Milan with children?

[canyouhearthedrums]

Cheap flights for December. Dc 14, 12, 10. We aren't into shopping but like a museum or two. Would be spending 5 days there. Any experience or recommendations either way?

The Fondazione Prada. Super chic!

www.salsamenteriadiparma.com/home

Great restaurant for parents/teens

theworldof.ladoublej.com/milan-guide/

More ideas

Sforza castle- lovely to walk around

Also Naviglio is worth a visit- lots of cafes by the river, art galleries, interesting shops etc. I Pesciolini is a great seafood restaurant in that area. Verona or Venezia for a day trip. The science and technology museum (dedicated to Da Vinci). Football stadium tour

DP and I spent a night in Milan this summer as we were flying from there. I really wasn't that fussed to go but it was a lot nicer than I expected. It's pleasant to walk around, lots to see and some nice parks. We didn't have kids so can't comment on that side of things.

What kind of museums do you like? There is the Triennale if you like design, also the Museo del Novecento in Piazza Duomo. What dates are you coming? Because the 7th and 8th is the milanese Patron Saint day and the feast of the Immaculate Conception and there is a huge Christmas tat market in the Sant’Ambrogio area called Obei Obei.
If you’re a fan of Leonardo there are loads of things to see. At the Castello Sforzesco there is an area dedicata, at the Santa Maria delle Grazie basilica there is the fresco of the Last Supper. You will need to book this in advance if you want to go. Opposite the church there is the house where he lived, called the Vigna di Leonardo plus of course the aforementioned Navigli area was designed by him.

Also you can get the train to Como or Bellaggio in less than an hour, although in December it may be damp and cold. Verona and Venezia are a bit far away for a day trip and there are plenty of places to see more locally in either Lake Como or Lake Maggiore, both within easy reach of Milan.

Thanks for the replies, I am taking note. We will (in theory) be away from 20-26th December. I was thinking to get the train to Lugano for a few days, does anyone know that area?

In recent years we have gone away for Christmas and had lovely relaxing times, I assume Milan will only be closed on th e 25th?

In theory the 26th is also a public holiday but some shops will be open. Not like the UK though and no sales.
I do know Lugano as a friend used to work there. I’ve only ever driven up, not got the train. If you do choose to drive be careful when choosing the route or you’ll end up on motorway and having to pay the Swiss vignette for all of a week. Lugano is a little dull, but it depends on what you’re after.

Also hugely expensive!

Weather likely to be very cold and damp in Milan in December (city of freezing fog) and, imo, it lacks charm. Como has a nice light festival in (I think) December but Bellagio will be mostly shut up and completely dead. I don't know Lugano but, if it's anything like Lake Como, it will be extremely quiet during the winter months.

I think there are better choices for a break in Italy in winter - Rome or Florence have a lot more to explore, Venice is much more manageable out of season (although it can flood ). I'd sooner pay a bit more money for flights and go elsewhere.

I go to Milan every December (visiting family) and to be honest it isn’t somewhere I would choose to go on holiday, especially with kids.

All the sights can be seen in about 3 days at a leisurely pace. There is a Christmas theme park esque thing with skating and a few rides in the grounds of a museum, but your DC are probably too old to spend more than a few minutes there.

Unless you are desperate to Shop, I’d go elsewhere

Hmm, maybe we should do Spain instead? We aren't in to shopping at all, with the exception maybe of wandering around continental markets. Does Milan have the equivalent of a a Spanish siesta where shops are closed for several hours in the afternoon? Do they stay open late? We had a beautiful Christmas in Malaga a few years ago and I was hoping it would be the same in Milan

Not late except for Thursdays, although in the centre most are open until 9pm in the run up to Christmas. To be honest in December Spain might be better, Milan is best in the spring or early autumn. That said, I think it’s a great place with lots to do both culturally and otherwise, but a lot of activities and events are not specifically geared to tourists so harder to find out about.