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.
Small city north of Milan, home to the famous F1 racing track
Located just within 15 kilometres north of Milan, this big but picturesque town, the third largest in the Lombardy region, has been transformed from a mainly industrial trade centre to a popular spot for good cuisine, pretty squares and of course the F1 Gran Prix.
Monza is the capital of the newly created Monza and Brianza province, and has a booming textile industry and publishing trade. The city is crossed from north to south by the river Lambro, which features an artificial fork at its entrance built during the 14th century for defensive purposes.
Nowadays, visitors come to Monza attracted by the famous Formula 1 circuit, as well as its historical streets, the huge Monza Park, one of the largest in Europe, and its world-renowned restaurants.
The most important event in Monza is undoubtedly the Formula 1 Gran Premio d'Italia, which usually takes place at the beginning of September.
The Long Night of Museums is an annual event where museums across Europe remain open late into the night, and Milan is no exception.
There are testimonies of the presence of humans in the area of Monza in the Bronze Age (2000 years B.C.), but its history as a town starts in the Roman era when it was called 'Modicia'. After the fall of Rome, during the reign of the Ostrogoth Theodoric in the 5th century A.D., Monza became the see of the royal palace.
However, the city's importance rose in the late 6th and early 7th century with the government of the Longobardi. Teodolinda, married to Agilulfo king of Italy, decided to move their summer residence to Monza where she built a royal palace as well as an oratory near the castle dedicated to John the Baptist in the year 595.
The town would rise to the status of capital once again in the 10th century with king Berengario, who built a fortified area and granted Monza a certain degree of independence with its own system of weights and measures. He also donated large quantities of artworks to the cathedral.
After a period of changes in the relationship between Monza and Milan in the Middle Ages, a city to which Monza has been continuously subjected and independent throughout history, it fell into the hands of the Spanish crown. Spain's dominance over Monza ended in the 18th century when it was assigned to the Austrian Habsburg house, before being conquered by Napoleonic troops.
During the 19th century, when the Italian independence wars and the unification were underway, Monza became an important industrial capital dedicated to the manufacturing of silk and cotton textile. In 1900, the city witnessed the assassination of King Umberto I at the hands of Gaetano Bresci, an anarchist who shot the monarch four times on July 29 when he was visiting Monza. A monument, the Cappella Espiatoria, has been erected in the exact spot the king was murdered.
Monza suffered under the First and Second World Wars like most of Italy. At the beginning of the 21st century, the city had 120,000 inhabitants, and in 2009 it became the capital of the newly formed province of Monza and Brianza.
The history of Monza is long and prestigious, and it has left many monuments that can now be visited. The Duomo or Basilica of San Giovanni Battista lies in the centre of the city boasting a Romanesque-Gothic style. Also medieval is the town hall or Arengario, built in the 14th century, as well as the church of Santa Maria in Strada. But perhaps Monza is best known for it huge Parco di Monza, one of the oldest and largest urban parks in Europe which contains the famous Formula 1 circuit, the Autodromo, and the 18th-century Baroque Villa Reale.
La Scala is one of the most important opera theatres in the globe, where many of the most famous operas were premiered. It now stages concerts, recitals and cultural events as well as ballet and opera.
One of the most important religious buildings, dedicated to Milan's patron saint, Saint Ambrose, who founded this Roman Basilica. It is bright and well rebuilt and has a wonderful golden dome with thousands of mosaics. Saint Ambrose is buried here in the crypt.
Alessandro Mazoni, the famous literate and author of "I Promessi Sposi" or "The Betrothed", lived in this house from 1814 until 1873. It has been restored to show how it must have been when Manzoni died in 1873.
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.
Carlo Maciachini built the Monumental Cemetery between 1863 and 1866. The 250,000 m2 cemetery grounds are home to an eclectic assortment of memorial headstones, sculptures and monuments.
The Torre Branca (named after the liquor company that restored it in 2002) offers visitors a panoramic view point in the city. At 108.6 metres, the iron tower is the fourth highest structure in Milan, located in the city's most expansive park, Parco Sempione.
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.
Michelin-starred experience that draws on the experimentation of the Venissa culinary approach. The enchanting decor completes the tone for dining in a very unique setting.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
A casual, all-welcoming cafe offering a lively, homely ambience, tasteful rock tunes and hearty fare. Although this cafe is brimming with customers at happy hour, tables are quick to vacate in good weather as locals spill out to the adjoining park.
This super-cool cafe/bar, whose name is taken from the Austrian General who ruled over Lombardy, is frequented by the Brera fashion and arts crowd and is a great place to unwind. It has an old-world feel, fantastic aperitivo and superb brunches. Best enjoyed in summer.
This club was created by the famous fashion stylist Roberto Cavalli and is located within the largest city garden, Parco Sempione.
Meaning "heart", this vibrant, friendly, atmospheric spot is worth seeking out down a side street for its changing interior, DJ sets and mixed clientele.
This small quirky cocktail bar has a "fusion" feel combining local furniture with Eastern, African and Caribbean styles to create a global feel.
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.
Being very close to Milan and well-connected to the city, Monza has a mixture of classic city hotels and business accommodation, mainly boasting 3 and 4 stars. The most traditional one is the Hotel de la Ville, an old mansion perfectly situated in front of Monza Park. You'll find more modern establishments like the Helios Hotel on the road to Milan. Monza also has a selection of budget hotels and B&Bs in the centre.
5-star hotel designed by Giorgio Armani located in the heart of Milan. Dine at the Michelin-starred restaurant with panoramic views of the city and relax in the luxury of the top-floor spa.
The Palazzo Matteotti Milano is a luxury design hotel located in the heart of Milan's fashion district.
Situated in the historical centre of Milan, this hotel offer 14 rooms and suites inside a beautiful old building. All suites feature balconies with breathtaking views of the cathedral.
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.
Exquisite attention to detail and fantastical decor makes the Château Montfort a stand out place to stay in the centre of Milan. A stay here will conjure up any number of enchanting childhood tales.
This hotel showcases timeless Italian glamour with world-class five star luxury service but in keeping with tradition and heritage. It is is located in the heart of the city, just a few steps away from the famous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the Duomo cathedral, Alla Scala Theatre and the elegant boutiques on via Montenapoleone.
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.