About Milan

With a population of 1.5 million inhabitants (3 million including the metropolitan area), Milan is the second largest city of the country.

It stands as the nation’s premier financial hub, hosting the Italian Stock Exchange at Piazza Affari. Milan is a key player in the “European pentagon,” a group of major cities including London, Paris, Munich, and Hamburg, known for their pivotal roles in providing services, networking opportunities, and serving as powerhouses of economic and financial resources.

Since the last decade, the city has undergone a deep urban and cultural transformation, becoming one of the favorite Italian tourist destinations for international visitors, thanks to its modern combination of innovation and style, cosmopolitan skyline and quality of life and services. 2023 was a record year for arrivals in the city: around 8.5 million people came to visit, +14% compared to the previous record set in 2019. The next milestone is 2026, when the city will host the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.

With a rich cultural offer of exhibits and festivals and a lively program of seasonal events - such as thematic weeks, industrial fairs and trade shows - Milan offers an international destination where the worlds of art, fashion, design and architecture, and the institutions of science, knowledge and innovation, collaborate to give this European metropolis its distinctive civic and multicultural identity.

Milan’s most known landmarks include the following:

  • Il Duomo (Milan Cathedral): This iconic Gothic cathedral is a must-see, with its stunning architecture and panoramic views from the rooftop.
  • Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper: Located in the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, this famous mural is a masterpiece of Renaissance art.
  • Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II: A beautiful shopping arcade with luxury shops and elegant cafés.
  • Castello Sforzesco: A historic castle housing several museums and art collections.
  • Teatro alla Scala: One of the world’s most renowned opera houses.
  • Pinacoteca di Brera: An art gallery with an impressive collection of Italian Renaissance art.
  • Navigli District: Known for its canals, this area is perfect for evening strolls and enjoying the lively nightlife.

For any information about your trip to Milan, visit YesMilano.it. You can find news on major events, must-see attractions, museum and galleries and all the information for you stay in Milan. 

How to get to Milan

Milano is served by three airports: Malpensa, Linate, and Bergamo Orio al Serio.
 
Malpensa (MXP, 45 km from the city centre) can be reached from the centre of Milan with the Malpensa Express train from the Cadorna, Milano Centrale and Milano Porta Garibaldi stations. Various bus companies also serve the route.
 
Linate (LIN, 7 Km from the city centre) can be reached by the M4 underground line and by the 73 ATM bus from the city centre.
 
Bergamo Orio al Serio (BGY, 50 km from the city centre) can be reached by bus shuttle services run by various companies.

Milan can be reached from the main Italian and European cities by the Trenitalia (Frecce and Intercity) and Italo high-speed trains. The Trenord train company serves the regional routes. Please consult the railway companies’ websites for timetables and online ticket purchases.

The main railway stations in Milan are:

  • Central Station FS - piazza Duca d'Aosta - a departure point for most of the trains to foreign destinations. Connected with the M2 and M3 underground lines. 
  • Porta Garibaldi FS station - piazza S. Freud - connected with the M2 and M5 underground lines.
  • Cadorna FN station - piazzale Cadorna - connected with the M1 and M2 underground lines.
  • Rogoredo FS station - Via Cassinis - connected with the M3 underground line.

Milan is a main motorway interchange that connects the city to the rest of Italy and to Europe. It can be reached by car from five different motorways connected to each other by the ring road system.
Milan can be reached by the following motorways:
 

  • A4 Turin - Trieste
  • A1 Milano - Naples
  • A7 Milano - Genoa
  • A8 Milano - Varese (Milano - Lakes)
  • A9 Lainate-Como

A ticket must be collected at the booth upon entry to the motorway, excluding Telepass holders who have dedicated lanes. Prior to exit the payment must be made in cash, by credit or debit card, or with a prepaid card.
 
Milan ring roads:
The ring roads around the city and the hinterland are about 180 km long. They are almost entirely free of charge, only some sections require a toll.The tangenziali are:

  • A50 Tangenziale Ovest (west)
  • A51 Tangenziale Est (east)
  • A58 Tangenziale Est Esterna (external east)
  • A52 Tangenziale Nord (north)

From Monday to Friday, from 07:30 to 19:30, cars entering the centre of Milan are subject to an Area C payment charge.