Milan, famous for its fashion and design, is an Instagram star and turns many travelers' heads. Which of the Italian city's glorious sights are worth visiting?
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00:00Instagram is full of stunning Milan pictures,
00:04showing the city's romantic canals and impressive architecture.
00:11But is Milan really as beautiful as Instagram suggests?
00:15And which three places are actually worth visiting?
00:18Time for a reality check.
00:21Milan is Italy's second largest city and home to one million people.
00:25Each year, 2.5 million tourists visit the metropolis.
00:30It's considered a fashion and design mecca.
00:37A tourist magnet and economic powerhouse.
00:43The city's colourful facades and Gothic cathedral
00:48feature in countless Instagram pics.
00:53But is Milan's cathedral really a must-see?
00:56Time for our first reality check.
00:59The cathedral is one of the largest churches in the world.
01:03Construction began in 1386,
01:06but wasn't completed for another 450 years.
01:103,500 sculptures adorn its gorgeous marble façade.
01:15Milan's cathedral square is one of the most beautiful and international places in Europe.
01:20This is the place to be.
01:29Where do you come from?
01:31Australia.
01:32China.
01:33We are from Poland.
01:35Time to catch the view from the top of the cathedral.
01:38But first, we need to climb 164 steps to reach the roof terrace.
01:45The entrance ticket costs 16 euros and is well worth the money.
01:50Did you know several movie scenes were shot up here,
01:53including by Italy's legendary filmmaker Visconti?
01:58From here, we've got a great view of the square below.
02:04Next, we head back down into the cathedral itself.
02:08Admission is included in the ticket price.
02:10The edifice is supposedly large enough to hold 35,000 people.
02:15But visitors must dress modestly.
02:17Bare shoulders, hot pants and the like are not allowed.
02:19That's why large cloths are sold outside for covering up.
02:24Inside, there's always renovation work going on.
02:27Even so, Milan Cathedral definitely lives up to the Instagram hype.
02:35Milan's Vittorio Emanuele II Shopping Arcade is also huge on Instagram.
02:41But how does it hold up in our reality check?
02:47The arcade opened in 1864, and it's popular with Milan's high society.
02:54The arcade is covered by an impressive glass dome.
02:58And it's not uncommon to see tourists spinning on one particular mosaic.
03:09We just heard someone say, by stepping on your heel and you turn around,
03:14it will give you good luck.
03:17Apart from that, the arcade is perfect for snapping some fancy pictures.
03:23And now our third and final reality check, Milan's Navigli district.
03:30It looks incredible on Instagram, but is it really worth visiting?
03:34Milan was once criss-crossed by medieval canals for transporting goods,
03:39including the marble used to build the cathedral.
03:43Today, only two canals remain, the Naviglio Grande and Naviglio Pavese.
03:49This neighbourhood is surprisingly calm during the day.
03:54You'll find tranquil courtyards, alleys and unique shops, like the Orto Urbano store.
04:04As evening approaches, Navigli comes to life.
04:07The tranquil neighbourhood transforms into a vibrant nightlife hotspot.
04:12It's a great place for enjoying dinner, music and drinks.
04:16Navigli is hugely popular with teenagers and foodies.
04:25There are two sides to Navigli. It's quiet during the day and lively at night.
04:30We think you should definitely visit the district.
04:33It's a unique experience and perfect for taking some great pictures, too.