Located at the north end of the Piazza del Duomo, The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is a double arcade with vaulted glass ceilings.  Milan is known as one of the fashion centers of the world, and this shopping mall definitely boasts some of the world’s finest shopping with names like Gucci, Prada, and Luis Vuitton, all showcasing their high-end products in the galleria.

Transportation: MM1/3 : Duomo

Hours: Tues. – Sun 10 :00am– 5:30pm   

Tickets: €7,50

    The Duomo di Milan, also known as the Milan Cathedral, is the third largest Catholic church in the world behind St. Peter’s in the Vatican and Seville Cathedral in Spain.  The Milan Cathedral took nearly 600 years to complete (1386 to 1965).  The roof is accessible for a small fee and provides views of the sculptures atop the cathedral that would otherwise be unappreciated. 

Transportation: MM1 Cairoli   MM2 Lanza

Hours: Tues. – Sun. 9:00am -5:30pm   

Tickets: €1,50 for students   Fri. from  2:00-5:30pm is free 

    The Castello Sforzesco is a castle located in Milan, Italy.  Today it hosts many of the city’s museums and other galleries.  Michelangelo’s last sculpture, the Rondanini Pieta, is located in one of these museums, particularly the Piacoteca del Castello Sforzesco.  This museum also hosts Da Vinci’s “Codex Trivulzianus” manuscript and the “Trivulzio Madonna” by Andrea Mantegna.  The manuscript by Da Vinci is not always available to the public, so don’t be surprised if it is not there. 

Transportation: MM1 Conciliazone, MM2 Cadorna

Hours: Mon – Sat  7:00am -12:00pm and 3:00-7:00pm, Sun. 7:30am-12:15pm, 3:30 – 9:00pm

Modest Dress Required

Refractory (“Last Supper”) hours: Tues-Sun.  8:15am – 6:45pm 

Tickets:  €6,50

Reservations: €1,50,  (+39) 02 89 42 11 46 for reservations, or http://www.cena colovinciano.org

    This church is infamous for Leonardo Da Vinci’s famous mural the “Last Supper” which depicts Christ’s last supper with his disciples.  Da Vinci painted this mural between 1495 and 1498.  During this supper, Jesus tells all of the disciples about how they will betray him, and Da Vinci’s painting depicts each apostle’s personal reaction to the shocking news.  Due to the method that Da Vinci used to paint this mural, it has seen significant deterioration since its completion.  A recent restoration took place between 1978 and 1999.  The painting is currently on display, but reservations must be made and you may only view the painting for 15 minutes.   

Address: Largo Ghiringhelli 1, Piazza Scala

Transportation: Lines 1 and 2 to “Duomo”, Tram nos. 1 and 2 to Manzoni-Scala stop

Hours: 9:0am – 12:30pm and 1:30- 5:30pm 

Tickets: €5, €2,50 students

    The Teatro Alla Scala is one of the finest opera houses in all of Europe.  Founded in 1778, it sells out nightly to this day.  The Museo gives visitors a chance to see the opera house without having to search for a ticket and pay a hefty fee.  It is located at the opposite end of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuel II from the Duomo.

Address: Via Torti 4

Transportation: Sant Agostino metro

Hours: 6:00pm- 2:00am, restaurant from 10:00pm- midnight (1:00am on Fri. and Sat.), happy hour from 6:00- 9:30pm

    This previous bike shop now operates as one of Milan’s favorite restaurants and art bars.  Primi items from €7,50, and Secondi from €13.  They also serve brunch for €18. Located in the Navigali district, Le Biciclette sits in the heart of a lively area, accented with canals and footbridges.

Flights: Malpensa Airport (MXP) handles of Milan’s intercontinental flights. Linate Airport (LIN) handles all of the domestic and European flights, and Orlo al Serio Airport (BGY) handles the Ryanair flights.  Backpackers should take the Maplensa express to get to Stazione Nord from Malpensa and visa versa.  Take Starfly buses to reach Stazione Centrale from Linate Airport, and finally take the shuttle from Stazione Centrale to reach Orlo al Serio Airport. 

Trains: Stazione Centrale carries backpackers to and from Milan.  Destinations include Venice (3hr), Turin (2hr), Florence (3.5hr), and Rome (7hr). 

Buses: Intercity buses also depart from Stazione Centrale.  Those traveling from city to city should have a Eurail pass, so College Backpacking recommends taking the trains whenever possible.  They are frequently faster and less expensive than buses.

Public Transportation: Milan has two metro lines that run from 6am-midnight.  Line 2 (green) connects all of the train stations.  Single ride tickets cost €1 and a day pass costs €3, and make sure to buy your tickets before the machines stop selling at 8pm.

Address: 15 Corso Como

Hours: 6:00pm- 4:00am

Cover: €10

    This highly energized bar is not quite a dance club, but dancing on tables is highly encouraged.  The ideal spot for those who love to dance but want to avoid the club scene.

Address: Corso Como 15

Hours: Tues.- Sun. 11:00pm- 4:00am

Cover: around €15 (women with a student ID can get in for free before midnight)

    One of the chicest and most exclusive clubs in Milan, Hollywood attracts beautiful people from all over the city, including supermodels during fashion week.  Dress your best to get past the selective bouncers.  If you find the bouncers in a particularly bad mood, no need to worry-- there’s no better place than Corso Como to find popular dance clubs and lively bars.