designers have their headquarters in Milan. Let the money roll in …
Ticinese
Introduction
Once the port, with the nearby Darsena
(basin) and canals, Ticinese is a nautical
echo of the area’s water-based past.
Restaurants
Gelateria Ecologica (40
Corso di Porta Ticinese, tel. 025 810
1872) makes gelati with natural
ingredients; the whipped cream and
strawberry variety is the stuff of legend.
Bell’aria (43 Via Giuseppe Meda, tel.
028 950 1448) is a seafood specialist
with outside seating. Try the fettuccine
with salmon sauce.
Pubs
The new Romeo Gigli Cafè
(6 Via Angelo Fumagalli) has got the
fashionistas in a tizz, while nearby Bond
(2 Via Pasquale Paoli) is a favourite with
hip locals for its cocktail hours and DJs.
Shops
The Mercato
Papiniano (Viale Papiniano) is a Milanese
institution and a great place to buy
fresh cheese and vegetables (and learn
a few new swear words from the lively
market traders).
Porta nuova
Introduction
A brisk stroll from Brera, this buzzy
area is devoid of tourist traps.
Hotels
The Radisson Blu
(24 Via Villapizzone, tel. 023 631888,
radissonblu.com, rooms from €112) is
a new hotel where Italian sophistication
meets Indonesian style, and is well
located for business or pleasure.
Restaurants
Giallo (6 Via Milazzo, tel.
026 571581, closed Sunday) is a bistro
affair; try house speciality pennette al giallo, made with pancetta and brandy.
Nearby Osteria Brunello (117 Corso
Giuseppe Garibaldi, tel. 026 592973,
closed Sunday) features a traditional
menu with a strong Tuscan accent; the
Sienese pici pasta with three ragù sauces
is belt-looseningly good.
San babila
Introduction
On the way from Duomo to Venezia, this
busy little quarter is worth a detour.
Hotels
The Foresteria
Monforte (2 Piazza Tricolore, tel. 027
631 8516, foresteriamonforte.it, rooms
from €150) is a chic designer B&B with
breakfast served in-room and a Centrale
suite looking out over the piazza.
Restaurants
Here since 1929, Santa Lucia
(4 Via San Pietro All’orto, tel. 027 602
3155) is a big favourite for pizza and
other Neapolitan delicacies; go for the
scampi or a pizza alla napoletana. The
Salsamenteria di Parma (9 Via San
Pietro All’orto, tel. 027 601 2820) is
a flag-waver for classic cucina emiliana,
such as stinco di prosciutto (shin of pork)
or a nice bit of tripe parmigiana.
Pubs
The Panino Giusto
(4 Piazza Cesare Beccaria) was the
city’s first ever paninoteca (basically
a sandwich bar), and it remains a fun
and happening place to linger over
a beer or glass of wine.
Castello
Introduction
Make time to explore this busy
bar-hopping and shopping district in
the shadow of the Castello Sforzesco.
Cultural
The Triennale di
Milano (6 Viale Alemagna), just around
the corner from the castle, is currently
playing host to an excellent Lichtenstein
retrospective, Roy Lichtenstein:
Meditations on Art (until 30 May).
Pubs
Obikà (8 Via Mercato) is
a self-styled mozzarella bar, where you
can nibble Italy’s favourite cheese while
glugging your way through the wine list.
For a more traditional experience, Sea
Level Bar (41 Via Broletto) is a chic little
cocktail bar with jazz on Wednesdays.
Shops
Head to the
flagship Blunauta (11 Via Dante) store
for natty basics. Image-conscious infants
should drag their parents to Meroni Sì
(10 Via Madonnina), with its racks of
stylish kids’ clobber and accessories.
Population
Currency
Telephone
The nearest airport is Malpensa, 48km from the city centre.
Bus: A shuttle-bus
runs from the airport
to Centrale station.
The 50-minute
journey costs €4,50,
with buses leaving
every 20 minutes
between 4.30am
and 12.15am.
Train: The Malpensa
Express runs from
the airport to central
Milan, taking around
40 minutes and
costing €11.
Taxi: A taxi into
central Milan takes
about an hour and
costs €75.
Tourist information: The main office is at
19a Piazza Duomo
(tel. 02 7740 4343,
milanoinfo.eu).