For trends, design and all things art, there’s no better cultural hub to visit than Milan. This gorgeous Italian city is one you have to see – and experience – for yourself. However, before you jet off to the fashion capital of the world, read our post inspired by this infographic so you can get in the know about all it has to offer. From fantastic food to sensational sights, here are our favourite facts. Use them to make the most of Milan.
The Basics
- April to May or September to October are the best times of the year to visit.
- January tends to be the coldest month, while July is the hottest.
- Tipping isn’t required when you’re at a restaurant – generally a service charge is included in your bill.
- A typical greeting consists of one kiss on the right cheek and one on the left.
- Italian is the city’s most commonly spoken language. Buongiorno means ‘good morning’, grazie means ‘thank you’ and buona note means ‘goodnight’. If you wish to ask how much something is, simply say quanto costa?
The Cuisine
- Risotto alla Milanese (saffron rice with onions), luini (fried dough stuffed with mozzarella and tomato) and panettone (sweet bread with lemon, oranges and sultanas) are three vegetarian favourites.
- Meat lovers will enjoy cotoletta alla Milanese (fried veal or chicken cutlet), mondeghili (meatballs) and ossobuco alla Milanese (braised veal shanks with veg).
- Espresso is one of the most popular coffee drinks here.
The Sights
- Sforza Castle was built in the fifteenth century by the Duke of Milan at the time, Francesco Sforza. Although it is no longer inhabited today, it houses several of the city’s art collections and museums.
- Museo del Novecento holds over 4,000 pieces of twentieth-century Italian art, making it one of the largest galleries in all of Milan.
- Teatro alla Scala, commonly just referred to as La Scala, is an opera house that is renowned worldwide and frequently hosts some of the most talented operatic artists around.
With these fast facts under your belt, you’ve got a great base knowledge to make the most of your holiday in Milan, whether your favourite part of travelling is sampling the cuisine, exploring the sights or just learning about the culture.
