If you’re here from my Rome blog, welcome back! Stop 2 on my Italy trip was Milan. Milan was such a breath of fresh air after Rome. It’s more urbanized, so I felt it was easier to get around. My sweet friend, Nola Grace, spent three months in Milan for PT school so it was fun getting to see her and explore her favorite spots. Keep reading to find out where to stay and what to do in the beautiful city of Milan!
Where to Stay
B&B Hotel Milano City Center Duomo - Just like the name says, this hotel is located right in the center of the city. It’s just a 5 minute walk/stroll away from iconic sights like The Duomo and The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II (the super boujee shopping area with stores like Prada, Louis Vuitton, etc). There are a couple steps to get into the lobby but there's an elevator inside the hotel. Our sweet hotel manager (shoutout Justin) was always waiting with a portable ramp to help me in when we returned each day. The bed was the perfect height for transferring and the bathroom was spacious with a roll-under sink. The shower was roll-in but the shower chair they had was more like a stool than a chair.
One of my favorite things about this hotel was the rooftop terrace! The views are absolutely amazing, perfect for watching the sunset and enjoying a glass of wine (be aware that there’s a big step getting to the terrace).
Things to Do
Duomo di Milano - This massive cathedral is one of the most famous landmarks in Milan. Wheelchair users + 1 companion get free admission inside the church and up to the roof. There’s a small elevator leading up to the top where you can see panoramic views of Milan. I was able to access the first part of the rooftop but my wheelchair was just a bit too wide to get to the rest of the roof. Regardless, the views were still amazing in the part I could access.
Tip: Carry a sweater with you and wear clothing that covers your legs. Staff won’t let you in if your shoulders or legs are showing.
The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II -
Another major landmark, located right next to Duomo di Milano, is The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. This high end shopping gallery is a must-see for any fashion lovers! Inside you’ll find stores like Gucci, Prada, Dior, etc., as well as restaurants and gelato shops.
Santa Maria delle Grazie - This church is where Leonardo da Vinchi’s Last Supper painting is located. Even if you aren’t into art I highly recommend you visit it. Groups of about 15-20 guests are allowed in at a time and there’s a guide with each group, explaining elements of the painting. Wheelchair users + 1 companion get free admission but anyone else should reserve tickets a couple days before.
Galleria d`arte Moderna -
Art lovers, this place is a must-see! It’s hidden just outside of the city center and has pieces by Francesco Hayez, Umberto Boccioni, Pablo Picasso, and more! Since it’s tucked away, it was really empty which was nice. Wheelchair users + 1 companion get free admission.
Where to Eat
Breakfast & Brunch
LùBar - We had brunch at LùBar before going to the Galleria d`arte Moderna. They’ve got croissants, omelets, sandwiches, etc. The strawberry croissant and cappuccino was delicious!
Starbucks Reserve - Coffee lovers, this one’s for you. This was the first Starbucks Reserve I’ve ever been to, and let me say, I was impressed! Reserve stores have a much bigger menu and experiment with the drinks they make. Not only was the food and drinks amazing, the store itself was absolutely beautiful, inside and out. The entrance had stairs and a stairlift, but it wasn’t working. One of the employees brought us around to the back entrance, which had a small elevator.
Lunch & Dinner
Maruzzella - Located in the Porta Venezia area, this restaurant had the best pizza I’ve had in Italy! Maruzzella isn’t far from the Galleria d`arte Moderna so it’s the perfect spot for lunch after exploring the museum.
Luna Rossa - This restaurant is a little hidden gem just a few blocks from the city center. I highly recommend getting the margarita pizza a splitting a bottle of wine!
Transportation
Train - We took the train from Rome (Roma Termini) to Milan (Milano Centrale). The ride was about 3 hours long. All of the trains we rode in Italy were wheelchair accessible and had accessible bathrooms on board.
Booking with Sala Blu - Sala Blu offers free assistance services for people traveling with disabilities. Here’s how it works:
Book your train (use Trenitalia app) at least the night before
Email the Sala Blu office that’s at your departure station. Let them know your train number, departure time, and assistance needed (list of Italy’s Sala Blu contacts)
You’ll get an email back explaining where and what time to meet the Sala Blu worker
Metro - Milan’s metro was surprisingly more accessible than I thought. Not all stations are accessible but the ones that are have either an elevator or stairlift. Before scanning your metro card, tell the metro worker where you’re going and they’ll make sure the station you’re going to is accessible.
Milan was absolutely amazing! I hope this helps if you're planning a trip to Italy. Final stop, Venice!
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