Milan/Outer Milan

By plane

• Linate International airport

  address: Viale Enrico Forlanini, Segrate
  Milano's city airport with many domestic and European flights, but no intercontinental flights.

By public transport

The "Metropolitana" reaches out in the suburbs, but for many parts bus is the only alternative. Refer to the website of Milan's public transport agency for routes and schedules.

By car

If you're driving from elsewhere in Italy, you will pass through the suburbs first. It's not as hard to move around as it is in downtown (and there's also no congestion fee either). Drivers who want to visit central Milan might want to consider parking their car at one of the public transport agency's car parks around the city and continue by bus or metro. It costs a few euros, but parking in the city is more expensive and means more hassle.

Churches

• Chiaravalle AbbeyA beautifully-preserved medieval abbey still run by monks today.

• San Cristoforo Sul Naviglio

  address: Alzaia Naviglio Grande 122
  A complex of two churches, the older one is built in the 13th century on a place where there has been houses of worship since the Roman Empire.

Museums

• Paolo Pini Art Museum

  phone: +39 02 6444 5392
  address: Via Ippocrate 45
  Contemporary art gallery collection.

• Hangar BicoccaContemporary art museum in a giant hangar in the industrial district just north of Milano Bicocca university. They have a few permanent sculptural installations along with rotating temporary exhibits and events.

• Museo San Siro Collezione Milan Inter

  address: Via dei Piccolomini 5
  Inter and Milan paraphernalia are at display at the museum in the stadium that two of the most famous football (soccer) teams in Italy call home.

Other

• Leonardo's HorseA bronze sculpture realised according to an original project of Leonardo da Vinci. It is on the courtyard of the race-track of San Siro, just behind the Stadium. The race-track is open on race days but the courtyard is open everyday.

• Certosa di Garegnano

  address: Via Garegano 28
  The Garegnano Charterhouse houses Capuchin Friars and 16th century frescoes.

• Watch a football game at San Siro StadiumWatch AC Milan or FC Internazionale at the famous Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, also known as San Siro, which is shared as a home stadium by both clubs. Tickets for most matches are available in advance or on the day. The rivalry between the two sides is very bitter, and considered to be one of the biggest in Italy, and matches between both sides, known as the Derby della Madonnina, are particularly charged affairs which always attract sell-out crowds. Watch out for the scalpers at the stadium as they sell the tickets for much more than the official ticket offices. As many as 60 matches per year are played in San Siro from late August until late May. In addition to home matches of the two clubs, the San Siro also regularly hosts home matches of the Italian national team.

• Sunbathing and do aquatic sports at the IdroscaloAlso known as "sea of Milan", the Idroscalo is an artificial lake in Milan. In this place you can practice many sports such as kayaking, canoeing, dragon boats, rowing, sailing, swimming, horse riding and water skiing. In Idroscalo park there are also bars and nightclubs and it is used for open-air concerts. Free wifi internet connection available. Near idroscalo there is Europark Idroscalo Milano, a family-oriented amusement park, open from March to September and on weekends during the rest of the year.

Budget

If you are in the Northeast area, there are many little pizzerias on (the northern extension of viale Zara) in the Greco area, of which an excellent choice is Pizzeria Da Pino. Ask for John Luca, and don't miss the lasagne. Here you may also get homemade Mirto (as you can at many other places). The prices are very reasonable in these establishments; expect to pay about €4-5 for pizza and €3-4 for beer. These places are where the locals eat, they are very friendly and helpful but few speak anything but Italian. Take the phrasebook with you.

Mid-range

• Osteria del Gnocco Fritto

  phone: +39 02 8912 2631
  address: Via Pestalozzi 16
  At Osteria del Gnocco Fritto the €4.50 cover charge includes baskets of fried hand-size pastries (similar to sopapillas) accompanied by meats, cheeses, or jams (€8 to €11). The restaurant has a second location closer to the city center.

• La Trattoria Da Abele

  address: Via Temperanza 5
  Renowned for its risottos, which change seasonally, Da Abele has a relaxed atmosphere and place that is always packed with locals.

• Dilemma

  phone: +39 023 6586094
  address: Via Decembrio 26
  Restaurant & cocktail bar.

Splurge

• Aimo e Nadia

  address: Via Montecuccoli, 6

(and nearby Citta' Studi area) is a popular nightspot.

• Birrificio Lambrate

  address: Via Adelchi
  Features with its own branded beers.

• Sio Café

  phone: +39 02 6611 8087
  address: Via Libero Temolo, 1, 20126 Milano
  A disco north of the Central railway station.

Gay and lesbian clubs

• Amnesia

  address: via Alfonso Gatto
  Saturday nights at Billy or Amnesia,

• Binario1

  address: Via Plezzo 16

• Borgo del Tempo Perso

  address: via Fabio Massimo
  On Sunday nights, hundreds flock to the largest and classiest spot in town, the Borgo del Tempo Perso.

Cruising clubs such as the "Flexo" and "Depot" are hugely popular in Italy, perhaps even more so than saunas.

• Flexo

  address: Via Oropa 3

• Depot

  address: Via dei Valtorta 19

The best saunas in 2008 include Metro (In the north part of Milan) and Royal Hammam, mostly packed during the weekend especially at night as they are open 24 hours.

• Royal Hammam

  address: via Plezzo

Budget

Camping

• Città di Milano

  phone: +39 02 48200134
  address: Via Gaetano Airaghi 61
  It is way on the outskirts of the city. If you arrive by car, take the tangenziale Ovest and exit at San Siro/ Fiera. If by public transport, take the subway (the M1 line to De Angeli) and then a bus (bus no 72). However keep an eye out for signs pointing to the campsite. Don't be afraid to ask locals on the bus where it is. Be aware that it's next to a rather smelly farm. However, the campsite itself has a bar, a restaurant and very good shower facilities. This is definitely an option for students or people who would rather spend money in Milan, instead of accommodation.

Hostels

• Piero Rotta Youth Hostel

  phone: +39 02-39267095
  address: Via Salmoiraghi 1
  Follow the signs from QT8 stop on the red line to Molino Dorino. Very relaxed curfew compared to most in Italy. Look out for the night walkers you pass on the way to the hostel. 5 km from Duomo.

• OstellOlinda

  phone: +39 02 64445219
  address: Via Ippocrate 45
  Hostel converted from an old psychiatric ward, though other buildings on the grounds are still used for psychiatric treatment. Reception desk is only open from noon to 20:00, and the staff only speaks enough English to keep the place functioning. Entry after dark requires checking in with the gate guard. No curfew, but remember that the guard-gate is closed from 01:30 to 06:00. It is near the Affori Train Station. Easily reached from the city center by commuter trains, or bus 70. The yellow-line of the subway is being extended and will eventually reach this location.

Hotels

• Hotel De Albertis

  phone: +39 02 7383409
  address: Via De Albertis, 7
  In the Cinque Giornate area. Run by a very pleasant family.

• Hotel Delizia

  phone: +39 02 740544
  address: Via Archimede, 86/88
  Comfortable access to the tangenziale and the splendid Piazza del Duomo. 14 rooms each with shower, bidet, toilet, free Wi-Fi, TV, ADSL, breakfast.

• Hotel Catalani e Madrid

  phone: +39 02 2846361
  address: Via Catalani 71

Mid-range

• Hotel La Residenza

  phone: +39 02 6461646
  address: Via Scialoia 3

• Hotel Accursio

  phone: +39 02 33001270
  address: Viale Certosa, 88
  A small hotel, with only 28 rooms, but the location is convenient and the small breakfast service is nice.

• Hotel Bonola

  phone: +39 02 381 017 46
  address: Via Torrazza 15
  Hotel Bonola is close to the freeway exits (the Tangenziale Ovest exit "Viale Certosa" is 1 km away), "Rho-Pero", the new trade show center and Mazdapalace the historical trade show center.

• Residenza Calvino Milan

  phone: +39 02 36579308
  address: Via Calvino, 21
  42 self-catering apartments for short vacations and stays. It is in the northern area of Milan. Services include the wi-fi internet connection, LCD TV, kitchen, bathroom and reception.

• Dieci Hotel Milan

  phone: +39 02 70608180
  address: Largo Rio de Janeiro, 12
  Close to the Piola Metro stop, in the north-east part of the city. The 29 guest rooms are divided in single, double and triple, with en-suite services, satellite TV, internet connection and mini bar.

• Hotel Florence

  phone: +39 02 2361125
  address: Piazza Aspromonte, 22
  In northeastern Milan, easily reached from the Centrale station, with excellent public transport services (subway, street cars and buses) and full of attractions.

Splurge

• Milan Suite Hotel

  phone: +39 02 33431807
  address: Via Varesina 124
  Modern hotel in the north district, well connected to the city centre and Fiera Milano. 40 bedrooms divided in double for single use, suite and junior suite. All the rooms come with en-suite service and the breakfast included. Facilities include two meeting halls, private parking and limousine service.