Milan is all about design and high fashion. The range of shops and trendy bars is almost overwhelming. But Milan also has the Duomo cathedral, da Vinci’s “Last Supper” and the simple neighbourhood restaurants where no long lunch is complete without ossobuco and risotto alla milanese.

Population:1.3 million

Tourist Information:
Address: Via Marconi, Guglielmo 1
Tel. +39 02 7252 41

Zucca
The birthplace of the Campari! Formerly known as Camaprino, its claim to fame has its roots in introducing a bittersweet drink to the guests at the opening of the Galleria in 1867. Have a Campari Soda with some green olives on the side, and watch the world go by.

Martini Bar at Dolce + Gabbana
This retro bar takes its design cues from art nouveau and other modernist styles. The black mosaic floor has a red dragon inlay flanked by small, black leather sofas and large Murano candelabras. The drinks go very well with a kebab caprese, or some bruschetta.

Marino alla Scala
Another bar with fashion connections is Trussardi’s Marino alla Scala. It is larger and airier than Martini Bar, and with more conventional design elements, such as light pillars and a wall of flat screen monitors.

Rita
When you are tired of high fashion, extreme interiors and blasé people, head over to Rita, in the Naviglio neighbourhood. Interesting mix of guests, and tasty appetisers such as mini pies with goats’ cheese and spinach.

Opening Hours:
Shops in Milan are usually open 9.00-13.00 and 15.00-20.00, with some variation depending on the time of year. Large department stores and some of the famous fashion houses are usually open all day.

Milan is the capital of fashion shopping, and there is plenty to choose from. Even those less interested in fashion, or who can’t afford the prices, will find exploring Via Monte Napoleone, Via della Spiga and the surrounding streets rewarding. This is where all the fashion houses have their impressive flagship stores. Armani’s department store on Via Manzoni 31 is a good example, as is Gucci’s store on Via Monte Napoleone - it covers a whole city block. Dolce + Gabbana’s impressive new menswear store on Corso Venezia is housed in the former palace of a Sicilian nobleman. Other good shops include:

La Rinascente
Milan’s equivalent to London’s Harrods department store. Eight floors of exclusive fashion, accessories, perfumes and toys.

G Lorenzi
A snobbish shop for men who want only the finest in grooming, smoking paraphernalia and knives.

Dmagazine
Outlet store with shops selling last season’s fashions at a fraction of the original cost.

Zani + Zani
Milan is not just about fashion, but also design. Zani + Zani stock specially designed sieves, pots and pans, garlic presses and knives. Most of them in shining steel and aluminium.

Cotti
Well-stocked wine shop in the artsy Brera neighbourhood with an original 1930s interior.

Rossi + Grassi
After visiting Cotti, head down to Rossi + Grassi. Specialising in cold cuts, this is the place to buy prosciutto San Daniele and mortadella with pistachios.

Il Duomo
The Cathedral is the symbol of Milan. Building began in 1386 and was not completed until 500 years later. It is a late Gothic masterpiece, made more interesting by the fact that this style is not seen elsewhere in Italy.

Cenacolo Vinciano
This is the home of one of the world’s most famous artworks, Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper. It’s rarely possible to simply walk in and take a look. A good way to avoid the long queues is to book a time in advance.

Pinacoteca di Brera
Milan doesn’t have as many art treasures as Venice and Florence, but it’s not far behind. The city’s foremost art museum exhibits works by Mantegna, Giovanni Bellini, Bramante and Caravaggio, amongst others.

San Siro
The city’s two top Series A football teams, Internazionale and AC Milan, draw dedicated crowds to their shared home ground. San Siro also hosts fan events, and it is home to Italy’s only football museum.

Armani/Nobu
This Latino-Japanese fusion restaurant inside the Armani department store has an interior that is as exciting as the menu. The translucent screens, deep red chairs, and the strict lines are reminiscent of luxurious airport lounges. For those who find it hard to choose, there is a tasting menu, Omakasse, for €85.

Maxsimo
At Maxsimo, too, both the interior décor and the menu are attractions. White leather chairs line the red leather panelled walls, while crimson glowing tubes reflect off cream coloured walls. Choose between gnochetti with asparagus and fontina cheese, tuna fish in pastry with bean and tomato salsa, and a refined nut and honey salad.

Cracco-Peck
This storied deli also has its own one-star Michelin restaurant. The young chef Carlo Cracco creates dishes like goat milk ravioli with bunching onion and Norcia truffle.

Rigolo
Rigolo looks like a formal restaurant with its white linen, silver cutlery and slightly older waiters. But once inside, it becomes apparent that this is actually a warm and friendly place. The food is Tuscan, and includes pappardelle with wild boar sauce.

Sant Ambroeus
Sober and elegant 1930’s café, reminiscent of classic Parisian cafés. Have an ambrogiotti (dark chocolate with zabaglione filling) with your coffee for a flavourful sugar kick.

Victoria Cafe
Located in Centro Storico with a clientele best described as a power mix: estate agents, bankers, journalists, and so called fighetti – young fashionistas. In other words, very good for people-watching.

Cova
Cova is the most famous cafe on the fashion street Via Monte Napoleones. Elegant ladies enjoy afternoon tea and nibble on pasticcini cookies or Montebianco pastries. Once in a while a supermodel will pop by too.

Milan has three main airports: Malpensa, Linate and Bergamo (Orio al Serio). Malpensa is approx. 50 kilometres (31 miles) from downtown Milan, which can be reached by bus, train and taxi. Taxis charge €70 for the journey and buses approx. €5.50 one-way. The Malpensa Express train departs from Malpensa airport’s terminal 1. Tickets are approx. €9. From Linate it is approx. 20 kilometres to the centre, a taxi costs approx. €16. A third airport is the smaller Orio al Serio Airport, 31 miles north east of Milan, just outside of Bergamo. Buses depart from here for Milan city centre. A one-way ticket for the one-hour journey to Milan costs €6.50, a return is €12.

Health:
Stazione Centrale (Main Train station) Galleria delle Partenze Tel. +39 02 6690935

Currency: Euro

Emergency Number: 112

Electricity: 220V AC, 50Hz

Language: Italian

Telephone: Country code: +39

Transport:
Milan’s local transport is called ATM and includes underground, buses, and trains. Single fare tickets and day passes can be purchased from ATM ticket offices, news-stands and ticket machines. Sundays offer the best value for many – a family of four can travel on a single person fare. For more information visit www.atm-mi.it

Taxi Information: