The Milan tramway today is a far cry from the Roman horse-powered original model, but still the best way to explore the city…
Driving in Milan is not for the faint-hearted – and there’s no reason to even attempt it when hands-down the most romantic way to explore Italy’s second city is by tram. Your carriage may not be made of bronze, or even horse-drawn, but the template for this stealthy network was laid down by the Romans, and today it still is one of the largest and most exciting networks in Europe. It was electrified at the beginning of the 20th century and given a cash injection in the 1990s, and now you’ll find hardly a street that’s not criss-crossed with glinting grooves, catching out unsuspecting cyclists at every turn. And with fares starting at just €1.50 for 90 minutes of travel, you’ll wonder why cyclists ever contemplated bikes. The tramway is now served by three generations of vehicle, the oldest, which is easy to spot due to its orange hue, dating from the 1920s. But for a smooth ride taking in all the sights, jump on a high-powered electrical model and let it sweep you around the city from 6am to 2am the next morning, should you so desire.
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