Busabout Adventures

A Busabout pass for the South Loop will enchant you with the romance, the gastronomic delights and the historic marvels of Italy and the awe inspiring beauty of Switzerland. Start from any city on the loop and travel at your own pace - stay as long as you like at each stop .... then when you've finished exploring, jump on the next bus and move on to the next destination.

Pacing it - 3 weeks +

Racing it - 15 days

1:  Duomo – This stunning Gothic Cathedral dates back to the 13th Century and offers amazing views across the whole of Milan.  Housing 3,500 statues with a spire 108 metres high, it is guarded over by la ‘Madonina’ – little Madonna, the protectress and symbol of Milan.  (Admission - viewing platform by lift: €5:00. By foot: €3:50.  Viewing platform and museum: € 7:00 Open daily from 07:00 – 19:00).

2:  Leonardo Da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper’ – Surely one of the most famous artworks in the world, Da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper’ is housed in the beautiful Chiesa e Convento di Santa Maria dell Grazie.  Subject to a vast amount of restoration work, the most recent of which aimed to recover as much of Da Vinci’s original work as possible, this is definitely worth a visit but its recommended you book 2- 4 weeks in advance in order to secure your ticket!  (€6:50 standard. €3:50 reduced.  Closed Monday.  Open Tuesday – Sunday 08:00 - 19:30 with each visit limited to 15 minutes. Booking number 02 8942 1146).

3:  Pinacoteca Brera – Located in the beautiful Brera district, this art collection houses such works as Raphael’s ‘Marriage of the Virgin’ and Caravaggio’s ‘Supper at Emmaus’ as well as works by  Piero della Francesca, Titian and Canaletto.  If you are into Renaissance art then this is definitely the place for you! (€5:00 standard. €2:50 reduced.  Closed Mondays.  Open Tuesdays – Sundays 08:15 – 19:15).

4:  Castello Sforzesco – One of Milan’s most famous sights, this 14^th century castle has been the stage for some of the city’s most dramatic historical events.  Destroyed, rebuilt and remodelled over the years, it has become a symbol of Milan’s history and its endurance and is home to some fab art exhibitions and museums that tell the story of the castle through art, archaeology and the architecture of the building itself. (€3:00.  Open 9:00 – 19:00 daily).

5:  San Siro Tour and Stadium – The home of Inter and AC Milan!  Take a tour around the museum of this famous stadium and learn about the history, the defeats and the glory of two of Italy’s most famous teams. (Museum only:  €7. Museum and tour: €12:50.  Open daily 10:00 – 17:00 depending on season).

6:  Poldi Pezzoli Museum:  A beautiful house that’s home to an amazing collection of jewellery, silver, bronze, weapons, lace and tapestries as well as art by Boticelli, Guardỉ and Piero della Francesca, this is a must see for anyone interested in Milan’s artistic heritage. (€7:00.  Open Tuesday – Sunday 10:00 – 18:00).

7:  Parco Sempione:  In a city not known for its wide open green spaces Parco Sempione is a tranquil oasis that can satisfy not only your lust for the great outdoors but for the great in design too.  Visit the Triennale building, designed by Giovanni Muzio and a landmark in innovative design at the time of its construction in 1933.  Now in the process of being renovated by the esteemed architect Michele de Lucchi it’s ground floor houses several temporary exhibitions whilst the Design Café features chairs that are all copies of the most cutting edge in interior design. (Admission price varies depending on the exhibiton.  Open Tuesday – Sunday 10:30 – 20:30).

Magazzini Generali:  (+39 (0)2 552 11313.  Via Pietrasanta 14, S Milan)
Without a doubt THE coolest club in Milan, this ex-warehouse plays host to the best international bands, djs and some pretty cool home grown talent as well.  There is free entry on Wednesday, if you buy a drink on Friday you get in free too and all other acts rarely exceed €15 – a bargain price for an awesome night out.

Milan boasts a well organized transport system including metro, buses and trams which make navigating the city easier than you might think. 

Metro and Rail:
The Metropolitana Milanesa has 3 underground lines (MM1, MM2 and MM3) and there is also the Passante Ferroviario, an overground railway line. The metro runs between 06.00 and 01.00 and covers most of the main sites.

Trams:
Trams are a quick and easy way to get around Milan, with almost 20 routes in place which run from between 06.00 and 00.30

Bus:
An efficient bus service is in place for those places the metro just can’ reach.

Tickets:
The public transport system is integrated and is operated by ATM (Azienda Trasporti Milanesi).  Tickets are valid on all public transport and are priced as below:

Single Urban Ticket (1€):  Valid for 75 minutes from the time of validation, allows the user to travel on any form of transport for that time but only allows one journey on the metro.  Costs 1€.

Daily Urban Season Ticket (3€):  Allows unlimited travel for entire day from time of validation.

2 day Urban Season Ticket (5.50€):  As above but for 2 days, bargain!

Carnet of 10 Single Urban Tickets (9.20€):  Designed to be used individually as and when you need them.

All tickets must be validated in the machine before beginning your journey.

Although inhabited since the Bronze Age, Milan’s influence was not felt until the time of the Roman Empire when, thanks to its geographical location, it became an important stop off for merchants travelling North and a strong military defence base against the Barbarians.  A residence of the Empire from 3rd century BC, Milan rapidly gained importance throughout the 4th century particularly as a centre of Christianity.  Despite a period of crises during the fall of the Roman Empire the city emerged stronger than ever under the rule of the Frankish Carolingians and as trade flourished became a self-governing city in its own right. Trade and commerce continued to thrive in the 15th Century leading to the commission of new buildings and further development of the city but this success almost led to Milan’s downfall as it became the focus of a bitter battle between the Austrian Hapsburgs and France. 

With the fall of Milan’s ruling family the Sforzas the city fell under Spanish rule and remained so until the 18th century when the Hapsburgs finally seized control, prompting a period of regeneration and innovation which saw its rise to importance as a cultural centre.  This cultural clout was only enhanced by the rule of Napoleon Bonaparte with his ambitious plans for economic and cultural expansion resulting in the construction of a series of roads, including a major ring road, that are still in use today. 

The 19th century saw the Austrians again seize control but it was a short lived, unpopular and bloody reign, and in 1861 the Kingdom of Italy was declared. 

The stage for the public hanging of Mussolini’s corpse, Milan bears the signs of its recent history and his reign with rationalist-fascist architecture prevalent in the city centre.  Nonetheless, recent economic growth and industry has transformed the city in to a hub of cultural activity and innovation, and the perfect place for a new busabout stop!

Despite the fashion, and therefore stick thin, connotations of Milan eating here as in the rest of Italy is a national pastime and the Milanese are rightly proud of their regional cuisine.  Polenta features strongly on the menu as does Risotto and for desert Panettone, a delicious cake that is always a favourite at Christmas.  Some of our favourite places to eat include:

Aperitivo:
One of the cheapest ways to eat in Italy is to go for Aperitivo.  Invented in Milan, Aperitivo is basically a set price that buys you a drink and all you can eat from the buffet.  Prices range from the simple cost of a beer (around €3) to €10 in the most fashionable bars, but either way a great buffet and a well mixed cocktail is usual assured. Our favourite places for aperitivo in Milan is…

Exploit:  (+39 (0) 2 894  08675. Via Piopette 3, 20123) A popular hangout for locals and serving what is definitely one of the best aperitivo in the city, all you pay is the price of your drink and you get to snack on focaccia, olives and fab Italian antipasto for free, bargain!

Le Biciclette: (+39 (0)2 5810 4325.  Via Torti 4, City Centre).
Another fab bar for Aperitivo, gaze at the bicycle memorabilia underfoot as you munch on some of the best buffet around.

Other cheap eats:
Luca E Andrea Café-Bar:  (+39 (0)2 581 01142.  Alzaia Naviglio Grande 34, Navigli).  A ridiculously good, ridiculously cheap canalside café serving gorgeous pasta dishes at a fraction of the price of many other Milanese cafes – fab fab fab!

Bar della Crocetta:  (+39 (0)2 545 0228.  Corso di Porta Romana 67, S Milan).  Specialising in sandwiches to make you weep, this is a brilliant place to try one of the delicious panino that Italy is famous for, at a bargainous price.

Luini:  (+39 (0)2 864 Via Santa Radegonda 16, city centre).  Super cool café specialising in delicious parcels of pizza dough stuffed with tomato, spinach, cheese and meats, a stylishly cheap alternative to pizza al taglio.

Anna & Leo: (+39 (0)2 215 7309. Via Conte Rosso 28, Lambrate.  €6/7 first/second courses).  A wonderfully cheap seafood restaurant with delicious pasta and fishes dishes to make your mouth water, gorgeous.

Other places:
Artidoro (+39 (0)2 805 73 86.  Via M. Camperio 15.  City centre).  For the romantic in you, this candlelit restaurant focuses on traditional specialities using locally sourced produce, and with starters such as platters of delicious fresh salami and Gran Padano cheese (a Milanese speciality) and a fab wine cellar you’ll be living la dolce vita like a true Milanese.

Be Bop: (+39 (0)2 837 6972. Col di Lana 4, S Milan) Cool as a cucumber pizza restaurant that serves some of the freshest most delicious pizza in Milan.

Taverna Degli Amici: (+39 (0)2 551 94005. Via Spartaco 4, E Milan).  Mix with the movers and shakers of the fashion world at this awesome steakhouse where the good and the great of fashion houses like Prada come to get their fix of great steak – a truly Milanese experience.

Trattoria Milanese:  (+39 (0)2 864 51991. Via Santa Marta 1 1, 20123)Established in 1933 this family run restaurant serves up the finest in Milanese home cooking and attracts locals and tourists alike.

Anteospazio Cinema – (+39 (0)2 659  7732.  Via Milazzo 9, N Milan).
If the fashion and frenzy of Milan gets too much take refuge in this cool cinema in North Milan.  Monday is original language day and with a range of films, an ever changing exhibition on show and a restaurant you can while away a few hours until your ‘get up and go’ has got up and come back.

Teatro alla Scala – (+39 (0)2 88791 Via Filodrammatici 2, 20121). 
One of the most famous Opera houses in Europe, this stunning building was restored to its former glory and reopened in 2004.  Be a culture vulture and take in an Opera or visit the museum, take a tour of the boxes and discover the behind the scenes workings of this incredible venue.

Rolling Stone:  (+39 (0)2 Corso XXII Marzo 32, E Milan).
The premier venue for live rock music in Milan, both home grown and international, this is a fab bar/concert hall with some great acts, decent prices and very lively atmosphere.

Frida:  (+39 (0)2 608 1834). Via Pollaiuolo 3, N Milan). 
Casual, relaxed and friendly with an alternative edge, there is nothing about Frida we don’t like.  Mix with local artists, musicians, tourists and students as you cosy on up on the mismatched sofas and check out the live jazz acts and exhibits of local photographers work slung up on the walls.  That and a happy hour every evening from 18:30 – 21:00 makes this a firm favourite in the Busabout office.

G-Lounge:  (+39 (0)2 805  3042.  Via Larga 8, City Centre).
A chill out lounge bar with a Brazilian tinge, this bar mixes cultures, drinks and sexual orientation with a relaxed and tranquil flair all its own.

Scimmie – (+39 (0)2 894 02 874.  Via Cardinale Ascanio Sforza 49, SW Milan).
A pizzeria, live music venue and canal-side bar rolled in to one, this place rocks!  Live music shows almost every night of the year, the program ranges from Bluesy Jazz to Rock and most things in between.  Entry varies from €8-€12 (including drink).

*Please note that the information above is from our lovely Busabout Guides not from Lonely Planet