First-time visitors will be amazed by the sheer scale and grandeur of Milan's Gothic Duomo cathedral and knocked out by the sophisticated glamour of the Galleria centre's shopping arcades. Explore further on return visits to Milan and discover art galleries packed with fabulous Renaissance art. See the swanky world of fashion in the Quadrilatero d'Oro area and be seen in stylish bars along Corso Como.
Milan's proudly beating cultural heart is Piazza del Duomo. This square is crammed with history, from the immense marble Duomo cathedral, Milan's symbol, to the glass-roofed arcades of one of the world's most elegant shopping malls, the Galleria. Milan's Quadrilatero d'Oro fashion district, north of the Duomo, took off when Gucci moved to Via Montenapoleone in 1951. Boutique shoppers show off their designer labels at nearby Corso Como's svelte clubs. Arty Brera's bar-lined streets are west of Via Montenapoleone, while the formerly raffish canal quarter of Navigli is south.
Explore the sights and streets surrounding Piazza del Duomo and light a candle in the Duomo. Climb the 165 stairs or take the lift to the cathedral's statue-lined rooftop for panoramic views over Milan to the Alps. Shop and relax in the Galleria and follow the fashion runway north to window-shop your way from Armani to Versace in the Quadrilatero d'Oro. See sculptures and Renaissance art in the Sforza Castle and Pinacoteca di Brera picture gallery. If you want to see the world's most famous wall mural, visit the Santa Maria delle Grazie church to see Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper.
Visit famous La Scala's behind-the-scenes museum to see costumes, instruments and the gorgeous opera theatre itself. Take a trip into the past at Milan's Archaeological Museum, housed in an ancient monastery, and see art classics by local genius Caravaggio at the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana. Then, when night falls, bar-hop your way along fashionable Corso Como, and around canalside Navigli, cool Brera and trendy Porta Romana.
Just 7 km (4 miles) from Milan, Linate Airport is conveniently located for quick access to the city centre. Taxi and bus services mean that passengers can reach the city in under half an hour.
With more international flights than any other Italian airport, Milan's Malpensa Airport serves nearly 22 million passengers a year from two terminals. 45 km (29 miles) north-west of Milan, the airport boasts the speedy Malpensa Express train service into the centre of Milan.
