Car hire - Milan

You may not necessarily think of Milan when considering the top tourist destinations in Italy, but you really should. The business centre of Italy and one of the fashion capitals of the world, Milan has a rich history and is chock full of culture. Whether you consider yourself a fashionista, love learning about history or simply want to shop till you drop, Milan is the place to be.

While driving in Milan can be an interesting experience, with Italian drivers being known for being passionate and a bit eccentric, hiring a car allows you to see the city and adventure out into other areas of the country.

There are around 20 car hire companies available in Milan, depending on where you choose to collect your car from. The majority of companies operating in the city are rated 'excellent' or 'very good', so you know you're in safe hands.

With so many car hire companies to choose from, you can make it easier to find the ideal vehicle for your trip to Milan by using our booking tool. This will show you what cars are available on the dates of your holiday and how much they cost with no hidden charges. Booking through Holiday Autos also means you get 24/7 support and free cancellation.

Hiring a car in Milan is made easy by the number of options you in terms of pick up locations. There are several places you can collect your hire car from, allowing you to find the best option for your convenience.

The place with the most car hire options available is Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP). Be aware that most companies only have desks at Terminal One. Other companies offer meet and greet services or free shuttle buses to get you to your pick-up point.

You can also collect from Milan Linate Airport (LIN), which is the city's secondary international airport. Once again, you'll find car hire desks in the arrivals hall, with some companies proving a free shuttle bus or meet and greet service.

As soon as you have picked your hire car up, Milan is completely open to you and ready to be explored. Fans of art can't miss out on seeing Leonardo da Vinci's 'The Last Supper' at the Basilica di Santa Maria delle Grazie. Those who want to shop at some of the best designer stores should head directly to Quadrilatero d'Oro, which is possible the most famous shopping district in the world.

It isn't just Milan itself that has a lot to offer though, hiring a car allows you to visit some fantastic places throughout Italy. Day trips to Lake Como, Verona and Pavia, among others, are all possible, allowing you to fully appreciate how grand and beautiful Italy is.

Just 40km from Milan via the Strada Statale 9 is Lodi, which is a must-visit for those who can't get enough of cheese as the city is famous for its delicious Parmesan. It also used to be Milan's biggest rival, and has some really lovely historical sites to visit, including its 12th-century cathedral. The colourful streets offer plenty to see, as well as great restaurants where you can sample some of Italy's cuisine.

You may also want to visit Como, which is under 50km via the A9 toll road. The small city is most famous for the beautiful Lake Como, which offers you the chance to relax on beaches and enjoy a swim in this idyllic location. From Como, you can catch regular boats to take you to any of the other lake towns, each of which has its own charm and attractions.

If you're a great romantic, you can't visit Milan without taking the two-hour drive to the city of Verona. Known as the place that Romeo and Juliet lived, loved and died in Shakespeare's play, Verona is a huge tourist attraction. Here you'll find one of the best-preserved Roman arenas in Italy, a riverside castle and even Juliet's tomb, which is in the monastery of San Francesco al Corso.

You may know that Monza is the location of one of the most important race tracks in Italy, but the delightful city has a lot more to offer than fast cars. Just over 50 minutes from the centre of Milan via the Viale Fulvio Testi - which has tolls - Monza is home to some great attractions. One of these is the cathedral, which holds the famous Iron Crown, which legend says is the crown of the Lombards. You can also explore the city's art in some fantastic galleries or just wander its picturesque streets.