Local Information

Practical information

Milan is a metropolis in Northern Italy and the capital of Lombardy. Home to the Italian Stock Exchange, it is a financial hub also famous for its restaurants, shops, fashion and design events. It is an Italian municipality with more than 1,370,000 inhabitants and is the second most populous municipality in Italy (after Rome).

Time zone: Central European Summer Time (UTC+2) at the time of ICFP 2024
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Electricity: 230 V at 50 Hz, type C, type F and type L
Emergency phone number: 112
Most widely spoken language: Italian

Information on the airports (and other ways to reach Milan) can be found on the Travel information page.

Hours: Most shops are open from 10am to 9pm. Most supermarkets are open from 8am to 9pm. The opening and closing hours of these shops might vary slightly on Saturdays and Sundays.

Restaurants: Allianz MiCo (Milan Convention Centre) is situated in a vibrant part of the city. There are some restaurants near the M5 underground stop “Tre Torri”. Additionally, numerous other restaurants can be found within 1.5 km, particularly in the area between the M1 underground stops “Buonarroti” and “De Angeli”.

Safety: Although Milan is safe overall, especially during daylight hours, like many large cities, you need to be alert and take care of yourself and your belongings. Occasionally there are pickpockets in the underground during crowded periods.

Local transportation

Milan benefits from Lombardy’s extensive and efficient transport network, which is one of the best in Europe. The city is connected by trains, buses, and underground.

Underground

Milan features an extensive public transportation system with five metro lines, each marked by a distinct color: MM1 (red), MM2 (green), MM3 (yellow), MM4 (blue), and MM5 (lilac). The city boasts over 100 metro stations and compared to major European capitals, Milan offers competitive public transport rates. The metro lines traverse the city from one end to the other.

Service on the underground lines M1, M2, and M3 begins at approximately 5:30am and ends around 12:30am. The M4 line operates from 6 am to 12:30am. The M5 line runs daily from 5:40am until midnight. During peak hours, trains arrive every 2 minutes, and every 4–5 minutes during non-peak times. The MM4 line is partially under construction, with the first operational segment connecting Linate Airport to downtown (San Babila).

After 12:30am, night bus routes and substitute underground lines bus operate.

Download the underground map.

Bus and Tram Network

Milan’s integrated surface transport network includes approximately 120 tram, trolleybus, and bus lines. Operating from 4am to 1:45am.

Don’t miss the chance to ride the historic Carrelli tram, an iconic symbol of Milan.

Paying for public transportation

The public transport in Milano is managed by Azienda Trasporti Milanesi – ATM. There are several types of tickets:

Single ticket, valid 90 minutes: €2,20
24-hour pass: €7,60
Ticket valid for 3 days from the date of first use: €15,50 The ticket is valid until the end of the public transport service on the third day, i.e., at 3:45am (not at midnight). For example: the Thursday service closes at 3:45am on Friday. So, if you stamp your ticket at 1am on Friday, you are still travelling on the Thursday transport service day, not the Friday one.
10-ticket pass: €19,50 Each single ticket is valid for a 90 minute period. During that period, you can make multiple journeys on surface transport and also on the metro. Tickets from the carnet cannot be used by multiple people at the same time. The ticket can be used with no limitation on buses, trams, underground lines and on the urban tracks of the suburban trains (Passante Ferroviario); it must be validated at the beginning of the journey and at any transportation change.

Where you can buy tickets:

All authorized sellers: bars, newspaper stands, and tobacco shops (located inside the underground stations and overground).
ATM MILANO OFFICIAL APP: The App for smartphones allows you to buy and validate tickets directly from the App.
Pay contactless: in Milan, public transport is full contactless. Payment by credit card is available on all buses, trams, and trolleybuses of ATM’s network.
You can also buy tickets at all underground stations from ticket machines that sell various types of tickets. These machines accept coins, banknotes, credit cards, and bank cards.

Ride Apps

You can book a car (which in Italy is a taxi or a black car) using one of the following apps:

Taxi

Milan has about 5,000 taxis available 24/7, distinguished by a roof sign that lights up when the taxi is available. Taxis can be booked via phone, online, or at taxi stand. Fares are metered or fixed for set routes. Accessible taxis are available for disabled passengers. Bookings can also be made through the Milano In Taxi app, the toll-free number +39 027777, or the website www.taxi.comune.milano.it .

The main taxi companies have their own app to book a ride in the city:

RadioTaxi:Call +39 026969 or use the app “itTaxi”

AutoradioTaxi:Call +39 028585 or use the app “InTaxi”

Taxiblu:Call + 39 024040 ore use the app “appTaxi”

Bike and car sharing

BikeMi is Milano’s Bike Sharing service. The service runs 365 days a year, from 6am to midnight. There are three different subscriptions (annual, weekly, and daily) and rate. Learn more: https://bikemi.com/en/how-it-works

Download a map of bike sharing locations.

Milan has the largest Car Sharing service in Italy and one of the most competitive in Europe, with four operators: Enjoy, E+Share, ShareNow and Zity.

Sightseeing

Milan offers a remarkable array of sightseeing opportunities that showcase its rich cultural heritage and modern vibrancy. Below is a list of the main attractions not to be missed:

Duomo Cathedral: The view from the spires of Milan’s Duomo Cathedral is unforgettable. A Gothic-style cathedral, it is a symbol of Milan.
Sforza Castle: Today, the Castello Sforzesco, once a 15th-century defensive fortress, is a cultural hub housing several top-tier museums. Behind the castle you can visit one of the most important parks in Milan where you can take walks and relax: Parco Sempione.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele: The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is Italy’s oldest active shopping gallery and a major landmark of Milan. Housed within a four-story double arcade in the centre of town.
La Scala Theatre: Since its opening in 1778, La Scala Theatre has been a stage for thrilling operas and ballets, captivating audiences with performances by renowned conductors and artists.
The Last Supper: Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper, a UNESCO World Heritage masterpiece, is one of the world’s most renowned artworks. This iconic painting is displayed in the refectory of the Dominican convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie.
Church of San Maurizio Al Monastero Maggiore: The Church of San Maurizio Al Monastero Maggiore is a hidden gem of art history in the city, offering an extraordinary display of Renaissance art.
Museum of Novecento: Dedicated to 20th-century art, the Museum of Novecento showcases a collection of over 400 works. Visitors can also enjoy a stunning view of the Duomo from the museum.
City Life: City Life district is a standout example of futuristic architecture created for EXPO 2015 in Milan.
Navigli: The Navigli district is perfect for an evening stroll along the city’s canals, a visit to the bustling antique market, or to relax in one of its many restaurants and bars to have an “aperitivo”.
Porta Nuova and Corso Como: The modern architecture of Milan and its vibrant nightlife converge in the area around Piazza Gae Aulenti and Corso Como. It’s an ideal spot to marvel at the “Bosco Verticale” towers and enjoy a happy hour with friends.
Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio: The Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio, one of Milan’s oldest and most significant churches, offers a rich history and beautiful architecture.
Brera: The Brera district is known for its artistic charm and historic ambiance, featuring the renowned Pinacoteca di Brera art gallery and an array of quaint streets and lively cafes.