What NOT to Do On a Trip to Milan
Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do when you plan a trip to Milan, Italy. While most travel blogs will tell you the best things to do in Milan Italy, we want to be sure you know what NOT to do on your Milan vacation.
Don’t Forget to Pre Book The Last Supper
One of the most famous things to see in Milan is Leonardo Da Vinci’s Last Supper mural. It’s super cool to see it in person, but you can’t just walk up and go see it. You have to have a timed ticket, and they do sell out in advance. You only get a 15-minute window to see it, so if you have pre-purchased your tickets, don’t be late! (If someone on the street offers you tickets, it’s likely a scam)
Don’t Skip the Duomo
Besides the Last Supper painting, the Duomo di Milano is the most popular thing to see in Milan. It’s breathtaking from the outside, but make sure you also go inside and up on the rooftop. Going on the roof gives you close-up access to the beautiful exterior carvings of the building, as well as amazing views around you.
Don’t Miss All the Other Great Things to See in Milan
Milan is more than the Last Supper and the Duomo. There are fantastic churches, castles and museums around Milan. There are even some cemeteries in Milan worth visiting.
- See the opera at La Scala; it’s only the most important opera house in the world! If you can’t make it to a performance, take a tour of the building.
- Galleria Vittorio Emmanuele II is a shopping mall with amazing architecture. This is also where you’ll find the bull in the floor tiles; legend has it that if you spin around on his nether region, you will have good luck!
- Visit Castello Sforzesco and the museums within
- Visit St. Maurizio’s Church
- Eat a Panzerotti at Luini’s; it’s so good!
- Visit the Gold District for shopping (or window shopping!)
- Visit the Science & Technology Museum; even kids will love this one!
- Visit the Poldi Pezzoli Museum, an expansive art collection organized by time period
- Visit the Museo del Novecento, the 20th Century Art Museum for modern art
Don’t Miss Out on the Food in Milan
Italy is known for its amazing food, and Milan is no exception. Restaurants can be pricey, but we like to take advantage of aperitivo, which is like an Italian Happy Hour, where you can get a great price on drinks and appetizers. It’s also a great way to meet locals.
Here are a few things you must not forget to eat in Milan!
- Panzerotti Luini is my favorite takeout treat in Milan. It’s like a pizza puff from heaven; fried dough with mozzarella and tomatoes inside. There are dozens of flavors to choose from. Don’t let the line scare you off; it’s totally worth it.
- Rice is a popular ingredient in Milan dishes, and we’ve had some really good risotto here. Even the minestrone soup here tends to have rice rather than pasta.
- Milanese is a signature dish of Milan. Very similar to a Wiener Schnitzel, Milanese is a veal cutlet.
- Another delicious veal dish in Milan is the Osso Bucco. It’s made from veal braised in vegetables, white wine, and broth. If you’re looking for a hearty meal in Milan, you have to try this.
- Cassouela is something you’ll see more often in the winter. It’s a pork and cabbage stew, and it’s very hearty although there’s typically a lot more cabbage than pork.
- Polenta is something you will most likely have in Milan, and it’s served in several different shapes and consistencies.
- Panettone, which you usually see around Christmas, is a sweet bread from Milan. Even though you can get this in the States, you should definitely try it when you’re in Milan.
- If you’re looking for a cocktail that is local, try a Negroni. It’s made from gin, Campari, and red vermouth. There’s also a version with Prosecco.
Make sure you have reservations for the more popular Milan restaurants if you are visiting on a weekend.
Don’t Fall For Tourist Scams
Like many popular travel destinations in Europe, Milan has its fair share of scammers. A lot of them are people pretending to gift you something. They will come right up and put a bracelet on you, but then they will expect a tip or a “donation.” Ignore them and teach your kids to ignore them or they will harass you.
Other popular Milan scams include:
- Designer dupes are everywhere in Milan. Don’t fall for it; you’re not getting a real Gucci bag for a bargain from a guy on the street. They can also be aggressive if you show any interest, so just keep walking.
- Pickpockets are also thick around the tourist sites and on the trains and buses. Be vigilant with your belongings and pay attention to your surroundings. Tourists who are not paying attention to their backpack are an easy target.
- Another popular scam is someone telling you that you have something on your shirt. Whether it’s bird poop or mustard, they will try to “help you” clean up while someone else picks your pocket. They might even “accidentally” spill something on you and try to help you.
- Italians are friendly, but if someone is overly friendly and trying to help you, it might be a scam. This happens a lot at the train station where you buy tickets. They might offer to help you use the machine, or may even offer to sell you an unused ticket.
- Many of the beggars you see may be part of an organized group that makes a fair amount of money from tourists who feel guilty. The city of Milan recommends not giving money to beggars.
- You have to be careful to avoid being scammed by taxi drivers. Not all taxis are a scam, but they are very expensive, which is why we recommend using public transportation.
- Milan is a popular weekend destination for partying, and that’s another way to be taken advantage of. Keep an eye on your drinks and always pay attention to the prices of what you are ordering.
- Street games are another common scam in Milan. You are never going to win as they are set up to relieve you of your cash.
Don’t Expect Shopping Bargains
The Galleria is also full of designer stores like Louis Vuitton and Gucci, but don’t expect to get them any cheaper than you can elsewhere. Milan is the fashion capital of Italy, but designer clothes still have designer prices.
In fact, Milan is not a cheap destination in general. It’s one of the most expensive cities in Italy and the cost of living or visiting is quite steep compared to the rest of the country.
Don’t Avoid Fashion Week
Fashion Week in Milan is typically held in February and September. Yes, it will drive up the prices of things, but it’s a really fun time to visit and people-watch. The week is filled with events and of course, if you love fashion, you’ll love seeing the models around town. (Although, many people in Milan look like models; it’s a very fashion-forward city!) It’s also a great time to break out that fancy outfit you’ve been dying to wear.
Don’t Wait to Book Accommodation
Hotels and apartments in Milan can book up quickly, especially in the busy summer months. Keep an eye on big events like Fashion Week, as those peak periods can drive up prices and leave you searching for availability. You can stay outside of Milan and commute in, or choose a hotel that’s not super close to the Galleria or Duomo as you might find more affordable accommodations away from the tourist attractions.
Don’t Be Afraid to Use Public Transportation
The Metro in Milan is a lifesaver for travelers. Taxis are super expensive in Milan, and some of the attractions are spread out, so walking can take you a while. From the Central Station, it can take 30 minutes to walk to the Duomo, but the Metro only takes about 8 minutes.
What Not to Do When Taking Trains in Italy
Don’t Rent a Moped
Unless you are a very skilled moped driver already, do not rent a moped. Traffic is busy and confusing, and if you don’t know what you are doing, it can be very dangerous.
Don’t Book the Wrong Airport
Milan has more than one airport. Malpensa (MXP) is the largest Milan airport, and it is where flights from the United States will land. It is about 45 kilometers from the city center, and there is an express train that will take you. You don’t even need to wait in line for tickets; if you have a contactless credit card, you can scan that at the turnstile and you’ll be good to go.
If you are flying from elsewhere in Europe on a budget airline, you may arrive in Il Caravaggio (BGY) near Bergamo.
Wherever you fly into, don’t be surprised by turbulence. Milan is surrounded by mountains, so the approach can be a bit bumpy.
Don’t Be Caught Off Guard by Rain
Milan is in the mountains, so inclement weather can pop up at any time. In the summer months, afternoon rain showers are common. They won’t last long, but it’s always a good idea to have a raincoat or umbrella handy.
Don’t Annoy the Locals of Milan
We always strive to be good travelers and there are certain “hot topics” in every destination where the tourists can really annoy the locals. If you want to stay on the good side of the Milanese, here are a few ways you can avoid being an annoying tourist.
- Don’t confuse the Milanese with the Giargiana! Milanese are born and raised in Milan, with family history going back generations. These people are proud of their Milanese heritage, and will not be lumped together with Giargiana, who are transplants to Milan.
- Don’t stop in the middle of the sidewalk to take a picture. This applies to any city in the world, not just Milan. Most likely, the people around you are just trying to get to work or get home, so don’t be rude and clog up the sidewalks. Step to the side before stopping.
- Likewise, if you’re on the escalator, stand on the right so there is room to pass you. Don’t stand on the left or the middle; move to the right! (This also applies to any city in the world, not just Milan!)
- Traffic in Milan is crazy, with cars, mopeds, bicycles, and pedestrians. Even crossing the street in Milan can be daunting. Don’t forget to be aware of your surroundings and when in doubt, watch the locals and follow them.
- Milan is an industrial city so there are no Roman ruins or ancient historical sites. Do your research and don’t complain about Milan not having a traditional “Italian” feel.
- Don’t complain about the prices in Milan. It’s expensive. The locals already know this; it’s an expensive place to live. Tourists complaining about prices isn’t news to them.
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While we think Milan is worth visiting, I wouldn’t put it in your top 5 Italy destinations, especially if it’s your first trip to Italy. Milan is a more modern city, so where it is lacking in ruins and ancient history, it makes up for it with shopping, fashion, and food! It’s a super fun place to live, but it’s not always at the top of the list of Italian cities to visit.
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