Milan/North

While the Centro Storico is the unquestionable heart of Milan, it is the north of the city that is its hub. Here you will find two most important railway stations - the imposing Milano Centrale and busy Porta Garibaldi - as well as the ever-growing array of office towers that make up Milan's modern skyline, housing the headquarters of companies that make Milan Italy's economic capital.

Though much less tourist-oriented than the Centre, it is a part of the city most tourists arriving by train or bus simply cannot miss because of the location of the city's transportation hubs. And while you are already there, it is worth exploring, as it actually has a lot to offer.

Get in

Northern Milan includes two of the most important railway stations of Milan:

  • ๐ŸŒ Milano Centrale. The massive, and undeniably impressive central station building is a terminus station with no less than 24 platforms. Construction of the station was a lengthy process of changing plans and ever-growing ambitions of Italian leaders from King Victor Emanuel to Benito Mussolini, but the result, finally achieved in 1931, became one of Milan's landmarks and certainly a sight to behold.
    Milano Centrale serves mostly long-distance trains, including the vast majority of international trains arriving to Milan, such as ones to Switzerland, Austria, Germany and the Thello night train to Paris. It is also an important station in the Italian high-speed train network (though only Trenitalia trains use it, italotreni uses Porta Garibaldi solely), allowing connections to Turin, Bologna, Florence, Rome and Naples. Regular-speed domestic connections are provided from Milano Centrale to most other cities in Italy, including Bergamo, Genoa, Padua, Verona and Venice. Milano Centrale is also one of the stations served by the Malpensa Express trains that connect the city to the Malpensa international airport.
  • ๐ŸŒ Milano Porta Garibaldi. This is the main commuter hub in Milan, served by suburban commuter lines (S-lines), regional and national trains. Be aware that in fact there are two stations. The main one is the surface station, with 20 platforms used by regional and national trains but also commuter lines S7/S8/S11. Here you can also find NTV fast trains to Turin, Rome and Naples and also some connections to Milano Malpensa Airport. The other station (usually referred as Milano Porta Garibaldi Passante or Sotterranea) is placed underground below the main station, with two platforms used by suburban lines S1, S3, S5, and S6. You must use this station to get to the Rho fairgrounds. Both stations are also connected to metro lines  M2  and  M5 .

See

Museums

  • ๐ŸŒ Society for Fine Arts and Permanent Exhibition (Societร  per la Belle Arti ed Esposizione Permanente), Via Filippo Turati 34 (Turati  M3  station; Tram 1, 2 Donegani Moscova Station; Tram 9, 29/30, 33 Repubblica Station), โ˜ +39 02 6551445, fax: +39 02 6590840, . Changing exhibitions of contemporary art.
  • ๐ŸŒ Contemporary Arts Pavilion (Padiglione d'Arte Contemporanea (PAC)), Via Palestro 14 (Near Porta Venezia Gardens; subway line Palestro  M1  Station; or with many buses and trams), โ˜ +39 02 8844 6359. Tu W F-Su 09:30-19:30; Th 09:30-22:30; M closed. A contemporary art space. In 1993 a bomb destroyed the building in a time when Italy was heavily committed in its fight against the Mafia. Adult โ‚ฌ8.00, reduced โ‚ฌ6.50.
  • ๐ŸŒ Modern Art Gallery (Galleria d'Arte Moderna), Via Palestro 16, โ˜ +39 02 8844 5947. Mainly features 19th-century Italian art.
  • ๐ŸŒ Natural Science Museum (Museo Civico di Storia Naturale), 55, Corso Venezia (inside Porta Venezia Gardens; Subway: Porta Venezia  M1  or Palestro  M1  Stations). Has reduced and free entry (depends on person) after 16:30 most days or 14:30 Fridays.

Squares and streets

  • ๐ŸŒ Piazza Duca d'Aosta (To go here, hop off the Centrale F.S metro station, which is the closest (Caiazzo and Zara are relatively close too)). A very big, relatively modern and busy square in the north-east of Milan, famous for hosting the city's majestic central station, and the Pirelli skyscraper. The Piazza is generally bustling with people, and is at the heart of Milan's economic and business district. It is where you'll end up if you need to go to the central station, but it is also a good place to go because it boasts some excellent examples of post-Second World War modern architecture, such as the Pirelli building, and some elegant hotels, such as the Hotel Excelsior Gallia.
  • ๐ŸŒ Piazza della Repubblica (Hop off at the Repubblica metro station, right in the middle of the square. Close stations include P.ta Venezia, Turati and Centrale F.S., which are, within a mediumly long walking distance). A modern and very busy square north-west of Milan. It contains some of the most important office blocks and company buildings in the country, and boasts some good examples of 1950s and 60s Italian architecture. The square is an important one for transportation, and contains some grand hotels. It is also close to the Piazza Duca d'Aosta and the city Central station.
  • ๐ŸŒ Corso Venezia. Considered one of the finest and most beautiful streets in the city. Right near the glitzy Montenapoleone area, it is flanked by a series of beautiful villas, museums and palazzi, from all eras. It also contains parts of the Giardini Pubblici, an old and leafy garden and park. On addition to being an aristocratic-aired place, today, several elegant boutiques have opened up here, so it's great for both sight-seeing and designer shopping. Best station to reach it is that of Palestro right in the middle, but San Babila and P.ta Venezia are within decent walking distance.
  • ๐ŸŒ Corso Buenos Aires. One of the longest shopping streets in Italy and Europe. It is a large avenue, who, at first, is quite old, but the buildings gradually become newer further along. Today, it contains loads, loads and loads of shops, such as Swarovsky, H&M, Milano House of Cashmere, Calzedonia, Outlet, United Colors of Benetton, Adidas, Nike, Calvin Klein, Zara, Luisa Spagnoli, and a good number more. Since the Corso Buenos Aires is so long, you have the P.ta Venezia and Loreto stations at either side, and the Lima one more or less in the middle.

City gates

The historical city gates are located in this part of Milan:

  • ๐ŸŒ Porta Nuova. The Napoleonic "new gate" is located next to the modern business district and is simpler built than the other city gates. You might pass through if walking from the central station to Duomo.
  • ๐ŸŒ Porta Venezia (Porta Orientale or Porta Renza). Known by its current name since 1862, this gate has origins that can be traced back to the Roman Empire. The current rather massive gate structure consists of two buildings and was completed in 1828.
  • ๐ŸŒ Porta Garibaldi. Yet another gate from the early 19th century that has lent its name to the district around it and to the nearby railway station.

Parks

  • ๐ŸŒ Giardini Pubblici Indro Montanelli (Public gardens), Via Palestro. An 18th-century park complex in the Montenapoleone/Porta Venezia district, designed in an English Romantic garden style. Inside, you can find rockeries, water features, fountains, statues and monuments, and other interesting features. You also get a planetarium, a natural history museum, and on the other side of the Palestro street, you can also find an opulent Royal villa which today hosts a contemporary art collection within grand ornate halls. Reachable via P.ta Venezia, Turati or Palestro metro stations. The gardens are in an excellent position since they're quite near to the Duomo and Brera district, and extremely close to the Montenapoleone street and the glamorous shopping area around it.

Towers

  • ๐ŸŒ Torre Unicredit. The tallest building in Italy by virtue of its 84-metre spire on top of 146 metres of office floors, completed in 2011 to serve as the headquarters of the Unicredit bank.
  • ๐ŸŒ Palazzo Lombardia. The government of the region of Lombardy spared little expense to relocate itself to what became Italy's tallest building when completed in 2010. It ceded this title to Torre Unicredit one year later, but has an upper hand in terms of the highest usable floor at 160 metres. The building is open for visit every Sunday, from 10:00 to 18:00. During visit time, you can climb to the "belvedere" glass wall on the 39th floor
  • ๐ŸŒ Torre Solaria. The tallest residential building in Italy. The unmistakable Jenga-like visage of the tower is achieved by alternating balconies to offer better views and privacy.
  • ๐ŸŒ Torre Diamante (Diamond Tower).
  • ๐ŸŒ Pirelli Tower (Grattacielo Pirelli). Completed in 1956, the Pirelli Tower became a turning point in the history of global architecture, even though its looks may pale now in comparison to the newer postmodern-era towers, as well as a symbol of the rebound of Milan and the Italian economy following the Second World War. It was built by the Pirelli company known for tire manufacturing, and was the seat of government the Region of Lombardy until it moved to Palazzo Lombardia.
  • ๐ŸŒ Torre Breda (Breda Tower).
  • ๐ŸŒ Bosco Verticale (Vertical Forest). The residential twin tower's name should be interpreted literally, as it stems from the fact that the buildings' intricate facades contain actual living trees on various levels, which serve a variety of purposes beneficial to the residents. The total amount of vegetation growing on the facades is equivalent to a hectare of an actual forest.
  • ๐ŸŒ Torre Galfa (Galfa Tower). The name "Galfa" is a portmanteau derived from the names of the two streets where the tower has its facades, Via Galvani and Via Fara.

Buildings

Do

Buy

  • ๐ŸŒ Corso Buenos Aires. Connects Porta Venezia to Piazzale Loreto, and is the place to go for fashion shopping: here you can find Calzedonia, Alex Fashion, Luisa Spagnoli, Furla, Brian & Barry and Nara Camice.
  • ๐ŸŒ 10 Corso Como, Corso Como 10 (Metro: P.ta Garibaldi), โ˜ +39 02-2901-3581. Found in the early 1990s, this sort of "multi-functional" shopping complex is found in the same place as its name. Considered a lifestyle emporium and 13,000 square feet big, it contains some fashion shops, design, photography and art gallery, luxury goods, a bookshop, accessories, a cafe and a restaurant. Situated in the Garibaldi district, near the Centro Direzionale (Milan's business district), it has a courtyard, and a European/Oriental inspired interior design.
  • ๐ŸŒ Eataly Milan Smeraldo, Piazza XXV Aprile, 10. 10:00-24:00. Eataly is a gourmet grocery store associated with Slow movement. It styles itself as a place to "savor high quality traditional Italian food products and beverages along with local produce and artisanal products." Many different products are for sale, including not only produce but cheese, wine, olive oil, and sweets, and there are also several places to eat hot food. Anyone who enjoys shopping or window-shopping for food-related products is likely to enjoy walking through.

Eat

Budget

  • ๐ŸŒ Pianeta Luna, Via Antonio da Recanate 1 (at Piazza Duca d'Aosta), โ˜ +39 02 6671 0367. M-Sa 11-22:30. A self service restaurant near the Central Railway Station, with pizza, pasta and other classic Italian dishes and English speaking staff. Very reasonable prices and good food combined with a wide variety of wines - this is not a tourist trap. mains around โ‚ฌ10.
  • ๐ŸŒ Pizzeria Fashion 2, Via Napo Torriani 30. Pizza Fashion near the Centrale train station is good choice and they also do takeaway dessert if you're running to catch your train.
  • ๐ŸŒ Pizzeria Spontini, Via Gaspare Spontini, 4, โ˜ +39 02 2047 444, . 11:45โ€“14:30 for lunch, 18:00โ€“23:00 for dinner. Nice pizza in a small restaurant with very economical prices.
  • ๐ŸŒ Caffรฉ Panzera, Piazza Duca d'Aosta. A lively Italian restaurant with decent ossobuco, pizza and other dishes at about โ‚ฌ15 and delicious desserts.

Mid-range

  • ๐ŸŒ Trattoria Siciliana da Salvatore, Viale Brianza 35, โ˜ +39 02 669 7284. M-Sa 12:00-14:00, 20:00-22:30. Dishes from Sicily, mostly fish and seafood. Try the swordfish!
  • ๐ŸŒ Il Canarino, Via Mauro Macchi 69. Expect to find typical local dishes on the menu like risotto alla milanese and ossobuco. They have a five courses menu that is a bit expensive but worth the money. mains around โ‚ฌ25.
  • ๐ŸŒ Al Matarel, Via Mantegazza 2, โ˜ +39 02 654 204. Specializing in Paduan cuisine with dishes like ossobuco con risotto.

Splurge

  • ๐ŸŒ La Terrazza, Via Palestro 2, โ˜ +39 02 7600 2277. For a Mediterranean take on Japanese cuisine, head to La Terraza which serves fusion food among a contemporary decor. During the summer months, everyone heads to the terrace, where you can see the treetops of the nearby Giardini Pubblici. There's a "happy hour" every day except Sunday; on Sunday, brunch is served.
  • ๐ŸŒ Giannino, Via Vittor Pisani 6 (Metro: Repubblica), โ˜ +39 02 6698 6698. A refined restaurant from 1899 serving meals such as mozzarella, Parma ham, mussels, salad, Milanese-style risotto, spaghetti, soup, beef, chicken, scampi.

Drink

๐ŸŒ Como Avenue (Corso Como), near Garibaldi Station, full of bars and glamorous clubs. In the summertime, this street is packed with young and attractive people.

  • ๐ŸŒ Fashion Cafรฉ, Piazza San Marco (Brera district). Fashionable Armani-style place for aperitivo and drinks.
  • ๐ŸŒ Dom Cafรจ, Corso Como.
  • ๐ŸŒ b:free cocktail bar, Via Lecco, 21 (close to Porta Venezia metro stop), โ˜ +39 02 36707972. If you want to visit a real Aperitivo bar in true Italian fashion, this is a worthy hot spot.
  • ๐ŸŒ Brasserie Bruxelles, Viale Abruzzi,33 (near Corso Buenos Aires), โ˜ +39 02 2941 9148. Daily 18:00-02:00. A bar specialising in beer from Belgium. 5 beer on draught and 50 in the bottle.

Gay and lesbian clubs

  • ๐ŸŒ L'Elephant, Via Melzo 22 (subway: Porta Venezia  M1  Station). Wednesday and Thursday nights hosts a gay crowd at L'elephant

The best saunas in 2008 include Metro and Royal Hammam (in Outer Milan, mostly packed during the weekend especially at night as they are open 24 hours.

  • Metro, via Schiaparelli (near the Central Station, subway: Centrale  M2  M3 ).

Sleep

Budget

  • ๐ŸŒ Boston Hotel Milan, Via Roberto Lepetit, 7, โ˜ +39 02 6692636, fax: +39 02 66981802. Elegant two-star hotel with 25 single, double and triple bedrooms with private bath, shower, Wi-Fi connection and air conditioning. โ‚ฌ75 for a double room..
  • ๐ŸŒ Dover Hotel Milan, Via Pasquale Sottocorno, 8, โ˜ +39 02 7601 2789, fax: +39 02 780103. Thirteen single, double/twin and triple accommodations with en-suites services, internet connections, TV and telephone. Single โ‚ฌ51, double โ‚ฌ61. Rates include breakfast..
  • ๐ŸŒ Hotel Delle Nazioni, Via Cappellini, 18, โ˜ +39 0266981221, fax: +39 026701804, . 3-star hotel 400 metres from the main railway station. Singles with bathroom from โ‚ฌ84.
  • ๐ŸŒ Hotel Garda, Via Napo Torriani, 21 (200 m from Milan Central Station.), โ˜ +39 02 66982626, fax: +39 02 66982576. Singles from โ‚ฌ45 to โ‚ฌ150. Doubles from โ‚ฌ75 to โ‚ฌ225.

Mid-range

Splurge

Connect

This article is issued from Wikivoyage. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.