My husband and I will be going to Milan on Nov. 17 for 4 day. We have never been there before. We are hoping to stay somewhere closed to the Central Railroad Station as we will need to take the train to Venice on Nov. 21st.
Any advice you can provide for the first time visitors is appreciated:
- Airport MPX vs. LIN
- Accommodations - Area close to the Central Railroad Station
- Places to visit for the first timer
MXP is the large international airport, to the north of the city. Linate is closer to city center. Where are you flying to Milan from?
We liked staying at Antica Locanda Leonardo near The Last Supper. We never stay near train stations, preferring neighborhoods.. Take a taxi to train station when you leave. There are teams available to get to Duomo area from The Last Supper.
See da Vinci’s The Last Supper and get tickets as soon as they are available for your dates.
Duomo
Galleria Vitoria Emmanuel
La Scala
and much much more. Get a good guide book to help you plan.
Hi,
First off, there's no need to stay near Milano Centrale Station. Public transport is excellent and you'll be able to go there to catch the train Venice very easily from any hotel that is more centrally located. If you look at a map of Milan, you'll see a first and a second circle of boulevards. I would prefer to stay within the first circle, or the second one at worst (near Corso Magenta / Cadorna station is quite convenient in that case), that way you can walk most places in town.
For airport, if you have the choice then LIN is much more convenient as it is closer to downtown. But most international flights go to MXP, and the difference is not worth a connection. If you land in MXP, cabs are very expensive, so take the Malpensa Express train to town (to either Cadorna or Centrale Station).
Regarding sights, most folks here would consider that 4 days is a lot for Milan. Indeed, once you'll have visited the Duomo, strolled around the center, visited the Pinacoteca Brera museum, Santa Maria delle Grazie (bookings needed) and enjoyed Aperitivo drinks and food by the Navigili canals, you'll have experienced the highlights.
But you can make day trips: Como, Bergamo and the Certosa di Pavia are all worthwhile day trip destinations (or half day for the latter), easy to reach by train from one of Milan's many regional train stations.
Varenna a good Lake Como day trip; Bergamo also very close, things to know if going.
Just agreeing that it doesn't make sense to stay near the station for "convenience," as Milan's excellent metro system will whisk you to the station quickly and easily. If you're laden with luggage, a taxi to or from the station to a more central location shouldn't cost much.
Rick's Italy book has an excellent Milan chapter, which should give you ideas for a first visit (including whether you'll actually want 3-4 days there, or want to spend a shorter time in Milan and more time elsewhere). I like Milan, but many don't, as it doesn't conform to what they seek from "Italy."
