10 Questions on Milan

Milan is in many ways a unique city. It is a frenetic city, constantly on the move, always on the lookout for new trends, new clothes and new flavours. Milan is the city of frenetic life and incessant work, but also of aperitifs at the Navigli and fashion shows. Milan is rich in different cultures and the ‘Fumagalli’ tradition. Milan is where European cultures and Italian traditions meet and merge into new ideas and fascinating creations.
Milan is all this and for those who decide to visit it is not easy to answer the question: where do I start? Often, you write to us asking for information on what to see in Milan or what is the best aperitif in town. We therefore decided to create an article with the questions we are most often asked and some curiosities!

• Why is Milan called the city of Milan?

We owe the nickname to Meneghino, the carnival mask associated with the city. The name ‘Meneghino’ is a diminutive of ‘Domenico’. In years gone by, that section of the city’s nobility that could not afford a servant every day of the week hired one on Sunday. Hence, precisely, the name.
Over time, this theatrical mask became very popular to the point of being identified with the city itself. The city’s municipality named the new 2006 electric trains with the name ‘Meneghini’ due to its assonance with the acronym ‘MNG’ (Metropolitana di Nuova Generazione – New Generation Subway), which fits well with the typical Milanese mask.

• Where to have an aperitif in Milan?

The Aperitivo ai Navigli is truly a must if you are in Milan and want to try one of what we could now call a city tradition! The venues are numerous and recommending a few in particular is not easy. But we will try!
Definitely go to Slice (Via Ascanio Sforza 9) where for about 6/8€ you can enjoy a not bad cocktail and ‘dine’ at the restaurant’s rich buffet. A historic venue, on the other hand, is Rita (Via Angelo Fumagalli 1) where the barmen will really leave you speechless (to drink of course) with their numerous cocktails (quite expensive, about 9€). If you would like to try a tortilla-based aperitif, you just have to go to Maya (Via Ascanio Sforza 41).

• Why is Milan the fashion capital?

Since 2009, Milan has been considered the fashion capital thanks to the presence of so many Italian fashion labels (one of, if not perhaps the most, important in the world). The gradual rise and fall of the big names has led to the opening of new boutiques and vice versa (it’s like deciding whether the chicken or the egg was born first!). Today, certainly, Milan is the capital of fashion!

• Why is it called Milan to drink?

The expression ‘Milano da bere’ spread around the 1980s to refer to certain circles and clubs in the city where the most influential figures in Italian politics and business met. However, it originated as a slogan for a TV commercial for Amaro Ramazzotti created by Marco Mignani.

• Why is Milan Cathedral famous?

The cathedral of Milan is certainly the postcard image par excellence of the city. Built in 1300 by Gian Galeazzo Visconti, it was immediately recognised as the symbol of Milan with the Madonnina and its 3500 statues!

• Where to eat in Milan?

Milan is full of street food and places to try. Restaurants and trattorias are numerous and quality is always the patron! We told you where to eat in Milan in this article.

• Why is the Ambrosian carnival celebrated in Milan?

We could say that Milan has an extra day of celebration compared to the rest of Italy. In fact, carnival in Milan is celebrated an extra day following a request (just a few years ago in the 4th century) by Saint Ambrose (later patron saint of the city) to delay the festivities pending his arrival from a pilgrimage. This is in accordance with the most popular legend at least…

• What to do in the evening in Milan?

Milan the city of fashion. Milan the financial capital of Italy. Milan the city of entertainment. Milan is a city full of clubs where young people from the city and surrounding areas flock at the weekend. If, in fact, the evening starts with an aperitif at the Navigli or a drink at the famous ‘columns’ (perhaps at the famous Rattazzo bar where the ‘Negroni’ is said to have been invented), it is in the various discos that the evening in the city ends. Which ones are the best? We told you about them in this article.

• Which is the best hostel in Milan?

Voted best hostel in Italy with an average rating of 9.7 and with reviews to leave you speechless, Ostello Bello in Milan offers unparalleled value for money in a fabulous atmosphere and with food to make any restaurant in town envious! The staff? All backpackers of course!

• What to see in Milan?

Milan is full of things to see, no matter what you are looking for. Milan has its historical side with the Duomo for example, but also its modern side with the tallest skyscraper in Italy and the vertical garden. Milan has its musical side with the Scala and the many live music venues (especially jazz) and the many free modern art museums and foundations! But where to start? You might find some ideas in this article or in the one dedicated to things to do for free in Milan.
Many thanks to Tobias Franz, Francisco Anzola, Bert Kaufmann, jedydjah and Sgt. Pepper57 for the great photos on Flickr!