Travel Guide: AC Milan

Date: 22nd November 2017 at 8:00pm
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There is no question that a trip to Milan to see the illustrious AC Milan in action at the Stadio San Siro is one of the ‘must do’ matches for an Italian football enthusiast.

A club dripping in history and prestige, playing at one of the most famous stadiums in world football is an unforgettable experience for anyone.

Tickets

Outside of a really big Champions League night or big derby game (and even then you should, generally, be okay) then tickets are not a problem to take in a Rossoneri home game.

They can be bought from the club’s official website, by following this link: http://www.acmilan.com/en/tickets/how_to_purchase

Tickets can also be purchased from the Casa Milan ticket office located on Via Aldo Rossi within the city or at any Banco Popolare di Milano outlet or alternatively by phoning 0039.02.62284545.

For those willing to wait until they arrive at the stadium, tickets can be bought from any of the booths outside the stadium but this is not advisable for bigger games.

Prices vary depending on where you choose to sit. Executive or luxury seats for derby or European games should you choose to go down that route can cost you anything between €200 and €400.

For a derby game such as that against Inter which is a Category ‘A’ game, tickets for the first tier cost roughly €95 in the red sector but for any other will set you back either €52 or €60.

Second tier tickets cost between €35 and €70 to watch the city rivals do battle from this section while €30 is also the price for the third tier.

IMG_1444Tickets can be anything from €10-€20 cheaper for Category ‘B’ games.

Children aged under 14 and adults aged over 65 receive reduced admission prices while children under seven can gain free entry provided their is seating available.

Hotel

There are a number of cheap hotels and hostels available for very reasonable prices located in or around the bustling Corso Buenos Aires shopping street.

This is located only a few metro stops from the Duomo cathedral in the heart of the city and the Stazione Centrale, Milan’s main train station which makes it a prime location for anyone looking for a comfortable and practical stay.

A well-priced and handily located Ibis hotel chain is also located a little closer to the centre, just off the Corso Buenos Aires and close to Porta Venezia.

Flights

Milan is serviced by three airports: Malpensa, Linate and Bergamo. Malpensa and Linate, being the airports closer to the city centre, are generally more expensive to fly into than Bergamo although shuttle buses and taxis can bring you to the centre of the city from each, a taxi would be considerably costly.

Bergamo is serviced by Ryanair and is cheaper for flights while a shuttle bus return service can bring you to Stazione Centrale in Milan in just under an hour for €10.

Around Milan

IMG_1438Aside from the football, there is plenty around the world’s ‘Fashion Capital’ to keep you entertained with the Duomo cathedral (although under seemingly permanent reconstruction or scaffolding of some sort) remains worth a visit – both inside and to the roof with some sensational views of the city from there for those with an eye for heights.

A visit to the Castello Sforzesco and a walk around the gardens is a treat for a sunny day, or you can take in the famous Brera district if you have a bit of money to spend while the Teatro della Scala and Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper (booking required) painting are both popular tourist traps in this stunning city.

If you want to stay with the football theme, a visit to the San Siro to take the stadium tour and museum (shared by both clubs) is well worth the trip out to the outskirts of the city while there are also official club shops for both teams in the city centre as well as an excellent Gazzetta dello Sport store just off the Corso Vittorio Emanuele.

Food

At Forza Italian Football both editor Dov Schiavone and deputy editor Padraig Whelan can vouch consistently for a regular FIF haunt, the Rosy y Gabriele restaurant on via Giuseppe Sartori (just off Porta Venezia) is the place to go.

Well priced with an extensive menu, the food is delightful and cooked on the restaurant floor in a traditional stone oven – bellissimo!

Generally food is fairly cheap with a pizza or pasta dish costing between €7-€10 while there are also a number of cafes and trattorias that serve paninis throughout the day if you are feeling peckish.

Bars

Bar Magenta is well worth a visit as are some of the establishments located around the Brera district but for those who want to try something a little different, why not get a carryout and bring it to the San Lorenzo Maggiore Basilica, a popular local spot where hundreds gather to sit around the square sampling the night life where beverages can also be purchased.

For those who want to take in the football, not far from the Duomo, there is a ‘Football Bar’ located just off Via Torino which can often be very busy for big matches – Roma v Napoli in 2013 drawing a sizeable crowd.

Travel to San Siro

IMG_1449The easiest and most simple way to travel to the stadium is by Metro. The closest station is San Siro Stadio which is located on the M5 line (purple), or you you take the M1 line to Lotto (direction Rho Fiera). From there, it is a 20 minute walk to the stadium.

Alternatively, matchgoers can take the tram to the stadium for those who fancy an overground and rather more scenic journey from the centre to the suburbs. Tram number 16 (which can be boarded on the corner of the Piazza Duomo) brings you directly to the stadium.

At San Siro

Before entering the stadium, ensure you have all appropriate documentation with you – i.e. match ticket and a passport or driver’s licence.

There are also a number of vendors around the outside of the stadium selling various pieces of club kit (not all of it official), flags, scarves, t-shirts and other assorted items, as well as food and drink and most is moderately priced although there are some exceptions and is extortionate upon entry to the stadium.

For those who choose to sit (or stand – as the San Siro is like other similar stadia in the peninsula in which fans will stand on their seat rather than sit in it in the Curva, but not the rest of the stadium) with the Milan ultras, you can also purchase ultras merchandise from them in the aisles below the seats although it is rather costly.

Also, as you are no doubt aware from television and pictures if you have not visited before, the San Siro is a big stadium, famous for its circled entry and exit points and the higher you are seated, the bigger a walk you best prepare for!

Cost

Hotel: One night – €55-€80

Flights: €90 return from the UK (although obviously this is dependent on time of year, schedule etc)

Airport transfer: €10 return

Match ticket: €26-€95

Food: €6-10 pizza/pasta, €4-8 panini

Drink: Tea/Coffee €3, Coke €4, Beer €6

Metro: €1.50 per journey

 

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