When thinking about visiting Italy, most tourists generally consider going to Rome, Venice and Florence, and although all these destinations are special in their own way, Milan really is worth visiting.
Milan has a an industrial northern reputation, but it’s also a city with an interesting history, a rich cultural heritage and lots of really beautiful locations. As well as the main city centre attractions there are also lots of amazing day trips to places located near to Milan like the world famous Lake Como.
Milan is a great weekend city break destination but if you have more than a few days you will really get to maximise your experience and see even more highly rated tourist locations. Our guide includes recommendations for unique places to visit and also things to do during summer and winter – most of which are completely free.
These are some of the essential things to add to your Milan bucket list which will help you to make the most of your visit to this city.
1. The Duomo & Piazza del Duomo
The Duomo is a cathedral and one of the most iconic buildings in Milan. This really is a not-to-be-missed destination especially if it is your first time visiting the city.
The Duomo was built over 600 years and is located in Piazza del Duomo, a large public space with amazing architecture and sculptures. You can pay to enter the Duomo and also go on the roof terrace which has spectacular views of the Milan skyline. Queues for entry can be long in summer so aim to arrive early.
Relaxing outside the Duomo in the Piazza del Duomo is fun too, there are usually lots of tourists and you can also see the statue of the first King of united Italy – Vittorio Emmanuel.
On your first day in Milan we recommend heading to the Duomo, from here you can easily explore more of the best tourist sights. Nearby there are also lots of shops, bars and restaurants.
2. Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
The absolutely stunning Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is a shopping arcade located on the same square as the Duomo. You can’t help but feel in awe of the architecture, it looks more like an opera theatre rather than a shopping mall. It is also one of the oldest shopping malls in the world, constructed in 1877! Just walking through and admiring the art and glass ceiling provides a real wow factor whilst there are lots of luxury shops inside including Luis Vuitton, Prada, Versace,
3. Castello Sforzesco
Located close to the Duomo via Dante road, you’ll find Castello Sforzesco, an impressive 15th century castle with beautiful grounds and gardens located in the heart of Milan.
The castle was constructed in 1358 by the powerful Visconzi family with the aim of protecting Milan against their enemies from Venice. Over the years has been destroyed and modified yet retains its original structure. The castle is most famous for hosting Leonardo DaVinci workshops during the Renaissance period.
Castello Sforzesco is huge and impressive, a great place to get a photo and also wander around. There is an old brick wall and moat, a guard towers, a central courtyard and museums containing artefacts and historical information about the castle.
The inner courtyard is free open to the public for free and throughout the year several cultural events take place here.
4. Parco Sempione
Milan isn’t the greenest city in Europe but there are lots of outdoor parks and spaces which are scenic and relaxing. Parco Sempione is located in central Milan, behind the Sforza castle, and is one of the largest and best park to visit. There are several buildings of note to check out in the park including The Civic Aquarium of Milan, The Triennale, The Arena Civica and The Arco della Pace.
In Parco Sempione you can also go up the tall Torre Branca observation tower that stands at a 108m high. The tower was designed by Gio Ponti and first constructed in 1933. The tower was and see spectacular views of Milan and the surrounding areas for miles around, on clear days you can see the Alps.
Parco Sempione is one of the best summer destinations to relax from the city heat, it is also completely free.
5. Santa Maria delle Grazie Church
Milan is home to one of the most famous pieces of artwork in history – Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper. This picture was painted by Leonardo da Vinci between 1494 and 1498, and represents the scene of the Last Supper of Jesus with his apostles, as it is told in the Gospel of John, 13:21.
It is located in the refectory of the convent next to Santa Maria delle Grazie Church in Milan. This is one of the world’s most famous paintings, up there with the Mona Lisa, and definitely something you need to see in real life.
Getting tickets though is tough, you need to book online before your visit and check availability which is usually limited. If you are lucky to get tickets then make sure to get there on time as if you miss your allocated time slot your ticket won’t be valid and you will be denied entry.
6. Pinacoteca di Brera
Located in the Palazzo Brera, the. Pinacoteca di Brera is a public gallery home to one of the finest collections of Italian paintings in the world. Here you can see art like the Adoration of the Magi by Correggio, the. Marriage of the Virgin by Raphael and Pieta by Bellini. The building is also very atmospheric to explore with dimmed lighting and so many impressive pictures and sculptures.
Pinacoteca di Brera is centrally located, close to the Piazza del Duomo and the Sforzesco Castle.
7. Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio
Do you have an interest in history or architecture? The Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio is one of the oldest buildings in Milan and was built in 379 AD by St. Ambrose. The church looks very similar to when it was originally constructed with a main building, courtyard and two huge towers looming high above. Inside there are some stunning mosaics and artwork including a depiction of Christ on one of the domes.
8. Navigli
Navigli is one of Milan’s best places to visit during the day and at night. This. Neighbhood is crossed by canals and is such a picturesque part of Milan. Navigli is also very trendy home to markets, shops, cafes, bars and restaurants – it is a really cool area to hang out with locals.
9. Piazza dei Mercanti
Piazza Mercanti is one of the most popular squares in Milan, just a few minutes from the Doumo and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. This square used to be the beating heart of the city in ancient times with lots of trading activitiy. Now the square is a great place to people watch and also see important Roman statues, monuments and buildings including the Pallaza della Ragione, the Pallaza delle Scuole Palatine and the Loggia degli Osii.
10. Chinatown
Chinatown is a popular tourist destination for inquisitive tourists keen to experience what Italian Chinatowns are like. Chinatown in Milan isn’t the biggest in Europe, but there are lots of amazing places to eat including Wang Jiao, the Ravioleria Sarpi and Chateau Dufan. There are also lots of shops selling Chinese souvenirs and gifts. If you happen to visit Milan during February you really need to check out the vibrant Chinese New Year festival with street parades and music.
11. Porta Nuova & Bosco Verticale (Vertical Forest)
Milan has some of the oldest buildings in the world but Porta Nuova is a district at the heart of Milan’s urban transformation.
Located close to Garibaldi station, Porta Nuova is a neighborhood with residential buildings, such as urban villas, courtyard buildings, townhomes, high rise buildings, such as the Bosco Verticale towers and the residential skyscrapers in Porta Nuova Varesine that overlook a park.
We recommend wandering through the area and also sitting in the tranquil Piazza Gae Aulenti. You also have to see Bosco Verticale (Vertical Forest), a pair of residential towers in Porta Nuova, these buildings are world famous due to the green forward thinking architecture.
12. La Scala Opera
Are you keen for a night of culture? Head to La Scala, an opera house in Milan that was inaugurated on 3 August 1778. This is one of the most famous opera and ballet theatres in the world and so many of the greatest singers, dancers and composers have performed here over the past 200 years.
Famous musicians like Verdi, Puccini and other great composers first had their works performed here. If you do buy tickets you will need to be aware of the dress code, which is smart. If you turn up in flip-flops, shorts and a t shirt you are likely to be denied entry.
13. The Royal Palace of Milan
The Royal Palace of Milan was the seat of government in the Italian city of Milan for many centuries. Nowadays it is a cultural center covering 7,000 square meters and where you can see international art exhibitions with paintings from some of the most notable artists.
You can see words from different periods including Neoclassical, Napoleonic, and Restoration. You can also learn more about the history of Milan and see how the city has changed through the decades.
14. Brera
Walking around central Milan is such a great way to see more of the city and see places off the tourist trail. We recommend heading to Brera, located in-between Borgonuovo and Broletto. In this district you can find shops, art academies, galleries, bars, cafes and restaurants. The cobbled streets are very scenic with colourful buildings.
15. San Siro
Milan is home to two of the best footballing teams in the world – AC Milan and Inter Milan. Both are powerhouses of European football winning multiple trophies over the years. The two teams play at the legendary San Siro stadium which has a capacity of 80,000. Seeing a live game is a magical experience as the atmosphere is buzzing. If you visit when no live games are taking place you can book a stadium tour to have a look around one the most famous sporting stadia.
16. See Street Art
There is lots of grafitti all over Milan and some are really well drawn. Some companies offer street art tours or you could explore different neighbourhoods independently like Isola district (close to Garibaldi station), Corso di Porta Ticinese, the Colonne di San Lorenzo, Via Gaetano Pini, Via Leoncavallo, Ippodromo in San Siro.
17. Ride the Tram
Milan has an extensive bus and metro system, but you can discover the city like a local by riding the tram. Trams operate routes through the city and are a great way to navigate the different neighbourhoods.
18. Explore the City on Two Wheels
Although most of the main attractions in Milan are located centrally and can be seen on foot, there are other ways to get around.
If the weather is good and you feel like an active adventure you should consider renting a bike to see more of the city. You could stay central and check out the main attractions or go see local neighbourhoods where most tourists don’t visit.
Two of the most popular bike routes include the Naviglio Grande path, from Porta Genova in the city centre to the countryside villages of Gaggiano and Abbiategrasso, and the Naviglio Martesana cycle path from Gioia to the Adda river. Both trips are around 30/40 km.
19. Eat Some of the Tastiest Food in the World
There are so many places to eat in Milan, even the street food and kiosks at transport hubs is good. Some of the best restaurants in Milan to consider adding to your itinerary include Pescaria, Dongiò, Langosteria, Ratanà, Erba Brusca, Trippa, 28 Posti, Gastronomia Yamamoto, Il Luogo di Aimo e Nadia Giacomo, Cracco, Zelo at The Four Seasons, Sadler, Contraste and Nobu Milan.
20. Go Shopping
Milan is known worldwide for fashion and design and there are so many local and international brands with shops here.
There are places to shop throughout the city but Via Montenapoleone, Via della Spiga, Via Sant’Andrea and Via Manzoni in the quadrilatero della moda (quadrilateral of fashion) is one of the best locations. This is where the Milan Fashion Week takes place and lots of designers have boutiques here like Versace and Gucci.
If you have a smaller budget there are also lots of cheaper discounted places to shop for the latest fashion like the Highline Outlet, Fox town outlet ticket and Serravalle designer outlet.
Other
If you have a flexible schedule these places are also recommended to add to your itinerary:
• Milan Archaeology Museum
• Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology
• Cimitero Monumentale
The Best Day Trips From Milan
Milan is a great location for exploring more of northern Italy and there are so many places to visit and things to do nearby. Here are some of the highlights:
Lakes
The Italian lakes are stunning and they really are one of the highlights of Europe. There are five major lakes in the Italian lake district – from west to east: Lakes Maggiore, Lugano, Como, Iseo and Garda – and each has its own particular character. All are located around 1 hour / 1 hour 30 from Milan and the perfect relaxing break from the city. Each lake is different and all are recommended to visit.
Bergamo
Bergamo is a really old, medieval and fortified city located 60km from Milan. Bergamo is the fourth-largest city in Lombardy and has ancient history and architecture. It has a hilltop medieval citadel with Venetian walls and spectacular snow-capped Alp scenery.
Turin
If you are visiting Milan for a weekend break we recommend staying in Milan, or adding a lake to your schedule. But if you have more time Turin is a great city to go to. Turin is well known for its Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, Neo-classical, and Art Nouveau architecture and also Juventus Football Club. Turin has lots of public squares, castles, gardens and elegant palazzi which date back to the 16th and 18th centuries. You can reach Turin in 1 hour by express train from Milan.
Best Time to Visit Milan
Milan is one of the most popular cities to visit all year round and there are so many unique things to do depending on the season.
Milan and northern Italy are such a amazing summer destination, the weather during June, July and August is usually warm and sunny and there are lots of outdoor places to visit including hiking in the Alps.
If you interested in planning a Christmas or new year break to Milan in December or fancy a city break in winter, Milan is really pretty during the festive season. Although temperatures can be cold, there are lots of indoor attractions or for something more adventurous you could go skiing.
Is Milan Expensive?
Milan is an expensive city compared to others in Europe, but there are also lots of free, low cost and cheap things to do perfect for the budget-conscious traveller. A lot of the places on our list are affordable or totally free! Top tips to save money on your trip to Milan include booking flights and accommodation in advance, especially during peak tourist periods when prices are higher.
Milan is right up there with Rome, Venice and Florence with one of the top places to see in Italy. This city is one of the most popular Easyjet city destinations in Europe for good reason, most people fall in love with the city. Hopefully our guide has given you some inspiration for where to go to really make the most of your time in this city. Before departing we recommend learning some basic Italian phrases, this will make your trip easier and more fun. Now go explore it for yourself!
