Milan (Milano), Italy

Milan, Italy
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dal_duomo_1.jpg
Author: Marco Bonavoglia


Milan, or Milano, is a city in northern Italy. This wealthy city is famous for being one of the world's fashion capitals. It serves as the capital of Lombardy, the wealthiest region of Italy. On the cultural scene, it is the home of the world famous La Scala opera house. Milan is also home to Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper

The city of Milan, with an urban population of 4.3 million people, is the fifth biggest city in Europe. It is within a metropolitan area with 7.4 million inhabitants. The city has one of Italy's highest GDP per capita and its workers one of the highest paid in the country. This in turn makes Milan the 5th most expensive city to live in, according to the 2010 study by the Economist.

Milan was founded as a Celtic settlement named Mediolanum. It was captured and incorporated into the Roman Empire in 222 BC. Through history the city has been ruled by the Visconti, Sforza and Spanish. Napoleon I made Milan the capital of his Kingdom of Italy in 1805. The city was devastated by Allied bombings but swiftly rebuilt in the post-war years.

Today Milan is an international and cosmopolitan city. The city carries a high brand value and is one of the most influential in the world, especially in terms of fashion and design.

Duomo, Milan
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:876MilanoDuomo.JPG
Author: MarkusMark

Travel to Milan

There is a choice of two airports, Malpensa and Linate.

Arriving at Malpensa International Airport

Malpensa International Airport (MXP) is the main airport for Milan. It has two terminals, Terminal 1 for international and intercontinental flights while Terminal 2 is mostly for budget airlines. A free shuttle service connects the two terminals, supplemented by taxis.

If you arrive at Terminal 1, the Malpensa Express Train is the speediest and most convenient link between the airport to downtown Milan. The journey takes 40 minutes and costs €11.00 (or €13.50 if bought on board).

If you arrive at Terminal 2, the airport bus is the most convenient way to reach Milan. There are bus services connecting the airport to other nearby cities as well as to Linate Airport.

Taxi is of course the most expensive option to reach town. It costs €85 flat fee for the airport-city trip.

Arriving at Linate Airport

Linate Airport is the new hub for the revamped Alitalia following its merger with AirOne. The airport is however closer to Milan, and so is served by the city bus network. You can take Bus No. 73 outside the terminal to reach San Babila Square in downtown Milan. The cost is only €1.00, with tickets available at the vending machines as well as at the newsagent.

Arriving by Train

The Milano Centrale Railway Station is the rail transportation hub of the city. Train services link it to major European cities.

Travel within Milan

Public transport in Milan, operated by Azienda Trasporti Milanesi comprises the Metro, trams, buses and Suburban Railway System, or S-Lines.

The Metro, short for Metropolitana, is the subway for Milan, denoted by a white M over a red background. There are presently three lines with another two under construction. The Metro is my choice of transport, followed by the trams. The bus routes are too complicated and impractical for visitors to learn, so I leave it alone.

The Metro fare is €1 per ride. You can also get the visitor card for unlimited rides, at the cost of €3.00 for 24 hours and €5.50 for 48 hours. Alternatively, you can buy a carnet of 10 tickets for €9.00.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuelle II, Milan
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Galleria_Vittorio_Emanuele_II_-_evening.jpg
Author: Alterboy

Places of Interest in Milan

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