Milan Short Breaks Guide

Milan is the financial centre of Italy, the home to supposedly the hardest working people in Italy and of the Italian fashion industry. Milan can perhaps even be called the capital of the worlds fashion industry.

Milan has since Roman times been a commercial city, particularly during the middle-ages due to its position on the River Po and its access across the Alps. Milan was an important part of the Renaissance in the 15^th century.

UK visitors to Milan have tended to be either business people (especially if they involved in design or fashion) or football supporters – Milan is home to AC Milan and Internazionale. The city is often overlooked as a weekend break destination because of these perceptions, but Milan is home to a UNESCO World Heritage site and some of the world’s most important works of art, including “The Last Supper” by Leonardo da Vinci.

Milan was the capital of the Western Roman Empire for a time, but has been passed between various empires for most of its history, including the Huns, Charlemagne, the Habsburg Dynasty, and the Kingdom of Italy.

Again, due its geographical position Italy became on important railway hub, especially after the construction of the Simplon and Gotthard Rail Tunnels. It remains a crucial rail terminus, with TGV trains now travelling frequently to and from Paris.

The Major sites for tourists in Milan are the Duomo and Piazza, the San Siro Stadium, Milan Cathedral, and the Teatro Alla Scala.

Getting to Milan

Many Airlines fly direct to Milan from the UK. See a full list at our cheap flights to Italy page. Reaching Milan by train is now becoming increasingly popular with TGV trains from Paris now travelling during the day to Milan direct. A sleeper train is probably more practical for UK travellers, this Artesia train can be caught at Paris Bercy Station.

Arriving in Milan

The two main airports in Milan are Linate and Malpensa. Malpena Airport has an express train into the city centre (Milan Centra Station) which takes 29 minutes. Milano Linate is only 7km from the centre of Milan. It can be reached by bus number 73 which takes 25 minutes.