Travel Tips | Milan (Eng.)

TRAVEL TIPS

MILAN

OVERVIEW VISÃO GERAL TRANSPORTATION TRANSPORTE ATTRACTIONS ATRAÇÕES WHERE COMPRAS TO STAY ONDE WHERE FICAR TO EAT ONDE SHOPPING COMER

OVERVIEW Milan (Milano in Italian) is Italy’s second largest

Summer in Milan is usually warm and humid

city and the most financially important city in

with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 30°C

the country. A paradise for shopping, opera,

(60°F to 85°F). Winter temperatures, usually

and nightlife, Milan is about the lifestyle of

between 0°C and 10°C (32°F and 50°F),

enjoying worldly pleasures. The city is the

occasionally can fall to -10°C (15°F), with

marketplace for Italian fashion – fashion

some snow each year. Winters are generally

enthusiasts, supermodels and international

quite cold and foggy. In spring and autumn,

paparazzi descend upon the city twice a year

temperatures in Milan are the most pleasant of

for its spring and autumn fairs. The most

the year, but the weather can be changeable

modern of all Italian cities, Milan still keeps

with frequent rain in September and October.

most of its past history intact.

DUFRY TRAVEL TIPS MILAN

TRANSPORT Central Milan is quite small, and most of it can be covered easily on foot. But if you prefer not to walk, Milan has a comprehensive transport network and swapping between the metro,

by punching them in the machines on board buses or at the metro stations. Tickets are available for purchase from newsagents, tobacconists (a capital T for tabacchi distinguishes these outlets), most coffee bars and at automatic vending machines at major metro stations and at bus stops.

bus, tram or trolleybus is easy, thanks to the

TRAM AND BUSES

integrated ticketing system. Services operate

Tram, buses and trolleybuses run from between

daily 6 a.m. to midnight, with night buses

4 a.m. and 6 a.m. until between midnight and 1

running to approximately 1:30 a.m. Tickets

a.m. All stops are marked by signs showing the

last 75 minutes, allowing the traveller to use unlimited buses and trams within this time or make one ride on the metro.

METRO The metro, called Metropolitana, has three lines, the red, green, and yellow lines. There is also the blue Passante Ferroviario, an urban rail line. The lines converge at Duomo, Centrale FS, Loreto and Cadorna. Tickets must be validated

route, connections and schedules.

TAXIS As can be expected in a wealthy city, taxis can be expensive in Milan and, because the number of licensed white cabs is strictly controlled, they can be hard to find during busy periods. In Milan, as in the rest of Italy, taxis only pick up passengers at designated stands.

ATTRACTIONS There are many wonderful places to see in the beautiful city of Milan. Whether you are looking for thrills and excitement, history and exhibitions, or parks and gardens, you will not have to look far. The Piazza del Duomo, in Duomo Square. Milan’s main cathedral, (construction of which started in 1386) is a massive late Gothic church in white marble, with hundreds of spires and thousands of statues on its exterior and a famous façade.

Don’t miss the chance to climb up onto the roof and enjoy the spectacular views of the city.

SANTA MARIA DELLE GRAZIE The church and Dominican convent which is famous for the mural of the Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci. The mural can be seen in the refectory of the convent. The church and convent are on the UNESCO World Heritage sites list.

MEAZZA STADIUM

TEATRO ALLA SCALA

Milan’s Meazza Stadium was named after

By Giuseppe Piermarini is one of the world’s

Giuseppe Meazza, a famous footballer who

most famous opera houses. The new theatre

played for both the Inter Milan F.C. and Milan

was built on the former location of the church

F.C. teams. It was originally built in 1926 and has

of Santa Maria della Scala, from which the

since been rebuilt and renovated. It is Italy’s

theatre gets its name. In 1943 it was badly

number one stadium. It is also often referred

bombed and rebuilt three years later. Highlights

to as San Siro, after the surrounding district. An

include the Museo del Teatro (theatre museum)

enormous sculpture of a horse was erected in

which was founded in 1913 and is home to

1999 and sited between the Meazza Stadium

a fine collection of sculpture, paintings and

and the nearby San Siro racetrack. The horse

ceramics, and also La Scala’s Ballet School

was actually designed by Leonardo da Vinci,

which was founded in 1813 and has produced

who never found the time to execute it himself.

many world famous ballet dancers.

DUFRY TRAVEL TIPS MILAN

NAVIGLIO GRANDE

PALAZZO BRERA

The area of Milan characterized by the Navigli

Situated in Brera, Milan’s artistic centre and

(Milan’s artificial canals) is certainly one of the

one of the most beautiful areas of the city,

most picturesque in the city. The oldest canal is

the Palazzo Brera is home to the Pinacoteca

Naviglio which was constructed between 1177

Art Gallery, the Braidense National Library and

and 1257 and is about 50 km long. In the past

the Accademia di Belle Arti (Art Academy). In

it was used as transporting goods, particularly

the Pinacoteca gallery, there are more than

the blocks of marble that were used for

600 works by masters of the Lombard and

building the Cathedral. In nearby streets there

Venetian schools which date from the 15th to

are jazz clubs, wine bars and restaurants,

the 18th century.

which are always crowded in the evenings.

PRADA GALLERY

BIBLIOTECA E PINACOTECA AMBROSIANA

Located at Via Fogazzaro 36 (on the corner of

It’s one of the main architectural and artistic

Via Cadore), this gallery plays an important

sights in Milan. This impressive building is among

part in Italy’s contemporary-art scene. The

the most beautiful buildings you can visit in the

gallery hosts two exhibitions a year as well as

city. It houses both the historical Ambrosian

the Milan edition of the Tribeca Film Festival.

Library and the Ambrosian Art Gallery.

CIVICO MUSEO ARCHEOLOGICO The buildings of the archaeological museum are as interesting as the collections they house.

The initial courtyard was once the entrance to the Monastero Maggiore. Inside the museum there is a detailed model of Mediolanum, the city in Roman times. Almost the entire ground floor is dedicated to artefacts from this important settlement. Downstairs a stretch of Roman city walls can still be seen. The gardens at the rear hold a polygonal tower, originally part of the city’s defence system; later, it was transformed into a chapel for the monastery.

WHERE TO STAY POLDI PEZZOLI MUSEUM

Accommodation in Milan ranges from

This museum began in the 19th century as

In the centre of the city, there are several

the private collection of Gian Giacomo Poldi

options for those who want to be close to

Pezzoli. It is home to the works of a particularly

all the shopping and historical sights located

broad collection of Northern Italian and Flemish

there. These hotels range from affordable to

artists. The exhibition also includes weaponry,

the pricier, boutique hotels.

inexpensive and cheap to boutique and luxury.

glassworks, ceramics, and goldworks.

THE SFORZESCO CASTLE

The Amendola Feira district has many hotels for both businessmen and tourists which are

Situated in the centre of Milan, opposite the

less expensive than the hotels in the city certre.

Cathedral in the Piazza del Duomo, this castle

The district is easy to reach by train, tram and

begun as the residence of the Dukes of Milan.

metro. During important events these hotels are

Today the castle hosts several of the city’s

generally full, so advanced booking is advisable.

museums and art gallery collections. It is home to the museums of applied arts, ancient

The majority of Milan’s hotels can be found in

art, historical musical instruments, prehistory,

the districts of Isola and Brera. The wealthy

Egyptian art and fine arts.

area of Brera is close to the centre, the galleries, and sophisticated boutiques Hotels in this area can be expensive.

DUFRY TRAVEL TIPS MILAN

Navigli in the southwest of Milan is a very

today the major gorgonzola producers

lively area. The Navigli canal runs through the

operate in Piedmont.

district and jazz bars, clubs and restaurants line its banks. The area is also the location

Dining times tend to be earlier than in Rome or

of a wonderful Saturday street market. So, if

Florence, with lunch generally served between

socializing and meeting people is what you are

12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. and dinner from 7:30

after, this is definitely where to stay.

p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Dinner, and sometimes lunch, are usually preceded by that great Milanese institution, the Aperitivo. In recent years, Milan

DINING OUT

has established a local version of the Aperitivo or Happy Hour. Roughly from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., many bars offer drinks and cocktails at a fixed price, accompanied by free all-you-can-eat

Like most cities in Italy, Milan and its

buffets with snacks, pasta, rice, and many

surrounding area has its own regional cuisine,

other appetizers.

which, as is typical for Lombard cuisines, uses rice more frequently than pasta, and features

In summer enjoy gelato, an excellent Italian

almost no tomato. Milanese cuisine includes

ice cream. The sign gelato artigianale indicates

cotoletta alla milanese, a breaded veal (pork

gelaterias that produce their own ice creams,

and turkey can be used) cutlet pan-fried in

without industrial processing.

butter. Other typical dishes are cassoeula (stewed pork rib chops and sausage with

Bakeries are open every day; there, you can

Savoy cabbage), ossobuco (stewed veal shank

enjoy great and inexpensive bread-related

with a sauce called gremolata), risotto alla

food, such as pizza and focaccia. You can find

milanese (with saffron and beef marrow),

bakeries almost everywhere in Milan. They are

busecca (stewed tripe with beans), and brasato

good alternative to bars for a fast lunch.

(stewed beef or pork with wine and potatoes).

Season-related pastries include chiacchiere (flat fritters dusted with sugar) and tortelli (fried spherical cookies) for Carnival, colomba (glazed cake shaped as a dove) for Easter, pane dei morti (“bread of the dead�, cookies aromatized with cinnamon) for All Soul’s Day and panettone for Christmas.

The salame milano, salami with a very fine grain, is widespread throughout Italy. The best known Milanese cheese is gorgonzola from the nearby town of that name, although

SHOPPING

STREET MARKETS There are many street markets all around Milan where you can find everything from designer labels to well-made fakes, fresh

Shops generally open from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30

vegetables to old antiques, an espresso maker

p.m. and from 3.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m., although

to Italian-made shoes, and all at a fraction of

many stores, especially in the city centre,

department store cost.

open continuously from 9.00 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. Besides being closed on Sundays, shops

The Fiera di Sinigaglia is held every Saturday

normally close for half a day during the week

morning in Viale d’Annunzio. You can find

(Monday afternoon for food shops, Monday

everything there: Indian, South American

morning for the others).

and African craftwork, new and second-hand clothes, old furniture, perfumes, candles,

The main shopping area is the so-called

books, comics, records, videos and DVDs. This

Fashion Quadrangle (quadrilatero della moda),

is a great place to wander and browse and

a set of blocks roughly between: Piazza

save money.

Duomo, Piazza Cavour and Piazza San Babila.

Here in Montenapoleone Street, Della Spiga

Mercatone del Naviglio Grande — Another

Street, Vittorio Emanuele Street and Manzoni

interesting market in Milan is the Mercatone

Street, you will find the most prestigious

del Naviglio Grande. This takes place along the

boutiques and showrooms in the world.

Alzaia Naviglio Grande on the last Sunday of each month. Dedicated to antiques, the market

For people wanting to spend a bit less while still buying beautiful pieces, other areas are

has over 400 exhibitors.

better. One of these is Vercelli Avenue. Another

CURRENCY

one is Buenos Aires Avenue, reputed as being

The euro, denoted by the symbol € (or EUR), is

the longest shopping street of Europe.

the official currency of Italy. The euro is divided

DUFRY TRAVEL TIPS MILAN

into 100 cents sometimes called euro-cents. All circulating coins have a common side showing

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

the value, and a map in the background. The coins also have a national side showing an image specifically chosen by the country that issued the coin. Euro coins from any European Union (EU) member state may be freely used in any nation which has adopted the euro.

There are €2, €1, 50-cent, 20-cent, 10-cent, 5-cent, 2-cent, and 1-cent coins. The euro banknotes have common designs on both

39 2 113 115

COUNTRY CODE CITY CODE POLICE FIRE STATION

TOURIST INFORMATION

02 77402966

sides and are issued in €500, €200, €100, €50, €20, €10, €5 notes.

INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

39 02 748 5220 02 74852200