Hostelworld Guide for The Essentials Climate

Getting There As it is one of 's most northerly cities, Milan experiences cooler temperatures than most of its counterparts. Winters frequently experience By plane: Milan is served by three airports - Linate, temperatures of 0°C and sometimes even lower. Malpensa and Orio al Serio. Some budget airlines Temperatures begin to climb in mid-April and by use Orio al Serio and Malpensa, while Linate is summer Milan experiences countless trademark hot nearest to central Milan. All are connected to the days Italy is so synonymous with. September is city centre via bus. extremely mild before things start to cool down again in October. By train: Milan's Stazione Centrale has rail links with all of 's major cities. It is a very imressive building and not far from the historical centre.

By bus: Buses arriving from and going to major European cities do so from the bus station at Piazza Sigmund Freud.

Getting Around

On foot: Milan's historical centre is easily explored on foot, but to get from Stazione Centrale to Il Duomo you may want to utilise the metro.

By metro: Milan's metro network consists of three Useful Information Slick, sleek and uber-cool, Milan is one of the most stylish cities in the world. Lavish designer stores lines - M1 (red), M2 (green) and M3 (yellow). It is abound endless streets while just as lavish bags loaded with the latest 'must-have' items hang from easy to use and efficient. Single journeys cost €1 Language: Italian endless shoppers' arms. Milan also has some of Italy's most breathtaking cathedrals, making it a perfect and 24 hour tickets cost €3. Currency: Euro destination for sightseeing as well as shopping. Once all shopping and sightseeing is done, visitors can Electricity: 220 Volts, AC/50Hz enjoy free snacks during 'aperitivo time' before ending the day in , Milan's coolest quarter. Area Code: +39 (Italy), 02 (Milan) By bus/tram: Milan's buses and trams cover the Emergency Codes: Ambulance 118 / Fire 115 / city in its entirety but you'll be doing well if you figure Police 112 either network out during a short stay. Time Zone: Central European Time (GMT + 1) Central Post Office: Piazza Main Tourist Office: Via Marconi 1 (across In this Guide... Useful phrases from Il Duomo)

Useful Information Hello: Ciao / Bonjourno After Dark Goodbye: Ciao / Arrivederci Consulates / Embassies Places to Eat Please: Per Favore Top Attractions Thank you: Grazie Budget Tips You're welcome: Prego USA: +39 02 290 351 Where to Shop Yes: Si Canada: +39 02 67 581 No: No Australia: +39 02 777 04227 Of course: Certamente South Africa: +39 02 809 030 Excuse me: Scusa UK: +39 02 723 001 How are you?: Come stai? Ireland: +39 06 697 9121* Open: Aperto Germany: +39 02 623 1101 Closed: Chiuso Spain: +39 02 632 8831 What is your name?: Come ti chiami? New Zealand: +39 02 4801 2544 My name is...: Mi chiamo... France: +39 02 655 9141 How much?: Quanto costa? The bill please?: Il conto per favore. * Embassy in

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La Colubrina, Via Felice Casati, 5 When I saw a Ripa, Ripa di Porta Ticinese 19, Navigli This long, Il Cenacolo, Corso Magenta Famous for one January - Corteo dei Re Magi To mark the end of customer squeeze Paulo the manager's cheek here, narrow bar is a popular hangout and buzzes well attraction, Il Cenacolo is where you can see Christmas on January 6th, this traditional parade it felt very familiar all of a sudden. This had to be a into the early hours at weekends. Its red-bricked Leonardo Da Vinci's 'The Last Supper'. Sadly, the marches from Il Duomo to Sant'Eustagio in the good thing since it was my first time there. walls make it easily distinctive from other bars while quality of the painting has suffered but it's still centre of Milan. Thin-crusted pizzas are placed in front of you in the dance, rock, reggae, r'n'b and pop tracks amazing to see nonetheless. Open Tues-Sun return for €5 or more. Pasta dishes cost in and playing in the background make it a real 8.30am-7pm; admission €6.50 + €1.50 booking fee; February/March - Carnevale Ambrosiana This, around the same. Needless to say I returned. Open people-pleaser. Open nightly from 6pm-2am. tickets must be pre-booked. the longest running carnival in Milan, is a favourite nightly from 7pm-11.30pm. with children who dress up and throw confetti all Luca & Andrea, Alzaia Naviglio Grande 34, , Piazza Castello Looming over over each other in Piazza del Duomo! Parades and Navigli If a quiet glass of wine is all you're Via Dante in downtown Milan is Castello Sforzesco, other festivities take place throughout the city. Fancy a free feed? yearning, and not a tray full of beers, Luca & a huge castle dating back to the 14th century. Built Andrea is the perfect spot. Friendly staff will quiz as a defence by Galeazzo II Visconti, you can visit March/April - Easter Rowing Regatta Universities you to see what type of wine tickles your fancy the castles museums such as the Archaeological from all over the world travel to Milan for this race before bringing it to your table. Open daily from 12 Museum as well as explore the castle's grounds. which takes place in Idropark Fila, part of the Milan noon-2am. Open daily from 9.30am-5.30pm; admission free University sports complex. (grounds), varies for museums. May - Giro d' Italia Italy's version of the Tour de Gay / Lesbian Milan , Via Brera, 28, Brera Housed France isn't as renowned as the aforementioned in a building that was constructed on the site of a race but attracts many big names nonetheless. It Milan is a city that sets trends as opposed to 14th century convent, the Brera Gallery is primarily climaxes in Milan towards the end of May. follow them. As a result it is a city that has more made up of paintings from churches and gay bars and clubs than other Italian cities. monasteries closed during the Napoleonic period. After Line (Via G.B. Sammartini 25) beside the Highlights include Mantegna's 'Cristo Morto' in Room May - Cornetto Free Music Festival Staged in train station is one of the city's most popular gay VI and Bellini's 'Predica di San Marco' in Room VIII. Piazza del Duomo, this is one of the most popular clubs. Another is Ricci (Piazza della Open Tues-Sun 8.30am-7.15pm; admission €5. events on the Milanese calendar. Not only does it Aperitivo time Every evening in Milan at around attract the world's biggest acts, but it's totally free! 6pm, bars all over the city leave a table full of Repubblica, 27) which is the current hotspot on finger food and snacks to be devoured at no the gay circuit. Alexander's Cabaret (Via G extra cost. All you have to do is buy a drink! So Ronzoni 2) is where you will encounter strip Italy's oldest gothic building June - Festival del Naviglio The Navigli district's rather than find a nice restaurant, save yourself shows and drag queen beauty contests. annual festival sees torch-lit processions and a anything up to €10 by visiting one of Milan's bars whole lot more entertain all those who attend this known for its aperitivo snacks (see below) 10-day event. between 6pm and 9.30pm and get fed for free! Spazio Movida, Via Ascanio Sforza 41, Navigli If the taste of beer is beginning to get tiresome and June to September - Serate al Museo Otherwise you need something to pep you up somewhat, known as 'Nights at the Museum', various events Le Biciclette, Via Torti, Navigli Located just off check out this bar. Cocktails on its extensive menu are held in seven different museums throughout the Conca del Navigilo, this chic bar is a great place to start at €6. If this is a little pricey, the pints of summer in Milan. start a night out. Each evening at 6pm over twenty German beer for €4 will suit. One thing that plates packed with everything from nachos to everyone should like are the friendly staff and laid-back tunes. Open nightly from 6pm-2am. September - La Nivola e il Santo Chiodo This is sausages are placed along its marble counter. one of the most unique events to take place in the Thankfully it isn't until 9pm that they are removed, by city and sees a priest raised up to the roof of Il which time you should be full as a tank. Open daily Dieci (10) Corso Como, 10 Corso Como This is Duomo to recover a nail, reportedly from the cross from 12 noon-2am. the hottest bar in Milan at the moment. that Christ died on. Subsequently, the bouncers can be selective on Il Duomo, Piazza del Duomo One of Italy's who they let in. It's still worth a try as this is Milan most breathtaking cathedrals, Il Duomo is Bar Brera, Via Brera 23, Brera Something of a notable for its spires and statues which reach to October - Eurotribu' Translating as 'Eurotribes', six Milanese institution, Bar Brera in the charming Brera after all. It's also on uber-chic Corso Como. Open nightly from 6pm-2am. the sky from all angles (there are 135 spires and concerts are staged in Teatro Piccolo for this district is one of the city's best known aperitivo bars. over 2,000 statues). The interior and views from festival. Everything from pop to jazz music can be Its wooden décor is particularly engaging, making it the roof terrace are also awe-inspiring. Open heard by bands from around the world. difficult to leave after one or two glasses of wine and Ponticello, Via Filippo Argelati 1, Navigli Every daily from 7am-7pm; admission free (cathedral), aperitivo snacks from the impressive buffet. Open Friday and Saturday night up and coming Milanese €4 (stairs) / €6 (elevator) to roof terrace. daily from 9am-2am. bands entertain this bar's clientele with their cover November - Milan Jazz Festival This annual jazz versions making live music this bar's forte. Open festival attracts jazz artists from both home and abroad who play in venues all around the city. Gelaterias (Ice cream shops) An Italian city nightly from 6pm-2am. San Siro, Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Via wouldn't be an Italian city unless it was heaving with Piccolomini 5 Whether it's for a game or a tour of gelaterias. In them you can treat yourself to all types Plastic, Viale Umbria 10 You can't visit Milan the stadium, sports fans should visit this football December - Festa di Sant'Ambrogio Religious of ice-cream for as little as €2. Tre Gazzelle (Corso without continuing one night into the next morning. stadium where AC Milan and Inter, two of Italy's celebrations, fairs and more are put on throughout Vittorio Emmanuelle, 22) and Viel (Corso Buenos Check out this club on that night. Open Thurs-Sun biggest clubs, play. Season runs from August-May; Milan each year on December 7th to mark the day Aires, 15) are two of Milan's best known. from 10pm-4am; admission varies. tour open daily from 10am-5pm; admission €8. of the city's patron saint.

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Grazia, Piazza Duca d'Aosta 14 Located directly Quadrilatero D'Oro Milan's 'Golden Quater' of Visit Milan's places of worship Just like as in most Il Duomo, Milan's number one attraction, across the road from Stazione Centrale, Grazia is shopping streets is adorned with the most ornate Italian cities, most of Milan's cathedrals and should be visited early to avoid the queues. one of the more modern internet cafés in Milan. stores selling the latest designer clothing. churches are free to visit. Many of them are also The view when you reach the top is Choose from one of over 30 computers, all with flat Comprising of , Via Sant' some of the city's most beautiful buildings. Notable breathtaking. screens and speedy access. They also have Andrea, and Via Alessandro ones include Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio with its beverages to choose from if you are parched. Open Manzoni, , Dolce & Gabana and Yves Saint gold altar, Chiesa di San Maurizio where you'll find daily from 8am-2am; €4 per hour. Lauren all have stores here. The store looks Locate Via Dante on your map. The castle some of the city's most remarkable paintings, and you can see in the distance is Castello more like a hotel. The shoppers tend to be very Chiesa di San Marco which dates back to 1254. beautiful so arm yourself with your shades to fit in. Sforzesco (below). Explore its grounds and maybe even a museum. Check out Cimitero Monumentale Not far from the The long and noisy Corso city centre at Piazzale del Cimitero Monumentale is Buenos Aires can be a bit much at times but it is Cimitero Monumentale, a graveyard with some of where you will find shops most of us have become the most outlandish tombstones you are likely to accustomed to such as Footlocker and H&M. ever see. One is a 3D version of Da Vinci's 'The Last Supper'. This is the resting place for many famous Italians. Open Tues-Sun from It's not all about designer gear 8.30am-5.30pm. Chill out in Milan's gardens No matter what city in the world you are in, there is nothing more pleasurable than relaxing in one of its parks when the crowds of downtown begin to irritate. Milan's two Internet Centre, Viale Tunisia 11 With 18 main open spaces are Giardini Pubblici and Parco terminals to choose from and chilled out tunes in Sempione. The former is the city's largest park and the background, this internet café is one of the always busy in the summer while the latter is behind Grab your lunch. There are snack shops all busier ones in Milan. It enjoys a good location off Castello Sforzesco. over the city selling paninis for around €3. busy Corso Buenos Aires and has private booths if After that make your way back towards you want to cybercam with friends back home. Piazza del Duomo. Open daily from 9am-midnight; €1.80 per hour. Some free, modern culture Wander through the amazing Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II before making your way up to Extremelot, Ripa di Porta Ticinese 9, Navigli This Mercato Papiniano, Viale Papiniano Walking Navigili district internet café is one of the most Quadrilatero D'Oro, home to countless around Milan's more affluent shopping streets for designer shops. pleasant places to log on to the world wide web in too long may have you craving for something Milan. It is also one of the more popular cybercafés new for your backpack. And looking at the price with online gamers. Open daily from 9am-midnight; tags for too long may have you longing for a Not far from Quadrilatero D'Oro is €6 per hour. brighter credit card. But mosey down to this Pinacotecca di Brera, one of Italy's finest art market in the south-west part of the city and you galleries. Go in and admire some of the Ethnicity, Via Le V. Veneto 1 Perched at the top of can pick up anything from perfume to slippers for country's finest paintings in its 38 rooms. Giardini Pubblici is Ethnicity, a place that isnt so under €10. Open Tues & Sat from 8am-6pm. much an internet café, more a place where you can Right outside the door of the Brera Gallery is log on to the internet. They offer many services and Bar Brera, one of Milan's most enchanting have booths for making long-distance calls back Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II Constructed between bars. Stop in for some aperitivo snacks and a home. Open Mon-Fri 9am-8pm. 1865 and 1871, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is one Galleria d'Arte Moderna, Via Palestro 16 glass of wine. of Milan's greatest buildings and is worth visiting Housed in a building where Napoleon once whether you plan on upsetting your credit card lived, Milan's modern art gallery is one of the Take the metro from Lanza to Porta Genova www. balance or not. A neoclassical masterpiece, it was city's most intriguing galleries and, since it's free to explore the Navigli district, Milan's liveliest badly bombed during air raids in 1943 but has been to get in, is well worth visiting. Located at the quarter. Get more aperitivo snacks and wine www.cenacolovinciano.it (Cenacolo tickets) thankfully restored to its former glory. foot of Giardini Pubblici, it is home to some of in Luca & Andrea. www.milanoinfotourist.com Italy's best modern art. Open Tues-Sun www.teatroallascala.org Via Torino Conveniently located just off Piazza del 9.30am-5.30pm; admission free. Go bar hopping along Navigli Grande and www.acmilan.com Duomo, baggy jeans and hoodies are what you will the adjacent canal where you'll find wine www.milandaily.com find here as many of the shops are skate-orientated. bars, cocktails bars and more. People-watch around Quadrilatero D'Oro Your bank balance may not permit you to shop around Nine T Nine, 6 Via Stradivari It's a little out of the From Navigli hop in a cab and finish the night *Since the Bombings in July 05, most city centre, but this 99c shop not far from the train Quadrilatero D'Oro, but its one of the best places internet cafés will require photographic ID from you to people-watch in the city. Saturday afternoons are off in Plastic on Viale Umbria, one of Milan's station is where you will pick up all sorts of bits and hippest nightclubs. to let you log on. pieces for less than a euro. best when the really beautiful people come out.

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