Destination Guides > Italy > Lombardy

Lombardy (Lombardia)

This prosperous region in the north of Italy near the Swiss border is home to the economic powerhouse, Milan, perfect smaller cities like Mantua and Bergamo plus pristine outdoor areas in Italy's lake district.

Milan (Milano)

Milan is overlooked by most visitors to Italy. Although this big northern Italian city may not bask in the historic splendor reminiscent of Rome, Florence or Venice, there is still plenty to see and do including the world's third largest church - the Duomo - as well as the Santa Maria delle Grazie church which is home to Leonardo Da Vinci's Last Supper.

Practical Information

Milan Tourist Information Centre

Via Marconi 1, Milan

Tel (02) 7252 4301

Website www.milanoinfotourist.com

Open Mon-Fri 8.30am-8pm, Sat 9am-1pm & 2pm-7pm, Sun 9am-1pm & 2pm-5pm

American Express

Via Brera 3, Milan

Tel (02) 876 674

Website www.americanexpress.com

Coming & Going

Stazione Centrale is the main train station which is located 2km from the centre.

Buses (tel (02) 801 161) terminate at Piazza Castello.

Milan has three airports (website www.sea-aeroportimilano.it): Linate, which is 10km from the centre and Malpensa Airport, which is 45km from the centre of Milan. Some budget airlines fly into the airport in nearby Bergamo. Terravision (website www.lowcostcoach.com) run an express bus between Bergamo Airport and Milan Centrale station; fares are €7 one-way or €12 return.

Local Transport

Milan has an excellent public transport system (website www.atm-mi.it/eng/default.asp) comprised of buses, trams and a metro. One way bus, tram and metro tickets cost €1, a 10-ride ticket is €9.20, a one-day pass is €3 and a two day ticket costs €5.50.

Accommodation

Il Postello

Via della Pergola 5, Milano

Metro Garibaldi

Tel 333 175 2272

Ostello Piero Rotta

Via Martino Bassi 2, 20148 Milan

Bus 90, 91 Metro QT8

Tel (02) 39267095

Ostellolinda

Via Ippocrate 45, 20161 Milano

Bus 40, 41, 52, 70, 82 Train Affori

Tel (02) 64445219

Bergamo

Within commuting distance of Milan, Bergamo boasts a wealth of Baroque and Renaissance architecture - an influence of the city's inclusion in the Venetian Empire for over 350 years. Bergamo is comprised of a walled medieval centre atop a hill complete with palaces and museums and a more modern lower town with the train station, shops and restaurants.

Practical Information

Bergamo Tourist Information Centres

Viale Vittorio, Emmanuele 20, lower town

Tel (035) 210 204

Vicolo Aquila Nera 2, upper town

Tel (035) 232 730

Coming & Going

Both the bus and train stations are located on Piazzale Marconi in the lower town. There are frequent buses to other towns in the region inlcuding the lake district and Milan. Trains also operate a frequent service to Milan, where you can transfer to international services.

Accommodation

Nuovo Ostello di Bergamo

Via Galileo Ferraris 1, 24123 Bergamo

Bus 3, 6

Tel (035) 361724

Mantua (Mantova)

Mantua has a beautiful old historic centre with most of the attractions centred around Piazzas Erbe and Sordello. The city has several palaces as well as the usual assortment of churches although the main attraction is the immense Palazzo Ducale with its 450 rooms and numerous courtyards.

Practical Information

Mantua Tourist Information Centre

Piazza Andrea Mantegna 6, Mantua

Tel (0376) 328 253

Coming & Going

Mantua is easily accessible by train and within day-tripping distance from Milan, Bologna, Parma, Verona and Padua. The station is located about a kilometre west of the centre.