A Brief Stint in Milan
- Amin Esmaily
- Nov 23, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 11, 2023
This past October, I took a trip to Italy’s western coast with my family, starting in Milan and traveled down to Cinque Terre, Naples, and the Amalfi Coast.
Having arrived a day earlier than my parents, my Italian expedition began in Milan. Having visited the city before, I didn’t intend to spend much time there this go-around, planning just a day to recover from the lengthy 19-hour flight on Turkish Airlines. Although Milan is a bit of a trek from Cinque Terre, approximately 3.5 hours from Milano Centrale to La Spezia, it serves as a convenient entry point for those flying in from the US. However, if I was to do it all over again, I would opt to fly into Florence as it's only an hour away from Cinque Terre and considerably more scenic in my opinion.
For those who haven’t visited Milan, it has a lot to offer: rich history, captivating architecture, and an abundance of museums and restaurants. Even in October, the city was packed with tourists but queues to enter the city’s main attractions like the Duomo were more manageable compared to the summer months. With that said, if you do find yourself visiting Milan, I highly recommend booking your tickets in advance online. Oftentimes, the lines are so long that you can't distinguish which ones are for purchasing tickets versus those for entering the venue. For the Duomo specifically, you can find tickets here.
While I didn't go inside the Duomo this time, I have in the past and it is stunning! You have the option to purchase a combined ticket to see the inside of the Duomo and go up to the terrace, which I recommend as you get a closer view of the intricate details that make up this architectural masterpiece.
After admiring the Duomo, I strolled through one of Milan's must-see landmarks: Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Located right next to Duomo Square, this stunning shopping mall is known for its beautiful glass ceiling, boutique shops, restaurants, and cafes.
Next, I visited Sforzesco Castle, an interesting medieval fortress built in the 15th century by Duke Francesco Sforza. It has been restored since its inception and is now a museum. You can explore the grounds for free but if you wish to go inside the museum, you will need to can purchase a ticket. You can do so in advance here but if you're lucky enough to visit on the first or third Tuesday of the month (from 2 PM onward) or the first Sunday of the month, admission is free!
Behind the castle, you can find a beautiful park called Parco Sempione. Built in 1888, the massive park is roughly 95 acres and the perfect getaway from the bustling city. Here, you will find locals walking, biking, picnicking, or soaking up the sun. I highly recommend grabbing a snack and sitting under the shade of a tree to relax and unwind.
Afterwards, I took a slight detour to visit Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio. Founded in the 4th century by St. Ambrose, this church houses a crypt containing the remains of Saint Ambrose, Saint Gervasus and Saint Protasus. What I liked most about Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio was the cute little courtyard leading to the entrance. While this Romanesque church doesn't boast a grand facade or elaborately decorated interior like the Duomo, I found its simplicity to be rather "homey" and welcoming. It's a great stop on the way to or back from Navigli district.
Speaking of Navigli, I did not have the good fortunate to visit the district this time but have visited it in the past. Navigli is a hip yet charming area in southern Milan that surrounds the city’s two historic canals. It boasts a variety of cafes, restaurants, bars, night clubs, shops, and more. While it's over an hour walk from Milano Centrale, there is much to see on the way as I have detailed above or you can simply take the metro or tram.
As my hotel was near Milano Centrale, I headed back after visiting Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio but stopped by another green space on the way: Giardini Indro Montanelli. These gardens are home to one of the oldest parks in Milan. As with Parco Sempione, the gardens offer a tranquil escape from city life with a large variety of wildlife and lush greenry.
Overall, I had a great time on my day-long trip to Milan. As mentioned before, the city was only a pit stop for me on my way to visit Italy's western coast, but I did manage to see a lot in a short period of time. I would highly recommend visiting Milan in early October as the weather is still warm and sunny and the city isn't overtaken by as many tourists as in the summer months.
I would love to know what your experience was like in Milan and/or some of your favorite places in the city! Feel free to leave a comment!
With gratitude,
Amin
A very interesting read. Thanks for sharing your insights.