Milan rewards the prepared: the Last Supper books out months ahead, aperitivo rules the early evening, and the metro turns a big city into a small one.
April to June and September to October are the sweet spot - mild days, long evenings and the fashion calendar's main events. Summer (July–August) is humid and hot, and much of the city empties for holidays, but prices drop and the aperitivo terraces still buzz. Winter is cold and often foggy, yet December is magical: the Galleria's lights and the Christmas markets around the Duomo.
Three airports serve Milan. Malpensa (MXP), the main international hub, lies 50 km out - the Malpensa Express train reaches Milano Centrale in about 50 minutes for €13, and taxis charge a fixed rate of about €95. Linate (LIN) is 7 km from the center and now connects by metro line 4. Bergamo (BGY), the budget-airline hub, is served by buses to Centrale for about €10. Inside the city, four metro lines (M1–M4) plus trams make everything quick; the historic center around the Duomo is pedestrianized and best walked.