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

We understand your dilemma. There is an abundance of travel guides for both cities, but few actually comparing them, and advising you which is the better for your trip.
This article will provide our unbiased and independent views of Milan and Venice, hopefully making your choice that little easier.

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?)

Ah, Venice – a bucket-list city if there ever was one! Famed for its myriad canals, vast plazas and grand churches, this is one of Italy's most visited destinations. Once the epicentre of its own trading empire that stretched right across the Mediterranean and even east to the Old Silk Road, it became rich on spices, precious metals, and cloth.

These days, relics of that golden age remain. See them rise with the Orientalist spires of Saint Mark's Basilica. See them in the opulent interiors of the endless Doge's Palace.

But Venice is still a thriving town, not just a museum piece. Ferry boats weave through the Grand Canal and under arches where Canaletto and Monet once painted. Ice-cream parlours spill onto the narrow streets of Cannaregio.

Pizzerias meet buzzy student bars scented with grappa around the Campo Santa Margherita. Yep, there's oodles of life left in this old seafaring dame!

The Campanile di San Marco in Venice

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

Grand Canal and gondolas waiting for the rush of tourists

Summary
Where would I journey for a personal escape? Venice
Where would I send my parents for a memorable visit?
Venice
Where's the ideal destination for my adventurous 19-year-old cousin?
Venice
Where should my food-obsessed friend indulge their culinary passions?
Milan
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.

It's no secret that most people whiz in and out of Venice on big cruise ships, even if recent regulations are bringing a slow end to that.
Lots of weekenders also come on low-cost flights – Venice's Treviso Airport is a major hub for budget airlines like Ryanair and Easyjet. Those sorts of travellers can only ever really expect to scratch the surface of what's on offer.

The upshot? If you really want to explore this amazing city, you're going to need a little longer. If the budget allows, a week is perfect. That will be enough to see the mainstay sights, but also venture across to Murano and the Venice Lido, the party bars of Campo Santa Margherita, and the pathways of Giudecca.

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

The Arsnal was the shipyard of Venice, which at its height could construct a boat in a single day

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.

We're almost tempted to say forget Venice in the summer entirely. During the Italian high season between May and August, the whole place is packed to bursting with tourists. You can barely swing a slice of pizza on the Rialto Bridge or down on Piazza San Marco.
What's more, the horizon is tainted with the outlines of huge cruise ships. Far better are the shoulder months of May and September. The crowds diminish considerably during those, but the weather still tends to be reasonable – think daytime temperatures regularly hitting the mid-20s.

The final weeks of February are also popular on account of the centuries-old tradition of the Venice Carnivale. Come then to join the revelry but be sure to bring along a flamboyant face mask (a must) and a good coat, because the winters can be cold.
It's probably a good idea to avoid the rest of the winter. Venice is one of the lowest-lying cities in the world, so flooding comes easy. In the last few years, there have been huge problems with water clogging up even the famous tourist hotspots around Piazza San Marco.

Venice is a perfect break for those keen to check off another bucket-list city. Yes, it might be over touristed, but there's still something truly magical about the canals and the gondolas and the great churches here.
It's simply unlike anywhere else on the planet. All that adds an edge of romance to boot. So, consider this one if you're searching for a city-based honeymoon.

On the flip side, Venice isn't for the budget traveller or the outdoorsy person. Yes, you can hop on a bus to go north to the Dolomites, but they are still several hours away.
There are beaches, but they are nowhere near the best on the Italian east coast. And you can expect to pay over the odds for virtually everything, from hotels to ice creams to pizza.

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 distinctive Castello Sforzesco castle in Milan

The pretty Ponte dei Sospiri and canals of Venice

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