About Milan

Milan, the capital of Lombardy, is the biggest industrial city of Italy and is home to 1.3 million people. It is the leading financial centre and the most prosperous manufacturing and commercial city of Italy. As the marketplace for Italian fashion, fashion aficionados, supermodels and international paparazzi descend upon the city twice a year for its spring and autumn fairs. Milan is also famous for its wealth of historical and modern sights such as the Duomo, one of the biggest and grandest Gothic cathedrals in the world and La Scala, one of the best-established opera houses on the globe.

Climate

Milan’s climate is continental, with damp, chilly winters and hot, humid summers. Snow falls between December and February, and springtime is generally rainy. In summer Milan has high temperatures between 20 and 30 °C and high humidity levels.

You can find detailed weather updates here.

Money

The legal tender in Milan is the Euro which is pegged to the US dollar at a rate of about 1 Euro to 1,11 USD, although exchange rates may fluctuate slightly.

The tipping is not generally expected nor demanded. This said, a discretionary tip for good service is appreciated in some circumstances. In taxis, for example, it is common to round up to the nearest euro.  

Electricity and Voltage

The standard voltage in Italy is 220 to 230 V with a frequency of 50 Hz. For participants from countries with standard plugs that are not the two pole, round pin Europlug, it is advised to bring an adaptor. The wall outlets in Italy typically accommodate plugs with two or three round pins.

Health and Safety

While Milan is generally considered a very safe area, there are some areas that might be troublesome. Be careful around the main exit of the Central Station, and the area around the Piazza Duca D’Aosta. This is where large crowds congregate and so do pickpockets.

Milan’s tap water is soft in character and conforms to the European Union recommended guidelines for drinking-water quality.

No vaccination is required in order to visit Milan.