Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio, Milan

The Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio is one of the oldest churches in Milan, built by Bishop Ambrose in 379-386 AD. Located in an area where numerous martyrs of the Roman persecutions were buried, it was originally called Basilica Martyrum. In 1099 the church was rebuilt in the Romanesque architectural style but the basilica plan of the original edifice was maintained, including a portico with elegant arches in the front entrance. In keeping with the Lombard style of medieval architecture, the hut-like façade has a typically flat appearance. Of the two bell towers, the left and higher tower dates back to 1144 AD. Inside there is an apse mosaic from the early 13th century that portrays the Christ Pantokrator(Ruler of All), an inspirational religious and artistic artefact. The church also houses the tomb of Emperor Louis II, who died in Lombardy in 875 AD.

Getting There:
Take the metro to the Sant Ambrogio station.

Opening Times:
Open Monday to Saturday from 7am to 12pm, and 3pm to 7pm. Open on Sundays from 7am to 1pm, and 3pm to 8pm

Milan Aquarium, Milan

One of the oldest and largest of its kind in Italy, the Milan Aquarium houses 36 gigantic pools filled with more than 100 different species of fish, living in recreated environments ranging from the Amazon to the Mediterranean. The main focus of the pools is more towards native Italian fish life, both fresh and saltwater, but there is plenty of exotic sea life from other continents on display as well. The Amazon freshwater pool contains a wonderful exhibit of the infamous piranha. The aquarium hosts events throughout the year that are suitable for the whole family, and the library is one of the most important resources for marine biology and oceanic studies in Italy.

Getting There:
Green metro line to the Lanza stop; or tram lines 3, 4, 7, 12, 14, 45, 57, 61

Opening Times:
Open Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 1pm, and 2pm to 5.30pm. Closed on Mondays

Admission:
Free

Orto Botanico di Brera, Milan

The Orto Botanico di Brera is a botanical garden located behind the Pinacoteca di Brera in the centre of Milan, and is operated by the Istituto di Fisica Generale Applicata of the University of Milan. The garden was established in 1774 under the direction of Maria Theresa of Austria, transforming an existing Jesuit garden used by students of medicine and pharmacology. The garden has greenhouses from the 19th Century that are now used by the Academy of Fine Arts, as well as flowerbeds and elliptical ponds from the 18th Century. Orto Botanico di Brera is home to one of the oldest ginkgo biloba trees in Europe and various other mature botanical specimens can be found within the grounds, a true plant-lover's paradise.

Opening Times:
Open Monday to Friday from 9am to 12pm, and 3pm to 5pm

Admission:
Free

Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan

Located next to the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, in the former monastery's refectory, is Leonardo da Vinci's famous painting The Last Supper( Cenacolo Vinciano). The fresco depicts the moment of Christ's revelation of the betrayal. Judas hovers to the right of the painting, with his hand placed protectively on the bag of silver. Scaffolding covers the bottom of the painting (an ongoing restoration project), leaving the rest in full view. Controversy has erupted over the removal of layers of corrective over-painting completed in the 18th and 19th Centuries. The painting has endured more than hot debate, however, as it managed to escape the bombing during WWII that destroyed the roof of the refectory.

Getting There:
Tram 24, or subway to Conciliazione or Cadorna

Opening Times:
Open Tuesday to Sunday from 8.15am to 7.30pm. Reservations are essential, and visitors must arrive 15 minutes before their allocated time of visit

Admission:
Entry to the Church is Free; to see the Painting is EUR6.50, plus a EUR1.50 reservation fee

Theatre Museum at La Scala (Museo Teatrale alla Scala), Milan

This world-famous opera house rests on the site of the Church of Santa Maria alla Scala, its namesake. The Museum provides a wealth of mementos from the opera house dedicated to the nation's beloved composers and performers. These include Rossini, Puccini and Toscanini. Two halls are devoted to Verdi alone, and contain memorabilia such as the spinet on which he learned to play, hand-written scores and the baton given to him after the momentous reception of his best-loved work, Aida.

Getting There:
Bus 61 to Verdi dell'Orso; Tram 1 or 2 to Manzoni-Scala; or metro to Duomo, Cordusio or Montenapoleone stations.

Opening Times:
Open daily from 9am to 12.30pm, and 1.30pm to 5.30pm. Closed on public holidays

Admission:
EUR5. Concessions are available

Pinacoteca di Brera, Milan

Housing one of Italy's finest collections of medieval and Renaissance art, the 17th-century Pinacoteca di Brera is by far the best collection of northern Italian paintings. Many of the masterpieces here were secured by Napoleon, who used the Palazzo as a storeroom for all the art he confiscated from public and private holdings. A bronze sculpture in his likeness greets visitors as they enter the courtyard. Three of Italy's great masterpieces can be found here, namely Andrea Mantegna's Dead Christ, Raphael's Betrothal of the Virgin, and Piero della Francesca's Madonna with Saints(the Montefeltro Altarpiece).

Getting There:
Metro line 2 to Lanza stop, or metro line 3 to Montenapoleone stop

Opening Times:
Open Tuesday to Sunday from 8.30am to 7.15pm. Closed Mondays, New Years Day, 1 May and Christmas Day.

Admission:
Adults: EUR5, Concessions: EUR2.50

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Milan

This four-storey glass-domed arcade is entered from the Piazza in front of the Cathedral, and extends to the Piazza della Scala. It was originally built as a link to the opera house but has become a fashionable place to hang out, sip coffee or camparis, or take a stroll through its many exclusive shops. Milanese gather in this conservatory to escape the winter rains or to socialise after a busy working day.

Duomo di Milano (Milan Cathedral), Milan

The looming Duomo, the world's largest Gothic cathedral, presides over the Milanese Piazza that bears its name. Its construction began in 1386 and continued sporadically until Napoleon ordered its completion in 1809. Its lengthy creation bestowed on it 3,400 statues, 135 spires and 96 gargoyles. It is best visited in full sunshine when the interior is illuminated by the colourful mosaic of its stained glass windows. The church is a five-aisled cruciform seating 40,000 worshippers. The 16th-century marble tomb of Giacomo de Medici lies in the southern transept, and lying buried at its heart is St Charles Borromeo, the cathedral's most important benefactor. Every year in May and September a nail from the cross of Christ is displayed to worshippers, retrieved from its resting-place by the bishop who is hoisted to the nivola to reach it. Across the piazza, in the Palazzo Reale, is the Museo del Duomo that displays the treasures from the cathedral. It also houses the Museo d'Arte Contomporanea, showcasing a collection of Italian Futurist art.

Opening Times:
Cathedral open daily from 6.50am to 7pm; Roof from 7am to 7pm; Crypt from 9am to 12pm and 2.30pm to 6pm; Baptistery open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 12pm and 3pm to 5pm; Museo del Duomo open Tuesday to Sunday from 9.30am to 12.30pm and 3pm to 6pm

Admission:
Cathedral: Free; Roof: EUR4 by stairs, EUR6 with elevator; Crypt: EUR1.50; Baptistery: EUR1.50

The Gallery of Modern Art, Milan

The Gallery of Modern Art (Civica Galleria d'Arte Moderna) is housed in the building which once served at Napoleon's summer palace, and was occupied by the famous Josephine statesman between 1805 and 1814. It is now recognised for its collection of Modern Art, proudly displaying works by Picasso, Matisse, Renoir, Gaugin and Cézanne.

Opening Times:
Open Tuesday to Sunday from 9.30am to 5pm

Admission:
Free

Leonardo da Vinci National Science & Technology Museum, Milan

Within the Leonardo Gallery of the museum is a collection of Leonardo's ingenious designs, detailing everything from plans for war machines to architectural visions. Applied physics is the focus of another room, in keeping with the museum's tribute to the history of science. A popular tourist attraction, and a fitting tribute to one of the world's greatest minds, be sure to include a stop at the Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology in your Milanese travel itinerary.

Getting There:
Underground to St Ambrogio or Cadorna; bus 50 or 58 to San Vittore stop, or bus 94 to Carducci stop

Opening Times:
Open Tuesday to Friday from 9.30am to 5pm. Open on holidays and weekends from 9.30am to 6.30pm

Admission:
EUR10 (adults), EUR7 (concessions)

Museum of Historic Art of the Sforzesco Castle, Milan

The gargantuan Sforzesco Castle, built in the 15th Century, is one of Milan's foremost monuments. It was restored after being bombed in 1943. The vast interior, which is broken here and there by smaller courtyards, contains three museums, the most notable of which is Museum of Historic Art (Museo d'Arte Antica del Castello Sforzesco). Within its collection of sculptures is the famous Pieta Rondanini, Michelangelo's final work. The picture gallery features paintings by Mantegna, Bellini, da Vinci and Fra Filippo Lippi. The two other museums within the Castle's ramparts are the Museum of Applied Arts and the Archaeological Museum.

Getting There:
Subway MM1 to Cadorna or Cairoli, line MM2 to Cadorna or Lanza. Bus 43, 50, 57, 58, 61, 70 or 94. Tram 1, 3, 4, 12, 14, 20 or 27

Opening Times:
Castle: Open daily from 7am to 6pm (winter), closing at 7pm in summer. Closed on 25 December, 1 January, 1 May and Easter Monday. Museums are closed on Mondays

Admission:
Castle: Free. Museums: EUR3, with concessions available. Free admittance daily from 4.30pm to 5pm, and on Fridays from 2pm to 5.30pm

Museo Poldi-Pezzoli, Milan

The Museo Poldi-Pezzoli contains a spectacular private collection that was bequeathed by its namesake Poldi Pezzoli to the city in 1879. Numerous masterpieces hang from the walls of the Golden Room, with its vista onto a picturesque garden. Antonio Pollaiolo's Portrait of a Lady,depicting the profile of an elegant woman, has become nothing less than a symbol for Milan's own style and elegance. Other famous paintings include Virgin and Childby Andrea Mantegna, Bellini's Ecce Homo, Piero della Francesca's St Nicholasand Guardi's Grey Lagoon.

Getting There:
Subway to Duomo, Cordusio, S. Babila or Montenapoleone; Bus 94 or 61; Tram 1 or 2

Opening Times:
Open Mondays, and Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm; closed on Tuesdays and public holidays.

Admission:
EUR8. Concessions are available. Free audioguides in English, Italian and Japanese available

Cinque Terre, Milan

Cinque Terre means 'Five Lands'. These are the five related fishing villages that nestle precariously on the cliffs overlooking the azure ocean of the Italian Riviera, off the country's northwestern coast. Cinque Terre is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and a picture-perfect dream of sparkling clear waters and dramatic vistas, contained within the tranquil embrace of the villages that are connected to one another by a scenic pathway that curves through the hillside among olive groves and vineyards. Monterosso is the largest of the towns and is recognisable through the huge statues carved into the rocks facing its shores. The village of Riomaggiore is quickly identified through the myriad fishing boats festooning its shores and is linked by the 'lovers lane' to the charming town of Manarola. Corniglia perches precariously onto the mountainside and is accessed through a steep climb, and Vernazza's promenade and piazza have beautiful sea vistas.

Portofino, Milan

Nestled in a sheltered inlet within the stretch of the Italian Mediterranean is the coastal village of Portofino. It has long been the playground for the rich and famous, attracting the likes of Humphrey Bogart, Sophia Loren, Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor and Princess Grace. It is not surprising, therefore, that its prices rose to match the exclusivity demanded by its holidaymakers. The scenic surrounds can be explored from the outlying nature reserve, graced with cypress and olive slopes. Set off from here on a 90-minute trek to San Fruttuoso, or a two-and-a-half hour hike to Santa Margherita. Other sights around Portofino include its castle and the lighthouse ( faro), with its breathtaking view of the coastline.