Car Hire Milan Malpensa Airport

Milan is a poised city, confident and assured. Drive around it and you’ll soon see why. Grand buildings of old are nestled right next to bold new architecture, making for a dramatic landscape to explore.

Behind the wheel of your hire car you can discover some of the more overlooked neighbourhoods to discover the real Milan or head off to unwind by one of the many majestic lakes in the region.

Malpensa Airport is around an hour from the city. There’ll be plenty of signs to guide you but be mindful that all of Italy’s motorways carry a fee to use them. Make sure you take a ticket from the booth as you enter the toll road, then choose the right booth as you exit – there’ll be lanes for both card and cash.

You’ll be in a left-hand drive car, driving on the right-hand side of the road in Italy, with overtaking on the left. Speeds are in km/h and range from 50km/h in urban areas to 130km/h on the autostrade.

Milan’s very centre is a limited traffic zone – marked by Zona Traffico Limitato signs - and you can’t enter without a permit. If you need access to reach your hotel, just make sure you call your hotel after you have your car hire details so they can ensure you avoid any fines.

Malpensa Airport has great connections to the lakes if you’re not visiting Milan. Take the A8 and then join the A36 north to reach Lake Como in little over an hour. Although a toll road, it’s by far the quickest way but – if you have time to spare – take one of the many scenic routes.  Lake Maggiore is almost directly north from the airport, along the SS33 and SS629. 

Milan is a mercantile wonder with architecture to fall in love with and rich cuisine to be enjoyed at leisure. With Milan Malpensa Airport car hire, you can easily fit everything into one trip for the Italian adventure of a lifetime.

Madonna and marble

Park up as close to the historic centre as you can and then take in the Piazza del Duomo, the city’s spiritual heart. Here sits the Duomo Cathedral, one of the world’s largest Catholic churches. With its pink marble and mix of architectural styles – it did take 600 years to build and fashions change, as any Milanese will know – it’s easily one of the most remarkable.

Head up to the roof terrace, then watch the motes of sun that stream in through the stained-glass windows play on the gilded statue of the Madonna. To go inside the cathedral, ladies must cover up their legs and shoulders. You can purchase wraps from the gift shop for a small fee if you arrive unprepared, however entrance to the roof terrace is unrestricted.

Match day

The city is also home to a cathedral of football, the world-renowned San Siro. The ground is home to both of the city’s legendary teams; Internazionale and AC Milan, despite the fierce rivalry between them. During the Serie A season, there’s a game here every week, bringing with it an incredible atmosphere.

The nearby towns and cities of Bergamo, Verona and Parma all have their own Serie A football teams where you can also head to watch a game. Each within an hour and half drive, though not held in the same regard as the Milanese teams, you’ll be able to experience the highs and lows of authentic Italian football. 

Luscious lakes

The three major lakes close to Milan are among the most cherished and romantic in Europe. Lined with pretty villages and holiday homes of the rich and famous, they’re a magnet not just for visitors but also for locals on holiday.

Lago di Como – Lake Como – is arguably the most aesthetically impressive of the trio, banked by hills shrouded in trees, the Alps in the distance, it can be the dictionary definition of tranquil. Visit Bellagio to truly experience the joys of Lake Como where you can wander the quaint streets and even jump into the lake on a warm summer’s day.

In Tremezzo, adjacent to the lake, you’ll find the 17^th century Villa Carlotta. Its captivating botanic gardens perfectly complement the classic beauty of its structure. As the sun sets, sit out on the terrace of Al Veluu with its perfect views.

Lake Maggiore also wows with its waterside towns and villas. The main attraction here is the 19^th century Villa Taranto, with its garden boasting more than 20,000 species of plant.

With a hire car you can be charmed by the many delights that Milan and the wider area of Lombardy has to offer, book yours today to start your adventure.