Milan and Porto both offer unique and enticing experiences, but which one should you choose for your city break or holiday?

We recognise the difficulty in making this decision. While there is abundant information available on both destinations, clear guidance on which city better aligns with your travel preferences is often hard to find.
This article aims to provide an impartial comparison,and hopefully help you to choose the best city to visit.

The article is structured into several sections, each of which can be directly accessed through the following links:
• Introduction to the cities
• Scores and ratings
• Which one should I, friends, or family visit?
• When to visit and weather
• Who is the city suited for?
• The perfect 48hours (with map)
• Tourism details (where to stay? airport details?)

Milan, synonymous with fashion and luxury shopping, is a city where appearances matter, and even its main tourist attraction, the Galleria, is a shopping arcade. While the historic centre is home to high-end boutiques and designer stores, the city’s more creative and edgy districts can be found on the outskirts.

Visitors should be aware that Milan that Milan does not have the breadth of monuments and standout tourist attractions as of other Italian cities. This is primarily a business focused city, which reveres in sophistication and looking good.

The beautiful Galleria shopping arcade

Porto is the surprise of western Europe. This hardworking and unassuming city seems to have stumbled into tourism without even realising its own potential. The variety of historic sights, personable atmosphere, along with a glass of sweet Port wine, creates a wonderful tourist destination.

Porto may be comparatively small and virtually unknown, but it can rival any of the more established tourist destinations. The unique appeal of Porto is that it is not swamped by tourists in the summer season, and is ideal for a summertime city break.

The Ribeira is the oldest district in Porto

The gothic Duomo in central Milan – a highlight is the view from the roof

Summary
Where would I journey for a personal escape?
Porto
Where would I send my parents for a memorable visit?
Porto
Where's the ideal destination for my adventurous 19-year-old cousin?
Porto
Where should my food-obsessed friend indulge their culinary passions?
Porto
Note: The above comparisons are weather-independent and are based on travel during the most opportune times of the year. Details about the ideal travel seasons are elaborated upon later in this article.

In the sections that follow, you'll find a comprehensive comparison between these two fascinating cities. This includes recommendations on the duration of stay, the best times to visit, and tailored 48-hour itineraries for each city.
The final segment delves into practicalities for your travels, such as the best airport to fly into, the optimal districts for your accommodation, and insider tips, for when you come to explore the city.

We hope that you find all of this information useful, in planning your next exciting trip!

The main sights of Milan can be easily seen in a single day of sightseeing.
A second day allows time to explore the more atmospheric districts (Navigli, Zona Tortona) or provides extra time for shopping.

To capture the essence of the city, you need to experience the early evening drinks culture and the evening strolls where everyone wears their finest clothes. Milan may lack many tourist sights, but there surrounding region certain compensates with many enjoyable day trips.

This includes the historic towns of Bergamo, Brescia and Pavia, the beautiful lakes of Garda, Maggiore and Como, plus the Italian Alps. It is even possible to visit Verona as a day trip.

Porto is a compact city, and if rushed, all of the major tourist areas can be seen in a single day. Typically, we would recommend two days, which would include a short cruise along the Douro River and time for port tasting.

If you wished to extend your trip further, there are some great days out to the historic towns of Guimarães, Braga and Aveiro. During the summer (Jun-Sep) there are beautiful beaches along the Costa Verde coastline, and you could visit the resort towns of Espinho, Vila do Conde or Matosinhos.
Related articles: 2 days in Porto – 1 week in Porto

The Naviglio Grande canal runs through the heart of the Naviglio district

The Ponte Luís I bridge in Porto spans the Douro River

Porto is one of the best European cities for a summer city break. While the rest of southern Europe swelters under the unbearable summer heat, Porto experiences pleasant weather and is not completely overrun by tourists.

Winters are mild and wet, and there is a high chance of rain from October through to May. The middle of June is the best time to visit the city when the Santos Populares festivals are being held.

For the real Milan experience, you want to visit during the summer or winter fashion weeks (Sep/Oct or Feb/Mar), to mingle with models, stylish and Aficionados.

For a city break, Milan is almost year-round, but it is cool and possibly wet in the winter, while in hot August most residents head to the beach for the whole month.

One of the quirks of Milan is at the weekends, most of its affluent or mobile residents leave the city for the coast (summer), the Alps (winter) or lakes (Spring/Autumn), leaving the city to tourists and foreign shoppers.

If you have a passion for fashion, a flair for style, and are willing to indulge in a premium experience, Milan is your destination. The city stands out for its high-end designer shopping, trendsetting fashion, and its overall chic aesthetic.
However, some visitors may find Milan less captivating compared to the grandeur of Rome, the cultural richness of Florence, or the picturesque scenes of Venice. Milan is predominantly a business hub, where the hardworking ethos of its inhabitants is reflected in its cutting-edge fashion and refined nightlife.
Insight: There are few historic buildings in Milan, as many were destroyed by the extensive bombing of the second world war.

The characteristics of Porto traditionally appealed to the older visitor; it is very safe and there is a pleasant unhurried ambience, with a slightly conservative attitude. This mature opinion of Porto is often compounded by the most popular activities; Douro River cruises and Port tasting (which is great fun!).

This demographic of visitors to Porto is rapidly evolving, as younger travellers realise it is actually a progressive city, with a lot to see and do. Porto will appeal to those looking for somewhere slightly different, but who want a hassle-free trip with decent tourist facilities. Being one of the safest cities in Europe makes it ideal for solo/female travellers.

The distinctive Castello Sforzesco castle in Milan

The beautiful Azulejo tile painting on the side of the Igreja do Carmo, Porto

There are three airports for Milan; Linate (small dated, 7km to centre), Malpensa (main international airport, 50km from west of Milan) and Bergamo (Ryan air hub, 50km from north east of Milan). There is a bus from Bergamo to Milan (60minutes €6.00), train from Malpensa airport (50minutes €13.00) and from Linate just take a taxi (€12-15). There is no shortage of flights and departures to or from Milan, and fares, if booked far enough in advance, can be very cheap.

Milan has ample hotels and accommodation options, but these obviously need to be booked far in advance during the two fashion weeks. For your first visit you would want to be based close to the historic centre (Centro Storico) or for a more lively and authentic experience the Navigli district. For cheaper accommodation look to the Citta Studi, the main student area of the city. Milan has very good public transport, and is easy to travel around the city.

The Arco della Pace, in Milan

Porto is a recommended destination for an alternative city break. Porto has a single airport which is 12km north of the historic centre and is connected by the metro. Porto has fewer flight routes and departures than other major cities, which means demand for weekend flights can be high. Equally, during the low season, there are bargain flights to be found.

Accommodation tends to be good value with ample supply, and most tourists are based in the Vitória, Sé or Baixa districts (all on the north side of the river). Porto can be easily explored on foot and rarely any public transport or taxis are needed for the entire trip. Just beware, there are steep hills!

The pretty historic centre of Porto