Milan

Milan (Milano) is the capital of Lombardy and the economic heart of Italy, a fast paced metropolis known worldwide for fashion, design, finance and art. Behind its modern energy lies a long history as a Roman capital, a Renaissance court under the Sforza and Visconti and a centre of the Italian unification.

The Gothic Cathedral of Milan, with its forest of spires and statues, crowns Piazza del Duomo, and visitors can walk among the pinnacles on its roof. The glass roofed Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II leads to La Scala, one of the world's most famous opera houses. Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper in the refectory of Santa Maria delle Grazie, the Sforza Castle, the Brera Picture Gallery and the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana hold great art. Show more

Modern Milan shows itself in the high rises of Porta Nuova with the Bosco Verticale and in CityLife, while the Navigli canals are known for evening aperitivo. The fashion district around Via Montenapoleone and the design week in spring attract visitors from around the world. Risotto alla milanese, cotoletta, ossobuco and panettone are local classics, and two of Europe's great football clubs share the San Siro stadium.

Milan has three airports and is Italy's main rail hub, with high speed trains to Turin, Venice, Florence and Rome. Two or three days suit the city, which is also a gateway to the Italian lakes. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons.