We are planning our first ever trip to Milan and then on to Lake Como. Questions about Milan:
- is 2 nights enough, or should we choose 3?
- what's the best area to stay in, and what hotels would you recommend (not the fanciest, but one that includes breakfast and has a lift)
- what are the 'don't miss' things we should see?
- what else would make our time in Milan special?
Thanks for your advice! - Deb Soule
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
8519 posts
Have you searched this forum?
https://search.ricksteves.com/?button=&date_range=2y&filter=Travel+Forum&query=Milan+hotels+
2 nights is probably sufficient but depends on what YOU want to see and do
https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/italy/milan
Tickets for Last Supper are extremely hard to get -they go fast so book as soon as available from the official website
Posted by
OP
9 posts
Thank you so much Christine for all this. I will check out the link you included.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
16079 posts
The 2 times I’ve stayed in Milan I liked being near the Duomo. I like the Hotel Gran Duca di York. They have an elevator, very good breakfast, AC and the staff is so nice and helpful.
For myself, the sights I wanted to see were The Last Supper, the Duomo with the ticket that allows elevator access nearly to the top (there is still a flight of stairs above the elevator end), the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana which is a museum that has Leonardo da Vinci’s Codex Atlanticus as well as the “cartoon” or drawing Raphael did for his School of Athens fresco in the Vatican.
I spent 2 nights in 2022 and could have used another night for 2 full days there.
Posted by
Massachusetts
1501 posts
In addition to Pam’s tips/suggestions, I enjoyed my visit to the Church of San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore, referred to as the Sistine Chapel of Milan.
https://www.yesmilano.it/en/see-and-do/venues/chiesa-di-san-maurizio-al-monastero-maggiore
Posted by
Massachusetts, USA
2017 posts
I second Pam's recommendation for the Hotel Gran Duca di York. And the tour of the Duomo, including the rooftop, is magnificent. We also enjoyed wandering through and exploring the Brera District: very pretty, very artsy, and lots of restaurants to choose from.
Will Milan be your first stop on your trip? If so, this means you will be jetlagged on your first day. So I recommend 3 nights if you can fit it in.
Posted by
Portland, OR
461 posts
I also agree with Pam about the Gran Duca di York. We have stayed there before on both inbound and outbound trips. Outstanding staff, very comfortable, and well located. Pam’s recommendations are great.
Posted by
OP
9 posts
I appreciate all these suggestions. Unfortunately the Hotel Gran Duca di York is sold out. Who's got other recommendations that don't cost a bundle?
Posted by
Minnesota
673 posts
I had a very nice stay at Hotel Berna. It’s near the train station and it’s very easy to take the subway from there to any sights you want to see.
Posted by
St. Francis, WI
95 posts
I agree with the suggestion to see San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore. I can also recommend a walking tour with Bella Milano Tours. While their website has pre-defined tours (unique ones, in my opinion), my experience was that Valeria arranged a tour just for us, taking into consideration what we wanted to see and how much time we had. It was so much better than trying to find our own way around and read guidebooks about what we were seeing. It was wonderful.
Posted by
OP
9 posts
Just following up: we booked at the IH Hotel Milano Ambassciatori, which appears to be near the Duomo/City Center. Quite reasonably priced and the location seems good. If anyone has stayed at this property I would love to hear feedback. I appreciate this forum.
Posted by
Massachusetts
1501 posts
we booked at the IH Hotel Milano Ambassciatori
The location is good - a short walk from the Duomo. Recent Google reviews are good. It appears that the hotel is currently going through renovations so keep that in mind with respect to noise.
Posted by
Arlington TX
822 posts
Another recommendation for Hotel Berna. I spent 6 nights there in April. Very nice and reasonable and I took the metro to places I couldn’t walk to. Very easy to use. Don’t miss: the Duomo and the Last Supper.
Posted by
Frisco, Texas, US
315 posts
Hotel Gran Duca di York is great, we were there this month. Hotel Berna is also good. Last Supper tickets aren't hard to get if you are buying them in advance. The website tells you when the next release will be (3 months at a time, released about 6 weeks before the first day of the period they are releasing). Noon Milan time is 5:00 a.m. in Texas, but I got online at that time and got tickets for the only day I had in Milan. I highly recommend going. Don't miss the duomo. Good choice to go to Lake Como!!
Posted by
60 posts
We stayed at the Hilton Garden on the northeast edge of Milan. We had parking available and a subway station just a short block away. We don’t normally stay in “name brand” hotels but this worked well. Excellent hotel with a fantastic breakfast. We did the last Supper, the complete Duomo tour, lots of shopping with the teenage granddaughters, two meals and gelato all in one day.