Car Hire in Milan
Car hire in Milan
The city that has it all
Fashion and football, design and architecture, hip bars and haute cuisine, Italy’s second largest city is the place to see and be seen. Whether you’re here for business or pleasure, a car is essential for grabbing a bargain at that out-of-town fashion outlet or eating at that trattoria known only to locals.
Book now
Guide to Milan
Hit the road and the city’s hot spots
The city hub is Piazza Duomo with its magnificent cathedral. Prepare to be amazed by the sheer size and features of the Duomo (it has 135 spires and a staggering 3,200 statues). The roof, accessible by stairs and lift, gives you a breathtaking view of the city.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele
On the other side of the piazza you’ll see the entrance to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, an exclusive shopping arcade built in the 19th century. Enjoy a stroll or passeggiata to admire the bars, cafés and up-market shops.
La Scala
At the other end of the Galleria, across the road, stands La Scala, the world-famous opera house. Join a guided tour to discover the many secrets and little-known facts about this splendid theatre. It’s a short distance from La Scala to the Quadrilatero d’Oro fashion district, four streets forming a compact location for stores of the biggest designer names.
Brera District
Close by is the Brera district. Once the area where hard-up artists lived, it is now one of the city’s hippest districts, with a plethora of restaurants, bars and independent shops. It’s also home to the Pinacoteca di Brera art gallery, which has an extensive collection of art, mostly Italian.
Da Vinci
One of the city’s major highlights is, of course, Leonardo da Vinci’s Il Cenacolo or “Last Supper”, in the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie. It’s a very popular attraction so make sure you book tickets well ahead. Da Vinci also designed the defences of the imposing Castello Sforzesco in Piazza Castello, which now houses several museums with exhibits covering Palaeolithic history and furniture, among other things.
The Locals & Food
After an action-packed day of sightseeing and shopping, rub shoulders with the locals over an aperitivo at a local bar. When you feast your eyes on the array of goodies on offer at the free buffet, you’ll see why this has become an after-work institution throughout the country.
Naviglio Festival
In June, head to the Naviglio Festival on the banks of the canal where you can enjoy a variety of street performances and theatre shows and peruse the array of crafts on sale. If you’re here in November, don’t miss the annual Jazz festival, which hosts performances from Italian and other European artists.
Day trips from Milan with your Avis car
Take a leaf out of the milanesi’s book and drive off to the lakes, mountains or even the seaside. All are within easy reach of the city.Trade Shows
Business before pleasure, however. If you’re intending to visit one of the city’s famous trade shows, car hire is a must as most events are now held in a location approximately 10 miles from the city centre. Fiera Milano at Rho can be reached via the A4 and the A8/A9 motorways or the tangenziale ovest.
Lake Como
Take a trip to the scenic Lake Como, about 25 miles to the north, with its scenic views and lush vegetation. The town of Como is also the centre of the silk industry and the best place to shop for the material.
Pavia
Pavia is perhaps not one of the best known destinations in Italy, but is something of a hidden gem. This university city was once known as the city of a hundred towers, although few are left today. The impressive Certosa di Pavia monastery in Gothic and Renaissance style lies 5 miles north of the city.
Vigevano
Nearby Vigevano has arguably one of the finest piazzas, the Piazza Ducale, in the town centre, designed by Bramante.
Skiing in Italy
If travelling here in winter, we can supply ski racks and snow chains for your trips to any one of the many ski resorts within easy distance of the city. Livigno offers duty-free shopping as well as facilities for winter sports. Bormio has over 45 miles of slopes for skiers of all levels.