Milan Destination Guide (2024): What You Need to Know

One of the great fashion capitals of the world, Milan is a must visit destination in Italy. As Italy’s second biggest city, it is full of great restaurants, sprawling parks and towering skyscrapers. For lovers of art, the city boasts world class museums and is particularly significant as the home of Leonardo di Vinci’s The Last Supper. Other highlights of the city include the iconic cathedral Duomi di Milano, the hip dining district I Navigli as well as the impressively ornate Monumental Cemetery of Milano. This Milan destination guide will give you everything you need to know to visit Italy’s city of style!

What is Milan Italy famous for?

Milan is known as Italy’s fashion capital, playing host to the world-famous Milan Fashion Week. However there is much more to this cosmopolitan city beyond the fashion world. Milan is also known for its stunning architecture that can be seen in buildings like Duomo Cathedral and Vittorio Emanuele II shopping arcade. Additionally, Milan’s most famous resident, Leonardo Da Vinci has left an indelible mark on the city and hordes of tourists flock to gaze at the magnificent painting Da Vinci’s The Last Supper, which is proudly on display in the city. Finally Milan is known for its world class food scene, playing host to a large number of Michelin starred restaurants.

Why you should visit Milan Italy

Italy’s second biggest city is cosmopolitan fashion mecca Milan! This vibrant city has an eclectic mix of old and new that makes it the perfect city break destination. The wealthiest city in Italy, Milan is an economic powerhouse brimming with soaring modern skyscrapers. Yet it also has a rich history, tracing its roots back to 400 BCE. This often overlooked Italian city will also delight your taste buds, with regional specialties like Cotoletta alla Milanese and Ossobuco as well as delicious dishes from around the world. While you’re there be sure to partake in an evening aperitivo, the Italian version of the happy hour which was popularised in the city of Milan.

Twice a year in February as well as September the city hosts one of the biggest events in the fashion world – Milan Fashion Week. During this time A-List celebrities flock to Italy’s fashion capital to get front-row seats to catwalk shows, be the first to know the latest fashion trends and attend the some of the many glamorous events that are held throughout the city. We highly recommend timing your trip to coincide with this iconic and world famous event.

Milan Destination Guide: Know before you go

Basic info about Milan Italy

• City name in Italian – Milano
• Language – Italian. Milanese is the main Western dialect of the Lombard language spoken in Milan. Many people in hotels, restaurants and other tourist businesses will be able to speak English, but not everyone will be able to speak English.
• Currency – euro (EUR). This has been the official currency of Italy since 2002. Currency exchanges can be found in most cities and ATMs are also available widely throughout the country.
• Population – 1,352,000 (2017)
• Area – 182 km² (70 sq mi)
• Province – Milan
• Region – Lombardy. Milan is the capital of this region.
• Emergency number – 112 or 114 (sms or fax)
• Police number – 17

Utilities in Milan Italy

• Electricity – Italy uses Types C, F and L power plugs. The country operates on a 230v supply voltage at 50Hz. Power outages are not common in Italy. However in some places you need to be careful not to use too many appliances at once or you’ll overload the system.
• Water – the tap water in Italy is safe to drink almost everywhere in the country. However there are a some very rural areas may not have water that’s safe to drink. In particular, if you see a sign that says “acqua non potabile”, that means the water is not safe to drink.
• Toilets – sit-down flushing toilets are the most common type of toilet in Italy. You can flush your toilet paper directly into the bin. Additionally, bidets are a common feature of many bathrooms. Public toilets are common in Italy. However many public toilets charge a fee anywhere from 50 cents to 1 euro to use.
• Telephone country code: +39

Where is Milan Italy?

Milan is located in the heart of northern Italy. It is situated in the province of Milan in the Lombardy region of northern Italy.

The closest major Italian cities to Milan are Turin, Bologna, Genoa as well as Verona. Milan is 1 hours by train from Turin and Bologna and 1.5 hours by train from Genoa and Verona.

How to get to Milan Italy

Milan destination guide: Arriving by land

Milan Italy intercity land transport

The main transport options for travelling overland to Milan Italy are:

• Private vehicle
• Private transport operator
• Shuttle Bus – Malpensa Shuttle is a shuttle bus service between Milan Malpensa Airport and the city. A one way ticket costs 10 euro (price as at 2023). The journey time is around 1 hour. There is also a shuttle buses servicing Milan Linate Airport. For more information, see this website: https://www.malpensashuttle.it/en/index.html
• Train
• Bus
• Bike

Driving to Milan from within Italy

If you are driving to Milan from within Italy, here are the travel times and distances:

• Genoa – 1 hour 54 minutes (145km, 90miles) with tolls or 3 hours 17 minutes (158km, 98miles) without tolls
• Turin – 1 hour 58 minutes (144km 89miles) with tolls or 3 hours 4 minutes (152km, 94miles) without tolls
• Bologna – 2 hours 32 minutes (213km, 132miles) with tolls or 4 hours 47 minutes (242km, 150miles) without tolls
• Verona – 2 hours 4 minutes (156km, 97miles) with tolls or 3 hours 6 minutes (172km, 107miles) without tolls
• Rome – 6 hours 1 minute (571km, 355miles) with tolls or 9 hours 52 minutes (665km, 413miles) without tolls

Intercity trains to Milan Italy

Trains are a cheap and efficient way to get to Milan Italy. Currently Milan has 23 stations in use. The main train station in Milan is Milano Centrale railway station.

The following train brands service Milan:

• Trenord Malpensa Express – this is the airport train to Milan-Malpensa Airport.
• Frecciarossa – this is one of Italy’s high speed services. It is operated by Trenitalia.
• Frecciabianca – this is one of Italy’s high speed services. It is operated by Trenitalia.
• Intercity (IC) – this is a non-high speed rail service which is run by Trenitalia. These services travel between the major towns and cities in Italy and make more frequent stops than the high speed rail services.
• RegioExpress (RE) Trains – these are regional trains run in the north of Italy by Trenord. They stop only at larger cities and stations can connect the Lombardy region with Milan. They typically have bike facilities.
• Regio – these are the slowest but also the cheapest trains. Trenord operates trains in this region.
• Eurocity services (Trenitalia, SBB, CFF and FSS) – these services connect cities across different countries in Europe.
• Night train – this is operated by Trenitalia.

The main railway company in Italy is called Trenitalia.

We recommend using the app and website TrainLine to book intercity train tickets in Italy. This is the app we used. We found it very easy to use with great functionality. Another great feature is that you can see days ahead to see what times of the day were the cheapest rates.

Intercity buses to Milan Italy

A common way to get around Italy is by using intercity buses. These are a budget friendly alternative to trains, but are generally a slower option. Intercity bus companies in Italy include Marino Autolinee, Itabus, Autolinee Federico, Interbus as well as FlixBus. Popular bus destinations from Milan include:

• Florence Italy – travel time 3.5-5 hours. Tickets start from 8 euro one way.
• Venice Italy – travel time 4 hours. Tickets start from 6 euro one way.
• Rome Italy – travel time 8 hours. Tickets start from 8 euro one way.
• Zurich Switzerland – travel time 4 hours. Tickets start from 20 euro one way.

Milan destination guide: Arriving by air

The nearest major airport to Milan is Milan Linate Airport (Airport code LIN). This international airport is 7km (4miles) from the city.

Other nearby airports include:

• Milan Malpensa Airport (Airport code MXP). This airport is 41km (25miles) away
• Orio al Serio International Airport (Airport code BGY). This airport is 46km (29miles) away.
• Lugano Airport (Airport code LUG). This airport is 64km (40miles) away.

The national airline of Italy is ITA Airways (Italia Trasporto Aereo).

Milan destination guide: Arriving by boat

The closest port to Milan is Port Genoa.

Milan destination guide: How to get around Milan Italy

Walking in Milan Italy

The cheapest way to get around Milan is to walk. However while many attractions are located close together, keep in mind it is a sprawling city. Depending on what you want to see, it may take some time to walk from one area to the next. In this case taking public transport may save a lot of time. Consider buying the MilanoCard, which includes free public transport. We will go into more detail about the MilanoCard later in this article.

Local buses in Milan Italy

Local buses service Milan. These services are operated by the city’s public transport service, ATM. For more information, see this website: https://www.atm.it/it/Pagine/default.aspx

Trolleybuses in Milan Italy

The Milan trolleybus system currently has 4 routes. These services are operated by the city’s public transport service, ATM. For more information, see this website: https://www.atm.it/it/Pagine/default.aspx

Trams in Milan Italy

The yellow tram is an iconic symbol of Milan. There are currently 18 routes in the Milan tram system. These services are operated by the city’s public transport service, ATM. For more information, see this website: https://www.atm.it/it/Pagine/default.aspx

Local trains in Milan Italy

Local trains service Milan. There are 12 lines servicing 123 stations throughout Milan. These services are operated by Trenord. For more information, see this website: https://www.trenord.it/en/

Metro trains (subway or underground) in Milan Italy

Milan has 4 underground train lines. These services are operated by the city’s public transport service, ATM. For more information, see this website: https://www.atm.it/it/Pagine/default.aspx

Vehicle hire in Milan Italy

A wide variety of vehicles can be rented in Italy. This includes:

• Bicycles – There are self-service bike share services available in the city from companies such as BikeMI. Alternatively you can hire a bike from a bike hire shop such as AWS Bici.
• Electric scooters
• Cars
• SUVs
• Campervans
• Boats

The Italian drive on the right side of the road.

Taxis in Italy

Taxis are common in Italy. Fares are regulated and are usually metered. The exception to this will be standard journeys such as airport trips. In this case the fare will be a fixed price. Taxi rates are usually displayed inside the vehicle as well as at taxi ranks. In general your fare will include the following costs:

• The pickup fee or minimum fee – this is charged as soon as you get into the vehicle
• There may also be an additional fee for extra people or heavy luggage
• Price per kilometre – this price can vary depending on the time of day
• Price per hour – this is a price that gets charged when the taxi is stuck in heavy traffic. The price also varies depending on the time of day

It is not necessary to tip taxi drivers in Italy. At most, Italians may round up the fare to the nearest dollar as a tip.

To ensure you are charged the correct amount, be sure to only use official taxis that have a taxi sign on the roof. Also check that the taxi driver resets the metre before taking off and that the metre is working. In particular, if your trip is inside city limits “Tarrifa 1” on the metre should be lit up. Note that this is the lower and correct rate. Conversely, Tarrifa 2 and 3 should only be used for trips outside the city walls or to the airport.

Ride-share services in Milan Italy

Uber Black is available in Milan.

Italy travel guide to travelling during Covid

We have written a detailed post outlining the Covid entry requirements. You can find the post here.

Milan Italy destination guide: Is Milan worth visiting?

Milan is one of the pricier Italian destinations to visit, but it is certainly worth including in your Italy itinerary. It is a beautiful and vibrant city with stunning architecture, beautiful parks and gardens, world-famous art, amazing food and lively nightlife. This stylish city is one of the world’s fashion capitals and high-end fashion labels dominate the retail streets. You can also visit some of Milan’s most famous landmarks such as the Sforza Castle and the Milan Cathedral which is one of the largest churches in the world. For all of these reasons, Milan is undoubtedly worth visiting.

Milan destination guide: How long to spend in Milan Italy

Milan is a great place to come for a weekend. It is a vibrant cosmopolitan city with great food as well as a wide variety of museums and other attractions. Moreover it is a fashion capital! We spent 3 days in Milan and enjoyed taking time to enjoy the various activities available in this vibrant city.

Milan destination guide: What to do in Milan Italy

Milan is a beautiful Italian city with many activities on offer. It has a range of great free activities as well as paid activities.

Milan destination guide: Free things to do in Milan Italy

There are enough free activities in Milan Italy to keep you entertained for a weekend or even a leisurely week:

• Piazza del Duomo
• Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
• Sempione Park
• Cimitero Monumentale di Milano
• Santa Maria delle Grazie
• I Navigli
• Naviglio Grande
• Vicolo Lavandai
• Brera District
• Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore
• Piazza Gae Aulenti
• Bosco Verticale
• Santuario di San Bernardino alle Ossa
• UniCredit Tower
• Arco della Pace
• CityLife
• Palazzo Lombardia – free access to the Palazzo Lombardia belvedere is available from 10am-6pm Sundays

For more details, see our Milan travel guide on the 17 Best Free Things To Do in Milan Italy.

Additionally, every day from 4:30pm and Tuesday from 2pm you can get free entry to all municipal museums in Milan, except the Museo del Novecento. Furthermore, Museo del Novecento has free entry on the first and third Tuesday of the month from 2pm.

Milan destination guide: Paid activities in Milan Italy

A number of attractions in Milan Italy charge an entry fee:

• Duomo di Milano and Duomo Rooftops – entry fee is 16 euro for adults (as at 2023)
• The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci (Cenacolo Vinciano) – entry fee is 15 euro + 1 euro donation for adults (as at 2023) https://cenacolovinciano.vivaticket.it/index.php
• Castello Sforzesco – entry fee is 5 euro for adults (as at 2023)
• Pinacoteca di Brera – entry fee is 16 euro for adults (as at 2023)
• Gallerie d’Italia – entry fee is 10 euro for adults (as at 2023)
• La Vigna di Leonardo – entry fee is 10 euro for adults (as at 2023)
• Museo del Novecento – entry fee is 10 euro for adults (as at 2023)
• Armani Silos – entry fee is 12 euro for adults (as at 2023)
• Torre Branca – entry fee is 6 euro for adults (as at 2023)
• Leonardo3 Museum – Il Mondo di Leonardo – entry fee is 14 euro for adults (as at 2023)
• Palazzo Reale – entry fee is 17 euro for adults (as at 2023)
• Memoriale della Shoah di Milano – entry fee with guided tour is 10 euro for adults (as at 2023)

MilanoCard

The MilanoCard is a city card that gives you free transport on the local public transport, a free drink in the best clubs in Milan as well as discounts and special offers for a number of tours, museums, attractions, restaurants and shops in the area. There are 1 day, 2 day and 3 day passes are available.

The types of MilanoCard are as follows:

• 1 day MilanoCard – 14 euro for adults (as at 2023)
• 2 day MilanoCard – 19 euro for adults (as at 2023)
• 3 day MilanoCard – 21 euro for adults (as at 2023)

For more information on the MilanoCard, visit this website: https://www.milanocard.it/

Weather in Milan Italy

Milan enjoys a warm temperate climate. Its climate is heavily influenced by the nearby Mediterranean area. During the winter it is cold with average temperature range between -1°C and 6°C in the coldest month of January. Summers last from June to September and are hot and sunny, with the average temperature range between 19°C and 29°C in the hottest month of July. It is a windy city and experiences frequent and sometimes powerful winds. Snow can occur in December and January in Milan. The month with the most rainfall is May with 10.2 days of rain on average and the driest month is February with an average of 4.5 rainy days.

Best time to visit Milan Italy

Milan is a beautiful city to visit, and the best time to go is between late May and mid-September when the weather is most pleasant for outdoor activities. However, keep in mind that the peak tourist season is between June and August, so expect higher prices at that time. If you can time your Milan trip to coincide with one of the festivals or events, we highly recommend doing so. Milan is host to a number of vibrant festivals and events that are well worth seeing. For example, Milano Fashion Week is one of the biggest fashion events in the world and takes place in February and September each year. Other notable events in Milan include Carnevale Ambrosiano in February, Milano Food Week in May, and Artigiano in Fiera in December.

Internet and mobile phones in Italy

Since June 15th, 2017, Roam Like at Home (RLAT) rules came into force for European Union countries. As such, people with European Union mobile numbers are no longer charged temporary mobile roaming fees if they travel within the European Union. This means that if you have a European Union mobile number, you can use that number anywhere within the European Union and you will be charged for calls, texts and data in the same rates as if you were in your home country. There are limits to this in order to prevent abuse of these rules.

The main internet and phone companies in Italy include TIM, Vodafone, Wind, 3, Iliad.

5G has been in Italy since June 2019. However 2G is expected to continue in Italy until 2025.

Italy is ranked 50^th fastest in the world for mobile internet speeds and 70^th fastest for fixed broadband. For Fixed Broadband the average download speed is 64mbps and upload is 19mbps (as at May 2023).

The best place to buy cell phone SIM cards in Italy are in phone stores. They can be found in shopping malls and city centres. We recommend not buying a SIM card at the airport as prices are generally higher at the airport. You will need to present photo ID in order to purchase a SIM card.

How much to budget for Milan Italy?

Is Milan expensive?

Yes, Milan is one of the most expensive cities to visit in Italy. Its status as a major business centre has resulted in a higher cost of living than other parts of the country. Accommodation costs and restaurant meals tend to be pricier than other parts of Italy. Milan is also quite spread out, which makes it difficult to rely on walking alone to get around the city. However, there are still bargains to be had if you look hard enough. The aperitivo specials are a great option for a good value meal. The area around the Navigli district are filled with restaurants offering aperitivo specials. Additionally there are plenty of free things to do in Milan like visiting Piazza del Duomo which is the city’s main square; exploring the Monumental Cemetery of Milano which is one of the most beautiful cemeteries in Europe; and visiting the Sforza Castle which is one of Milan’s most famous landmarks.

Milan destination guide: Daily spend for a couple travelling in Milan Italy

As a rough guide, we recommend the following budgets for a couple:

• Low-budget daily spend – 100 euro per day for a couple will get you budget accommodation, self catering and bakery meals, walking or catching local transport to get around the city and free or cheap activities.
• Mid-range daily spend – 300 euro per day for a couple will get you mid-range accommodation, walking or catching local transport to get around the city, dining at reasonably priced cafes and restaurants and some paid activities.
• Luxury spend – 1000 euro per day for a couple will get you a premium experience, staying at high end hotels, travelling by private transport, doing a range paid activities and eating at high end restaurants.

Milan destination guide: Accommodation in Milan Italy

There is a good range of accommodation to suit most budgets in Milan Italy. Airbnb operates in Italy and Milan has a number of apartments for rent.

Where to stay in Milan Italy?

We recommend the following accommodation in Milan Italy:

• Best hostel in Milan Italy – Ostello Bello Grande is a clean, comfortable and social hostel right next to the train station. They have nice extras like free welcome drinks and free food in the kitchen. The breakfasts are also very nice. There is a nice rooftop area and the staff are very friendly.
• Best B&B in Milan Italy – Moscova Luxury B&B has nicely decorated and spacious accommodation close to the city centre. It has excellent amenities, comfortable beds and has a well-stocked fridge.
• Best 3 star hotel in Milan Italy – Bronzino House provides clean and peaceful accommodation with wonderfully hospitable hosts. The breakfasts are lovely. It is in a convenient location close to the heart of Milan.
• Best 4 star hotel in Milan Italy – The Street Milano Duomo | a Design Boutique Hotel is a charming property with beautifully designed rooms. The staff are friendly and professional and the location is ideal.
• Best 5 star hotel in Milan Italy – Palazzo Parigi Hotel & Grand Spa Milano is a superb hotel with great spa facilities and amazing service. The beds are extremely comfortable, the suites are opulent, clean and well-equipped and it is close to many of the city’s attractions.
• Best aparthotel in Milan Italy – Prestige Boutique Aparthotel -Piazza Duomo provides clean and well-appointed accommodation right in the heart of Milan. The beds are extremely comfortable with a choice of pillows. The staff are friendly and helpful.

How much is accommodation in Milan Italy?

For short-term accommodation, a general price per night is as follows:

• Budget accommodation – 9-45 euro for a dorm
• Mid-range accommodation – 50-200 euro for a private room
• Luxury accommodation – 200-1300 euro a night for a luxury hotel
• Rental property – 200-700 euro a night for a fully furnished 3-4 bedroom home

City tax on accommodation in Milan Italy.

Most cities in Italy charge a city tax, which must be paid to your host and is an additional charge on top of your nightly rate. Milan introduced its city tax on 1 September 2012. It is a per person per night charge for all guests over the age of 18. The charge varies depending on the star rating of the accommodation. The prices as at 2022 are as follows:

• 2 stars = 3 euro
• 3 stars = 4 euro
• 4 stars = 5 euro

Milan destination guide: Food in Milan Italy

How much does food cost in Milan Italy?

Our price guide for your food budget in Milan Italy is as follows (prices as at 2022):

• Restaurant meal – 15-30 for a main dish
• Bakery food – 3.50 for arancini, 1-4 euro for a slice of pizza
• Glass of wine – 4-7 euro
• Coffee – 1-4 euro

Coperto charge for restaurants in Italy

Most restaurants will charge a coperto charge if you are dining in. This cover charge is usually around 1-3 euro, but may be higher in touristy areas. It is a fixed per person charge and is meant to cover things like table linen, tableware and may also cover bread. It’s a non-negotiable charge and must be listed on the menu. If you can’t find it listed on the menu, ask your waiter if there is a coperto charge.

Servizio charge for restaurants in Italy

Some restaurants charge a servizio charge. This service charge is generally a percentage of your bill and must be listed on the menu. It is usually charged in restaurants in touristy areas as well as for groups of 8 or more.

Regional dishes in Milan Italy

• Costoletta alla Milanese
• Ossobuco
• Cassoeula
• Minestrone alla milanese
• Risotto alla Milanese
• Polenta
• Piadina
• Gorgonzola cheese
• Panettone
• Colomba Pasquale

Cheap Eats in Milan Italy

• Panetterias or focaccerias (Italian bakeries) are great places to get cheap as well as delicious food. Slices of pizza are around 1-4 euro. Arancini are around 3.50 euro each. Other common food in Italian bakeries include panini, canoli as well as fritole.
• Pizzerias are unsurprisingly abundant in Italy and are also perfect for a cheap quick meal. Prices will vary depending on size and ingredients, but expect to pay around 5-10 euro for a pizza.
• Gelato in Italy will satisfy your sweet tooth but without breaking the budget. Expect to pay around 3 euro for a single scoop cone.

Fine dining in Milan Italy

Milan is home to a large number of Michelin Guide restaurants.

3 star Michelin restaurants in Milan Italy (2023):

• Enrico Bartolini al Mudec

2 star Michelin restaurants in Milan Italy (2023):

• Seta by Antonio Guida
• Il Luogo di Aimo e Nadia

1 star Michelin restaurants in Milan Italy (2023):

• Cracco
• Sadler
• L’Alchimia
• Andrea Aprea
• Tano Passami l’Olio
• Joia
• Viva Viviana Varese
• Anima
• Felix Lo Basso home & restaurant
• Contraste
• AALTO
• Berton
• Iyo

Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurants in Milan Italy (2023):

• Serendib
• Trippa
• Dongiò
• Da Giannino – L’Angolo d’Abruzzo
• La Cucina dei Frigoriferi Milanesi
• Le Nove Scodelle

Michelin Plate restaurants in Milan Italy (2023):

• Da Giacomo Arengario
• Spazio Niko Romito Milano
• Pellico 3
• Frades Porto Cervo
• Café Cracco
• Horto
• Trussardi by Giancarlo Perbellini
• Wicky’s Innovative Japanese Cuisine
• Voce Aimo e Nadia
• Il Marchese – Osteria Mercato Liquori
• La Brisa
• Corteccia
• Felice a Testaccio
• Terrammare
• Il Ristorante – Niko Romito
• Armani/Ristorante
• ZELO
• Nobu Milano
• [bu:r]
• IT Milano
• Rovello 18
• Bentōteca
• Visionnaire Bistrot
• Dry Aged
• Osaka
• Locanda Perbellini
• Pacifico
• Mater Bistrot
• Aimo e Nadia BistRo
• Gong
• DanielCanzian
• 28 Posti
• Zero Milano
• Langosteria
• La Cantina di Manuela
• uovodiseppia Milano
• La Società Milano
• Acanto
• Il Liberty
• Remulass
• La Risacca Blu
• Dim Sum
• Bites
• Belé
• Ichikawa
• La Cucina de’ Mibabbo
• Giannino dal 1899
• Moebius Sperimentale
• Un Posto a Milano
• Sine by Di Pinto
• MU Dimsum
• Ceresio 7
• Morelli
• Hazama
• Ratanà
• Chic’n Quick
• Borgia Milano
• Acquada
• Terrazza Gallia
• Bottega Lucia
• Ba
• La Rosa dei Venti
• Bon Wei
• Antica Osteria del Mare
• Trattoria del Nuovo Macello
• Altriménti
• Il Capestrano
• Finger’s Garden
• Casa Fontana – 23 Risotti
• Erba Brusca
• Motelombroso
• al Naviglio
• Mi View
• Altatto Bistrot
• Manna
• La Pobbia 1850
• Antica Osteria il Ronchettino
• InGalera

Milan Italy culture

Milan public holidays

• New Year’s Day – 1 January
• Epiphany (Epifania or Befana) – 6 January
• Easter Sunday (Pasqua) – typically in March or April
• Easter Monday (Pasquetta) – the Monday after Easter Sunday, typically in March or April
• Liberation Day (Festa della Liberazione) – 25 April
• International Workers’ Day (Festa del Lavoro) – 1 May
• Republic Day (Festa della Repubblica) – 2 June
• Assumption Day (Ferragosto) – 15 August
• All Saints’ Day (Ognissanti or Tutti i Santi) – 1 November
• Feast of St Ambrose – 7 December (patron saint holiday for Milan)
• Day of the Immaculate Conception (Immacolata) – 8 December
• Christmas Day (Natale) – 25 December
• Saint Stephen’s Day (Santo Stefano) – 26 December

National symbols of Italy

• Italy flag – a tricolour flag featuring three vertical bands coloured green, white and red from left to right.
• Italy coat of arms – this features a Roman wreath, a white 5-pointed star with a red border on a 5-spoked cogwheel, an olive branch, an oak branch as well as a red ribbon with the words “REPVBBLICA ITALIANA”.
• National flower – lily
• National bird – Italian sparrow
• Italian national animal – Italian wolf

Italy pastimes

• National dish – Ragu alla Bolognese
• Popular drinks – Aperitivo, Negroni, Campari, Aperol Spritz, Prosecco, Limoncello, Italian wine
• National sport – football
• Religion – 79.2% Catholic, 3.5% Eastern orthodox, 7.5% agnostic, 4.1% atheist (as at 2021)

Famous people from Milan Italy

• Famous people born in Milan Italy – painter Caravaggio, actress Greta Scacchi, politician Silvio Berlusconi, author Alessandro Verri, economist Pietro Verri, philosopher Cesare Beccaria, writer Carlo Porta, actor and model Fabio Lanzoni, socialite Allegra Versace,
• Notable residents of Milan Italy – polymath Leonardo da Vinci
• Sports stars from Milan Italy – footballer Paolo Maldini, footballer Giuseppe Bergomi, footballer Giuseppe Meazza, Olympic fencer Carlo Agostoni, footballer Mattia De Sciglio, footballer Carlo Cudicini, footballer Marco Delvecchio

Is Milan Italy Safe?

Italy travel guide: Safety in Italy

We travelled through Italy for two weeks and generally found the country very safe. However as with any country, there are good areas and bad areas. Watch out for pickpockets and bag snatchers particularly in Rome, Venice, Florence, Milan and Naples. Beware that bag snatchers can even use cars as well as scooters for drive by bag snatching. Milan also has an issue with counterfeiters selling fake goods. Additionally, Naples and Florence have a reputation for scams. Theft is the most common crime in Italy, so never leave your belongings unattended. Be particularly vigilant in crowds as well as on public transport. Also, make sure no-one is watching whenever you are entering pin codes and never lose sight of your credit card when making a purchase.

General safety considerations in Italy

Other general safety considerations for travel in Italy:

• Drinking water – Tap water in Italy is safe to drink almost everywhere. However some very rural areas may not have water that’s safe to drink. In particular, if you see a sign that says “acqua non potabile” the water is not safe to drink.
• Nightlife – never leave your drink unattended because there have been reports of spiked drinks in bars and nightclubs.
• Mosquitoes – the tiger mosquito has been in Italy since 1991. It spreads diseases such as Zika, dengue and chikunguya.
• Altitude sickness – Italy has areas of high altitude and consequently risk of altitude sickness. Therefore allow sufficient time to acclimatise if visiting high altitude areas. Additionally, if you experience signs of altitude sickness (headache, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, tiredness, loss of appetite or shortness of breath) get help immediately.
• Road safety – Italy has one of the highest road death tolls in Europe, due to driver behaviour as well as road conditions. Robberies from cars are not uncommon, particularly around gas stations. Always lock your vehicle, roll up windows and never leave valuables unattended in your vehicle. Ignore anyone who tries to flag you down – even if they are telling you you have a flat tyre. Carjackings are a risk in some parts of the country such as Sicily.
• Taxis – only use official taxis designated by a taxi sign on the roof. Moreover, don’t take a ride from a driver that approaches you.
• Water safety – take care when swimming as currents and waves may be stronger than you expect.
• Sun safety – Exposure to the sun can have adverse short-term as well as long-term effects on the skin, eyes and immune system. Wear sun protection such as sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.

As with any destination, take all of your normal safety precautions.

Italy Blogs

You can find our Italy travel blogs below.

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