Travel tips for Milan: What sights are worth a look?

DW (English)

Milan, famous for its fashion and design, is an Instagram star and turns many travelers' heads. Which of the Italian city's glorious sights are worth visiting?

Transcript

00:00Instagram is full of stunning Milan pictures,

00:04showing the city's romantic canals and impressive architecture.

00:11But is Milan really as beautiful as Instagram suggests?

00:15And which three places are actually worth visiting?

00:18Time for a reality check.

00:21Milan is Italy's second largest city and home to one million people.

00:25Each year, 2.5 million tourists visit the metropolis.

00:30It's considered a fashion and design mecca.

00:37A tourist magnet and economic powerhouse.

00:43The city's colourful facades and Gothic cathedral

00:48feature in countless Instagram pics.

00:53But is Milan's cathedral really a must-see?

00:56Time for our first reality check.

00:59The cathedral is one of the largest churches in the world.

01:03Construction began in 1386,

01:06but wasn't completed for another 450 years.

01:103,500 sculptures adorn its gorgeous marble façade.

01:15Milan's cathedral square is one of the most beautiful and international places in Europe.

01:20This is the place to be.

01:29Where do you come from?

01:31Australia.

01:32China.

01:33We are from Poland.

01:35Time to catch the view from the top of the cathedral.

01:38But first, we need to climb 164 steps to reach the roof terrace.

01:45The entrance ticket costs 16 euros and is well worth the money.

01:50Did you know several movie scenes were shot up here,

01:53including by Italy's legendary filmmaker Visconti?

01:58From here, we've got a great view of the square below.

02:04Next, we head back down into the cathedral itself.

02:08Admission is included in the ticket price.

02:10The edifice is supposedly large enough to hold 35,000 people.

02:15But visitors must dress modestly.

02:17Bare shoulders, hot pants and the like are not allowed.

02:19That's why large cloths are sold outside for covering up.

02:24Inside, there's always renovation work going on.

02:27Even so, Milan Cathedral definitely lives up to the Instagram hype.

02:35Milan's Vittorio Emanuele II Shopping Arcade is also huge on Instagram.

02:41But how does it hold up in our reality check?

02:47The arcade opened in 1864, and it's popular with Milan's high society.

02:54The arcade is covered by an impressive glass dome.

02:58And it's not uncommon to see tourists spinning on one particular mosaic.

03:09We just heard someone say, by stepping on your heel and you turn around,

03:14it will give you good luck.

03:17Apart from that, the arcade is perfect for snapping some fancy pictures.

03:23And now our third and final reality check, Milan's Navigli district.

03:30It looks incredible on Instagram, but is it really worth visiting?

03:34Milan was once criss-crossed by medieval canals for transporting goods,

03:39including the marble used to build the cathedral.

03:43Today, only two canals remain, the Naviglio Grande and Naviglio Pavese.

03:49This neighbourhood is surprisingly calm during the day.

03:54You'll find tranquil courtyards, alleys and unique shops, like the Orto Urbano store.

04:04As evening approaches, Navigli comes to life.

04:07The tranquil neighbourhood transforms into a vibrant nightlife hotspot.

04:12It's a great place for enjoying dinner, music and drinks.

04:16Navigli is hugely popular with teenagers and foodies.

04:25There are two sides to Navigli. It's quiet during the day and lively at night.

04:30We think you should definitely visit the district.

04:33It's a unique experience and perfect for taking some great pictures, too.

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