Milan City Breaks

A guide to Milan

Considered a modern city that has been seduced by the trappings of glamour and fashion excess, Milan is extremely underrated as a weekend destination. It may not quite be able to compete with Rome or Venice, but has a wealth of captivating attractions and a real ace up its sleeve in the iconic painting of ‘The Last Supper’ by Leonardo da Vinci. Milan offers excellent high fashion, football, opera and shopping, but first sight of the monumental Duomo cathedral will really arouse your passion. This gigantic Gothic work of art is awash with soaring spires and statues in gleaming white marble, and a climb up to the roof affords a spectacular view of the city skyline.

The home of trend-setting high fashion

There are dozens of elaborate medieval churches to discover, and the imposing Castello Sforzesco is definitely one of the major highlights in Milan. There are several art and history museums situated here, and it deserves virtually a whole day to fully take in. Of course, a short break just wouldn’t be complete without a day of shopping. The tempting window displays of elegant Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, or the irresistible fashion boutiques along Via Montenapoleone are as visually arresting as the finest art museum in town. There's also the animated antique and flea market along the banks of the Naviglio Grande, where you can haggle for unique gifts and original art at rock bottom prices.

Inspiring entertainment for every taste

A night of high-brow entertainment at the famous La Scala theatre is sure to be the pinnacle for any self-respecting opera fan, or for a complete change of scenery, why not soak up the charged atmosphere of a game at the San Siro football stadium. Some respite from the hustle and bustle can be spent in the lush surroundings of Giardini Pubblici, a huge attractive green oasis which has a rash of elaborate water features, statutes and monuments and is a great place for kids to enjoy too, with a captivating planetarium and history museum.