Flights from Shanghai (PVG) to Milan (MXP)

About Milan

Discover Milan

Why visit Milan?
Milan is Italy's style capital, where historic architecture meets sleek contemporary design. You will find grand piazzas, a celebrated arts scene, and neighbourhoods that blend old-world charm with modern creativity.

What to expect
The city is compact and walkable, centred around the Duomo and elegant Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Business districts, leafy residential streets, and redeveloped canal areas each offer their own character, from quiet courtyards to lively aperitivo spots.

Plan your trip
Milan is a practical base for exploring northern Italy, with high-speed rail links to Turin, Venice, and Florence, and easy access to Lake Como and the Alps. Whether you stay in the centre or near major stations, you can combine city breaks with day trips into the surrounding region.

Top sights in Milan

Duomo di Milano

Climb to the rooftop terraces of this iconic cathedral to admire intricate spires and sweeping views over the city skyline.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Stroll under the glass-vaulted arcades, browsing designer boutiques and historic cafés in one of the world’s oldest shopping galleries.

Sforza Castle and Parco Sempione

Explore the imposing castle complex and then relax in the adjoining park, a popular green escape for both residents and visitors.

Brera District

Wander cobbled streets lined with art galleries, small boutiques, and inviting bistros in this characterful historic quarter.

Navigli Canals

Discover restored canal-side walkways that come alive in the evening with waterside bars, eateries, and art studios.

Porta Nuova and Piazza Gae Aulenti

See Milan’s contemporary side with striking towers, modern plazas, and elevated walkways set around a central urban square.

La Scala Theatre Square

Visit the grand square facing the renowned La Scala opera house and nearby museum to appreciate Milan’s performing arts heritage.

CityLife District

Admire bold modern architecture, landscaped public spaces, and a contemporary shopping centre in this redeveloped urban area.

Experience Milan’s everyday rhythm

Getting around
Milan’s metro, tram, and bus network makes it straightforward to move between central sights and outer districts. Trams offer a scenic way to see historic streets, while bike- and scooter-sharing schemes help you cover short distances from stations to your final stop.

Local life & culture
You will notice a busy weekday rhythm, with café counters filling up in the morning and squares becoming livelier towards the evening. Distinct districts such as Brera, Isola, and Porta Romana each have their own creative communities, galleries, and cultural spaces to explore.

Where to unwind
Green areas like Parco Sempione and the gardens around Porta Venezia provide calm places to pause between museum visits. In warmer months, early mornings and late afternoons are pleasant times for park walks, while evenings by the Navigli canals are ideal for relaxed people-watching.

A taste of Milan

Street food & local specialties
Around the city centre and station areas you will find bakeries and cafés serving focaccia, panini, and local pastries that are easy to enjoy on the go. Traditional trattorias serve comforting northern Italian dishes, from risotto to slow-cooked mains, often in a relaxed, neighbourhood setting.

Casual & modern dining hubs
Food courts and restaurants inside major malls and transport hubs offer quick, varied options, from pizza slices to contemporary Italian plates. In districts like Porta Nuova and CityLife, many venues offer smaller portions and tasting menus that encourage you to sample different flavours in one meal.

Signature & scenic dining
For memorable evenings, choose a restaurant with views of the Duomo, a rooftop terrace overlooking the modern skyline, or a table along the Navigli canals. These settings pair carefully prepared menus with city views, creating a relaxed atmosphere for special occasions or a final night in Milan.

Retail therapy in Milan

Malls & lifestyle hubs
In central Milan, you will find large shopping complexes and department stores that mix international brands with Italian labels under one roof. These centres often combine retail with cinemas, food courts, and exhibition spaces, turning shopping into a comfortable day out.

Markets & local crafts
Neighbourhood streets in areas such as Brera, Navigli, and Porta Ticinese are good places to discover independent boutiques and artisan workshops. Regular street markets around the city offer clothing, accessories, and household items, with some stalls focusing on handmade goods and vintage finds.

Evening retail scene
After dark, streets near the Duomo, the fashion quadrilateral, and the Navigli canals stay active, with illuminated window displays and late-opening stores. Many areas are easily reached by metro or tram, so you can combine evening shopping with dining and a walk through the city lights.

Best time to visit Milan

Primavera (spring, March to May, shoulder season)
Spring in Milan is mild, with average temperatures around 10–20°C (50–68°F). Parks and canal areas become greener, and outdoor cafés gradually fill up. It is a comfortable season for walking tours and day trips, with a balanced mix of visitors and local events.

Estate (summer, June to August, peak season)
Summer brings warm to hot days, with averages of 20–30°C (68–86°F). Long daylight hours are ideal for exploring neighbourhoods and enjoying open-air concerts, terraces, and evening strolls along the canals. This is a lively time when many cultural programmes and festivals are scheduled.

Autunno e inverno (autumn and winter, September to February, low season)
Autumn starts mild, around 15–22°C (59–72°F), before cooling towards winter, when temperatures average 0–8°C (32–46°F). These months are welcoming for museum visits, gallery-hopping, and seasonal lights, with a calmer pace in many areas and a cosy atmosphere in cafés and indoor attractions.

Frequently Asked Questions