On Wednesday I flew to Milan for the day with a friend. Admittedly, day-trips via plane aren’t the most environmentally friendly, but it had been 14 years since I last flew, so I like to think my carbon footprint is fairly low. In any case, the day turned out brilliant.
I was up at 4:30 am and left home at 5:30 to travel to Stansted. We parked at the Premier Inn nearby (just £12 for the day with Ryanair), took the shuttle bus (£4 each each way), and caught our 8am flight. Return was only £29 which is cheaper than a day’s parking in Cambridge. The flight was around 1 hour 50 minutes, so it felt surprisingly quick.
Our arrival in Milan was smooth, though we hadn’t really considered that Milan Malpensa Airport isn’t particularly central; reaching the city required a ~50‑minute train ride plus a metro to central Milan, where we headed straight to the neighbourhood of Duomo di Milano.
First Impressions
When we reached the Duomo, it surpassed every expectation. The cathedral’s façade, spires, and gothic detail dominate the skyline.
We climbed up to the rooftop terraces. Depending on which route you take, it’s about 250 steps (on foot) to reach the top; or you can use a lift and then climb roughly 50 extra steps. From the terraces you’re about 45 metres above ground, with a vantage point that offers panoramic views across Milan. Apparently on a clear day, you can even glimpse the mountains around the Po Valley.
It felt incredible standing amidst 135 ornate spires and dozens of carved statues, looking out across the city. There was some scaffolding around when we visited which is assume is part of ongoing maintenance or restoration efforts. It looked like they cleaning the stone. Despite that, the views remained stunning.
Shopping
After the Duomo, we wandered into Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the elegant, glass-roofed shopping arcade that connects the Duomo with the opera house area. Built between 1865 and 1877 by architect Giuseppe Mengoni, the Galleria was once a grand symbol of a united, modern Italy.
On the floor of the central octagon lies a mosaic featuring four coats of arms — those of the former capitals of the Kingdom of Italy: Rome, Florence, Turin and Milan. The one for Turin is represented by a bull.
I had seen on TikTok that if you put your foot on the bull and spin three times it’s said to bring you good luck. I need all the help I can get so I couldn’t not give it a go!
Because of years of spinning and heel‑pressure, that part of the mosaic has worn down severely and there’s now a noticeable indentation.
As for the rest of the Galleria, it’s lined with luxury boutiques, cafés, classic restaurants, and beautiful architecture.
Starbucks Roastery
We also checked out Starbucks Reserve Roastery which is only a five-minute walk from the Duomo, in Piazza Cordusio. It’s nothing like your everyday Starbucks. Opened in 2018, this 25,000‑square‑foot café‑roastery is Europe’s first such venue and was set up as a tribute to Milan’s coffee culture.
Inside, there’s a full coffee‑roasting operation, marble floors inspired by traditional Italian design, a huge central roasting cask, and even cocktails and artisanal food by a local bakery (not just standard coffee and pastries). It was incredibly busy and chaotic!
Castello Sforzesco
Later, we made our way to Castello Sforzesco, a fortress-turned-cultural hub that dates back to the 15th century. It was originally built under Francesco Sforza, the Duke of Milan.
Today the castle hosts a cluster of museums: from the decorative‑arts collections, ancient art, furniture and wooden sculpture collections, to a picture gallery of paintings, and even a museum of musical instruments.
One thing to note: around the area (especially near tourist spots) we saw a few people offering friendship bracelets, posing for photos or offering roses – clearly scammers.
La Rinascente Department Store
We also popped into La Rinascente. This department store feels like it goes on forever. It spans 10 floors (I think) devoted to fashion, beauty, design and more. From inside, you can even head to the top floor rooftop terrace for a view of the Duomo.
Christmas Market
The main reason for our whirlwind trip was the festive buzz of the Christmas market around the Duomo. The Piazza Duomo Christmas Market returns each year with wooden chalets selling handmade ornaments, textiles, gifts, local treats, and decorations.
Reflections on the Day & What Next
By 6:30 pm we left the Duomo area to make our way back to the airport for our 10 pm flight. It had been a very long day – the early morning rise, lots of walking, and a full schedule. In hindsight, we probably could’ve booked a slightly earlier return flight. We were flagging by the end.
I would visit Milan again. Maybe explore some of Milan’s art galleries or museums properly. I’ve heard there’s a balloon museum that looks really fun (thanks again TikTok), and with next year being “Birthday Year” for me (as I mentioned in my last post), I’m already thinking about pencilling in more adventures.
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