Milan, A Timeless Tourist Destination – Pros and Cons
Welcome to Milan, Italy's fashion capital and iconic city. A place of seamless fusion of the old and new, where history, art, and modernity collide. In this video, we will explore the city's must-see-attractions, local experiences, neighboring Lake Como, pros and cons. Come along with us on this fascinating journey of northern Italy. Milan, the regional capital of Lombardy, is an enduring tourist destination with a rich tapestry of the old and new, and a wealth of cultural experiences that awaits every vacationer.
Here are some of the city's highlights, beginning with its iconic landmarks. Duomo di Milano, located at Piazza del Duomo, ranks tops amongst Milan's historical landmarks. Construction on the iconic edifice began in 1386, which makes the cathedral over 600 years old. It is one of the largest Christian churches in the world, surpassed only by a few others, notably Rome's Saint Peter's Basilica, Brazil's “Our Lady of Aparecida”, and Spain's Seville Cathedral. Arguably, no other building in the world has as many statues as the Duomo, which boasts of 3400 statues.
These statues depict religious and political figures through history, including saints, deities, dictators, and heroes. As many as 135 spires emblematic of Milan's Gothic architecture, adorns the Duomo. The building's façade is characterized by stonework, marble sculpture and ornate detailing. At the cathedral's pinnacles is Madonnina, a golden statue of the Virgin Mary, a cherished icon for locals, and a reputable symbol of Milan. According to fables, Duomo di Milano's gargoyles are believed to scare away evil spirits, in addition to their practical function as rainwater spouts.
The Duomo, is the only church in the world where visitors can walk over the entire rooftop. This historical landmark is a must-see when you are in Milan. To fully appreciate the Duomo, a guided tour is advisable. This way, you can learn more about the iconic edifice, such as where one of the original nails from Christ's crucifixion is preserved, what treasure is hidden in the Parvis, and much more.
Adjacent to Duomo di Milano is Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II another iconic landmark of Milan. Galleria Vittorio took 12 years to construct, from 1865 to 1877. This is evident in its architectural design, which is a blend of Renaissance Revival, Neo-Classical, and the Contemporary.
Named after the first king of unified Italy, King Vittorio Emanuele II, the gallery is one of the oldest shopping malls in the world. What makes Galleria Vittorio breathtaking is its size, arcades, glass-vaulted-dome ceilings, richly decorated walls, and sophisticated mosaic flooring that features symbols of Italian cities of Rome, Florence, Milan and Turin. Given that Galleria Vittorio is home to some of Milan's opulent boutiques and bars, it is fondly referred to as the “Living Room of Milan” by locals Prada and Louis Vuitton are examples of upscale boutiques at the Galleria, while the famous Camparino bar is celebrated for its elegance. Considered one of the first structures in the world to adopt iron and glass roof in its architectural design, Galleria Vittorio holds a significant place in history. Tragically, part of that history includes the death of Galleria Victoria's designer, the renowned architect Giuseppe Mengoni, who fell to his death during construction of the Galleria.
More than just a shopping destination, Galleria Vittorio is a tourist hub, one that represents Milan's elegant cultural blend of the old and new. A must-see when in Milan. Fun fact did you know Milan is the birthplace of the Italian popular appetizer drink aperitivo? Yes. Aperitivo is originally a northern Italian tradition.
Sforza Castle or Castello Sforzesco, is a historic fortress located in Milan that must be mentioned when talking about the city's iconic landmarks. Sforza Castle was built in the 14th century by the ruling dynasty of Milan at that time, the Visconti family. In the 15th century, Francesco Sforza, the Duke of Milan, rebuilt and expanded the fortress.
The castle's fascinating history earns it a place amongst Milan's most iconic landmarks. For centuries, Sforza Castle served as a military fortress, hence the moat that surrounds the building, which however, has since gone dry. At some point in history, the castle was home to the Sforza family, and under the Spanish and Austrian rule, the castle served as a barrack. Sforza Castle has also been home to a few museums, including Museo d’Arte Antica, Pinacoteca del Castellow Sforzesco, and Museum of Musical Instrument. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the castle went through phases of significant restorations. Today, Sforza Castle serves as a cultural hub and a venue for concerts, exhibitions, and public events.
With a visit to this castle, you will experience first-hand Milan's rich culture and history. We begin our exploration of Milan's local experience with its Christmas markets, which are amongst Italy's most festive annual attractions. The markets showcase Milan's tradition and charm and, to a large extent, Italy's. Starting in November until late December each year, designated areas within the city are converted to Christmas markets. Notable amongst these markets are the Fiera degli Oh Bej! Oh Bej!, and Mercatini di Natale, just to name a couple.
At Milan's Christmas markets, expect to find antiques, Christmas decorations, hand-made crafts, festive treats and of course, local delicacies. Visit the markets during weekdays or early hours, if you don't enjoy large crowds. Whether within the Christmas market or simply hanging out with locals, a few delicacies not to miss are the Italian panettone, Vin Brule, simply mulled wine, the delicious regional specialties like polenta, roasted chestnuts, and nougat. Attending a sporting event in Milan can be a uniquely local experience. The sports culture in Milan is reflected in its history.
The city is home to two world famous football clubs, AC Milan and Inter Milan. You could mingle with locals and experience LIVE, Italy's soccer frenzy by catching a game at San Siro stadium, home to both AC Milan and Inter Milan. If you prefer a less intense atmosphere, visit smaller local soccer pitches where you can watch or participate in informal matches.
Your options are not limited to soccer. Rent a bike to see the city or join locals on scenic cycling routes. You could also choose to enjoy one of Milan's marathon festivals. Visit Idroscalo Park for watersports such as rowing, paddleboarding and kayaking. The choices are almost limitless when it comes to experiencing Milan's sports culture. Another aspect of Milan's local experience worthy of mention is the city's fashion culture.
That should not come as a surprise. Milan is one of the big four fashion capitals of the world. The other three being Paris, New York and London. So if you love fashion and luxury brands, be it designer wares, leather goods or jewelry, you can source them locally in Milan. A handful of brand names such as Dolce and Gabbana, Giorgio Armani, Moschino, Prada and Versace are headquartered in Milan. If you don't have a deep pocket and would rather window shop, you can do that too while visiting the city.
Milan's Quadrilatero della Moda and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, will be the places to go. Nonetheless, beyond luxury, Milan influences everyday street style and fashion trends, which combines elegance with bold experimentation at a fraction of what brand names cost. So, without breaking the bank, you can avail yourself of the city's latest vogue while in town. For more local experiences in Milan, there are a plethora of choices. You could go on a guided tour of the Last Supper at Santa Maria delle Grazie, partake in a cooking class, and learn the art of making an authentic Italian pizza. Go on a Lombardy hot-air balloon flight, take in the seascape or simply enjoy the streets of Milan.
Better still, go see a stage performance at Teatro alla Scala, Milan’s famous opera house. Or mix with the locals and enjoy the Milanese nightlife at Navigli and take in the district's gorgeous canals. Fun fact! Did you know Milan is home to the world's first seven stars hotel, called Hotel Seven Stars Galleria? Located in Emmanuel Galleria Vittorio. If you are the quiet type, you might find hidden gems more appealing, plenty of which Milan has to offer.
Villa Invernizzi in Corso Venezia at the heart of Milan, is an example. A flock of imported pink flamingos from Chile and Africa, as well as other exotic birds call Villa Invernizzi’s garden Home. Sadly, you can only catch a glimpse of the pink flamingos through the fences of the villa, because Villa Invernizzi is a private property and not accessible to the public. If you are a regular visitor to this channel, you may have noticed from some of our other videos that we love parks.
So, Sempione Park makes our list of Milan's hidden gems, as does the Biblioteca degli Alberi Milano, for short, BAM. BAM, is a stunning urban park in the heart of Milan that showcases an innovative use of urban green spaces for esthetics, cultural functionality, and ecological sustainability. Close by, are the Vertical Garden residential towers, also known as the vertical forest, that adopt the same line of concepts as BAM. Combined, these two towers 364ft and 249ft, respectively, host over 900 trees, 5000 shrubs, and an estimated 11,000 perennial plants. The plants are intended to improve air quality through photosynthesis by absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen. The plants also serve to reduce noise and pollution levels, moderate temperature by reducing energy consumption for heating and cooling, and support biodiversity by providing a natural environment for birds and insects.
Sempione Park is a 95 acres of green space, tree lined paths, decorated gardens and small ponds. It is one of Milan's most precious parks, adored for its picturesque beauty and recreational value. Established in 1888, the park used to be a parade ground and a hunting conservation for the Sforza rulers in the 15th century. Today, the park is used for cultural events, open air concerts and exhibitions, picnicking, walking, jogging and other leisurely activities.
Some of the features of the park includes Milan's Arch of Peace, Arena Civica, a historical amphitheater, a museum and cultural institution, and Triennale di Milano. Adjacent to the park, is the Sforza Castle which we already featured. You will enjoy Sempione Park for its beauty and tranquility. There are tons of other hidden gems in and around Milan that include cultural and artistic treasures, museums, quirky and offbeat places such as Leonardo da Vinci's Secret Vineyard. And not least of them, culinary gems, mostly restaurant along the Navy canals that serve delicious traditional Italian cuisines.
Complete your visit to Milan with a short trip north to Lake Como, one of the world's most picturesque and iconic lakes, with stunning natural beauty. On the shores of Lake Como, our five charming towns and villages with distinct characters and appeal, starting with Como, a historic town known for its cathedral and silk industry. Como Cathedral stands out as the town's main attraction. Other attractions include its main square called Piazza del Duomo, and a Romanesque church dating back to the 11th century. Within proximity, is Villa Olmo, a neoclassical estate located on the lakefront and surrounded by gardens. From Como, you can take the funicular railway to Brunate for breathtaking panoramic scenic views.
Another charm of the Lake Como is Bellagio, often referred to as a “pearl of the lake”. This world famous village, known for its stunning beauty, sumptuous ambiance and prime location, inspired the famous Las Vegas Bellagio Hotel. One of the things you can do in Bellagio is wander its cobblestone streets. Visit the beautifully landscaped gardens of Villa Melzi and enjoy the manicured pathways, exotic plants and sculptures.
While you are at it, go on a guided tour of Rockefeller Foundation's Villa Serbelloni, now a luxury hotel. If time permits, wander and immerse yourself in the villages, hills and surrounding villas, then end the day with a lakefront dining. Having seen Como and Bellagio, you might as well experience Varenna, another picturesque village on Lake Como Shores that features colorful houses and stunning scenery.
Varenna is ideal for those who desire a quieter and romantic experience, as opposed to Bellagio or Como. With lush green mountains as its backdrop, Varenna offers awe-inspiring views of Lake Como. An attraction not to miss in Varenna, is Castello di Vezio.
A medieval castle that sits high above the little village and offers even more stunning view of Lake Como and its surrounding. If you are venturous while at the castle, try and catch the falconry demonstrations and eerie plaster death masks. If you are more of a lover than an adventurer, then head to Passeggiata degli Innmorati, a romantic promenade dubbed Lovers Walk that connects Varenna’s ferry dock to the heart of the village. Sentiero del Viandante or Path of the Wayfarer, a historic trail that cuts through Varenna is also an option for those who prefer hiking. For food, expect to find traditional Lombard cuisines and Italian dishes such as prosciutto in most of the restaurants here.
When you are done at Varenna, avail yourself of the village's ferry transportation and hop to Menaggio, a 30 minutes ferry commute. Sitting at the midpoint of Lake Como shore is Menaggio, a picturesque town of natural beauty rich with history. Menaggio’s roots dates to Roman times, when it was an important trade route and settlement for merchants, mainly due to its proximity to mountain passes. Keeping with the trend, in the 19th century, the town became an attractive retreat for affluent travelers, resulting in the erection of luxurious villas and gardens.
Today, the elegant villas remain the pride of Menaggio. In terms of tourism, Menaggio offers several simple things for vacationers to do, one of which is a stroll along the lakefront promenade. Here you can take in Lake Como's scenic views and the quaint cafes, restaurants and shops that line the promenade. Also, you can walk down the town's cobblestone streets and piazzas, explore its old buildings and immerse yourself in the timeless charms all around you.
Add a visit to the Church of Santa Marta to your list of things to do here. Take in the 16th century church and marvel at its Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Other things you could do at Menaggio include hiking and exploring the town's surrounding mountains. For watersports, kayaking and sailing are amongst a handful of options to choose from.
Food should be the least of your worries in Menaggio. There are plenty of dining options, and if you are interested in local specialties, try the authentic northern Italian dish polenta taragna. Like Varenna, Menaggio is ideal for those seeking a relaxed atmosphere and for lovers of history and nature.
Round off your visit to Lake Como with a stop at Tremezzo, less than ten minutes away, south of Menaggio. Tremezzo is a picturesque town with historic villas and a truly charming atmosphere suitable for vacationers seeking a relaxed experience in a beautiful natural setting. Villa Carlotta is a must see while in Tremezzo. This 17th century villa is known for its beautiful gardens
and art collection by some of Italy's and Danish finest artists like Antonio Canova and Bertel Thorvaldsen. The elegant rooms in this villa featuring these artists’ artworks are open to visitors. If you are religious or love history, Tremezzo’s Church of San Lorenzo might interest you.
The church is mostly known for its Baroque architecture, serene and hallowed interior. If churches don't interest you, a quiet and relaxing stroll down Tremezzo’s lakeside promenade might. At the promenade, absorb the breathtaking views of Lake Como and the surrounding Alps and be rejuvenated. Everything we have featured in this video thus far are Milan's pros.
Here's a quick recap. Number one, Milan's rich cultural heritage such as its iconic landmarks Duomo di Milano, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and the Sforza Castle. Number two, local experiences as represented by the city's Christmas markets, culinary delights such as panettone, delicious regional specialties like polenta, aperitivo, sports, culture, restaurants and so on. Furthermore, you can experience Milan locally via its fashion culture. Milan is known globally as one of the four fashion capitals of the world, and a destination for brand names and luxury shopping.
Number three Milan's art and hidden gems. The Pink flamingos at Villa Invernizzi, Biblioteca degli Alberi, BAM, the vertical forest, Sempione Park, and of course, the Navigli nightlife. Number four, and our final listing on Milan's pros, is Lake Como. Without question, Milan's proximity to other tourist destinations adds to its appeal. From Milan, in less than two hours commute, you can access stunning and breathtaking towns and villages on the shores of Lake Como such as Bellagio, Como, Varenna, Menaggio and Tremezzo. When it comes to the city's cons, the first thought that probably comes to mind is the recent reports of overtourism demonstrations all over Europe, and that will be accurate.
Here is a list of some of the things that should be of concern to you as a tourist planning to visit Milan. Number one, over-tourism responses. Italy in general has taken a few steps in response to over tourism, some of which will come into effect in 2025. These include tourist entry fees, tourist taxes of up to €25 per night, visitor limits, banning of key boxes to discourage short term stay, which has been identified as a contributing factor to housing crisis in the country.
In addition, Milan specifically is limiting late-night activity such as restricting after midnight sale and delivery of takeaway foods and drinks. Outdoor seating at restaurants and bars are to close earlier on weekends. Increase of city surcharge to €3.25, already in effect, and closing of its Northern port terminal to cruise ships. All of these have impact not only on your wallet, but also on your convenience and overall travel experience. Number two, crowds.
Popular attractions in the city of Milan often draw a large crowd, as you will find with Duomo di Milano. In some instances, there are long queues to access these attractions. This is a pain if you don't like large crowds, even if you do, some attractions require advance bookings, which probably is not a delight for procrastinators or people who enjoy spontaneity. Number three, high costs. This should be no secret. Milan ranks amongst the most expensive cities in the world when it comes to accommodation, dining and shopping.
If you are visiting from a non-European country, your costs are going to be a notch higher because of foreign exchange. Number four, urban atmosphere. If you are seeking the rustic and classic Italian charm, Milan might be disappointing to you. Unlike Florence or Venice, Milan's setting is more metropolitan, modern and industrialized.
Nonetheless, there are villages and towns within proximity to satisfy your rustic desires, such as Angera, Arcumeggia, Bergamo, and Monza. Number five, limited nature. No doubt Sempione Park is a beautiful green space in Milan. However, in comparison to cities like Rome and Florence, nature lovers will find Milan's natural beauty and green spaces insufficient. Number six, busy lifestyle Milan is a fast-paced city and very unlikely to satisfy visitors interested in a more leisurely Italian experience.
Number seven, and our final listing on Milan's cons, the weather. Depending on when you can travel, weather might be a factor in your Milan travel plans. If you can only travel during summer months, you will find Milan very hot and humid. Well, winter in the city has its own drawback.
It is usually damp and foggy. Bearing its unpredictability, the most suitable time and weather to visit Milan is spring and autumn. Thank you folks for watching.
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2025-01-10 03:23
