Milan: fashion, the Duomo and lakes at the foot of the Alps

Who Milan suits

Milan appeals to people travelling for fashion, design and shopping, as well as business travellers heading to trade fairs. But the city is interesting even without shopping: the cathedral, the museums, the Navigli canals in the evening and aperitivo in the bars. For couples and families, Milan makes a good base for trips to the lakes.

Unlike Rome, Milan is not about antiquity but about modern Italy. Together the two cities show different sides of Italy, and many travellers fly into Milan and out of Rome, crossing the country by train.

When to go

Spring and early autumn have the most pleasant weather. In April the city hosts a major design week, and in February and September there are fashion weeks: hotels get much more expensive and sell out on those dates.

Summer is hot and humid, and in August many shops and restaurants close for the holidays. Winter is cold and can be foggy, but January brings the sales, and the Christmas lights are still up early in the month.

Where to stay

Duomo and the centre

Close to the cathedral, the Galleria and La Scala. The most convenient spot for a short trip, but also the most expensive.

Brera

An artistic quarter with the Brera gallery, narrow streets, boutiques and restaurants. Atmospheric and quiet for the centre.

Fashion Quadrilateral

Via Montenapoleone and Via della Spiga with flagship boutiques. Upscale hotels, with everything for shopping nearby.

Navigli

Canals south of the centre lined with bars and restaurants. Lively in the evening, good for young couples and groups of friends.

Central Station and Porta Nuova

A new business district with skyscrapers and the Bosco Verticale. Practical for train trips to other cities and to the airports.

What to see

• Milan Cathedral (Duomo). A Gothic cathedral with a forest of spires. Be sure to go up to the rooftops, by stairs or lift.
• Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. A covered arcade of shops and cafés linking the cathedral and La Scala.
• The Last Supper. Leonardo’s fresco in the refectory of Santa Maria delle Grazie, visited in small groups strictly by time slot.
• Sforza Castle and Sempione Park.
• Pinacoteca di Brera. Italian Renaissance painting.
• La Scala opera house and its museum.
• Navigli at sunset.

Day trips

• Lake Como: Bellagio, Varenna and villas with gardens. A full day or an overnight stay.
• Lake Garda and Sirmione.
• Bergamo: an old town on a hill.
• Outlets around Milan: a separate day for shopping.
• Venice by high-speed train.

How many days to plan

• 2–3 days: the city and The Last Supper.
• 4–5 days: add Como and an outlet.
• 8–10 days: Milan, Venice, Florence and Rome.

Good to know

You need a Schengen visa. Rules are given as of October 2026 and may change: check with our manager or the official embassy website before you travel.

Flights from Tashkent: our manager will find direct and connecting options. Milan has several airports, and the choice affects how you get to the centre, so check this when booking.

When shopping, keep your receipts and request a tax refund form in the store: you can get part of the amount back when leaving the EU. If you plan to buy a lot, check your baggage and cabin baggage allowances in advance to avoid paying extra at the airport.

Aperitivo and Milanese food

In the evening, the Milanese go for aperitivo: bars serve snacks with your drink, sometimes a whole buffet. Non-alcoholic options are available everywhere, just ask. Dishes to try include saffron risotto alla milanese, ossobuco and cotoletta alla milanese. The best areas for dinner are Brera and Navigli. On weekdays, many restaurants in the business districts serve lunch for office workers and are closed in the evening, so check opening hours in advance.

Let us plan your Milan trip

Send a request, message us on Telegram @GlobalDestination1 or call +998 99 760-82-88. Our manager will help with the visa, book flights, a hotel and tickets for The Last Supper, and can add the lakes and other Italian cities if you like.