
Milan at a Glance
Milan is one of the most travelled cities in Europe and a magnificent destination. You can spend hours or days getting lost here. Milan at a glance sets out an outline of what to expect on your first visit.

Milan at a Glance
Milan is a beautiful city with many highlights. From the cobblestones of Brera to the skyscrapers of Porta Nuova to the historic Gothic architecture of the Duomo and the castles that tells the stories of Milan’s past. It is easy to get around, no matter where you are in the city and can easily getaway to other cities such as the picturesque Cinque Terre, the City of canals or the enchanting lakes of Italy. So, if you are planning a visit to this fabulous City of fashion, here’s what you can expect and need to know:

1 | Legal Entry to Italy – Visa

Italy is part of the common travel area known as the Schengen Zone. This means that if you are a national of EU/EEA, you can travel to Italy with just an Identification Card. However, if you are non EU/EEA, you will be required to present the following as a minimum at the port of entry to Italy:
i | A valid passport or travel document.
Your passport or travel must be valid for at least three months beyond the date of your planned exit from the Schengen Area.
The passport or travel document must be issued in the last 10 years.
ii | A Visa
If you are a national of a country that is subject to the Italy’s visa regime.
iii | Additional information
At border control, you may be asked about your purpose of visit, how long you intend to stay and your financial means during your trip.
iv | Entry stamp
Ensure your passport is stamped by the border control officers so that you could move freely within the Schengen Area. Without a stamp, you could be fined or detained.
**EU – European Union | EEA – European Economic Area
***British passport holders are exempt from the criteria of passport validity and issuance date.
Recommended read: Italy Tourist Travel Visa – A Simple Overview
Pro tip: Check visa requirements with iVisa
iVisa is an independent company in the travel documentation industry. They are resolved to getting an application for travel documents processed quickly in a simple and reliable manner.
2 | Language
The official language spoken in Milan is Italian but the majority of Milanese speak Milanese. Milanese is a dialect of Italian’s commonly spoken in the Lombardy region.
3 | Currency
The currency in Italy is the Euro (€) and was introduced in 1999. Euro is the only form of legal tender in the country. It’s predecessor, the Lira was taken out of circulation in 2002.
*1 Euro equals 0.85 Pound sterling (August 10, 2021)
4 | Credit Cards and ATMs

In Milan, there are no problems in finding ATMs or cash machines that accepts foreign credit cards or bank debit cards. Most shops, restaurants and tour operators will also take credit cards as a form of payment. You only really need cash for small purchases like metro tickets, bottles of water, coffee, gelato and small souvenirs.
5 | Power plugs
The plugs and sockets in Italy are type F and L. The standard voltage is 230V and the standard frequency is 50Hz.
I recommend that you purchase a worldwide universal travel adapter which you could use in any European countries.
6 | WiFi
portable wifi for Europe
WiFi is usually available at the hotels and the high-rated restaurants but there may be a need to have WiFi at all times (like me). If you are in Italy for a short visit, I recommend subscribing to Unlimited Portable Pocket Wifi (my favourite and a must have) when travelling to Milan or wider Italy/Europe. Works out much cheaper than roaming charges by a mobile carrier.
7 | Safety
While Milan is generally a safe place to be, you may want to keep a close eye on your belongings. There are always that elements of pickpockets and theft.
8 | Getting around
Historic trams in Milan
Milan has an awesome transport system that connects all the landmarks so it is easy to navigate. You could literally get around Milan like a local! As well, if you are up for an adventure, try train travelling in Italy. I loved travelling to other cities on day trips by train. The countryside is beautiful and Italy has excellent high-speed routes. Have a look at this page
9 | Activities to do in Milan
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II passionately known as the Milanese Drawing Room
Milan is the centre for fashion in Europe! A global centre for centuries of art and architecture as well. An undeniable testament to the centuries of art and architecture is Leonardo da Vinci’s mural, “The Last Supper” at Santa Maria delle Grazie that attracts millions of visitors a year. The architecture of the world renowned Duomo spans almost 600 years and some say work is still ongoing! Sitting next door to the Duomo is the Milanese Drawing Room which is a must visit for all high-end shopper enthusiasts. Take shopping to a whole new level and explore the quaint and chic fashion boutiques that lines the narrow cobblestone-streets of Milan.
In short, Milan is a city that has so very much to offer its visitors that even a few days may not be enough to soak-up the Milanese culture. Read through the following articles for some ideas on activities to do in Milan.
Best of Milan – Sunset over the City from the rooftop of the Duomo
How to make the best of one day in Milan
The best to look out for when visiting the Milan Cathedral
Tip: Discover Milan with a 48-hour City Card
10 | Resources to support your travel plans
Travel resources at a Glance
Planning your dream vacation? Excellent! Here are all the Resources and Practical information you need for your self-guided or guided vacation.
Flights
I have a few choices. Search Google flights because they offer very competitive prices. You could also try Opodo for cheap airfares. For special experiences, go to On the Beach and Jet2Holidays. My all time favourite has been Qatar Airways for long-haul flights for the comfort and their first-class service. I use British Airways as well. For all other global deals >> kiwi.com
Accommodations
My favourite website for booking hotels is booking.com – I love their flexible cancellation policy which means I’m covered till the last minute. I also like that the totals show up for the whole stay so it helps me budget better. Other favourites of mine are Millennium & Copthorne Group of Hotels and Resorts for their consistent high quality accommodations and service. You could also take a look at the Radisson Hotels chain that caters for all budget. For accommodations in UK that has a personal touch and affordable luxury, stay at Hotel du Vin.
Unique experiences & tours
My all time go to resource for unique experiences and tours is Get your Guide. I am also a fan of Viator for their special deals.
Travel insurance
Never travel without travel insurance and never overpay for travel insurance! I use and recommend World Nomads for your travel insurance needs. They even insure on the go. Before purchasing any any travel policy, read through the terms to ensure that the plan is right for you and your trip.
Travel essentials
Never travel without these! I use and fully endorse all the products on this page but especially: High powered wireless power bank, Universal travel adapter and unlimited portable pocket wifi.
I hope this overview has given you a taster of what to expect when visiting Italy. Browse through all related articles so you can make an informed decision and know before you go. Milan is a fabulous city and one not to miss on your travel bucket list.
If this article added value to your search in planning your travels to Italy, perhaps you would also consider using the links embedded here and in related articles to reserve/book your flights, train travels, accommodations and activities to do. TTS earns a commission from qualifying stays and purchases at no cost to you at all. As always, we appreciate your support and thank you in advance for your custom.
Have a splendid time discovering Milan.
Georgina
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Milan at a Glance – An overview of what to expect was first published at timelesstravelsteps.com and is regularly updated. Last update Aug 16, 2021

Thank you so much and I am very happy to know that this is “the best guide out there” 🙂 As always, I appreciate your comments and the time taken to read my articles.
As always just about the best travel guide out there. From the UK it will be so difficult to keep up to date at the different stages of Brexit so, to have a guide through the rest, where to go, what to expect etc is so useful especially when it is so accessible like this.
Thank you so much! and thank you for stopping by! I am a Londoner myself. Have a great rest of the week. 🙂
Love the visual content! Keep it up. Greetings from London.