Milan: travel tips

When going to Milan, decide why you are going there. This will determine the best time to plan your trip.

For example, if your goal is shopping and entertainment, it is better to choose May-July, when Milan is full of nightlife. And in July, moreover, is the traditional season of discounts. But be aware that these are some of the hottest months: the temperature in May-June already rises to +28-30 ° C, and in July - and even more.

If you do not want to "rock" the nights away, it is better to go to Milan in spring (March-April) or in fall (September-early October). The spring months are the most suitable season for a leisurely exploration of the city. At this time, Milan is beautiful in its own way surrounded by smart greenery and fresh spring colors. However, the weather in Milan can be fickle, so be sure to bring an umbrella. And the fall will please you with the absence of stifling heat.

Milan is not a very big city, so you can easily explore it on foot (at least the city center). But if you do get tired, it's better to use public transportation: buses, streetcars, subways and such familiar to us trolleybuses run regularly. A ticket for one trip will cost you €2.50. If you do not know where it is better to buy tickets - in a ticket office or a special machine - it is better to choose the ticket office. The thing is that if the machine suddenly turns out to be defective, you will not only not get your ticket, but you will hardly be able to get your money back (the refund procedure is very tedious and can take about a month).

So it's better to save your nerves and money and stand in line at the ticket office or always have a supply of change to buy tickets in the machines.

To have an inexpensive meal in Milan, you need to keep in mind some little tricks. For example, don't be tempted to visit restaurants and cafes, especially those along tourist routes. Even if the menu lists a €20 lunch, the final price can easily be higher. Also at noon the prices in such places are much higher.

But in Milan it is quite possible to have a hearty and tasty snack at quite reasonable prices. For example, from 18:00 to 22:00 in many cafes, bars and restaurants there is a system of "aperitivo" (analog of "happy hour"). Its essence is that the visitor, having ordered a drink at the specified hours, gets free access to the buffet of the institution. The availability of "aperitivo" is usually indicated in the menu at the entrance.

Among the budget establishments in Milan, Slice (Via Ascanio Sforza, 9) is worth a look. For sushi lovers, there's Xu&Xu on Via Panfilo Castaldi. At lunch here you can make any choice from the menu for €19(regardless of the number of dishes).

If you are not just passing through Milan, but plan to stay for at least a week, it makes sense to buy a Milano Card. This is the city's equivalent of the City Pass, which allows you to save a lot of money, if not on everything.

Thus, with Milano Card you will get free access to public transportation, and also - discounts when visiting museums and some cafes. For example, in the Museum of Science you will get 30% discount, in the Pinacoteca - 35%, and in the Museum Diocesano di Porta Ticinese - as much as 50%. Also with this card you can take a free ride in a sightseeing streetcar - an unusual Milanese analog of the usual Hop on Hop off. The Milano Card costs for online purchase:

for 24 hours - €15

for 48 hours - €22

for 72 hours - €24

You can also buy the card at the tourist office or at the airport. More information can be found on the website (in English).

Although Milan has a reputation for being a city that is not cheap, you can still find a lot of interesting things to do here that won't cost you a cent.

1. Architecture lovers (and not only them) should visit Milan's churches, such as Santa Maria delle Grazie in the square of the same name. Keep in mind that Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper, for the sake of which thousands of tourists come here, is not in the church itself, but in a small building of the National Museum near it. We advise you to book your visit online in advance.
2. Be sure to visit the Sforza Castle. You can walk around its territory and courtyard for free, but you will have to pay for the entrance to the museums.
3. Milan's parks are another must stop for travelers. Not only can you escape the heat, but you can also enjoy the beautiful scenery in them. The most beautiful of them are Sempione Park (between Sforza Castle and the Arch of Peace) and Giardini Pubblici (30 minutes on foot from the central station). And at the Acquario Civico Aquarium you can dive into the underwater world absolutely free of charge.

You can book a hotel in Milan with a discount of up to -65% on the website.

Milan is the world's recognized fashion capital and is probably the No. 1 city where most people go on a shopping tour. We have prepared some useful tips that will help you not to succumb to the general frenzy and really save money on shopping during a shopping tour to Milan:

1. Winter sale starts on the first Saturday of January, summer sale - on the first Saturday of July. They usually last for a month and a half or two months. But keep in mind that the "hottest" offers are snatched up in the first weeks. And then there are only dull models, which even with discounts no one wants to buy.
2. Declared discounts of 80% - this is a trick on the bait. Yes, there are indeed such discounts, but they apply only to the remaining in a single copy of the model. And this copy, as a rule, immense size. Discounts during sales in Milan are usually 30-40%.
3. What is really profitable to buy in Milan is fur products (however, they are rather decorative and not designed for our frosts) and shoes in the so-called spatcha - stores at factories.
4. Milan has a myriad of shopping centers, boutiques and whole shopping streets, but if you want to save money - go to the outlets. The best ones are Serravalle, Fidenza Village and Dmagazine.
5. But Duty Free in Milan airport is not worth the attention of shoppers. Especially since most stores in the city have a Tax Free system, so you can get your VAT back not in Duty Free.