Looking to explore a different side to Milan? If you know your sport, then forget the big sunglasses and high heels; we’re talking stadium tours and footie studs. Milan is home to two of the biggest clubs in Europe: AC and Inter, and here is how you can visit one of the busiest homes of the Beautiful Game.
See San Siro
If you can’t think of anything better than a walk around an Italian football stadium, then you simply have to squeeze in a visit to the home of AC and Inter: San Siro. The history of the stadium is pretty cool: it officially opened in 1926 with a friendly between the two Milanese sides, which ended 3-6. The first owner of the stadium was AC Milan, but it was sold to the city in 1935 – soon it had to be enlarged due to how popular the club was becoming!
If you’re hoping to catch a game here, be wary that it is shared by both AC and Inter., so you’re looking at only one game per weekend. Prices could be high, as this is a popular stadium. Both teams attract average attendances of 40,000 during a typical season, so if you’re keen get on it quick and grab yourself a front row view of one of the biggest inter-city rivalries in footballing history. Located just 5km from the city centre, it’s easy to access and definitely worth a visit.
If you can’t get tickets for a game, I recommend a stadium tour and a quick spin around the museum to really soak up the clubs’ stories. If the game is all you care about, then there are a few choice haunts that will open their doors to any football fan, and share their massive flat screen TV with you over a few beers. I’ll mention those again in just a sec.
Visit Museo Mondo Mila
If you’re a footie fanatic, Museo Mondo Milan is incredible. With state-of-the-art technology and some incredible internal architecture, this museum is an interactive exhibition experience that takes you through the history and achievements of AC Milan. There are works of art, monuments, live music and theatre, as well as a 360˚ view of Milan City, thanks to a host of images on show.
The Best Sports Bars
If tickets have eluded you, no doubt you will end up in need of somewhere to grab a cold drink, and to sit back and watch the game. Carlsberg Øl is a fantastic little bar with a vast selection of beers and ales, a punchy pizza menu and a massive screen for catching a couple of goals.
Also boasting shade from the Italian sun and a big screen to host the major games, Fiori Oscuri has an extensive burger menu, as well as live music and entertainment. Not a spot to miss.
Where to Stay
Milan Hotel – vamp up the social aspect of your stay while keeping tight to your holiday budget. With a variety of room types and a central location only five miles from the airport, you can get cracking on exploring this football-mad city ASAP. The Milan Hotel offers an in-house bar as well as free WiFi, so you’ll never miss an opportunity to add to your Insta. As if that wasn’t enough, the staff speak English, so if you’re not feeling brave enough to dabble in Italiano, they’ll help you out.
Ostello Bello – this quirky little place offers balconies with hammocks, a buffet breakfast and dinner, free WiFi to keep you connected, and a free drink on arrival! A true social location, here you’ll be within walking distance of the metro station, making you perfectly situated to get to all the football action as well as the drinking and dining districts that the city centre has to offer.
ApArt Hotel Lupetta 5 – this option is funky, individual and has all the amenities you could want, but still not won’t cost you an arm and a leg. We’re talking large, spacious interiors, perfect for a big group of friends watching the game, and free WiFi too. You’ll be located just 200 yards from the local metro station, giving you unbeatable links to all areas of Milan (including the clubbing district, the stadiums and the bars). Find yourself in a single room with a balcony or a seven-bed split level studio! This hotel is located fewer than five miles from the airport, helping you to make the most of your time away.
How to Get There
You can easily grab an affordable flight to Milan Linate Airport (LIN) that will take you less than two hours from London Gatwick. Operators who can offer this service include easyJet, Alitalia and BA. So, what are you waiting for? Shuttle Direct provide a quick (only 30 mins!) and comfortable service from the airport to the city, ensuring that you and your mates can make the most of your trip.
About Shuttle Direct
Helpful, fairly-priced, and friendly, Shuttle Direct is the best choice for airport transfers across Europe and North Africa. Don’t waste time navigating a foreign public transport system when you could be whizzing through the streets to the city centre in next to no time, ready to begin your Italian adventure!
