Milan, one of the world's leading international metropolises, has a huge influence in the worlds of art and fashion. As Italy's second largest city, it’s should be no surprise that Milan has a long history. There are many cultural relics in the city and the Gothic architecture is famous all over the world. Within the city, a world-class opera house can be found in addition to exciting nightlife and unique cuisine native to the area. The Milan Cathedral area in the city center is the most concentrated area of attractions in the region and visitors should have no problem going from one attraction to the next on foot. Many hotels in Milan are located in this area. Other attractions are a bit scattered, so it’s a good idea to consider taking the subway to reach them.
The surrounding resort areas, Lake Como, and Verona, where Casa di Giulietta is located, and the Cinque Terre, a popular area for photographers, are popular destinations for travelers looking for places to go that are near Milan as well. Attractions within the city proper can usually all be seen within one day, but if interested, you may need to arrange an extra day just for shopping. Visitors can leave from and return to Milan from the surrounding areas of Lake Como and Verona within just one day, though some extra time may be required when heading to the Cinque Terre, as it is a bit farther away.
There are some destinations around Milan that can be used as a good place for day trips or as a short stop to the next major city, each with its own unique character.
Lake Como: The scenery on the shores of Paradise Lake is spectacular, and it’s the location where Star Wars II was filmed. Many Hollywood stars buy villas here, which have been created in different styles of famous designers from different eras. They have also passed several generations of distinguished families. The nearby mountains and rivers make the area quite peaceful.
Verona: The former residence of Juliet - Casa di Giulietta is located in Verona, a small town between Milan and Venice. For this reason, it is often visited by fans of Shakespeare. It’s a great place to head to for visitors looking to get a feel for what small town life is like in Italy.
Cinque Terre: This group of five fishing villages along the coastline is one of the most famous destinations in central Italy. The scenery is highly sought after by many tourists and photographers. The five villages that make up the Cinque Terre are Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso. Manarola is the first choice for many tourists.
Milan is a famous fashion capital. It ranks among the top four fashion capitals in the world and is known for exquisiteness and taste. All famous fashion brands in the world have established offices here, and more than half of fashion big names have their headquarters in Milan, such as Armani, Versace, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, etc. This is also the world's most desirable place among fashion designers. Walking through the streets of Milan, stylishly dressed and sophisticated people can be seen everywhere.