You can read about my previous trip to Venice below.
It took about four hours by bus from Venice to Milan.
Many people imagine traveling between Italian cities by train, but buses can sometimes be cheaper. It takes a little longer, but it is a good option if you want to travel on a budget.
It was interesting how the atmosphere changed from the canals of Venice to the modern urban feel of Milan.
Where I stayed in Milan
Four nights at Meininger Milano Lambrate
I stayed at Meininger Milano Lambrate.
The four nights cost 96 euros.
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In the dorm room I stayed with students from southern Italy who came to Milan to join a student event.
It felt almost like living together lol.
These chance encounters are part of what makes traveling and staying in dorms interesting. A hotel is more peaceful, but sharing a space with local students and travelers makes you feel that you are really in Italy.
From the bus terminal to the hostel by metro
The hostel was quite far from the bus terminal, so I used the metro to get there.
The metro in Italy is not too hard, and basically you are fine as long as you buy a ticket for lines M1 to M3. There are single ride tickets and day passes, so buy whatever fits your plan.
When I went they did not use paper tickets, but a rechargeable card. You can buy the card and the tickets at the ticket machine. You can pay with cash or with a credit card.
One time when I tried to buy a ticket, some guy tried to recharge his card using my card, so be careful when using the ticket machines lol.
By the way, on the last day when I exited the gates at the station near the bus terminal, the station staff collected the card.
So the card was collected at that moment.
Central Milan during the Christmas season
Straight to Duomo station right after arriving
After arriving at the hostel I quickly took the metro and headed to Duomo station.
I visited Milan during the Christmas season.
In the city center there is the famous shopping mall Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. It is a very Milan like spot lined with luxury brand shops and cafes.
There was a huge Christmas tree, food stalls around the Milan Cathedral area, and the whole city was lively.
Europe during Christmas has a great atmosphere
Europe around Christmas really has a great atmosphere.
Outside I saw Milanese business people having a spritz with colleagues after work.
In Japan people might drink after work, but in Milan it somehow looks extremely stylish.
I did not buy anything and only window shopped, but just strolling through the glittering streets made me excited.
What I ate in Milan
Historic pizza chain "Spontini"
One place I highly recommend in Milan is Spontini.
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Spontini is a historic pizza chain founded in Milan in 1953, and there are several locations around the city.
When you come to Italy you have to eat pizza.
Spontini has history and the price is relatively reasonable, so please visit and feel like a local Milanese.
If you search for Spontini, you will find locations around the city, so go to one near you.
Gorgonzola risotto at Casa Lodi
Another place I visited was a restaurant called Casa Lodi, but it has closed down.
What I ate there was risotto.
I ordered red wine and gorgonzola risotto. The rich cheese flavor was strong and it went well with the red wine, so I was very satisfied.
Later I realized the difference from risotto alla Milanese and regretted not ordering risotto alla Milanese since I was in Milan.
So I recommend you simply order risotto alla Milanese lol.
Still, the gorgonzola risotto was delicious. It went well with red wine, so I was happy with it.
It felt a bit sad to realize later that the restaurant had closed. When a place you visited on a trip disappears, the memories feel a little more distant.
Local restaurant "Tabacchi Bar con Cucina Alberto"
I also want to introduce Tabacchi Bar con Cucina Alberto, a local restaurant run by the parents of an Italian friend.
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I went there in the morning and ordered a panino and coffee.
It was incredibly good and made me think this is exactly how mornings in Italy should be.
Tourist cafes are great too, but having breakfast at a place locals use every day gives you a glimpse of daily life in the city.
There were locals there even early in the morning, so I think it is a place loved by locals.
Starbucks Reserve Roastery Milano
If you often go to Starbucks, you should also visit Starbucks Reserve Roastery Milano.
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There are only a few Starbucks Reserve Roastery locations in the world.
They roast coffee in the store, and it feels like a small factory. It is more like a coffee theme park than an ordinary Starbucks.
It is located in the middle of a tourist area, so if you want to take a break it is a good place to stop.
Places I visited in Milan
The rooftop of the Milan Cathedral was worth it
The first place I wanted to visit in Milan was the Milan Cathedral.
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There is a separate ticket for going up to the rooftop in addition to the admission ticket. It is not cheap, but I was glad I went.
Construction of the Milan Cathedral began in 1386 and it is said to have taken more than five hundred years to complete.
The details are very elaborate. Spending that long on one project may feel inefficient in our time, but it is romantic.
On the rooftop it really feels like you are walking on the roof of the cathedral.
You can see the spires and sculptures up close and notice decorations you would not see from below. You can also see the city of Milan from above, so if you have time, go up to the rooftop.
There is also a museum nearby, and since the ticket included the museum I went in.
It was very spacious and impressive.
Just seeing the cathedral from the outside is powerful, but entering and climbing to the rooftop makes you feel even more like you are in Milan.
You should book The Last Supper in advance
The next place I want to introduce is Santa Maria delle Grazie.
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It houses Leonardo da Vinci's famous painting The Last Supper.
This is where I made a mistake.
You need to book online in advance, and the slots fill up quickly. Even one month before, it was already full.
One or two days before my visit, it did not feel possible to get a reservation even for one person.
I searched for information online and found posts saying you might get in if you go early and wait for cancellations, so I tried it.
But I was not that lucky.
On the way there I even stepped on poop, which was a double blow, and I had to wash my shoes in a nearby park.
So when you decide to visit Milan, reserve your spot as soon as possible.
The Last Supper is one of the most popular spots in Milan, so I recommend checking ticket availability early, at the same time you book your flight or accommodation.
I will leave the booking site below.
A walk around Castello Sforzesco
The last place I introduce is Castello Sforzesco.
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It is the castle of the Sforza family who ruled Milan.
The Sforza family were powerful nobles who ruled Milan around the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. They gained power through military strength, but also invested heavily in the arts and culture like Renaissance nobility.
Unlike the glamor around the Milan Cathedral, Castello Sforzesco has a heavy atmosphere. Just walking along the walls and through the courtyard makes you feel the history of Milan.
There is an admission fee, so I only walked around outside and did not go inside.
The surrounding area is very wide and it feels good just to stroll.
If you have time, wander around and take a walk.
Milan trip summary
A city where walking is fun even though it is modern
Milan was one of the most modern cities in Italy.
It has a strong image as a fashion city and a business city, but when you walk around you find overwhelming historic architecture like the cathedral, glamorous spaces like Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and local food you can enjoy casually like Spontini.
Because it was the Christmas season the whole city was shining, and it was fun just to walk around.
Imperfection makes a trip more memorable
At the same time, it was not a perfect trip. I failed to reserve The Last Supper, stepped on poop, and later found out a restaurant had closed.
But I feel those unexpected events become part of the memories of the trip.
Milan is about four hours away by bus from Venice, so it is easy to include if you are traveling around Italy.
Duomo, shopping, risotto, pizza, coffee, and The Last Supper.
Even with a short stay there is so much to see, so if you are planning a trip to Italy, include Milan in your itinerary.
Next stop: Basel, Switzerland 🇨🇭
