European Night of the Museums
The Long Night of Museums is an annual event where museums across Europe remain open late into the night, and Milan is no exception.
A historically rich medieval city, once a part of Venice
The city of Bergamo is perched atop a hill just within a 30-40 minute train or car ride from Milan. The fourth largest city in Lombardy, it is located at the foot of the Alps.
Bergamo is the second most visited city in the region after Milan thanks to its rich history, beautiful landscapes, delicious cuisine and easy connections. Just 30 minutes from Milan, Bergamo has its own international airport ten minutes away. The city is at the foothills of the Orobie Alps, popular with Italian skiers given their proximity to Milan.
For 400 years, from the early 15th century, Bergamo was a part of the Republic of Venice. The Venetians built a stone wall around the Citta Alta perched on a hill above the rest of town. Piazza Vecchia, in the heart of the Citta Alta, is a great starting point for exploring Bergamo, branching off into a network of narrow and distinctly medieval, winding cobblestone streets.
The modern Citta Bassa (Lower City) is not without its charms, boasting a good collection of parks, galleries, museums and fashion boutiques and general 19th-century chic.
The Long Night of Museums is an annual event where museums across Europe remain open late into the night, and Milan is no exception.
The remote origins of the city of Bergamo can be perceived in its own name, probably a combination of the Germanic words Berg (mountain) and heim (house). Bergamo's hilltop location has always been a defensive advantage, meaning that it has been occupied for centuries.
The first settlement we have remains of was a Celtic village that succumbed to the Romans in the year 49 BC. They enlarged the town, now called Bergomum, which had around 10,000 inhabitants under Roman rule, but it was raided by Attila in the 5th century.
In the early Middle Ages, Bergamo was the seat of one of the most important Lombard duchies in northern Italy. In the 9th century, it was conquered by Charlemagne who turned it into a county and, in the 11th century, it became an independent commune that took part in the Lombard League, fighting to defend the Kingdom of Italy against the threat of the Holy Roman Empire dominated by the Hohenstaufen dinasty. From 1264, Bergamo was under the rule of Milan and the Visconti family, who fortified the citadel.
However, in the early 15th centuries, Bergamo fell under the control of the Venetian Republic until the late 18th century, becoming the westernmost outpost of this territory. The Venetians fortified the town to counteract possible attacks from other regions of Italy.
Napoleonic rule was imposed on Bergamo in 1797 while in 1815 it was assigned to the Austrian Empire. Under Austrian government, the town's industrial development began with the installation if the first textile factories. The city played a vital role during the Italian unification or 'Resorgimento'. It was called the 'Città dei Mille' in honour of 'I Mille', the most important voluntary contingent in Garibaldi's army, because around a sixth of them came from the city. Garibaldi liberated Bergamo in 1859 becoming part of the Kingdom of Italy and, after, the Italian Republic.
This basilica, the second largest in size after the Duomo in Milan, is an important example of Renaissance architecture. It was part of a large monastery of Lateran Canons, and the adjacent buildings now house Milan's Conservatory.
The Ambrosian Library & Art Gallery, named after Ambrose the patron saint of Milan, opened in 1618 and is the city's oldest museum. The beautiful palace, as well as the world-class collections of paintings, manuscripts and books are well worth a visit.
Prada, the huge Italian fashion house, has opened this foundation to showcase contemporary art together with contemporary philosophy conferences, research exhibitions and initiatives related to cinema.
This basilica was originally built by St Ambrose, in the 4th century, and contains the remains of the Apostles, John, Andrew and Thomas, as well as those of San Nazaro. Some remains of frescoes can still be seen despite many changes to its original structure over the years.
A private foundation, set up by the Bagatti Valsecchi heirs, to open the family's late 19th-century residence and collections of artworks to the public.
The Giuseppe Meazza stadium or San Siro (as it is better known) was conceived exclusively as a football venue. It was built to host the tempestuous and bi-annual games between the city's rival teams - AC Milano and Inter (F.C. Internazionale Milano).
Part of the Armani Hotel Milan, this Michelin-starred restaurant takes a modern approach to classic Italian wining and dining. The stylish decor has been designed to the smallest detail by Giorgio Armani himself.
This elegant and sophisticated restaurant is located in a luxury hotel right in the heart of Milan and has been awarded a Michelin star. They serve traditional Italian dishes with innovative touches using local fresh ingredients.
The 2-Michelin-starred Seta restaurant located in the Mandarin Oriental Milan hotel is a new kid on the block for the Milanese restaurant scene. An open-plan kitchen gives guests a peak of how the stunning dishes are prepared and a more complete experience to their choices.
Il Baretto has been running for over fifty years, delighting the great and the good of the city for half a century. The sophisticated, old English club house decor is host to a refined menu taking cues from Milanese and international cuisine.
The elegant style and furnishings, the neoclassical pieces of art decorating the walls and the hand-painted high ceiling is a dramatic yet fitting setting for the fantastic food of the Palazzo Parigi restaurant. And when the weather is fine, the relaxed atmosphere of the private garden terrace provides an alternative atmosphere for visiting diners.
Located at the luxury Excelsior Gallia Hotel, this rooftop restaurant boasts a menu created under the consultancy of three-Michelin starred chefs Enrico and Roberto Cerea and the Lebano brothers. They serve modern Italian cuisine with a focus on the Lombardy region.
Located in the historic centre of Milan, in front of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, this is one of Milan’s hottest and trendiest bars in the city at any time of the day.
This unconsecrated small church was built at the end of the 18th century and, in 2006, it was converted into a bar. With a unique atmosphere, this bar is specialised in beers, cocktails and shots.
One of the most renowned music venues in Milan, at this nightclub you'll be able to see big live rock concerts during the week, while during the weekends it turns into a disco.
This upmarket bar offers cocktails and a light lunch menu to a typically well-dressed crowd, fatigued after shopping the Galleria. The bar is part of the arty-industrial Straf 'design' hotel.
Start your evening with a large aperitivo and a cocktail at the bar, and stay for the night's event - themed parties and renowned DJs.
Located in south-central Milan, this former cycle shop is a funky art bar decorated with old bicycles and is a great place to enjoy an aperitivo, a tasty dinner or start your evening.
This large lake, on the eastern side of Milan, was originally built for Mussolini as an airport for seaplanes. Now it is a park for sporting activities and a summer meeting place. Boasting a beach, swimming pools and plenty of open space for walking and cycling as well as other team games, its bursts into life in summer and is a perfect family afternoon with a picnic on a hot day.
This is Milan's oldest hotel, opened in 1863, and then named the ”Albergo di Milano”. Its has been a sort of 'annex' to La Scala for many years - with some rooms even having adjoining doors to the theatre.
There is no shortage of colour or style in this design hotel, looking out on the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.
The Palazzo Parigi hotel is in an ideal location on the northern edge of the Brera shopping district. The luxury decor of the hotel is an ode to Milanese style and history, and the many top-drawer services and facilities will want guests wanting for little else.
This centrally located hotel was the first ecological hotel in Italy, designed according to bio-architectural criteria.
The hotel offers contemporarily designed rooms and a little enchanting veranda. An ideal location if you are visiting one of the many Milan fairs.
Located in one of the fastest growing areas of Milan this 5 star hotel is in a great position for access to the Congress centre, Expo & the San Siro football stadium.
Shuttle company offering regular services from Malpensa airport to Milan central train station via Milano Fiera, as well as to Milano Fiera Rho, Linate airport, Bergamo and Monza.
This company offers coach airport transfers from Orio al Serio airport to Milan central station, Malpensa airport, Bergamo and Monza.