Milan does a fantastic job of keeping the old and new worlds in balance.
It may be home to Old Masters, but its significant redevelopment has made it a city of stunning modern architecture, and the home of numerous global tech companies too.
Fashionable Milan
Even outside of its world-famous fashion week, Milan likes to dress well. You can shop for couture and major labels here – and there are few better places to do that than at the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II on Piazza del Duomo. Built in 1877, the arcades are covered with iconic glass and cast iron roofs. It’s a place to see and be seen.
Gaze up and around Milan’s most modern architecture and you’ll see that its passion for design isn’t confined to clothing. The Rem Koolhaas-designed Fondazione Prada has a gold leaf-clad four-storey tower, while a 115ft water tower La Torre Arcobaleno has been turned into a riot of color in Porta Garibaldi.
In Porta Nuova, look out for the Bosco Verticale, a tower that combines residential homes with terraces planted with vivid foliage.
Nowhere is past, present and future so perfectly fused than at the Museum of Science and Technology. Climb into a helicopter flight simulator and see models inspired by the sketches of Da Vinci, as well as the very first Italian submarine – which now even has a virtual reality element. Full of interactive exhibits, it’s great for both kids and adults.
Sample the Last Supper
You’ll need to reserve tickets in advance to see Da Vinci’s masterpiece The Last Supper, tucked away in the Basilica di Santa Maria delle Grazie, but it’s an absolute must when in Milan.
Walk on to the Duomo di Milano, the largest church in Italy, and be wowed by its Gothic splendor. Work began on it in 1386, but it wasn’t actually completed until as recently as the 1960s. A picture of pink Candoglia marble, the outside is punctuated with 3,400 statues and 135 spires.
The inside is also to be reckoned with, with a vast stained-glass window in addition to sculpture and works of art spanning the entire history of its construction.
Make a meal of Milan
Once again you’ll find a great balance of classic and contemporary when dining in Milan. The luscious yellow of Risotta alla Milanese, given its hue by saffron, is essential, as is the veal cutlet fried in butter called a Cotoletta.
The former is rarely cooked better than at Ratana on Via Gaetano de Castillia. There’s a good reason some people call chef Cesare Battisti the ‘King of Risotto’.
In the Fondazione Prada, American film director Wes Anderson was given free rein to design his own café, and Bar Luce is the result. He drew on Milanese landmarks for inspiration, while fans of his movies will spy elements of his trademark style and quirky touches – right down to a Steve Zissou pinball machine.
An old city with a new heart, Milan is a memorable place to visit. Car rental in Milan will also allow you to get out to the host of picturesque locations just a short drive away, such as Lake Como and the grand city of Turin.
