Milan, one of the world’s fashion capitals, also houses the Duomo Cathedral. Of course, Milan is not only about it. With its lively and culturally rich streets, Milan is one of Italy’s eyes. The city is full of art, history, and culture from beginning to end. Let’s explore the home of the Duomo together.
🛎️ Reminder: To explore Milan step by step with your digital tour guide, don’t forget to download Piri Guide! 😊
Where is Milan?
Milan is in the central part of Italy’s northern part, in the Lombardy region. Also, it is situated between the Adda and Ticino rivers, northwest of the Po Valley.
How to Go to Milan?
Plane: Milan has two airports, Milan Malpensa Airport and Milan Linate Airport, both of which are well connected to major cities worldwide. You can take a taxi, bus, or train from the airport to the city centre.
Train: Milan has several train stations, including the central station, Milan Central Station (Milano Centrale), which is a major transportation hub for trains in northern Italy. From other cities in Italy, you can take a high-speed train (e.g. Trenitalia) to Milan Central Station.
Bus: You can take a long-distance bus to Milan from other cities in Italy or neighbouring countries. Several bus companies offer services to Milan, and the main bus station is near the central train station.
When to Go to Milan?
When is the best time to go to Milan? Answer: You can go at any time of the year. 😊
Thanks to Italy’s mild climate, Milan welcomes visitors all four seasons. Of course, not everyone has to love the cold, so we should say that it’s not exactly the warmest place. If you say, “I desire to feel Italy’s sun on my face, ” you may want to plan your travel calendar for the end of spring or the summer.
Where to Stay in Milan??
These 5 main areas in Milan could be good for your stay:
- The central square surrounding the Milan Cathedral: Duomo
- The famous area around the canals with cafes and restaurants: Navigli
- Another central area: Brera
- The heart of social life: Porta Romana
- An area north of the historic centre: Train Station Area
Must-Visit Places in Milan
We’ve made a list of must-visit places in Milan. Yet, we should remind you that you can find more on Piri Guide mobile app. Piri Guide detects your location, offers you the best travel routes, and starts telling you the hidden stories of wherever you are. All you have to do is to get your headphones and follow the path at your own pace. Then, don’t set out for your trip before downloading the digital travel guide! 😊
Duomo Di Milano
The name of the region where the Cathedral is located is also Duomo. Did you know that this area is dedicated to Vittorio Emanuele de Secondo, the first king of Italy?
The Milan Cathedral is the third largest church in the world for Catholic Christians. It has a capacity of 75,000 people. The design of the cathedral has remained unchanged for seven hundred years. Also, the signatures of the original designers are still present.
There are sculptures all around the church. There are exactly 90 of them; all these sculptures are built thanks to donated funds. The number of sculptures inside and outside the church is over 3500.
You can visit the cathedral’s official website by clicking here to get tickets or detailed information.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuelle
This is a very magnificent gallery. Why do you think it is? Because it was built as a gift to Italy’s first king, Vittorio Emanuele II. The gallery has a magnificent crystal dome. The diameter of the dome is almost 34 meters!
At the gallery center’s four corners, there are world-famous fashion brands such as Louis Vuitton, Versace, and two Prada stores. Some special details make these Prada stores unique. One of these stores is the first Prada store ever opened in the world! On the other hand, the second Prada store is home to one of Italy’s oldest cafés, Marcesi.
Statue of Leonardo da Vinci
In front of La Scala, there are statues honouring the famous artist Leonardo Da Vinci, who spent more than 25 years of his life in the city of Milan. Much of the city’s planning still bears the marks of Da Vinci. At the base of the statue, you will see four small sculptures by Da Vinci. These unique works represent his four favourite students.
Galleria d'Italia
Galleria d’Italia used to have the name “Banca Commerciale Italiana”. As its name suggests, it was once a building that served as a bank, in fact, one of the most famous banks in Italy. Today, it functions as a museum that houses impressive works of art. We recommend looking inside and checking out its architecture along with the 19th-century works on display.
La Rinascente
La Rinascente is one of the most famous luxury, grandeur, and fashion centres. The structure was destroyed by a heavy bombing in 1947. After its reconstruction, it became a magnificent building with restoration. So, feel free to explore the interior even if you don’t plan on buying anything. The best surprise of La Rinascente is hidden on the top floor terraces! From here, you can enjoy the magnificent domes of the Duomo with all their magnificence.
And that’s it for today! But if you are craving more, check out our audio tours, “Forza Milan!” and A visit to Milanese Showroom”. See you soon, travellers! 👋🏻
To dig into the hidden stories of Florence, we are waiting for you in our Travel Guide to Florence!
