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We went to Milan on a rainy day
Did you come to Milan in winter? Or even in the summer, but it’s raining? do not worry! Like any European city, the rain is beautiful to it, to Milan. Don’t forget, the rain here is not overwhelming and is usually not accompanied by windstorms or lightning. It may come down for a long time, but it usually comes down pleasantly, and all you’ll need are some tips for exploring indoor areas, or alternatively just an umbrella. So here are some options for a rainy day in Milan:
Traveling by tram from one side of the city to the other
The tram in Milan is a trip back in time, the old carriage is very chic. It’s pleasant and a cradle to spend some time in. In the meantime, you can get an impression of the city through the windows. Take any tram that passes by your hotel, and ride it a full circle. Along the way, you will get ideas of where to go back to when the weather clears up, and you may even suddenly decide to drop by to a cafe that seems perfect to you. One of the recommended tram lines is number 16, which passes through many central points in the city.
The Duomo and its surroundings
The most central center of the city, the Duomo, which is the great cathedral of Milan, is beautiful in any weather. The red metro line, M1 will bring you straight to the heart of the square. Right next to the Duomo Square is the famous Vittorio Emanuele Gallery. You can admire the luxury shops under the gallery’s impressive glass roof, you can enter the stylish Prada cafe, go up to the second floor and drink your coffee while looking out the windows at the gallery below. Note that drinking while standing is significantly cheaper than sitting at a table.
- Gallerie d’italia – at the end of the Vittorio Emanuele Gallery is the famous piazza of the La Scala theater, La Scala. The La Scala opera house is on the left side of the piazza, on the right side of it is the Palazzo Marino, which is actually the city hall of Milan, which is A museum in itself, and it can be toured free of charge (but with a reservation in advance). The building located right in front of the exit from the gallery, between Palazzo Marino and La Scala is called Galleria Italia. It is a gallery that is part of a group of art galleries scattered in several cities in Italy. The building was designed at the end of the century The 18th has gone through various incarnations and is currently owned by the Intesa San Paolo bank, the largest bank in Italy. Permanent and changing exhibitions of 19th century art and modern art are displayed there. The price is subsidized, and the entrance to the beautiful building and the magical inner garden where every penny is worth it. In addition, immediately upon entering the gallery on the left You will find a wonderful and quiet cafe. The place is a quiet and warm corner that will give you a real European experience in the heart of bustling Milan.
A trip to the parks (with an umbrella)
You will be surprised, but a walk in the rain has its own charm. There is no reason not to visit one of the city parks in Milan, and soak up some nature. Parco Sempione is the central park of the city. You can reach it from the Duomo on the red metro, line M1. Get off at the Cairoli Castello station. Take a walk in the wide park, full of ancient and thick trees, lawns, a lake with ducks and more. At the southern end of the park is the Sforzesco Castle, which is worth a visit in itself. You can only get an impression of it from the outside, and if you want you can also enter the many museums inside. In the citadel area you will find a cafe where you can sit and watch the rain.
Another large park is the one in front of Porta Venezia, called Giardini Pubblici Indro Montanelli. Here too, a bit of nature in the heart of the city, a European-style park, trees, lawns, pleasant walking paths, a fountain and a lake.
Shopping in Milan
The culture of the original shopping malls is not popular in Milan and most of the shops are spread out along the streets. However, there are some indoor complexes. One is the Il Centro mall, which is a little outside the city. It can be reached by a special shuttle operated by the mall itself, see the list on outlets. In addition, recently, at the end of 2017, a new shopping and entertainment complex was opened in the city, called city life. It is a large and pleasant complex for shopping and dining, it can be reached by metro from the city center.
QC TERME Spa
Not many know, but in Milan there is a pampering spa complex, which belongs to a chain of health and spa centers in northern Italy. The complex is called QC TERME. It is an ancient and magical building in the heart of the city where various thermal pools and a variety of spa treatments operate. You should inquire about special packages. Usually, you can come in the afternoon and evening for a stay of a few hours which includes a treatment and an aperitivo (drink).
Address: Piazzale Medaglie d’Oro, 2 angolo Via Filippetti 20135 Milano
Museums
It goes without saying that museums are the ultimate choice for a rainy day. And not only for those who understand the art. Milan has a variety of wonderful museums of all levels and styles. Below is a partial list, but sufficient…
The Triennial Museum
An internationally famous museum of design, art and architecture. In the city center next to Sempione Park.
Address: Palazzo della Triennale Viale Alemagna,6 – 20121 Milano
Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10:30-20:30, closed on Monday.
Alfa Romeo Museum
An exhibition of car models from all years, a display room of contemporary models, a 4-dimensional cinema room for a “real” race experience, activities for children and a cafe on site. Located in the suburbs of the city.
Address: Viale Alfa Romeo, 20020 Arese (MI) – Italy
Opening hours: Wednesday-Monday 10:00-18:00, closed on Tuesday.
Palazzo Reale Museum
The best exhibitions from all over the world. One of the museums in Milan. Located next to the Duomo in the city center.
Address: Piazza del Duomo 12, Milano
Opening hours: Monday – 14:30-19:30
Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday – 09:30-19:30
Thursday and Saturday – 09:30-22:30
Milan has several municipal museums. Some of them at subsidized prices:
In front of Porta Venezia, inside the urban park Giardini Pubblici Indro Montanelli
Address: Corso Venezia, 55, 20121, Milano
Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday 09:00-17:30, closed on Monday.
A huge museum with over 400 works by artists from Italy and the world. Housed in a very impressive building. Right in front of the Duomo in the city center.
Address: Via Guglielmo Marconi, 1, MILAN
Opening hours: Monday – 14:30-19:30
Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday – 09:30-19:30
Thursday and Saturday – 09:30-22:30
A nice aquarium, not one of the biggest, but still with over a hundred species of fish and aquatic creatures. Located at the edge of Sempione Park, quite close to the citadel.
Address: Viale Gadio 2, Milan
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday – 09:00-17:30
The gallery for modern art (Galleria d’Arte Moderna, GAM)
Located in a beautiful villa surrounded by gardens next to the city park Giardini Pubblici Indro Montanelli opposite Porta Venezia.
Address: Via Palesrto 16, Milano.
Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday 09:00-17:30
MUDEC
Museum of Cultures. A huge museum with over 7000 works in permanent and changing exhibitions, under the heading of cultures that existed and still exist in this region of Europe. The museum is housed in a modern and architecturally very special building. Southwest of the city center. 3 km from the Duomo.
Address: Via Tortona 56, Milano.
Opening hours: Monday – 14:30-19:30
Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday – 09:30-19:30
Thursday and Saturday – 09:30-22:30
The castle museums
Castello Sforzesco located at the edge of Sempione Park is a cluster of museums. You can buy a ticket that grants entry to everyone together. Among the museums: Museum of Prehistory, Museum of Decorative Art, Museum of Antiquities.
Address: Castello Sforzesco, Milan
Opening hours: Sunday – Tuesday 09:00-17:30
