Is Milan suitable for short family break

[PeacheyPeach]

Dh has found really cheap flights and thought we might go to Milan for a weekend in the summer.

Don't know much about the place just wondering if it is somewhere that you can go to for a weekend with young children!?

I would say that Milan isn't exactly enjoyable to young children. There is of course, the Castle Sforzesco, and right behind it , the big Sempione park.
The Duomo roof is quite fun, but buy the elevator as there are really a lot of stairs. I have only ever done the stairs, but I think the elevator doesn't go all the way up, you would still have to do some stairs - in case you have a stroller.
Milan is more a young adult city, la movida, bars, aperitif, nightlife...
Milan can also be quite hot in summer.
The lakes however are not far by train, an hour or so. Como would be more enjoyable. Send the husband and the kids to the lake and hit the shops!! Because , that's what I go to Milan for!!!

No- it's quite dull unless they are abnormally interested in designer fashion! I would not have taken my DC there but it was at the end of seeing a bunch of interesting stuff elsewhere in Italy.

However, beautiful Lugano in Switzerland is a good hour away by train. The Cinque Terre (which they will probably love) is to the West. There is a scenic railway journey which finishes there. You'll have to make an extra effort to sell it to them and probably spend more for it.

I actually like Milan and think you could find plenty to do for a weekend break - the castle, the duomo, several lovely big parks. I have family there though so perhaps I’m biased.

However as pp said it’s super easy to get the train from Milan to Como for the day or even to stay there instead - trains much less expensive in Italy than here and it’s a short journey. If you are flying to malpensa there is a train into central Milan - not sure about Linate though.

If you want to see the Last Supper you must book in advance but possibly that’s a bit boring to young kids!

Big fat no to young children on city breaks. They get tired and crabby

Thank you all xx Dh had thought maybe we could take them to lake como so maybe we could head there instead of staying in Milan. What is there to do there? Is just a big lake !!

Milan is very hot and humid in the summer and it's not a particularly lovely city as a tourist anyway, so if you want to take advantage of the cheap flights, I'd jump on the train to Lake Como or Lake Maggiore instead.

I went pre kids and found it quite boring..
I’m guessing you could find somethings to do, as in any big city.. kids do live there
But I would take a train to the lakes
Or look for day trips from there

Pop on the train to Como for a nicer, friendly family trip. Not sure I could be bothered for one weekend though

You can get a transfer bus from Milan Malpensa to Lake Maggiore. It takes about 45 minutes. Stresa has an animal park, alpy land, boat trips to the islands, lots of family friendly restaurants. Scenery is stunning.

It's great. Great food, lots of museums from the big and impressive to the small and quirky. Excellent cathedral. SUCH great food!

It's NOT as good with small kids as some cities though. It's more of a grown-up city. I could imagine pitching it successfully to my 13 year old, but it wouldn't be so good with young kids. It's a very big city and you'd be traipsing around a lot, which is fun when you're adults, but....

I'd sooner do a smaller Italian city - Florence or similar - with little children.

Yes I'm thinking maybe I might just save the money and head to Spain for the weekend!!!

Barcelona is great for kids!