I have to admit that my family’s two week trip to Italy didn’t originally include Milan. But I was using airline points and was able to easily book flights from New York to Milan vs. to the more popular tourist cities of Venice, Florence and Rome. And sometimes, detours in our planning open the doors to possibilities. And for us, we’re so glad we came here. So join me on my family’s two day adventure in Milan, Italy.
Let’s first start with an…
OVERVIEW
Located in northwest Italy in the Lombardy region, Milan is known by its nickname, ‘The Fashion Capital of the World.” Twice a year, this city is flooded with models, fashionistas, designers and celebrities to experience ‘Milan Fashion Week, a clothing trade show.
But it is definitely worth a stop for travelers exploring Italy because of some famous sites, most notably the church which houses one of the world’s most iconic paintings, “The Last Supper.” It is also a good jumping off point for those visiting he Alps and the Lake District. And it offers easy transportation access to explore more of this country. For example, the fast train from Milan to Venice or Rome is a pleasant 3 to 4 hour journey.
WHEN TO GO
My family visited in August and, yes, we were well aware that this is vacation month for most Italians. And, yes, it is hot and humid. But we came prepared knowing that some shops and restaurants would be closed. But, honestly, we were pleasantly surprised. And if you are interested in heading here in the winter, pack coat, gloves and boots. Milan is in the North so winters can be chilly.
And here’s just a side note before I share our two day itinerary.
It appears that most of the places we ate at are no longer open. I skipped providing any specific dining establishments. Blame the pandemic. No worries though. With a little research, you will be able to eat quite well anyway.
So let’s begin my family’s two day adventure in Milan, Italy.
DAY 1 – Arrival and Acclimation
Our arrival at Malpensa airport…
went smoothly and we chose to take the bus (more affordable) vs. a taxi to the city center. There are a few shuttle bus companies leaving Malpensa airport including Terravision, The Malpensa Bus Express and Easy Jet airport bus. The buses run every 20-30 minutes from the airport to city center. Check out this link for transportation details to determine what works best for you: https://italyexplained.com/how-to-get-from-the-milan-airport-to-milan/
Once we arrived at Milan Central station, we took a short walk to…
Our accommodations…
the Unahotels Century Milano, and were luckily able to check in. This hotel is a great option for those looking to enjoy a true taste of the world’s most stylish city. And it included a delicious breakfast each morning!
After grabbing a bite to eat, we headed back over to the train station to buy our train tickets for our next stop in Venice and then began exploring this city.
First stop was…
Duomo di Milano…
the largest Gothic cathedral in the world. The Milan Cathedral was built over the course of more than five centuries. It showcases both Renaissance and Gothic styles. This cathedral is probably one of my favorites.
Next stop was the…
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II...
the oldest active shopping gallery and a major landmark of Milan in Italy. It is housed within a four-story double arcade in the center of town.
As always, I recommend walking around on your first day when visiting any place to acclimate and get a feel of the destination. We window shopped and and viewed the..
Teatro alla Scala...
a world famous opera house where Verdi, Puccini and other great composers first had their works performed. We didn’t go inside but you can check their website for tours and performances.
And then it was back to the hotel to clean up.
Dinner, gelato and an early evening was in order since Day 2 was packed full.
DAY 2 — A Full Touring Day
After a delicious breakfast at our hotel, we headed over to…
Museo Nazionale Scienza e Tecnologia Leonardo da Vinci...
the largest science and technology museum in Italy, dedicated to painter and scientist Leonardo da Vinci. And I have to say that this museum was certainly a highlight of our visit to Milan.
Opened on 5 February 1953, the museum is housed in the ancient monastery of San Vittore al Corp. The museum offers a lot to explore and is divided into seven departments including materials, energy, communication, Leonardo da Vinci Art & Science, science for young people and more.
After exploring this museum , we certainly worked up an appetite. So, we picked up a picnic lunch and headed over to…
Castello Sforzesco…
a medieval castle located in the center of the city. In the 14th and 15th centuries, members of the Visconti and Sforza houses, lords and dukes of Milan, transformed a previous fortification into a vast family resort.
It contains a museum and on one side borders a very nice park where we dined al fresco.
Now we were ready for the “must see” site in Milan…
The Last Supper…
Da Vinci’s famous painting. Housed in the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, it is imperative that you buy tickets ahead of time either online or via phone. You do not want to come all this way and not get to see this famous painting in person.
For the few who don’t know the story behind this painting, let me explain. This painting depicts Christ’s revelation to his Apostles that he will be betrayed by one of them, as well as the institution of the sacrament of the Eucharist with the communion of the Apostles.
And the world is so lucky that this painting still exists. A bomb landed just 80 feet from it during the war. Thanks to heavy sandbagging and braced scaffolding, and a heavy amount of luck, the fresco survived.
Afternoon a full day of exploration, it was time to head back to our hotel, clean up a bit and head out for our last evening in Milan.
Dinner and a walk through the Navigli District…
topped off a perfect stay in Milan.
The Navigli neighborhood is a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the city.. For many, it is hard to imagine this city’s residents without their mopeds or cars. But at one time, this city ran on water. Milan’s canal system was originally built to facilitate the construction of the landmarks that have come to define the city over the years.
Visitors can walk along the canals, have a meal or drink and watch a beautiful sunset. In recent years, this area has become the hub of the after work aperitivo culture. Complimentary small plates with a libation of your choice is how the Milanese unwind after work. Great idea if you ask me!