SIGHTS OF MILAN

FLIGHTS, ACCOMMODATION AND MOVEMENT IN MILAN

Milan's public transport

Milan’s public transport is also easy to use for tourists.

By direct flight from Helsinki to Milan

From Helsinki, you can conveniently travel to Milan on direct flights. Finnair operates the route all year round and there are at best two flights a day. At its cheapest, direct flights are available for about 200 euros.

You can also fly to Milan with exchange flights via several cities, such as Stockholm, Frankfurt or Munich. Out of season, alternative flights can be obtained for less than 150 euros.

Milan has three airports, Malpensa, Linate and Bergamo. When looking for a flight, it is worth checking which airport the flight arrives at and what the connections are to the city center.

Milan accommodation offer

Milan is a popular destination for accommodation, both in terms of quantity and quality. The quality of the cheapest hostels does not end in dizziness, but it is easy to find a good standard hotel in the city at a reasonable price if you are on time. There are also five-star luxury hotels in the city.

SIGHTS OF MILAN

Getting around Milan

Although Milan is a real metropolis, thanks to its dense center, it is possible to control even on foot. Most of the sights are centered on Via Dante, between the Duomo Square and Sforzesco Castle.

It is easy for public transport to move around, as the metro network, for example, is comprehensive and relatively inexpensive compared to many other major cities. The most convenient way to get there is by train.

SIGHTS OF MILAN

THE BEST OF MILAN

The Duomo is Milan’s most famous attraction and most famous landmark.

Milan Cathedral, or Duomo

The Duomo, Milan’s cathedral, is without a doubt the city’s most famous attraction. The second largest cathedral in Europe dominates the center of Milan with its light massiveness. The church has a total of 135 towers and 3,400 statues depicting martyrs, prophets and saints. The central tower rises to a height of over a hundred meters, and at its top stands a statue of the Madonna, the patron saint of the whole city.

Once the mandatory holiday photos from outside the Duomo have been taken, it is definitely worth moving indoors. The Duomo in the Candlelight Sea easily forgets to be in the center of a million city, even as tourists swarm around in large numbers. Only inside does one understand the magnitude of the cathedral: there is room for up to 40,000 people.

After the magnificent views, you should head to the top of the Duomo, where you can also admire the cathedral’s impressive towers and countless sculptures. The cathedral is open to visitors daily and you can explore the interior for a couple of euros. Access to the top costs about 10 euros per adult along the stairs and a little more if you want to use the lift.

The Duomo Cathedral Square is also home to Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a four-storey, glass-roofed and ornate shopping corridor. It hides small boutiques and cafes. The floor mosaic in the middle of the gallery depicts a bull symbolizing Milan. According to the local funny tradition, the locals ensure their good fortune by trampling the bull on its knees every time they pass by.

La Scala Opera House

Just a few hundred meters from the Duomo is the La Scala Opera House, one of the most famous and prestigious opera houses in the world. La Scala’s history is unique and the opera house, completed in the late 18th century, has served as the stage for many legendary operas – including Giuseppe Verdi, once the court composer of La Scala.

If you are interested in opera, the evening at La Scala is an unforgettable experience. With the exception of August, La Scala hosts theater, ballet and concert performances throughout the year. Tickets should be booked well in advance as they are very popular.

The best way to get to know the history of La Scala is to visit the museum next to the Opera House. The exhibits include costumes, paintings and statues used in opera performances. The museum is open daily and admission costs about 10 euros per adult.

Sforzesco town

Along the Duomo, Sforzesco Castle is one of the most impressive buildings in Milan. The massive castle dates back to the 14th century, although its equipment has been improved several times over the years.

The history of the castle is very interesting. The castle, built by the Viscont ruler family, ended up in the hands of the Spaniards in the 16th century. After that, power was taken over by the Austrians, who, however, lost it to Napoleon – only to return there after twenty years. Finally, in the late 19th century, the Milanese regained their castle.

With a visit to the castle, it is possible to learn more about the course of history, but there is plenty to see in other ways as well. The collections of the castle halls include paintings and sculptures, one of the most significant treasures of which is Michelangelo’s last and unfinished work ‘Pietà Rondanini’. If you don’t want to go inside the castle, you can admire the walls, towers and the beautiful fountain built by Napoleon outside. The park surrounding the castle is also worth a visit and the castle courtyard is a popular place to stay.

Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper

The Last Supper, which is from the end of the 15th century, is one of the most famous works of the Renaissance master Leonardo da Vinci. The painting is one of the cornerstones of Renaissance art and at the same time one of the most important attractions in Milan.

The fresco can be found in the chapel of the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie. Ticket reservations must be made at least a few days in advance of the visit. Because the painting is so popular, its viewing time is limited.

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