Milan (Malpensa): Long-Haul Gateway to Northern Italy

The Eurodrive guide

Lake Maggiore and the Borromean Islands, an hour from Malpensa.

Malpensa, Milan's largest airport, sits northwest of the city amid green countryside — the main long-haul gateway to northern Italy. Land here and the lakes, the Alps and the style capital itself are all within easy reach. Here's how to begin your Italian journey.

First things first: the practical essentials

Refuelling near the airport. If you didn't take the optional full-tank service at pick-up, you can refuel near the airport — there's no obligation to return the car full. The stations inside the airport can be pricey and awkward; many drivers prefer the Tamoil in Oleggio, open 24/7 about ten kilometres away and often cheaper. In the daytime, the Enilive at Cardano al Campo is closer still. Use the self-service pumps and keep your receipt.

Getting to Milan. The Malpensa Express train reaches the centre (Cadorna and Centrale stations) in about 50 minutes; by car, the A8 motorway runs into the city in 45–60 minutes depending on traffic.

Where to spend your first night. If your flight is early, the hotels around Malpensa are handy; for a proper first night in Milan, aim for the Duomo or the livelier Brera district.

Your vehicle. Your brand-new Renault is waiting at the Malpensa delivery car park in Cardano al Campo, ready to head straight for the lakes the moment you leave the airport — all under the short-term lease programme.

The Duomo of Milan.

Milan's essential sights

The Duomo and the Galleria. Milan's spiky Gothic cathedral is the city's emblem: climb onto the rooftop terraces, among a forest of marble and statues, for views over the city and, on a clear day, the Alps. Right beside it, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II spreads its glass roof and mosaics between the Duomo and La Scala.

Leonardo's Last Supper. Painted on the refectory wall of Santa Maria delle Grazie, Leonardo da Vinci's mural can only be seen with a compulsory reservation booked well ahead — sort it out before you even fly.

The Sforza Castle and Brera. The Castello Sforzesco holds museums and quiet courtyards and opens onto the vast Sempione park. Brera, with its cobbled lanes and picture gallery, is the city's most romantic quarter.

The Ticino park, on the airport's doorstep. Malpensa is ringed by the Ticino river regional park: woods, cycle paths along the river and the historic Panperduto locks — a green introduction to Italy just minutes from the runway.

Turin, 90 minutes south.

Foodie Milan: risotto, aperitivo and sweets

Saffron risotto and cotoletta. Milanese cooking is rich and golden: risotto alla milanese glowing with saffron, cotoletta (a breaded veal cutlet fried in butter), meltingly tender ossobuco and winter cassoeula. Pair it with a red from the nearby Oltrepò hills.

The aperitivo. Milan invented the pre-dinner ritual: from around 6 p.m. a Campari or Negroni comes with a spread of nibbles. The finest setting is the banks of the Navigli, the canals partly designed by Leonardo, buzzing after dark.

Markets and sweets. The Mercato Centrale inside Milano Centrale station gathers the best food artisans under one roof; on Sundays the Navigli fill with antiques stalls. For a sweet finish, Milan is the birthplace of panettone, the candied-fruit Christmas cake. Just outside the city, the town of Gorgonzola gave its name to the blue cheese, while the paddy fields around Novara supply the carnaroli rice for that risotto.

Your first road trip out of Milan

Malpensa's location is ideal for the lakes. To the north, Lake Maggiore and its Borromean Islands are under an hour away, with the quieter little Lake Orta barely further. To the east, Lake Como unspools its villas at the foot of the mountains. Beyond rise the Alps and, across the border, Switzerland and Lugano. To the south lie the vineyards of Piedmont and the city of Turin, about 1.5 hours.

The perfect first-day loop. Head due north to Arona, then follow the western shore of Lake Maggiore up to Stresa, where boats cross to the Borromean Islands and their flower-filled palaces. Carry on to Verbania and the gardens of Villa Taranto, then come home via Angera and its lakeside fortress: about 120 km that capture the gentle beauty of the Lombard lakes in a single day.

When to come: climate and seasons

Northern Italy follows the rhythm of the Po plain: hot, sometimes muggy summers and cold, foggy winters. Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October) are the best seasons — crisp light on the lakes, gardens in bloom, pleasant terraces. Summer is perfect for swimming in the lakes, though Milan empties in August and the city heat can be heavy. Winter brings fog to the plain and snow to the peaks; it's the season of Milan's big events (Fashion Week, and the Salone del Mobile in spring). If you head up towards the Alps or the passes, note that in Italy winter equipment — snow tyres or chains on board — is compulsory on many routes from 15 November to 15 April wherever the sign requires it, so equip yourself accordingly.

Driving tips for Italy

Tolls: Italy's motorways (autostrade) are tolled — take a ticket on entry and pay on exit, by card or cash. Avoid the yellow "Telepass" lanes, reserved for the electronic tag.
Speed limits: 130 km/h on motorways (110 in rain), 90 on main roads, 50 in towns.
Fuel: "benzina" is petrol, "gasolio/diesel" is diesel.
City driving: most Italian historic centres are ZTLs (limited-traffic zones) watched by cameras — entering without a permit means a fine. Park outside and finish on foot or by transit. Milan adds Area C (a central congestion charge) and Area B (a low-emission zone): your recent Renault meets the Area B standards, but Area C is still chargeable — the easiest option is to leave the car outside the centre.

How far by car?

Approximate driving times from the delivery center.

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Photos : Charles Gore (CC0) · DimiTalen (CC0) · Abbrey82 (CC BY-SA 4.0) — Wikimedia Commons.