MILAN

Milan

A beautiful city in Lombardy, Milan is a stunning and lavish place to spend a holiday that will guarantee a trip to remember.

What you need to know about Milan

Language: Italian is the local language in Milan. Many shopkeepers, restaurant staff and hotel employees will speak enough English for you to get by.

Currency: The Euro is the currency in Italy.

Banking: ATMs can be found throughout the city so no problem finding one if you need to at any point.

Weather: The weather in the summer time is typically Italian with hot summers but as Milan is in the north of the country you can expect a more temperate climate relative to other regions of Italy.

What is the best time of year to visit Milan?

• Best Time for Shopping: Milan is a shopping haven, a great place to shop year-round, whether you’re looking for designer fashion or ready to wear, quirky pieces or garments that are on trend. The shopping mall, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II will offer plenty of retail therapy, and when the city holds Fashion Week twice a year -February/March - and again in September/October it’s full of international fashionistas coming to see the latest looks.
• Best Time for Kids and Families: Summer is busy throughout Italy, a tough time if you have kids in tow because it’s hot and crowded. The in-between seasons (April and May and again in September and October) are the best times for families to visit, when the weather is more temperate and Milan is less crowded. Milan is a family-friendly spot with plenty of activities to keep the kids busy whatever the weather. Its 2 public parks are great spaces to enjoy – Giardini Pubblici also boasts a planetarium - and there’s also the Civic Aquarium, and numerous museums. In the warmer months you can take them to the water park, Acquatica Park, to splash around.
• Best Time to Visit Museums and Galleries: The best time to go sightseeing is in early spring, April and May (except for Easter week) and again in fall, from mid-September to mid-October, when you’ll find pleasant weather and fewer tourists. Milan will be emptier in August but it's really hot and at this time, a lot of businesses close for the summer holidays, especially smaller, family-owned shops and restaurants. To save money, remember: on the first Sunday of the month in Italy, all state-run sights including galleries, ruins,  museums and parks are free. 

Milan Travel Seasons

High Season (June, July & September): Summer is peak season, as in Italy August is considered to be low season, when most Italians go on holiday and close up shop. But the weather is really hot at this time, especially in the southern part of the country. September is also a busy time – peak season with prices to match. Sometimes peak season even continues into October. However, if you visit smaller, lesser known towns and villages, you won’t find any crowds.

Shoulder Season (March to mid-May (except Easter), October & November): The in-between seasons are the best times to visit Italy, particularly in early spring (March and April). Fall is also a good time, but find out if October is peak season in certain areas. 

Low Season (August, December till February, except around Carnival and the Christmas Season: Winter is considered low season – except for religious holidays and  Carnival in February. Some say August is also low season – it depends where you plan to visit. Winter is cold but crowds are less, prices are lower and if you don’t mind braving the cold, you can enjoy a reasonably priced vacation. But if you’re planning to visit the ski resorts, remember: it’s peak season for skiing and prices escalate accordingly.