Last Updated on 21 March, 2024
When my friend Karolina and I decided to go on our girl’s trip, I randomly picked Milan. Being open-minded, she immediately agreed without asking any questions. Spontaneity and saying yes to experiences and opportunities are some of the things I learnt from her.
Milan may not be an obvious choice for a trip to Italy, but it’s an ideal weekend city break, packed with art, fashion, culture, and architecture. It exudes elegance and sophistication and has been home to artists like Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and designer Giorgio Armani. Even Napoleon was crowned there. Milan has preserved most of its history despite being the most modern Italian city.
![2 girls in Milan](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Lightroom-Milan-3-1.jpg)
We checked intoย Meliรก Milano and set out to explore the city.
![A girl in a Melia Milan hotel lobby](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Lightroom-Milan-19-1-1024x768.jpg)
Our first stop was the magnificent Duomo Di Milano, one of the world’s grandest Gothic cathedrals. It’s a white marble church with hundreds of spires and thousands of statues on its exterior. Napoleon completed its famous faรงade in the early 1800s. We climbed to the roof to enjoy the stunning city views and marvelled at its intricate decorations up close.
![2 girls in front of Duomo Di Milano cathedral](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Lightroom-Milan-9-1.jpg)
![Duomo Di Milano cathedral](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Lightroom-Milan-22-1-768x1024.jpg)
![Duomo Di Milano Cathedral](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Lightroom-Milan-25-1-1024x697.jpg)
The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Italy’s oldest active shopping mall, is just a minute’s walk from the Duomo. It boasts elegant cafรฉs and some of Milan’s most luxurious boutiques.
![A girl at Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Lightroom-Milan-11-1-1024x768.jpg)
Further down is Teatro Alla Scala, one of the finest opera houses in Europe, which opened in 1778. We visited the museum inside and saw the glorious red and gold interior since we didn’t have time for a whole night of opera.
![Teatro Alla Scala](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Lightroom-Milan-30-1-948x1024.jpg)
![A girl at Teatro Alla Scala](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Lightroom-Milan-29-1-1024x698.jpg)
![Teatro Alla Scala](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Lightroom-Milan-31-1-e1549922890357-948x1024.jpg)
Milan is a young and cosmopolitan city with great nightlife, so we decided to explore the trendy bars and nightclubs. After a long day of travelling and walking, we went back to our hotel to relax and prepare for the night ahead.
![a girl in a nightclub](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/hollywood-milan-3-768x1024.jpg)
![A blonde girl in a nightclub](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/hollywood-milan-768x1024.jpg)
The next day, we went to Santa Maria delle Grazie church, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its Gothic and Renaissance architecture. It houses Leonardo da Vinci’s iconic mural of The Last Supper (‘Cenacolo Vinciano’).
Regrettably, our lack of knowledge about the need for advance tickets for a specific time slot prevented us from experiencing this masterpiece. This was a valuable lesson in the importance of planning.
![Santa Maria delle Grazie church in Milan](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Lightroom-Milan-21-1-1024x768.jpg)
To lift our spirits, we indulged in some authentic Italian gelato. No trip to Italy is complete without eating gelato.
![Cafรฉ in Milan](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Lightroom-Milan-17-1-768x1024.jpg)
![Gelato in a cafรฉ in Milan](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Lightroom-Milan-18-1-768x1024.jpg)
Without a strict agenda for the rest of the day, we wandered around the city when we stumbled upon a street artist, and Karolina decided to get a portrait drawing.
![A girl is getting her portrait drawn](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Lightroom-Milan-32-1-1024x768.jpg)
We then passed a Ferrari store where it offered Ferrari tours around Milan.
![A red Ferrari outside City Tour in Milan](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Lightroom-Milan-27-1-1024x698.jpg)
We continued to aimlessly walk, taking in Milan’s sites and shiny display windows while enjoying the sunshine.
![Milan](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Lightroom-Milan-5-1-1024x768.jpg)
Milan, with its vibrant energy and rich cultural heritage, is not just a destination but also a perfect springboard for exploring nearby gems. It’s an ideal city for a short escape, and its strategic location makes it a convenient base for day trips. Verona, home to Juliet’s House from Shakespeare’s play, is one of the great cities that can be easily reached from Milan.
How to get here
There are 3 main airports in Milan:
- Milan Malpensa, the main international airport, is located 53km (32 mi) from the city centre.
- Orio al Serio International Airport, also called Milan Bergamo, is another less busy international airport located 58km (36 mi) from the city centre.
- Linate is both a domestic and short-haul international airport, located 7km (4.3 mi) from the city centre.
![The view of mountains from a plane window](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Lightroom-Milan-2-1-1024x768.jpg)
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