Backpacking in Italy: My Top Sights in Milan
Posted: May 7 2024 | Tagged: Italy
My first and last time in Milan was back in 2004. I had stayed in a horrible hotel on a busy main road, a long way from anywhere. Other than the hotel, I can recall only that I had visited the Duomo and it had been completely clad in scaffolding.
Fast forward 20 years and I arrived on a FlixBus from Vaduz.
Fast forward 20 years and I arrived on a FlixBus from Vaduz.
Lampugnano is the bus station on the outskirts of the city. The bus driver had told everyone to be extra careful. Bag snatchers run amok. Great.
I had my day pack with my laptop in it, attached to my jeans with 2 carabiners. I was the first off the bus, got my bag and strode purposefully to the metro station. Act like the Alpha male.
No staff, no police, just migrants hanging out on the lookout for some opportunity. I asked another passenger from the bus to help me with the ticket machine. Easy. Then I was on the M1 line into the city.
I rode it until San Babila and walked the 10 minutes to my hostel.
I wondered whose pocket was being lined with the 2.50€ nightly city tax I had to pay? Wouldn't have minded if it was used to do something like provide security at the bus station.
I had my day pack with my laptop in it, attached to my jeans with 2 carabiners. I was the first off the bus, got my bag and strode purposefully to the metro station. Act like the Alpha male.
No staff, no police, just migrants hanging out on the lookout for some opportunity. I asked another passenger from the bus to help me with the ticket machine. Easy. Then I was on the M1 line into the city.
I rode it until San Babila and walked the 10 minutes to my hostel.
I wondered whose pocket was being lined with the 2.50€ nightly city tax I had to pay? Wouldn't have minded if it was used to do something like provide security at the bus station.
I stayed 3 nights at the Babila Hostel & Bistrot. My only complaint was that the cost of hostels in Milan was insane but what can you do? Suck it up or don't go.
The first day I spent with my friend (who I met in India, back in 2010) and her fiance. They took me to Bergamo. Cracking place but it's one of the many places that won't get featured on this blog. I was enjoying my time there and wanted to disconnect from thinking about trying to get a story and taking photos.
On my 2nd day I took the breakfast at the hostel and then went and backpacked Milan.
I headed to the Stazione Centrale but I was like.... then headed off back into the city, ended up walking 15 minutes in the wrong direction, stopped at two ATMs to check the withdrawal fees, 5€. Just as well I had some cash and like everywhere else, you can pay by card.
Let's Backpack Milano:
The first day I spent with my friend (who I met in India, back in 2010) and her fiance. They took me to Bergamo. Cracking place but it's one of the many places that won't get featured on this blog. I was enjoying my time there and wanted to disconnect from thinking about trying to get a story and taking photos.
On my 2nd day I took the breakfast at the hostel and then went and backpacked Milan.
I headed to the Stazione Centrale but I was like.... then headed off back into the city, ended up walking 15 minutes in the wrong direction, stopped at two ATMs to check the withdrawal fees, 5€. Just as well I had some cash and like everywhere else, you can pay by card.
Let's Backpack Milano:
My Top 8 Sights in Milan
Piazza della Scala
The Piazza della Scala with the monument of Leonardo da Vinci by sculptor Pietro Magni in the centre and on the northwestern side is the Teatro alla Scala, probably the most famous opera house in the world, was opened in 1778. The Milanese operagoers are notoriously critical. Even Pavarotti was booed off here once!
Sadly the grand buildings at the Piazza della Scala (and many other famous buildings are being renovated).
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
The Galleria Vittorio Emmanuele, named after Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of the Kingdom of Italy is Italy's oldest shopping arcade, opened in 1877 after twelve years of construction. The architect Giuseppe Mengoni fell from the roof to his death the day before it opened. Cruciform in shape, it connects the Duomo with La Scala.
Duomo di Milano
The Duomo, or cathedral, is the world's largest Gothic church and is Milan's premier attraction. Construction began in 1386 and was finally completed almost 600 years later. The sheer scale of it is astonishing, as is its beauty. If you can, take the elevator to the roof. It is an unmissable experience, especially on a clear day with views over the city and onto the Alps.
Basilica San Lorenzo Maggiore
The Basilica of San Lorenzo Maggiore is one of the oldest churches you'll find anywhere, construction having started around 390 AD (some claim even earlier ). While most churches in Milan are cruciform in shape, this is a genuinely Roman church. Mosaics from the 4th century still adorn the walls.
According to my buddy who lived in Milan, this church is particularly atmospheric inside, especially after sunset, and shouldn't be missed.
There was a funeral taking place so I sadly couldn't enter. But the square is nice.
According to my buddy who lived in Milan, this church is particularly atmospheric inside, especially after sunset, and shouldn't be missed.
There was a funeral taking place so I sadly couldn't enter. But the square is nice.
1 block away, I relaxed for a bit, with a glass of wine in a small bar.
Looking north at the Arco di Porta Ticinese:
Naviglio Grande
The Naviglio Grande, or Grand Canal is a feat of engineering commenced in the 12th century to link the Ticino river flowing from Lake Maggiore to Milan. It remained the principal means of transportation for goods in and out of the city for hundreds of years. Leonardo da Vinci had a hand in its construction, inventing the lock gate which is still used in canals worldwide to this day. The section near Porta Genova in the city is a hub of nightlife, each side lined with innumerable bars and restaurants. For anyone in the mood for a long walk or cycle, there is a canal path going right out to Abbiategrasso, some 22km from the city centre, passing many historic places, all of which are well explained in English. A train line follows it saving you the walk back.
Of course, I found a nice little bar to enjoy another wine. Spectacular.
Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio
Sant' Ambrogio (Saint Ambrose) is the patron saint of Milan, and his Basilica is a must-see. Built around 379AD, it's the second most important church in the city after the Duomo. The mosaics and ceilings here are awe-inspiring.
There is a crypt of Sant'Ambrogio, where is remains are displayed. Out of respect, I didn't take photos.
There is a crypt of Sant'Ambrogio, where is remains are displayed. Out of respect, I didn't take photos.
Sforzesco Castle
Also, worth a visit is the enormous Sforzesco Castle, a short walk from the Duomo. Dating to the 15th century, it's free to wander around and contains 10 different museums, the best of which is the Pinacoteca (art gallery) containing several Renaissance masterpieces. Behind the castle is Sempione Park, the city's green heart and a great place for a picnic or a nap when the sightseeing gets too much. You could spend a whole day here, it's that impressive.
San Bernardino alle Ossa
Beyond some of the most famous sights in Milan mentioned above, this one is like a bonus sight with a bit of Dark Tourism.
The San Bernardino alle Ossa church is of medieval origin and stands on the site of an ancient cemetery. The current building was designed by Carlo Giuseppe Merlo and was completed in 1754.
It is best known for the ossuary, which is my intention here, a small side chapel decorated with numerous human skulls and bones.
The San Bernardino alle Ossa church is of medieval origin and stands on the site of an ancient cemetery. The current building was designed by Carlo Giuseppe Merlo and was completed in 1754.
It is best known for the ossuary, which is my intention here, a small side chapel decorated with numerous human skulls and bones.
