Planning to visit Italy and wondering whether Milan is worth the itenary? The short answer is yes, Milan is worth visiting. From historical landmarks to iconic hotels offering world-class cuisine, Milan is best known as the Italian fashion capital with quaint little streets, great shopping and more hidden gems. This being Italy’s fashion capital, there’s no shortage of glamorous hotels to act as a base for those who are visiting. Here are some of the reasons why Milan stands out
Explore the Historic Landmarks
Milan offers several historical landmarks, giving you a chance to peek into the city’s past which started around 2,500+ years ago. For instance, there is the Santa Maria della Grazie, a UNESCO World Heritage church and Sforza Castle, a Medieval fortress built in the 15th century. There is also the church of San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore which acted as a convent for women but now stands out with stunning Renaissance architecture and stunning frescoes.
A Fantastic Base To Explore
If you’re planning to explore northern Italy, Milan is a great base for it as the city has excellent transport services, including high-speed trains and buses. Besides visiting Lake Como, you can spend the day exploring Italy’s third-largest lake or strolling through the charming little towns. You can also visit the Old Town before taking a funicular railway ride for shopping and dining.
Check-in at Portrait Milano
Despite being a fashion capital, Milan boasts other hidden gems such as amply demonstrated at Portrait Milano, a luxury hotel Milan opened in 2022 in Milan’s famed Quadrilatero. As part of the Lungarno Collection, this is a hospitality portfolio owned by the Ferragamo family. The hotel is located on Corso Venezia and stands out as a luxury hospitality landscape dominated by long-time Milan favourites such as the Bulgari, Four Seasons, and Mandarin Oriental.
Visit the Neighbourhoods
If you think you don’t like Milan even after checking in at luxury hotels, you can branch out a little. Milan offers a variety of neighbourhoods with at least something to your liking. For example, you could walk in the shadows of modern skyscrapers, head to residential neighbourhoods or visit the canals of Navigli.
Check Out the Largest City in Italy
Since Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome doesn’t count because Vatican City is a foreign state, Milan Cathedral is the largest church in the country. It is also the fifth-largest in the world and the third-largest in Europe.
Regardless of the size, it’s a beautiful church with many Gothic-style statues. Plus, if you climb the rooftop, you’ll get a magnificent view of the city and also see the symbol of the city, the beloved Madonnina which is the gold-coloured statue of Mary that stands on the cathedral’s highest spire.
Explore Italy’s Fashion Capital
Apart from being Italy’s fashion capital, Milan is considered to be amongst the top three fashion cities in the world only compared with New York City and Paris. Whether you want to go shopping or look for the best fashion designs, don’t skip Milan. It also offers the world’s oldest shopping Mall, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, built between 1865 and 1877. As home to renowned designers like Prada, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, and more, its fashion collections are at the next level.
Over to You
Milan is a city that offers a unique blend of culture, history, and modernity. From stunning architecture and world-class museums to vibrant fashion scene and delicious cuisine, there is something for everyone in this bustling city whether you are a shopaholic, art lover or simply someone seeking to immerse yourself in the Italian lifestyle.
Plus the realm of style, and luxury hotels such as the Portrait Milano features a lively piazza for a quintessentially Italian experience in one of Italy’s most underrated cities.
