Under $100: Milan

Most people visit Rome for the history. Milan, on the other hand, represents Italian modernity, though it does a good job balancing its past with the present. Centuries-old buildings contrast its thriving nightlife and shopping scene. While Milan is known for its high-end fashion, you don’t need to spend a lot of money to enjoy the city. Here’s how to do it with just $100 or €88.

Public transportation is efficient, so you’ll be able to get around easily on a €4.50 day pass. The pass works on the metro, buses and trams, which offer a fun way to view the city if you want to relax on a slow ride. Similar to San Francisco, there are many historical streetcars from pre-WWII still in operation. Milan is also walkable, with many of the tourist attractions pedestrian friendly.

Vittorio Emanuele II, Milan, Italy © Michal Bednarek | Dreamstime

No visit to this city is complete without walking through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Nicknamed “il salotto” (the drawing room), the 18^th-century construction is one of the oldest shopping malls in the world, containing many high-end fashion and jewelry shops in addition to cafes and restaurants. Stop for a cappuccino before you go window shopping but avoid having lunch there as many of the restaurants are overpriced tourist traps.

The Galleria is connected to Piazza del Duomo so be sure to snap some photos before lunch. The area is Milan’s biggest tourist attraction thanks to the beautifully imposing Milan Cathedral, Italy’s largest church. Also adjacent to the Galleria is Piazza della Scala, named after the Teatro alla Scalla opera house. Stop for lunch at Café Trussardi, the more relaxed sibling of Trussardi alla Scala where you can enjoy a bistro-style lunch for around €20.

Piazza del Duomo, Milan, Italy © Volgariver | Dreamstime 27711480

For your evening, tickets to the opera are as low as €15 as long as you’re fine with the back rows. If sitting up close is too expensive, the theater’s museum has plenty of Italian art and literature to see. Tickets are only €7, allowing you to splurge on dinner and a night at one of Milan’s many clubs.