Milan City Guide
Located in northern Italy and less visited than its neighbouring cities Rome and Venice, you could be forgiven for simply associating Milan with the catwalk and its high fashion industry status.
History
It is a truly cosmopolitan city teeming with its own personal history, having been conquered, destroyed and then rebuilt a total of three times; and its mixture of different architectural styles is witness to this. Milan’s first invaders were the Goths in around 600AD, and then by Barbarossa in 1157 and finally by Allied Forces in the Second World War.
Attractions
The Duomo Cathedral is Milan’s most visited and impressive attraction, an intricately detailed gothic design with flying buttresses and over one hundred and and thirty spires on its magnificent roof. As one of the world’s largest cathedrals, this mammoth structure almost dominates the low lying skyline making it appear even bigger than it is, so it’s a sight you really cannot miss! In exchange for a small fee, you can climb the stairs or take the elevator up to the rooftop for a simply breathtaking view of the city.
Milan is also home to two of Italy’s most decorated football clubs – AC Milan and Inter Milan and has become a ‘football Mecca’ for dedicated fans. The stadium hosts a museum which details both clubs history and twenty four life sized statues of some of the best and greatest football players in its history.
Family Attractions
Many of the attractions in Milan are very child friendly, including the museums, galleries and exhibitions. The Porta Venezia and Via Palestro Parks are particularly suitable for children.
The Aquatica Waterpark is a popular place to take children and is full of exciting things to do. With huge slides, pools, foam, and rafting, it has something for everyone.
The Play Planet recreation centre is suitable to take younger children and is made up of soft modular play areas, ball pits, tunnels, obstacle courses and walls to climb.
The Civic Aquarium is situated in north-west Milan and is home to over one hundred species of fish and aquatic life, with around forty tanks in total. Exhibits include Mediterranean Sea and Italian freshwater fauna, and many types of tropical fish, including some rare specimens.
Shopping and Eating Out
No trip top Milan is complete without visiting the Quadrilatero d’Oro (Golden Quad) which is the heart of the fashion industry here. This shopping district boasts all the top names from Gucci to Versace to Prada and Dolce and Gabanna.
If your budget doesn’t quite stretch to designer labels however, there is the L’Amardio de Laura district which caters to the more price conscious shopper.
A trip to the Galleria Vittoria Emmanuelle is a perfect excursion, as it is in The Guinness Book of Records for being the oldest shopping arcade in the world, which dates from 1867.
Milan’s local cuisine is heavily based on the region’s most famous produce – cheese. Some of the varieties available include Marscapone, Crescenza, Gorgonzola and Grana Padano. Milan also grows its own kind of rice, which is used as a base for its delicious risottos.
When to Visit
Milan is at its best from April to July for the warmer weather, although many bargain hunters will visit in December and January for the sales. An umbrella however is said to be essential by many as rain storms can be quite frequent, though they take no pleasure away from this endearing city. May and June are the best times to visit for those who enjoy a vibrant night life.
5 Day Weather Forecast for Milan
| Today | Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Partly Cloudy 21°/12° |  Rain 21°/12° | Rain 16°/9° |  Chance of a Thunderstorm 19°/10° | Partly Cloudy 24°/12° |
