Milan Holidays

Holidays to Milan are for dusting off your finest clothing and surrounding yourself with all the Italian elegance and finery you could desire. The city’s known as the fashion capital of Italy for its fashion houses, Milan Fashion Week and stylish boutiques on every corner. Everything is done with a touch of sophistication here – the food, the ever-popular aperitivi, Michelin-starred restaurants and a growing number of ground breaking museums.

Milan’s rich history seamlessly combines with the ultra-modern - glitzy architecture which stands alongside iconic sights like the Duomo Cathedral. Couples can enjoy dipping in and out of boutiques, having fancy lunches in sun filled terrazzas, strolling through the arcaded ceilings of the Pinacoteca di Brera art gallery and admiring mind bending attractions like vertical forests. A holiday in Milan offers the perfect balance of culture and historic sights paired with classic good food and wine to satisfy all your cravings on a city break.

Explore Milan like no other

As the specialists in all things to do with travel around Italy, we’re here to help you discover the best of Milan, even if that means going off the tourist trails.

We’ll guide you to cafés such as Pasticceria Cova, a historic Milanese spot which has been serving cappuccinos and tiramisu under grand chandeliers for over 200 years. And if you enjoy browsing a vast selection of Italian cheeses, cured meats, olive oils and other goods, you’ll love Peck – a deli and café which has been open since 1883. Then there’s Al Fresco Restaurant, which is located in the hip Zona Tortona neighbourhood where your drink or meal is served in the romantic garden terrace.

There’s nothing quite like a walk at dusk around Navigli, Milan’s canal neighbourhood, which is dotted with relaxed aperitivo spots by the water – perfect for a sunset view with an Aperol spritz. One of the best views of the Duomo cathedral comes from the top of the Museo del Novecento, a modern art gallery. Finally, after a few days of sightseeing, you’ll be ready to head to QC Terme Milano, the open air thermal baths set within ruins.

Your plans, our expertise

Start planning your Citalia holiday by getting in touch with one of our Personal Travel Planners.

Lines open: Monday to Saturday 09:00 to 17:30 (Wednesdays from 9:30), Bank Holidays 10:00 to 16:00.

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An Italian winter wonderland awaits, so immerse yourdelf in our winter cities guide and prepare to be inspired!

Milan Multi Centre Holidays

Take a look at our suggested itineraries for inspiration, or call our Personal Travel Planners on 01293 765055* for a bespoke multi centre

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Lake Como and Milan

From £1465 per person

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Cross over into Switzerland and take the Bernina Express
Explore Lake Como's picturesque towns by ferry
Visit opulent lakefront villas and gardens
Window shop and sightsee in Milan
Up to £200 off when you book before January 31st 2025

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Handpicked Hotels in Milan

Discover the real Milan while staying in one of our carefully selected hotels

Italian Cities, Milan

Bulgari Hotel Milano

Stunning hotel in the heart of Milan, close to famous attractions
Beautifully renovated 18th century palazzo
Sensational spa and wellness programme
Expansive private garden just off the Brera Botanical Garden
Michelin star menu at the onsite Il Ristorante and Bulgari Bar

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Italian Cities, Milan

Sina De La Ville

Short walk from Teatro alla Scala and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping arcade
Small rooftop pool with Duomo and views

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Italian Cities, Milan

Worldhotel Cristoforo Colombo

Elegant hotel located on Corso Buenos Aires, Milan’s renowned shopping street
Indulgent facilities and wellness treatments at the Hado Spa
Steps from Porta Venezia Metro station for easy access to Milan's iconic landmarks

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Excursions and experiences in and around Milan

Experience more of Italy by adding an excursion to your holiday. To pre-book one of our specially selected excursions, please call our Italy Experts on 01293 765055*.

Aperitivo on the Navigli Cruise along the Naviglio Grande sipping an excellent cocktail and tasting great food.

Grand Tour of Milan See the main sights of Milan on this grand tour.

La Scala Museum and Theatre See the museum collection and venture inside the theatre itself.

Not found what you’re looking for?

We have a wider range of hotels in Milan that you may be interested in. Simply give our Italy Experts a call to find out more.

01293 765055 Or Make an enquiry

Things to do in Milan

Milan is known for its excellent shopping, and the glass covered 18th Century Galleria Vittoria Emanuele II is one experience not to be missed. Wake up early to beat the queues and climb the Gothic Duomo Cathedral, the city’s star attraction, and treat yourself to a gelato once you’re down. Make sure you set aside time to see Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper on our In the Footsteps of Leonardo tour, and top it all off at the illustrious La Scala Opera House.

Exploring Milan is easy, with everything within walking distance. Equally, it’s easy to explore further afield. Hop on a train at Milano Centrale and you could be strolling along the canals of Venice in two and a half hours, finding Juliet’s Balcony in Verona or relaxing at a spa resort on the shores of Lake Garda in about two hours. The pastel coloured villages of Cinque Terre are not far away either, as is the glamourous Lake Como.

Things to doGalleria Vittorio EmanueleThe Galleria Vittoria Emanuele, named after the first king of Italy, was designed in 1861 by Giuseppe Mengoni and officially opened in 1867 – making it one of the world’s oldest shopping malls. Find out more about Galleria Vittorio Emanuele

Things to doLa Scala Opera HouseMilan’s opera house is perhaps one of the most famous opera houses in the world, and is certainly one of the most beautiful. For opera lovers, it’s a must-do on your Milan itinerary. Find out more about La Scala Opera House

Things to doMilan CathedralThe Cathedral is undoubtedly one of Milan’s most recognisable landmarks. The elaborate structure is dedicated to St. Mary of the Nativity and took almost six centuries to complete, resulting in a mixture of styles that make this duomo truly unique. Find out more about Milan Cathedral

Flight Information

Direct flights to Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) are available from Birmingham, Edinburgh, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Luton, London Stansted and Manchester and take approximately 2 hours.

Direct flights to Milan Bergamo (BGY) are available from Bristol, Manchester and East Midlands and take approximately 2 hours.

When to go

Milan is a year-round destination and there are benefits to travelling in every season, from the pleasant temperatures of spring and summer to the festive charms of December. There's plenty happening in this bustling city with major international events taking place throughout the year, including fashion shows, concerts, sporting events and exhibitions. If you're not planning to visit for a specific event it's worth considering being flexible with your dates as sometimes going a few days sooner or later can result in lower hotel prices.

Visa Information

At the current time, British citizens do not require a visa to visit Italy.

Tipping

Whilst tipping isn’t embedded into Italian culture it is always appreciated as an acknowledgement of good service. Nowadays people generally round up a bill in a bar or cafe and leave 5-10% extra on a restaurant bill. Taxi bills are usually also rounded up.

On guided tours/excursions, it is customary to leave a token of appreciation for the driver and guide.

On small group escorted tours, it is customary to leave a token of appreciation for the driver and guide at the end of the tour.

Introduction to languages

The official language of Italy is Italian. English is widely spoken too, so getting by is easy.

Milan Specialities Milan isn't typically thought of as the gastronomic capital of Italy. However, Milan's traditional cuisine has earned the city its own rights as a destination to visit for fine wine and delicious dishes. It's famed for its risotto alla Milanese, a warm, hearty dish that can be enjoyed in the winter months. Make sure you don't leave Milan without trying cotolette alla Milanese (breaded veal cutlet), either.

Milan's HistoryToday the capital of Lombardy, Milan was conquered by the Romans around the 3rd century AD and made capital of the Western Roman Empire. The empire’s commercial and banking centre, Milan was conquered and changed hands often throughout the Middle Ages, eventually joining the Kingdom of Italy in 1859, leading the nation’s industrialisation. Milan emerged as a major world fashion and design capital throughout the 20th century, with a great number of museums, theatres, cultural institutions and universities cementing the city as Italy’s commercial, industrial and financial centre.

Our recommendations

Insider tips from our well travelled team

Erin Bridewell

While in Milan, be sure to pay a visit to Caffe Cova, one of the city’s chicest cafés. It’s a historic Milanese coffee house which was founded 1817. You’ll find it near the Teatro alla Scala.

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Milan Holidays

Explore Milan like no other

Your plans, our expertise

Milan Multi Centre Holidays

Lake Como and Milan

From £1465 per person

Handpicked Hotels in Milan

Bulgari Hotel Milano

Sina De La Ville

Worldhotel Cristoforo Colombo

Excursions and experiences in and around Milan

Not found what you’re looking for?

Things to do in Milan

Flight Information

When to go

Visa Information

Tipping

Introduction to languages

Our recommendations

Erin Bridewell

What our customers think