By far the easiest and most straightforward way to get around in Milano is to use the Metropolitana, or subway, system. Three lines transport people around the city from around 6 a.m. to after midnight. Tickets are inexpensive, and you can buy a 24 hour card that can be used an unlimited number of times within that period. Buy your ticket from a kiosk in a metro station, or from one of the ticket machines. For latest information and travel planning, check the Azienda Trasporti Milanesi (ATM) website.
The Duomo stands at the center of Milano and is the symbol of the city. It is the third largest Roman Catholic church in the world. Begun in the 1380s, construction took more than 400 years and the finishing touches were not added until 1813. Visitors can enter the building free of charge, and can take an elevator up to the roof and look out over the city. The Duomo also has a museum that holds events and exhibitions. For the latest information, visit its website.
Another unique sight in Milano is "The Last Supper," a masterpiece of Renaissance art painted by Leonard Da Vinci. Da Vinci created the painting of Jesus Christ and his disciples in the 1490s on a monastery wall, and it has since survived being used as target practice by Napoleon's soldiers and the Allied bombing of World War II. "The Last Supper" is an immensely popular attraction and if you want to see it, you need to book at least several weeks in advance. You can do this online at the Vivaticket website.
Italians are known the world over for their love of soccer, and Milano is home to one of the best known stadiums in the world. The Stadio Meazza, also known as Stadio San Siro, is shared by the city's two teams, A.C. Milan and Inter Milan. Both teams play in the top Italian division, Serie A, and regularly take part in European competitions. You can take a short tour of the stadium, including a small museum, and buy tickets for a game. For latest information and prices, see the San Siro Tours website.
Milano is known as one of Europe's fashion hotspots, and if shopping is your favorite pastime, the city will not disappoint you. Designer stores are concentrated in the Quadrilatero D'Oro around Via Montenapoleone, and include such big names as Gucci, Prada and Versace.
