WhereToGoForMyHoliday.com
The best destination comparison site!
WhereToGoForMyHoliday.com
The best destination comparison site!
Both Milan and Porto are fantastic cities, but which is better for your city-break or holiday?
We understand your dilemma. There is a wealth of information about both cities, but little stating which is the better destination and more suited for your trip.
This article will provide our unbiased opinions, and hopefully help you to choose the best city to visit.
The article is divided into the following sections, and can be jumped to using the 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 is inexplicably connected to fashion and high-end shopping.
This is a city where looking your finest is an obsession, and even the main tourist attraction, the Galleria, is shopping arcade. Luxury brands and designer boutiques may fill the historic centre but out on the outskirts are edgy districts, where this creativity originated from.
As a visitor, you should realise 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
Which city would I go to?
Porto
Which one would I recommend to my parents?
Porto
Which location for my 19-year-old cousin?
Porto
Which for my food obsessed friend?
Porto
Note: The above comparison does not consider the weather, and assumes travel at the best time of year - which is detailed later in this article.
The following sections compare the two cities and considers; how long to spend in them, when to visit, and provides suggested 48hours in each city (along with an interactive map).
The final section is tourism practicalities and includes which airport to fly into, what district to be based in and how best to explore the city.
We hope that you find all of this information useful, in planning your next exciting trip!
Destination details
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 adore fashion, embrace style, and willing to spend a little extra, then Milan is calling you. The city excels in designer shopping, trend-setting, and simply looking good.
Many visitors leave Milan slightly disappointed; it is without the flare of Rome, the culture of Florence, or the photo opportunities of Venice. Milan is a business city, where the reward for the industrious attitude of its residents, is cutting edge fashion and sophisticated 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
Porto
Considering the size of Porto there is a lot to see, and you can pack in a lot in a 48 hour visit.
Below is an interactive map of where we recommend to go in 48 hours in Porto; day 1 is highlighted in green and day 2 in yellow, with optional sights marked in grey.
A tour of Porto typically starts in the Se district, with the gothic cathedral and ancient city walls. Next is the Baixa district, where you can find the Avenida dos Aliados, and enjoy the view from the top of the Clérigos Tower.
For the latter part of the day and evening visit the ancient Ribeira district, which lines the banks of the Douro River. For the evening, join one of the boat cruises along the river or to party head to the Vitória district.
On the morning of the second day, ride the traditional tram to the Foz district, which is positioned at the mouth of the Douro River and extends along a rocky coastline to the beach of Matosinhos.
In the afternoon, and the highlight of Porto, are the tours of the Port cellars and Port tasting. Lining the southern banks of the Douro River are eight of the major Port producers, each with their vast cellars and tasting tours. You’ll happily leave Porto a Port connoisseur and a little tipsy…
Port tasting at the Sandeman cellars– an enjoyable activity and a great way to meet fellow travellers
48 hours in Milan
The interactive map below shows a suggested tour for 48hours in Milan. The first day is shown in green and the second day is marked in yellow.
Begin the first day at the Piazza del Duomo, the heart of Milan. On this plaza is the gothic Duomo di Milano cathedral (head to the roof for amazing views) and the beautiful Galleria shopping complex, filled with boutiques and exclusive retailers. On the opposite side is the Palazzo Marino, and the elegant Teatro alla Scala.
For afternoon explore the sights around the Sforzinda castle and Parco Sempione. Do include the Santa Maria delle Grazie convent, where the famed “The Last Supper” fresco is housed. For the latter part of the explore the chic Brera district, with its mix of high-end stores and fashionable people.
The early evening is when Milan excels, as the offices close and workers head to the bars for Apericena (happy hour with light buffet food) to drink exquisite cocktails and flaunt the latest fashions; Navigli is a great area to experience this modern cultural tradition.
The Santa Maria delle Grazie convent, the location of one of the most controversial religious paints….
For the second day, wander down from the Duomo along the bustling Via Torino and then the Corso di Porta Ticinese, passing the Basilica San Lorenzo Maggiore, and enter the atmospheric Navigli district. This canal district is filled with artisan shops, fashionable bars, and where young Milanese frequent.
The canal and train lines separate Navigli from Zona Tortona, the once-gritty but now design and creative hub of Milan. Here designers create the latest fashions in the former warehouses. Understatedly cool, but the place to experience the drive and passion of the Milanese.
If you are a football fan, you probably want to include the tour of the San Siro stadium, in the second day.
Related articles: 48 hours in Milan
San Siro stadium, home to two of Italy’ greatest football teams
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
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Remeber that night in Rome
Lisbon was such so much fun
Such a view from that cathedral in Florence
Munich was eventful, wasn't it!
And we got so burnt!
Remeber that night in Rome
All we did was drink beer in Brussels...
Berlin and that group from Austria!
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Remember that boat ride in Prague
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