City Guide: Weekend in Milan
Over Valentine’s weekend, I took a last-minute trip to Milan. We spent our time here wandering the streets of the fashion capital and taking in the beautiful surroundings. I thought I would share what we got up to and my tips.
WHERE TO STAY:
I found an amazing Airbnb super close to the city center, which allowed us to explore the city on foot. When browsing for where to stay I felt that most of the hotels in the city center were pretty expensive, very small, and dingy, so I turned to Airbnb. Here is the one I went for!
Travel Tip: Check the travel distance from the airport to the city!
Our flight arrived at Melenspa airport, which is around an hour away from Milan, there are a few different methods of transport to get to the city center. However, they don’t run past 11 p.m. We ended up booking a car to take us into the city, which I would 100% recommend. Although it is expensive, if you are arriving late at night or with a lot of luggage then it’s a very convenient way to get to the city. Find the link to the car service I used here.
THINGS TO DO AND SEE:
Duomo Cathedral
Must do. The cathedral is absolutely breathtaking and is the most famous landmark in Milan. I would recommend purchasing tickets online beforehand if you want to take the tour as there are large queues.
San Siro Stadium
If you’re a football or sports fanatic then this is for you. €18 for one ticket gains you access to the museum and stadium. I enjoyed learning about the history of the stadium, however, if you are not a sports fan, this is not a must-see. It takes around 30 mins on the tram to get there and an hour to do the whole thing.
Sforzesco Castle
The beautiful grounds which surround the castle are great to walk through. The castle itself is nothing too special. We wandered through and discovered the park behind, where we found a live blues band playing. A lovely spot to relax and take in the culture of the city.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele
The shopping addict I am, I was in heaven!! However, the only shopping that took place was window shopping. Defiantly a must-see, the architecture is amazing. There are also several restaurants and gelato shops inside the mall.
FOOD:
Breakfast spots
Note: Breakfast is not very Italian, if you are looking for a full meal at this time that can be tricky to find. Expect a coffee and pastry to go!
Grande Caffe Viscoteo
Breakfast with a view! Lovely food and great service. Great if you want to grab a quick bite before a day of sightseeing. Located opposite the cathedral/square.
AvoBrothers
A blogger’s dream. This café is slightly out of the way, however, it is worth the visit. Great if you're looking for a meal at breakfast time, with lots of different options. I had the raspberry latte which I would highly recommend.
Lunch
Spontini
Quick and convenient. Located close to the Duomo, great to pick up lunch during a day of exploring. The pizza is delicious and really affordable.
Maio Restaurant
On the opposite end, located in Piazza del Duomo, a very pricy spot however stunning views of the Duomo and Milan. Very crowded and expensive but gorgeous location.
Drinks
Aperol Spritz Bar
Another blogger spot, but one of my favorites. 20-minute wait to be seated but a cool spot for drinks during the day and night.
Terrazza Duomo 21
Another rooftop bar, more sophisticated.. and expensive. Great views, I preferred the Aperol bar, however.
I hope this helps if you are planning a trip to Milan. I loved exploring this city, you could wander the beautiful streets for hours on end. Have you visited Milan? Let me know of any recommendations down below!
Ciao!
- Charlotte xo
