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
8309 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
5 posts
Thank you so much Christine for all this. I will check out the link you included.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
15882 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
1469 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
2007 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
452 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
5 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
653 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
93 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.