Milan, Italy — Things to Do
Sightseeing in Milan
Milan attractions extend far beyond its fame as a fashion capital; there are many museums, cathedrals and galleries to visit, as well as the Milan Aquarium and the Orto Botanico di Brera gardens. The best time for sightseeing in Milan is spring or autumn, when the weather is warm and sunny. The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II arcade is a popular place to relax over coffee, while the Theater Museum at La Scala is a world famous opera house worth visiting. The 15th century Sforzesco Castle's Museum of Historic Art is also a major Milan attraction, as is the Gallery of Modern Art. The Pinacoteca di Brera exhibits collections of medieval and Renaissance art, including the work of Napoleon. The Santa Maria delle Grazie is home to Leonardo da Vinci's famous painting, The Last Supper, and the Leonardo da Vinci National Science & Technology Museum has a collection of his designs for war machines and architecture. Duomo, which is the world's largest Gothic cathedral, and the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio, built in the 1st century, are landmark Milan attractions.
Shopping in Milan
Shopping in Milan is an unparalleled experience. Milan is not just the epitome of fashion paradise, it is considered the fashion capital of the world. This city boasts the most prestigious boutiques and showrooms on earth. In the heart of Milan's shopping area are the streets of the Fashion Quadrilatero - Via Montenapoleone, Via della Spiga and Via Sant'Andrea - where elegance and luxury can be bought, at a price. On Via Montenapoleone shoppers will find Gucci, Versace, Valentino and Cartier, to name just a few brands. Chanel, Armani and Moschino are available on Via Sant'Andrea, while Via della Spiga is home to D&G, Prada and Bulgari. After shopping for all these name brands, visitors might like to stop on Via Manzoni at Robert de Niro's restaurant, Nobu, for a breather... Other fantastic shopping stops include Vittorio Emanuele and Corso Vercelli, while Torino and Ticinese house some avant-garde goods and Paolo Sarpi has an eclectic chinatown feel. For more affordable purchases visit Corso Vittorio Emanuele, Corso Buenos Aires, Via Torino and Corso di Porta Ticinese. On these streets there are shops such as H&M, Zara, Timberland and Diesel. Local markets include Fiera di Senigallia, held Saturday mornings at Viale d'Annunzio, and Mercatone del Naviglio Grande, at the Alzaia Naviglio Grande, on the last Sunday of each month. The 14% sales tax can be reclaimed by non-EU citizens.
Milan Nightlife
Fashionable nightlife in Milan radiates primarily from the Brera gallery and Navigli areas. Centri Sociali is home to an alternative, less expensive entertainment scene. The city offers visitors a vast selection of vibrant bars, restaurants and nightclubs, as well as live music performances. Rolling Stone is the place to hear rock music, often hosting live concerts, while Hollywood is frequented by many local and international celebrities. Alcatraz boasts a disco, bar and concert hall, and often hosts international performances. Old Fashion is popular in summer for its garden and open-air dance floor. El Beverin has a pleasant social atmosphere and is frequented by singers and actors, while Frog Café is an ethnic pub which serves up a great cocktail. The Biz Café is an American joint offering a good selection of beverages at happy hour, and Mas is a very trendy Spanish bar. Musical Box is another popular bar for beer and cocktails, and Arcobaleno is a good ol' Irish pub serving choice ale.
Attractions for Kids
The chic and historic city of Milan provides plenty of mystifying and magical sights for children of all ages to explore while on vacation. From museums to parks, there's something for everyone in Milan. Take the kids on the big red hop-on hop-off city tour bus to explore the streets of Milan over the space of 90 minutes. The bus departs from various locations every 75 - 90 minutes along two routes, such as Piazza Duomo or Via Montenapoleone. The Milan Aquarium on Via Gardio, which features over 100 species of fish and other marine animals, will mesmerize the children, while the Planetario Ulrico Hoepli (planetarium) on Corso Venezia will educate and captivate young minds, and Gardaland, a popular theme park located in the Lake Garda area, features about 40 different attractions and activities for kids of all ages, including roller coasters, a dolphin pool, dinosaur island, a rapids ride and a fantasy kingdom with singing animal characters for the smaller ones. Aquatica on Via Rivoltana is a popular waterpark where children can enjoy the pools, slides and rafting. During the winter months when outdoor activities with children are not an option, take them to the Teatro delle Marionette (Puppet Theater) where classic fairy tales and folk stories are performed, while toddlers will love the Play Planet on Via Veglia, where ball pits, climbing walls, tunnels, tubes and obstacle courses will tire them out so parents can enjoy a night to themselves.
