Milan has ethnic diversity. In most busy, pedestrian-only streets or town squares, people from Northern Africa and the Middle East sell cheesy toys. If one of these people were to run up to you asking if you want to buy something, I’d suggest you ignore them, or say no while walking away. If you start talking straight to them even just to say “No thank you” they will most likely follow you further down the street than if you ignore them. With so many people, Milan is known for the pickpockets. My advice is that you should zip your bags all the way, and never carry bags that don’t zip. If you have to put something in your pant’s pocket, put it in the front. Make sure to keep your bags on your body at all times. It would be horrible to get the boots or cute shirts you just bought stolen!
Milan’s shopping is jaw dropping! Big designer names like Prada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Dolce and Gabbana have their headquarters there. Because of that, it’s no problem finding the cute, but extremely expensive 8,000 Euro boots you’ve always dreamed of having. Via Della Spiga, a street in Milan, is probably the most expensive street in the world, meaning all of the shops on it are very high-priced. With every designer name you could think of, I guarantee you won’t find anything under 200 Euros. Although they are very fashionable, and the label is an added bonus, there are also just-as-cute stores in Milan that are cheaper. I found heels for 10 Euros, skinny jeans for 15 Euros, and boots for 30 Euros. While outlets in America usually have lower prices, the clothes from outlets in Milan are still very expensive. The cheapest shirt I found at any outlet was 55 Euros. However, no shopping trip is complete without food!
With every restaurant, bakery, and bar in the second biggest city in Italy, it’s hard to know if a restaurant is actually good. Ask the clerk at your hotel’s front desk to recommend specific restaurants, not just an area to go. A must-have food in Milan is Gelato. It doesn’t really matter where you go to get it; I got mine from a street vendor and it was delicious! Gelato originated in Italy, so why not have some real Italian gelato? However, the real question is how do you get there?
Milan is huge! Even if you don’t walk everywhere you go, it is very easy to walk at least eight miles a day. Do you really want to walk that many miles in heels? That does not sound fun. I suggest wearing comfortable shoes. They don’t have to be tennis shoes. I mean come on, you’re in Milan, the fashion capital of the world! Boots or flats are okay, but heels are probably not a good idea. You don’t have to walk everywhere, though. There are also taxis and the subway. I’ve never been in a taxi in Milan and I don’t want to. They seem dirty and unreliable. The subway, however, is nice to use. You will hear the people in Milan call it the metro. The metro can be crowed and a little dirty, but they’re easy to use, cheap, and can get you across town fast. I’ve been on the subway, and I like it, but I like walking better, because I can see the beauty of Milan.
The structures in Milan are mostly made of old stone. If you walk anywhere in town, look up and you can see how pretty the buildings are. The Duomo, also known as the Cathedral of Milan, is breath taking. With it being right in the center of Milan, it’s a large attraction, and I can understand why. My art history teacher said it looks like a giant, Gothic drip castle. A drip castle is when you mix sand with water and drip it from your fist above. With the very detailed exterior, pointed arches, and an interior the size of nine football fields (three by three), he was spot on. When looking at the Duomo, it feels like you’re looking at a postcard. The Duomo isn’t the only amazing space, though. Castello Sforzesco, the castle in Milan, is beautiful. It has long hallways around an enormous courtyard. The park next to it is also gigantic! It has beautiful big trees with leaves that change color, green grass, and Arco Della Pace. Arco Della Pace is the biggest arch I’ve ever seen! I love that its name means Peace Arch.
With all of the shopping streets, bakeries, castles, cathedrals, and everything else to explore in Milan, I could spend a whole week there without getting bored. The fashion capital of the world is my favorite city in Europe.
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