Milan

Basilica San Lorenzo Maggiore

The Basilica San Lorenzo Maggiore is an important church in Milanese history with early Christian architecture. As one of the oldest churches in Italy its construction began during Roman times in the fourth century. During this time Milan was the capital of the Western Roman empire, so this building is often perceived as a treasure from that time. And at that time this ambitious construction project was the biggest centrally planned construction project in the western world.

In front of the basilisks you will find monumental pillars older than the church itself, as they came from the second century and were taken from nearby Roman temples. Additionally you find a bronze statue of Constantine the Great guarding the entrance of the church.

Serravalle Designer Outlet – McArthurGlen

If you are looking for the perfect place to shop till you drop (and find some serious bargains) you have to visit the impressive Serravalle Designer Outlet. This top fashion shopping outlet is set up like a small village with lanes, squares, fountains, some nice places to eat and drink and of course many great boutique shops.

Serravalle Designer Outlet is located in Serravalle Scrivia, which is about a one hour drive from Milan and is arguably the most impressive, but certainly the largest shopping outlet in Europe with a size of over 37,000 m2 (398,265 sq.ft.) and about 240 shops. The perfect place to go to for a shopping extravaganza.

You will find famous brands here, such as Armani, Bvlgari, Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Gucci, Moschino, Prada, Roberto Cavalli, Swarovski, Tod’s and Versace with discounts from 30% up to 70% all year round. Besides clothing they also offer many items, such as accessories, cosmetics and home furnishings. For the kids there is a large covered play area.

The designer outlet is open 7 days a week and the regular opening hours are from 10:00 to 20:00. From Milan you can get there easily by (rental) car or by taking a shuttle bus service that offer transfers from and to Milan in a comfortable coach.

FoxTown Factory Stores

Within a short ride of less than 50 km (31 mi) up north from Milan you will find the beautiful country of Switzerland. Just across the border in the small town of Mendrisio you will find a large mall that houses a luxury fashion outlet called FoxTown Factory Stores. When you book a shopping tour, a shuttle bus service company provides you with a round-trip transfer to FoxTown and back to Milan in a comfortable coach.

This fashion shopping outlet has over 160 stores with over 250 brands of fashion, sporting goods, accessories, and home appliances. Examples of the available brands are: Armani, Burberry, Roberto Cavalli, Corneliani, Dolce & Gabbana, Dsquared2, Gucci, Iceberg, Lacoste, Michael Kors, Montblanc, Philipp Plein, Polo Ralph Lauren, Prada, Saint Laurent Paris, Salvatore Ferragamo, Tod’s – Hogan, Tommy Hilfiger, Valentino, Versace and Woolrich. If you are looking to update your wardrobe then you are sure to succeed here.

The prices can have discounts from 30% up to 70% as the manufacturers offer fashion from the previous season and their surplus at a discount. This is how they can offer high quality for attractive prices. But you have to keep in mind that the currency in Switzerland is the Swiss Franc and not the Euro, so the discount is also dependent on the exchange rate of the Swiss Franc. With all these nice fashion stores, seven bars and restaurants and even a casino, you can easily spend your entire day here. Of course FoxTown also has a Tax Free Refund Point, which can save you some extra money when you aren’t a resident of Switzerland. FoxTown Factory Stores is open 7 days a week from 11:00 till 19:00 o’clock.

Vicolungo, The Style Outlets

Vicolungo, The Style Outlets is located along the A4 highway between Milan and Turin. From Milan is Vicolungo at about a 50 minute drive and attracts over 4 million visitors per year. This fashion outlet has undergone a large restyling during 2018 and 2019, so that the area and its 147 exclusive stores look very attractive and modern again.

Brands like Armani Outlet, Calzedonia, GAP, Levi’s, Nike, Pollini, Tommy Hilfiger and Under Armour have large discount shops in Vicolungo, The Style Outlets. But there are also many other accessory shops, boutiques, jewellers, shoe stores and watchmakers. They all offer large discounts up to 70% all year round.

When you need a little shopping break you can get a drink or a bite at one of the cafés and restaurants. The children will be entertained in one of the two playgrounds. One is more adventurous with a carousel, a wooden tower, and other playground equipment like slides and swings, while the other is more creative with a children’s museum and activities that make them more aware of the five senses.

There are shuttle bus companies that offer transfers between Milan and Vicolungo, The Style Outlets so that you only have to think about shopping. Some of the shuttle bus companies have an agreement with Vicolungo that you get an 10% extra discount in many of the shops after showing your ticket. When you go there by (rental) car you can combine it with a visit to the nice town of Novara with its beautiful historic city centre, the Basilica of San Gaudenzio and the Teatro Coccia.

Franciacorta Outlet Village

At about a one-hour drive from Milan in the direction of Lake Garda you’ll find an unique shopping destination called Franciacorta Outlet Village. It is a popular fashion outlet that is built like a small village and is partly open air and partly covered with a glass and steel construction that covers the shopping streets. You can shop here 7 days a week from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

It’s easy to go on a shopping spree in Franciacorta Outlet Village as there are over 190 shops and even more well-known Italian and international brands, like Adidas, Boggi Milano, Calvin Klein, Guess, Levi’s, L’Oréal, Nike, Tommy Hilfiger, Tru Trussardi, Plein Sport, Pollini and Under Armour with discounts up to 70% of the normal retail price. When you desire a little break and a bite between all the shopping you can choose between several bars, restaurants or even a McDonald’s.

It is easy to get there by yourself as it is next to the A4 highway and there are enough parking spots. But booking a round-trip with a shuttle bus company from Milan to Franciacorta Outlet Village can be very comfortable and it will also get you an extra discount of 10% at certain shops.

Fidenza Village – Designer outlet shopping

Near the city of Parma, which is halfway between Milan and Bologna, you will find a beautiful designer shopping outlet called Fidenza Village. This fashion outlet center is truly a shoppers’ paradise as it has over 130 luxury furnished boutiques and several cafés and restaurants.

In the boutiques you will not only find Italian fashion from brands like Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Missoni, Prada and Versace, but also popular international fashion from brands like Calvin Klein, Diesel, LaCoste and Polo Ralph Lauren. Besides clothing they also have shoes, jewellery, beauty products and beauty- and lifestyle items. Prices are very interesting as there are discounts up to 70% off the recommended retail price.

The restaurants are also very interesting as you can experience the gastronomic heritage of the Emilia-Romagna region, which is also known as the Food Valley. You can eat pasta with the real Parmesan cheese from the nearby city of Parma.

It is possible to book a day trip to Fidenza Village and explore the designer outlet at your own pace. If you book a day trip you will get a bus transfer from a luxury touring car service, where you can sit back and relax, while appreciating the stunning views over the beautiful Emilia-Romagna countryside. After you arrive at Fidenza Village you can shop, dine and enjoy yourself at your own leisure. Once your bags are filled with whatever your heart desires you will also be brought back to Milan in a comfortable and air conditioned touring car.

Fidenza Village is open 7 days a week from 10:00 till 20:00, but at Thursday till 23:00 o’clock. And at Meet The Cities we can certainly recommend a visit to this shopping outlet.

Scalo Milano outlet & more

The shopping outlet that is the nearest to the city center of Milan, is called Scalo Milano outlet & more. It is only about 16 km (9 mi) from the city center and getting there will take about 20 minutes by car. And it is the only shopping outlet in Italy that you can reach by subway and through its train station. But there are also free shuttle buses available that depart twice a day from Largo Cairoli and Milan Central Station.

Just like the other shopping outlets is Scalo Milano designed as a shopping village. What makes it different is that this shopping village is built on the site of a former industrial complex. On this site are currently about 150 shops with fashion, design and food

Another unique feature that differentiates Scalo Milano from the other outlets on this page is that it has less focus on the high-end designer brands, but more focus on popular Italian- and international brands. It has stores from brands like Adidas, Alessi, Calvin Klein, Converse, Diadora, Ferrari, Guess, Jack & Jones, Kappa, Napapijri, New Balance, Nike, Pepe Jeans, Puma, Reebok, Replay, Swarovski, The North Face and Tommy Hilfiger. Most of the stores do not only offer outlet items with discounts between 30% and 70% of the retail price, but also offer the items of the latest collection at retail price. And whatever your style, there is always a store that will match your preferences.

Besides the stores that offer fashion and design, there are also some service stores like a tailor and a hair salon. There is also a kids area where children can enjoy themselves.

Scalo Milano outlet & more is open 7 days a week from 10:00 till 21:00 and the food court until 23:00. So even after a long day of shopping you can be sure there is always a restaurant open. It is only closed on January 1st, Easter Sunday, August 15th, December 25th and on December 26th.

Valvassori Peroni Market

The Valvassori Peroni Market is located in the Città Studi, which is the university district in the east of Milan. At this weekly street market you will find stalls with a wide variety of food and goods. Because they have good quality food products like fruits, vegetables, pastas, cheese, meat and sausages it is also perfect to get your groceries here. But also if you need some fashion, clothing, shoes or household items you will find it here. This is not the largest, but it is probably the best street market in Milan.

The wide variety of stalls and the friendly atmosphere makes it the perfect market for the local community. So you should also bring a visit to this market if you want to submerge yourself in the real Milanese community. The Valvassori Peroni Market is open at Saturday from 8:00 o’clock till about 14:00 o’clock. And the easiest way to get to this market is by taking line 2 of the metro to Lambrate FS metro station.

East Market

As its name suggest is East Market located in the east of Milan, more precisely in the hip and creative district Lambrate. This flea market is certainly the coolest market in Milan, according to some fashionistas and designers. The East Market is pretty large as it has over two hundred stalls. And although the market is inside an abandoned industrial warehouse, the entrance is free.

The products that are sold at this flea market range from furniture to old records, from art to arcades and from bikes to fashion. Many products are cool and retro, mostly vintage, but there are also new products. With the vintage style that the stalls display and the music that is played you will feel that atmosphere that is inspired by London’s East End. After a leisurely stroll and some shopping you can go to the area with the food trucks or bar area to take a little break.

You should check their website for upcoming events, as this market only has one or two events per month. The East Market Milano is usually open from 10:00 o’clock till about 21:00 o’clock. But beware that it can become really crowded after around 16:00 o’clock. The most convenient way to get to the market is to take metro line 2 to Lambrate FS station and take a short walk.

Viale Papiniano Market

The Viale Papiniano Market is the largest and most popular street market in Milan. It is conveniently located on the west side of the city center next to metro station Sant’Agostino. Line 2 of the metro stops at this station.

At this popular street market you will find a wide variety of products (and also a wide variety of quality), but it is easy to find some good bargains. The vendors present all kinds of food from fresh fruits to fish and from vegetables to delicious kinds of cheese. If you want the highest quality foods it is advised to come early, or else will the best products already have been sold. Besides food you can also get many non-food items here such as clothing, handmade art, jewellery and household products. Although there are many tourists at this market, this is still a great place where you can interact with the local community.

The street market at Viale Papiano is held twice a week. At Tuesday from 8:00 o’clock until 15:00 o’clock and at Saturday from 8:00 o’clock until 18:00 o’clock. Especially at Saturday it can become crowded.

Navigli Antique Market

The Navigli Antique Market, also called the Mercatone dell’Antiquariato del Naviglio Grande, is actually the largest outdoor flea market in Milan. Not very surprising as it’s also one of the most unique ones and a definite must visit for people who love to stroll local markets. This flea market is beautifully located along the banks of the Naviglio Grande, which is the oldest canal of the city, giving this market a very stunning setting.

At the market you will not only find antiques, but also many other products like books, furniture, (high-end) vintage articles, paintings, jewellery and porcelain. And it isn’t hard to spot some real bargains here. The Mercatone dell’Antiquariato is about 2 kilometres (1,24 miles) long and has about 400 stall holders, which makes it also ideal for a leisurely Sunday walk. Another advantage of this market is that it is located in an area with many cafes, restaurants and ice-cream bars which are all open at market Sundays. So, when your feet get tired you can take a rest in one of the nice bars, or even better, at the terrace in front of it. This is the ideal spot to watch all the buzz and the interesting people passing by, as this market attracts all kinds of colorful people. When you arrive in the afternoon, it can become really crowded.

If you want to visit the Navigli Antique Market you have to carefully watch your agenda as this Milanese flea market is only on the last Sunday of every month from 9:00 to 18:00. The best way to get here is by taking Metro Line 2 to Porta Genova FS and walk along the Naviglio Grande away from the city center.

Via Fauchè Street Market

The Via Fauchè Street Market is locally known as Mercato rionale di via Fauchè. It is a typical neighborhood grocery markets, located in the north of Milan. Although this is originally a grocery market where fruits, vegetables, meat, cheese, fish and household appliances are offered, nowadays many stalls sell discounted (designer) clothing and footwear. This is why many fashionistas visit this market trying to get a good bargain on a fashion item of a famous brand like Prada, Gucci or Dolce and Gabbana. People seldom leave here empty handed, because the Via Fauchè Street Market is also known for its quality as the stall holders also often have their own shop.

The Via Fauchè street market is open at Tuesday from 8:00 to 14:00 and at Saturday from 8:00 to 18:00. The Via Fauchè Street Market is only two blocks away from station Gerusalemme, which is one of the subway stations from line 5.

Oh bej! Oh bej! Christmas market

The Fiera degli Oh bej! Oh bej! is the most important Christmas fair in Milan. ‘Oh bej!’ is Milanese dialect and translates to ‘How beautiful!’ It is said that the name Oh bej! Oh bej! originates from the cheerful exclamations of the Milanese children when they saw the gifts that Giannetto Castiglione, delegate of Pope Pius IV, has brought for them when he visited Milan on the 7th of December in 1510.

As the market starts at Saint Ambrose’s day, which is the patron saint of Milan. This is why the fair is also called Fiera di Sant’Ambrogio (“Saint Ambrose Fair”). It starts at December 7th and ends the following Sunday.

This Milanese Christmas market is a must visit for locals as well as tourists. It is is a mixture of celebration, amusement, shopping and tradition in front of the impressive Sforza Castle. During these days there is a really wonderful, happy and bustling atmosphere. Especially when it becomes a little dark outside and all the Christmas lights turn on. And it is a nice spot to find beautiful Christmas gifts for your family and friends. You should also try some of the delicious local winter delicacies (like the roast chestnuts and panettone) and warm tasty drinks (like vin brûlé) that are offered by the vendors.

The Milanese have several free days during Oh bej! Oh bej!, because of Saint Ambrose Day, Immaculate Conception Day and the weekend. So if you want to visit this beautiful Milanese Christmas market in front of the Sforza Castle it is advised to take metro line 1 to the Cairoli Castello station instead of coming by car.

Via San Marco street market

The Via San Marco street market, or in Italian the Mercato di Via San Marco, is located in the beautiful and posh Brera district at the Via San Marco. The market has a diverse offering of goods, but mostly stands out for its central location. To be more precise, the street market is between the intersections with Via Ancona and Via Montebello.

This market consists of a long street of stalls which are divided into different sections. There is a farmer’s section with all kinds of fresh fruits, vegetables, cheese, meat and some stalls with household articles. At the clothing and fashion section you will both find cheap products as well as branded fashion items, but clothing stalls are especially well known for its well-priced cashmere. If you are more interested in niche items then you will be happy to know there are also some stalls that offer other products like handcrafts, second hand items and antiques. As this market is in a posh neighborhood it can be more difficult to negotiate with the vendors, but you can always give it a try. You can also easily combine a visit to this market with a stroll through the Brera district.

The Via San Marco market takes place on Monday and Thursday from about 7:30 till 14:00. As the Via San Marco is located between metro stations Lanza (metro line 2), Moscova (metro line 2) and Turati (metro line 3), you have plenty of options to choose from and you can simply pick which metro station is the most convenient for you. We from Meet The Cities prefer to go to metro station Lanza as we enjoy taking a stroll along Via Madonnina with its beautiful architecture and design shops, followed by the Via Brera with its famous galleries, such as the Pinacoteca di Brera.

The public transport tickets and prepaid payment card

Making use of public transport is a convenient way to travel through Milan, but it is always a hassle to find out which tickets are available and which one is best for you. So we from Meet the Cities will provide you with the necessary information to make the right decision. There are several types of tickets and a rechargeable electronic card available. The choice becomes easier when you know how many trips you want to make and if you know whether you want to stay within the inner city.

The paper tickets and rechargeable electronic card can best be bought from the automatic machines located in metro stations or the ATM (Azienda Trasporti Milanesi) points, but are also available at authorised resellers like some newsstands, bars and tobacconists. Trying to buy a ticket from the driver is a mistake often made by tourists.

It is important that you validate your public transport ticket every time when you change a vehicle. And don’t throw your ticket away while travelling because you will need it when you want to enter or leave the metro station. So it is best to keep the ticket with you as long as it is valid. How long a public transport ticket is valid depends on the kind of ticket that has been bought. And it starts to count from the moment that you enter a vehicle or metro station for the first time.

Tickets for public transport within the inner city area (Milan Municipality area)
When you want to use the public transport in Milan there are several types of tickets available. The ATM ticket is valid for travelling by bus, tram, trolleybus and metro including the urban rail lines of Trenord and the Passante Ferroviario. So, what you buy is not specifically a metro ticket, bus ticket, or tram ticket, but a ticket for all your public transport needs in Milan. The various tickets that they offer are:

Urban ticket: This is a ticket for a single journey within the inner city area and is valid for 90 minutes. This ticket costs €1,50 (2018).

One day ticket: This is a ticket for unlimited travelling within the inner city area and is valid for 24 hours. This ticket costs €4,50 (2018). So if you plan to make three or more journeys within 24 hours, it will be more advantageous to buy a one day ticket instead of an urban ticket.

Two day ticket: This is a ticket for unlimited travelling within the inner city and is valid for 48 hours. This ticket costs €8,25 (2018). This means that it will be more advantageous to buy this ticket instead of urban tickets when you will make six or more journeys within 48 hours.

When you stay in Milan for a longer period you could also consider to buy a rechargeable electronic card that can store various types of tickets. This prepayment card called the RicaricaMi card (recharge me card). The card costs €2,50 (2018) and includes an urban ticket for one single journey. Up to three tickets can be stored at the same time on the RicaricaMi card. For example it can store one single ticket + one urban one-day ticket + one block of 10 urban tickets.

An advantage of this RicaricaMi card is that you don’t have to get in line at the paper ticket machine each time you want to travel with public transport. The tickets that you purchase and store on this card have the same price as the paper tickets, so there is unfortunately no price advantage.

Tickets for public transport to and from Rho Fiera Milano (or Forum di Assago)
People that want to visit the FieraMilano exhibition center have to be aware that it is located in Rho and therefore outside the inner city area (Milan Municipality area). So when you want to travel to the Rho Fiera station by public transport you need to purchase a Rho Fiera Milano Ticket. The following tickets are available:

Single journey ticket: This single journey ticket is valid within Milan at ATM’s (Azienda Trasporti Milanesi) and Trenord’s urban network and outside Milan it is only valid on the M1 suburban metro line to and from Rho FieraMilano. The ticket costs €2,50 (2018) and is valid for 105 minutes.

Return ticket: This ticket includes two single journeys and is valid within Milan at ATM’s (Azienda Trasporti Milanesi) and Trenord’s urban network. Outside Milan it is only valid on the M1 suburban metro line to and from Rho FieraMilano. The ticket costs €5,00 (2018) and is valid for 105 minutes after validation of each journey.

Day pass: This ticket includes an unlimited number journeys and is valid within Milan at ATM’s (Azienda Trasporti Milanesi) and Trenord’s urban network. Outside Milan it is only valid on the M1 suburban metro line to and from Rho FieraMilano for an unlimited amount of journeys. The ticket costs €7,00 (2018) and is valid for 24 hours.

A similar tariff is applicable for journeys to or from the Assago Milanofiori Forum station near the indoor arena Forum di Assago, which is also known as the Mediolanum forum. To get here you can take the M2 suburban metro line.

Planning your journey

There are several websites in English available that will help you planning your journey in the city of Milan. But there are actually two websites which provide the most convenient journey planners for public transportation in Milan.

At the website of ATM is not only an interactive map, but also a journey planner where you can select in the place of departure, the place where you need to arrive, the date and time. Then it will calculate which methods of public transportation and routes are best for you. Note that ATM operates the buses, trams, trolleybuses, the urban rail lines (of Trenord and the Passante Ferroviario) and metros in Milan, but not the trains.

If you want to make use of the train you can best use the website from Trenitalia as this is the main train operator in Italy. The travel planner will open after you have selected the timetable. And this website also has several country flags in the right corner where you can select your preferred language.

Taking the bus in and to Milan

The central bus station of Milan is located in the northwest of the city and is called Lampugnano. Here arrive many buses and coaches from other cities and from here people transfer to the metro or bus lines that drive through Milan. Another popular bus station is at Milan Central Railway Station (Milano Centrale).

In Milan there are two types of buses. These are the regular (often eco-friendly) buses and there are trolleybuses. It also has over eighty bus lines, of which there are four trolleybus lines, that connect all areas of the city. So if you need to go to an area where the metro doesn’t go to then the bus probably does. Bus line number 94 is an interesting bus line for tourists as this line circles the city center and drives past several tourist sights. At Friday night and Saturday night there are also night bus lines that start with the letter N and stops at the most popular nightlife areas. If you need a journey planner, or a bus map of Milan you can find it above in the chapter ‘Planning your journey’.

Note that the bus ticket needs to be bought in advance. And when you get on the bus you need to validate the ticket at the validating machine.

Taking the train in and from Milan

Currently has the city of Milan 22 railway stations in use and there will be some more added in the next several years.

Milano Centrale, or Milan Central Station, is the main railway station in Milan and is mainly used by the country’s primary train operator Trenitalia. From Milan Central Station you can easily travel by train to other Italian cities like Turin, Verona, Venice, Florence, Rome, Naples and abroad to cities like Barcelona, Frankfurt, Munich, Paris and Vienna. It is the largest train station in Europe by volume as 120 million passengers per year pass through the station. The station is also worth a visit because of its architecture. It is mainly a blend of liberty and art deco with many beautiful sculptures.

Other important train stations with a suburban railway service are Milano Cadorna which is located near Castello Sforzesco, Porta Garibaldi which is located near the Milanese nightlife area of Corso Como, and Rogoredo railway station next to the cheap p+r parking location in the southeast of Milan. These train stations have mainly urban rail lines that are used for commuter, suburban, regional and express trains from Trenord and the Passante Ferroviario.

Taking the tram in Milan

The Milanese tramway network was established in 1881. Nowadays it has 17 urban routes and 1 interurban route. Taking a tram is a very efficient way of getting around in Milan as it has an extensive network throughout the city which allows you to see a lot more of the city, than if you were to take the subway.

Tram lines 2, 12, 14 and 16 are very popular with tourists because they have a stop in front of the Duomo, which is an ideal place to start your sightseeing tour. Although some prefer tram line 1 as it drives past several touristic attractions, such as the Piazza della Scala, Arco della Pace, Castello Sforzesco and the beautiful Milan Central Station.

Make sure that you have an ATM ticket before entering the tram and validate it in the tram. Most of the tram lines run until about 2:00 am, which is later than most of the bus lines do (except for the night buses). It is important to note that trams, just like buses, do not always stop at every tram stop. They only stop when a passenger pulls the cord or pushes the button in the tram or when there are people waiting outside at the tram stop. If you need a journey planner, or a tram map of Milan you can find more information above in the chapter ‘Planning your journey’.

One of the funny little things you’ll notice in Milan is that there are different kinds of new and old trams riding through the city. Some of the old Milanese trams still have the typical shiny wooden interior and folding doors which they had almost hundred years ago. If you are a fan of trams you can consider to make a guided tour with a historic tram or have dinner in a historic tram.

Taking the metro (subway) in Milan

Taking the metro / subway is very popular of transportation as every single day about 1.4 million people make use of the Milanese metro. It has five lines with a total length of over 100 km (62 mi) and more than hundred stations. This means that the city is well connected by subway. There five metro lines in Milan are:

Metro line 1 (the red line) goes from Sesto 1º Maggio in the north to the city center and then splits into two branches of which one goes to Rho Fiera (near the large fairground) in the north-west and the other to Bisceglie in the west of Milan.
Metro line 2 (the green line) goes from Assago Milanofiori Forum and Abbiategrasso in the south, via the city center and Milan Central Station to the north-eastern stations of Cologno Nord and Gessate. This metro line is not only running underground, but also partially overground.
Metro line 3 (the yellow line) goes from the San Donato station in the south-east via the city center and Milan Central Station to the Comasina station in the north-west.
Metro line 4 (the blue line) is currently under construction, but will connect the San Cristoforo station in the south-west via the city center to Linate airport in the east. Line 4 is expected to open in 2022 and will feature automatic driverless trains.
Metro line 5 (the purple line) runs from Bignami in the north-east to the San Siro stadium in the west. The trains at this line are already driverless.

Metro lines 1 and 3 are the most interesting ones for tourists as they have a stop near several of the Milanese landmarks including the Piazza di Duomo. To help you out we at Meet The Cities found a proper map of the Milan metro for you, so you can find all the metro routes and the stations.

When you take a good look at the metro map of Milan you will notice that, besides Duomo and San Siro, most metro stations are not named after nearby landmarks. On this website you can find the exact locations of the landmarks in Milan, so you can easily check which metro stations are nearby the landmarks that you want to visit.

As you can expect from any proper metro network you can find led-screens that provide information about which trains come next, how long you have to wait for it and its final destination, on each metro station. It’s also worthy of note that the metros run almost all day, until around 00:30 am.

Milan – Malpensa Airport

Milano Malpensa Airport is the largest of the three airports that serve the city of Milan and is located 50 km (31 mi) northwest from the city center. After Leonardo da Vinci International Airport in Rome is Malpensa Airport the busiest airport in Italy with over 22 million passengers per year. The airport has two passenger terminals, Terminal 1 (T1) and Terminal 2 (T2) and a cargo terminal. Terminal 1 is the largest terminal and has four floors. This terminal is used by all airlines except by EasyJet. Terminal 2 is exclusively used by EasyJet and is therefore a smaller terminal with only two floors. In both terminals are shops, bars and restaurants, but most of them are in T1 as it is the largest terminal. The VIP lounge and the exclusive shops from luxury brands like Gucci, Bvlgari and Hermès are only available in T1. There is a free shuttle bus service available that connects the two terminals 24-hours a day.

By bus
The bus to Milan (as well as the free shuttle bus between the terminals) can be found outside in front of the terminals. There are also several coaches that bring you directly from Malpensa Airport to Milano Centrale railway station in about 65 minutes, but it is also possible to catch a coach to other destinations like Fiera Milano City / Fiera Rho Pero and Milan Linate airport. Examples of companies that offer coach services are Terravision, Autostradale Airport Bus Express and Malpensa Shuttle. The bus or coach are the cheapest way to get to the city center of Milan, but it is also less convenient than the other options as it doesn’t bring you directly to your final destination and it takes the longest ride.

By train
With the Malpensa Express from Trenord is it possible to take the train directly from Malpensa Airport to the large railway stations of Milan like Cadorna, Milano Centrale and Milano Porta Garibaldi. The total journey from Milano Centrale to Malpensa Airport Terminal 1 takes about 50 minutes and an additional 5 minutes to Terminal 2. This train stops at the underground level of T1 as well as T2. More information about the Malpensa Express like prices and timetables can be found on the Malpensa Express website.

By renting a car
The several companies that offer rental cars at Malpensa Airport can be found on the ground floor of T1 and at the railway station, adjacent to T2. These companies include the well-known car rental companies like Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and Sixt.

If you want to make sure that your favorite car is available at the best price it is advised to book your car well in advance via a car rental comparison website. Often does the price go up when there is a shorter period between the actual pick-up and the booking. In holiday seasons it is often the case that the most popular cars are already reserved by the many tourists that visit Milan and the regions of Lombardy and Piemonte. It is also a big time saver that you don’t have to compare all the different car rental desks at the airport and to figure out whether your favorite car is still available. You can just pick up the keys and get your car that they already have prepared for you.

By taxi
At Malpensa Airport are the taxi stands outside at exit gate 6 of T1 and at exit gate 4 of T2. There are various companies available that offer their services. Taking a taxi from Malpensa Airport to the city center of Milan takes about 50 minutes which is about as long as a journey by bus, but the taxi brings you from the airport directly to the doorstep of your hotel. On the other hand is a taxi more expensive than a bus. The legal taxis in Milan are white, metered and are allowed to take a maximum of four passengers with them. Taxis that have a sticker with the text “Taxi autorizzato per il servizio aeroportuale Lombardo” have a fixed rate for a journey between Malpensa Airport and the city center of Milan. Then you are sure that no extra charges will apply. When you book a taxi in advance you will also be sure that you drive with an official company, but it also has the advantage that you don’t have to search for an available taxi as the chauffeur will be waiting for you as soon as you arrive at the airport.

Milan – Linate Airport

The original name of Linate Airport was Airport Enrico Forlanini in honor of the engineer, inventor and aeronautical pioneer that was born in Milan. Linate Airport is the second airport of Milan and is located at only about 8 km (5 mi) southeast from the city center. The airlines at this airport offer only domestic flights and international flights within the EU. Although Linate Airport is smaller than Malpensa Airport, it still serves about 10 million passengers per year. The airport has several bars, restaurants, banks, ATMs, a pharmacy and of course retail shops where you can buy things like clothing, electronics, perfumes, souvenirs and books. In the terminal is also free WiFi is available.

By bus
The bus is a relatively cheap way to get from Linate Airport to the city center of Milan. Public bus number 73 drives multiple times per hour between Piazza San Babila in the city center of Milan and Linate Airport. The journey will take about 30 minutes. There are also busses available that depart from Linate Airport to other popular destinations like Pavia, Verona and of course Malpensa Airport. There are also several coach services available that will bring you straight to Milan Central railway station, or with less stops than public bus number 73. Also popular are the shared shuttle services that offer door-to-door services, but you share them with other travellers. All these services can be found in front of the arrival area of the terminal.

By train
There is no train station at Linate Airport, so if you want to catch a train to another destination in Italy or Europe you first need to take a bus or taxi that brings you to one of the train stations in Milan.

By renting a car
Travellers who desire more convenience by planning their own route and agenda can hire their preferred car. In the terminal of Linate Airport are several counters of car rental companies present and include some of the well-known brands like Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Sixt and Thrifty. Booking in advance via a comparison website for rental cars will save you time as your preferred car, with enough room for your luggage and travel companions, will be ready for you on your arrival. It is also often cheaper to compare and book your rental car well in advance than when you rent a car at an airport desk.

By taxi
Just outside the arrival section is a taxi stand. Taxis can bring you in about 20 minutes from Linate Airport to your destination in the city center of Milan. It is always advised to ask a taxi driver the costs of the journey before you set off. The costs should be approximately 30 euros (2018) when you take a taxi ride to the city center of Milan. Note that the drivers of official airport taxis do not search for customers in the arrival hall unless you have booked them in advance so that they are known with your arrival. The advantage of booking in advance is that you don’t have to search for a taxi after your flight, but that the chauffeur is waiting for you to bring you directly to your final destination.

Bergamo Airport (Orio al Serio)

Bergamo Airport is also known as Orio al Serio International Airport, but not many people know that its official name is Il Caravaggio International Airport. This airport is located next to the city of Bergamo and at about 45 km (28 mi) north-east of Milan. Note that this is about the same as the distance between Malpensa Airport and the city of Milan. This short distance is an important reason why Bergamo Airport also attracts many travellers that want to go to, or come from, Milan. Another reason is that it can be cheaper to fly via Bergamo Airport as it is served by several low budget airlines that advertise Bergamo Airport as being Milan. The airport has one terminal with some shops (mainly Italian fashion), a vip lounge, several spots where you can eat and drink, banks and free WiFi. This airport serves about 11 million passengers per year, so a great network of transportation has been developed that will get you from Bergamo Airport (Orio al Serio) to Milan and Bergamo. Below we will cover the different transfer options that are available for you.

By bus
The public transport company of Bergamo is called ATB (Azienda Trasporti Bergamo). If you want to travel from Bergamo Airport to the railway station near the city center of Bergamo you can take their bus line 1. You will find the bus stop in front of the arrival hall. This bus departs three times per hour, and on Sundays and public holidays two times per hour. From the Bergamo railway station you can take the train to Milan. But there are also several coach services that will get you from Bergamo Airport straight to Milan by bus. The travel time to get from Bergamo Airport (Orio al Serio) to the city center of Milan by coach will take about one hour. Examples of the available coach service companies are Autostradale, Orioshuttle and Terravision.

By train
At Bergamo Airport (Orio al Serio) is unfortunately no railway station. So if you prefer to travel by train to Milan, or another destination in Italy, you should first take a 15 minute bus ride to the Bergamo railway station. At the website of Trenitalia you will find more information about the timetables and prices.

By renting a car
If you love to drive by yourself and want to be free to explore the region according to your own agenda then it is an interesting option to rent a car at Bergamo Airport. In the arrival hall are desks of several car rental companies like Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and Sixt. Booking your rental in advance has some advantages compared to renting at a service desk at the airport.

Using a website such as rentalcars.com allows you to compare offers from different car rental companies, so you don’t have to do it when you arrive and at different airport desks. In this way you will be easily able to check which company has your favorite car available at your preferred date and which one offers the best prices. When you book your rental car online and well in advance the prices will probably be lower and the availability of different cars will be higher than when you book your car upon arrival at an airport desk. While getting a rental car after you have arrived at destination only allows you to choose between the cars that are left over. Especially during the holiday seasons it can be the case that only a relatively small selection of cars is still available to choose from.

By taxi
Getting a taxi is probably the easiest, but surely not the cheapest, way to get from Bergamo Airport to the doorstep of your final destination. There are several taxi stands outside in front of the arrival hall, but with peak hours and holiday seasons it is possible that queues are formed for the limited available taxis. If you want to be sure that a professional and authorized chauffeur is waiting for you in the arrival hall when you arrive at the airport, then it is advised to book a taxi in advance.

Parking garages in the historical city center of Milan

Throughout Milan are many parking garages where you can park your car safely. Even in the designated traffic restricted zone or ZTL (Zona a Traffico Limitato) within the historical city center of Milan are some convenient parking garages. The route to parking garages is marked by squared blue signs with a white letter P.

Ofcourse are the rates of these parking places higher than in the outskirts of Milan. This is not only because of the high demand for parking places in the city center, but also because these garages often had to be built underground to preserve the monumental buildings in the historical center. Under the location button you will find the addresses of the best parking garages in the historical city center of Milan. Most of these garages are open 24/7 and have surveillance, so you can safely park your car.

Don’t forget to buy and activate the entrance ticket when you enter Area C (congestion zone) in the historical city center at certain times. More information about Area C and driving in Milan can be found on our driving in Milan page.

Curbside street parking in Milan

In Milan are many opportunities for curbside parking. But the closer you get to the city center, the higher the hourly rate will become and the harder it will be to find a free parking spot. In the city center is it important that you park your car only on areas that are marked with blue lines. These spaces are especially assigned for curbside parking.

You also need to buy a ticket that you can buy at a parking meter, the tobacco shop, or the kiosk and display it under your dashboard. The hourly rates can be found on a sign at the sidewalk.

Do not park your car in an area marked with yellow lines as these parking spaces are reserved for registered residents. Also parking at loading zones or in front of driveways is not recommended.

Cheap P+R parking locations in Milan

If you want to avoid the expensive and busy restricted traffic zone (ZTL) in the historical city center of Milan, you should consider to park your car near a metro station outside the historical city center and to continue your journey by metro.

Good examples are the large and cheap parking lots from ATM, which is the public transport company of Milan. Their car parks are near public transport routes like railway stations and underground metro stations. From here you can easily and cheaply continue your journey to Milan city center.

The most convenient P+R Parkings in Milan can be found under the Location button.

Alcatraz

Club Alcatraz is located in a former warehouse and is now one of the largest and most popular clubs in Milan. The venue has a great sound system and a good acoustic. During weekdays it hosts business- and music events like concerts from famous artists like Justin Bieber, Twenty one pilots, Nicki Minaj, One Republic, Selena Gomez, Adele and many others. But in the weekends Alcatraz becomes a popular discotheque where locals, tourists and many students dance the night away.

Nightclub Alcatraz has three rooms and in each of the rooms plays the DJ a different music genre, so that this club appeals to a wide range of music lovers. At Friday has each of the rooms a different music genre from rock and pop to dance and latin, but at Saturday is rock music the main theme in the largest room. The total capacity of the three rooms together is about 3,000 people and Alcatraz is conveniently located near the city center of Milan.

LoolaPaloosa

LoolaPaloosa, in Milan also known as “Il Lula”, is located at Corso Como. In this and the surrounding streets are multiple nightlife venues, but LoolaPaloosa is one of the most well-known clubs in Milan as it already exists for over twenty years. It is open seven days a week and in the warm season is not only the inside area open, but also the outside area.

The evenings at dancing bar/club LoolaPaloosa start with the typical Milanese aperitivo, also known as happy hour, but the dance floor gets more crowded when it becomes night. At LoolaPaloosa the DJ often plays the latest tunes from the music charts mixed with some latin and funky house tunes. The atmosphere at LoolaPaloosa is friendly and cheerful.

The Club

The Club is a very popular nightclub located in the Brera district near the historical city center of Milan and next to metro station Moscova. People come to this venue from Tuesday to Saturday to have a great club night out with loud and good music, professional dancers, popular DJs, neon- and strobe lights, alcohol and lots of fun.

The music genres played range from dance to popular hip hop, but during the week there are several themed nights. So is Tuesday a house night, Thursday an (international) student night and Saturday a fashion night. And when you have a little more money to spend you can make a table reservation at the VIP club. At this exclusive private area in the nightclub is it very good possible that you will dance together with some famous football players, artists or fashion models. Especially during the Milan Fashion Week chances are great that you will find Italian as well as international VIPs in this private area.

The Club really deserves its spot at this list with the best clubs of Milan. It is even pretty safe to say that this one of the hottest nightclubs in Milan, so when you come to The Club make sure you are dressed to party.

Il Gattopardo café disco

The Il Gattopardo, which means the leopard, is an unique club situated in a former church. Since the 1970s there wasn’t any activity in this church anymore and in the year 2001 it was refurbished into a café disco. Although not everybody was happy with this change, Il Gattopardo became a pretty successful club in Milan.

Il Gattopardo is open from Tuesday to Sunday and the evenings start with the typical Milanese aperitivo with delicious cocktails and food from the buffet. And when night falls this former church becomes a discotheque. The baroque style interior is really fancy with marble columns and a large crystal chandelier in the middle of the room. The average age of the visitors is probably somewhere in the mid-thirties and bring a trendy and enjoyable atmosphere with them. Because of the success of this club you can expect long lines and a strict door policy. So if you want to make use of the aperitivo it is advised to make a table reservation.

Magazzini Generali

Nightclub Magazzini Generali is founded in the year 1995 in the southern outskirts of Milan. The venue is located in an old industrial warehouse from the 1950’s which gives it its unique underground character.

As it has a capacity of over 1,000 people this Milanese nightlife hotspot is also large enough that some famous international DJs have performed at the Magazzini Generali. Think of Major Lazor, Nicky Romero, Carl Cox and many more. But the location is also used for concerts and other music events. At Wednesday there’s often free entrance and the Saturdays have mixed crowds, but are considered gay friendly.

Tunnel Club Milan

Tunnel Club is located in a former railway depot under Milan Central railway station since 1995. Because of this special location with an arched roof, brick walls, steel pipes and an underground look and feel it is a perfect venue for alternative art and music events.

In the past several years the Tunnel Club has developed itself in a club where underground electronic, techno, indie and sometimes R&B music events take place. So this is not the typical posh Milanese club where you come to see and be seen, but a place where people come together to enjoy the alternative and underground club scene. Note that the Tunnel Club is not a very large location, so it can become crowded.

Rocket

Rocket club is an entertaining club located next to the Navigli area, which is the Milanese nightlife district. Because this club has different themed parties, it also attracts mixed crowds. At Thursday there is an electronic and techno theme, at Friday there is a ladies theme with mixed music genres, and at Saturday there is a hip-hop and R&B theme. Once a month is club Rocket open at Wednesday and comes a national or international upcoming house DJ to rock the place.

Club Rocket is housed in a post-industrial building and has two rooms. The main room has a high DJ booth from where the DJ whips up the crowd. And the smaller room is a space with a more cosy atmosphere where you can have a chat and a drink with your friends. The crowd is relaxed and not focused on the latest fashion trends like in some other Milanese clubs. This is not a club where you come to see and be seen, but more a club to have a great time with your friends and to meet new people.

VOLT Club

VOLT Club is located in the south of the historical city center of Milan, near the Colonne di San Lorenzo. The club has opened in September 2016, but has already become the place to be in the nightlife scene for (mainly local) fashionistas, cool people, trendy youth and people who want to see and be seen.

Besides a good vibe and great cocktails has the club also a great sound system, lights that are created by a light designer and a smooth all-black interior. The music genres played by the international DJs are mainly electronic, dance, and house, but at some days it will be mixed with some popular hip-hop and dance hall.

Club VOLT can accommodate about 500 people and is open from Thursday to Saturday. Be aware of the dress code at VOLT club as it is known for its strict door policy. To increase your chances of getting into the club you have to make sure that you are dressed according to the latest fashion trends.