Milan City Centre
In addition to Piazza del Duomo, which is the heart of the city, the district of Milano Centro includes all the most central and historical areas: Cordusio, Castello Sforzesco, Cadorna, Moscova and Brera, Corso Magenta and Corso Vercelli. These are obviously the most expensive neighbourhoods in the city, even as far as houses and flats for rent are concerned, but it will be like being immersed in the true Milanese soul of yesterday and today. In fact, on the one hand the monuments present recall the artistic and cultural history, on the other hand the technological and contemporary innovations of a city in continuous development. The attractions and all the activities the Centre offers, attract constant streams of tourists and, especially during weekends and holidays, the streets also fill up with residents. Those who live in Milan love to take long walks from one area to another, partly to admire the usual sights and partly to discover what is new in the city. The Centro is an energetic district, always on the move and suitable for those in search of art and museums as well as for shopping lovers. Here you will find today's most popular chain shops, luxury brands and excellent restaurants and clubs.
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What to see and do
The historic centre of Milan is, to say the least, full of things to see, do and places to visit. The Duomo di Milano (Milan Cathedral) is the undisputed symbol of Milan, beautiful to admire from the outside but worth both entering and going up in the lift and strolling among the spires. Just a stone's throw away is the main campus of the University of Milan (UniMi) with its beautiful inner cloisters. On one side we have Palazzo Reale and the Museo del Novecento, with permanent and temporary exhibitions and displays; on the other side is the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II beyond which stands the Teatro alla Scala, home to some of the greatest opera and ballet artists. Young people can find tickets for La Scala at a very reduced price or even free of charge. Heading towards Cordusio, you will first pass by Piazza dei Mercanti, an ancient medieval square.
Continuing along Via Dante, you will come across the sign of the Piccolo Teatro Grassi, from where some of the greatest actors in the Italian tradition started out. Continuing straight ahead, you will arrive in Piazza Cairoli, beyond which is the marvellous Castello Sforzesco to visit, anticipated by the spectacular fountain. Crossing the Castle you enter Sempione Park, excellent for walks in the greenery and seeing the various attractions it houses, such as the Triennale. Proceeding to the left from the park, you reach Cadorna, where the station is located and where you can see the colourful Needle, Thread and Knot symbols of the metropolitan connection and fashion. Not far away are the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart (UniCatt) and the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio, both worth visiting for their beauty. Corso Magenta leads to Santa Maria delle Grazie where Leonardo's Last Supper is kept. From the left side of Parco Sempione, on the other hand, you enter the Brera district, famous above all for the Accademia delle Belle Arti, the Pinacoteca, the Biblioteca Nazionale Braidense, a magical place to study, and the Orto Botanico with its flowerbeds, ponds and centuries-old trees. Just a few steps away is the Montenapoleone area with the street of the same name and Via della Spiga, with its luxury shops.
Where to eat and drink
There are several places to eat in Piazza Duomo, the most notable of which are Terrazza Aperol, Terrazza Duomo 21 and Terrazza de La Rinascente elegant rooftop bars where you can enjoy the view of the Cathedral. On the opposite side is the terrace restaurant Giacomo Arengario: meat and traditional bistro-style dishes in an art deco setting. Staying with your feet on the ground: behind the Duomo is Signorvino, as the name suggests offering a varied selection of wines, with dining options. On Via Vittorio Emanuele leading to Piazza San Babila are a series of café-bars with a kitchen and outdoor tables. In via Luini you can go and taste the famous Panzerotti di Luini, the place is take-away only and you may have to wait in long but very smooth queues. Near the Teatro alla Scala, if you are looking for elegant restaurants, there is the Antico Ristorante Boeucc Milano, located inside a 100-year-old building.
It is part of the Milanese tradition and offers exclusive Italian dishes. Another option is Al Cantinone, here too you will find a Lombard menu in a restaurant housed in a 17th-century palace. For the city's most classic panettone, Pasticceria Marchesi in the Galleria, a refined tearoom where you can stop for a snack, or where you can order the traditional Christmas cake. In the Brera district, you will find bars and cafés where you can drink and snack or dine from meat to fish to pizza, or even exotic options such as Chinese or Japanese. A trattoria in Milan in the Centro zone, Volemose bene Roman restaurant in Via della Moscova. In general, the whole neighbourhood is one of the main references for aperitifs, dinners, and nightlife. There are various types of restaurants, pizzerias, nightclubs and cocktail bars, such as the brand-new Portico 84 inside the four-star Urban Hive Hotel, which in a short time has already become part of Milan's movida club circuit, like Corso Como. At Cadorna, near the station, in addition to various places to have breakfast or a quick lunch, one must try Temakinho, the Japanese-Brazilian sushi fusion restaurant in a colourful and energetic location.
Where to go shopping
It is a well-known fact that the centre of Milan offers virtually every opportunity for shopping. The main streets around the Duomo are Via Vittorio Emanuele, Via Dante and Via Torino. Here you will find all the shops of the most popular brands: Zara, H&M, Mango, Calzedonia, Intimissimi, OVS, Adidas, Treesse, Dr. Martens, Foot Locker, Prima Donna, Imperial, Sephora, Muji and many others. On either side of the square are two large bookshops, Mondadori on one side and Feltrinelli on the other, which not only sell books, but also music, electronics and gifts. You will find everything you need in the way of clothes, accessories, jewellery, shoes, bags, sporting goods, underwear, household, personal care and wellness. In recent months, the large Primark store in Milano Centro, right on Via Torino, has also been opened, allowing shopping for everyone.
Past the Colonne di San Lorenzo, Corso di Porta Ticinese begins, the one that leads towards Darsena and Navigli. Here there are also a number of vintage shops for lovers of this style, as well as urban style shops that reflect some of today's young fashion. Near Via Larga, opposite Torre Velasca, there is also a city Ikea point, where you can find a small selection of household goods. Very convenient if you have a flat in the area or if you can easily get there by metro to the yellow line M3 Missori stop. In the Moscova district, particularly Via Garibaldi, there are more sophisticated boutiques, ethnic jewellery shops, Rossignoli, a bicycle institution, and furniture and design stores and showrooms. Another street of clothing shops and more is Corso Vercelli. In addition to clothes and shoes, there are bookshops and also the Cinema Multisala Gloria, which offers a busy programme during the week and at weekends.
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