Information about flights to Milan
The second-largest city in Italy, Milan attracts millions of visitors each year and is an ideal base from which to explore other historic cities and towns in Lombardy.
The Cathedral
It would be impossible to discuss Milan without referring to its astonishing cathedral, one of the largest in the world. Known as the Duomo di Milano, the Gothic building is 157 metres in length and provides superb views over the city from its roof top. The site has been a place of worship since at least the Roman Empire, although the current building was started in the 14th century and was extended on numerous occasions between the 17th and 19th centuries.
Shopping
The exquisite Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is one of the oldest shopping malls in the world and was completed in 1877. This formidable landmark is noted for its beautifully decorated glass dome and is home to numerous stylish jewellery stores, arts shops and high-end retail venues.
Other places of interests
Dating back to the 15th century, the imposing Sforza Castle is now home to a number of important art exhibitions and was built by Francesco Sforza, who served as the Duke of Milan and founded the powerful ruling family, the Sforza. Milan is also home to the large San Siro football stadium, which hosts numerous major tournaments and has a capacity of more than 80,000.
The city offers plenty of charismatic cafés, one of the best known of which is the Sant Ambroeus dating back to 1936, all of which serve fantastic espressos. As you would expect for a city of its size, Milan also offers a diverse range of restaurants serving many types of cuisine. One of the most chic is Cracco, which has received three Michelin stars and specialises in authentic risottos and white truffles, although the chef Gualtiero Marchesi uses ideas from cuisines all over the world. For some of the best gelato in Italy, head to the Gelateria Ice Dream, or sample some fabulous home-made Pizza at the Norin Caffé Bistro.
Local sightseeing
If you're interested in exploring the local region, make some time to visit Lake Como, one of Europe's deepest and most beautiful lakes. It is known for its luxury villas, dramatic mountain views and extremely clean freshwater, and has attracted many famous figures over the years such as Madonna, Richard Branson and George Clooney.
A short drive to the northeast of Milan, you can also find the Crespi d'Adda , a well preserved late 19th-century and early 20th-century model village. Nearby Bergamo, meanwhile, is one of Lombardy's most photogenic cities and has been inhabited for almost 2,000 years, featuring a wealth of medieval and Renaissance landmarks.
