Things to do in Milan

When you arrive in Milan, you will find a city known for its blend of fashion, art, and history. At its center stands the Duomo cathedral, a grand Gothic masterpiece. Beyond its main sights, Milan offers a food scene, nightlife, and a glimpse into modern Italian life. This guide covers the best things to do in Milan and nearby destinations.

Central Milan landmarks and culture

Start your visit in Milan’s historic center. Many important sites are close together here.

The Piazza del Duomo is the heart of Milan. It is home to the Milan Cathedral, also known as Duomo di Milano. This Gothic building is the largest church in Italy. It features marble facades and stained glass windows. You can take stairs or an elevator to the top of the cathedral. The rooftop terraces offer views of the city and a closer look at the statues on top. The Duomo has over 3,400 statues inside and outside. A museum next to the cathedral displays religious art and artifacts. The Duomo Museum allows you to see cathedral statuary up close.

Duomo tickets and hours

Tickets for the Duomo can be bought at the ticket office next to the Cathedral. Lines can be long in summer. Buying tickets ahead of time is recommended. A combination ticket allows entrance to the Cathedral, the rooftop (stairs or elevator), and the Duomo Museum. Worshippers can enter a separate area for prayer. This area has strict rules against photos. Visitors should wear clothing that covers arms and legs fully when entering churches in Italy.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

A short walk from the Duomo is the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. This is a shopping arcade and an architectural work. It has a glass-vaulted arcade. Inside, you find luxury retailers and historic cafes. These are set against frescoes and mosaic floors. Wandering through the Galleria is free. It is a good follow-up to visiting the Duomo. Near the Piazza del Duomo, you will also find the Statue of Leonardo da Vinci.

Breakfast in Milan

For a Milanese breakfast, visit Pasticceria Marchesi. It is one of Milan’s oldest cafes, located within the Galleria. You can have an espresso or cappuccino with fresh pastries in an elegant setting. This offers a taste of Milanese tradition. For a more budget-friendly option, look for coffee shops behind the Galleria on roads around Piazza Duomo.

La Scala Opera House & Museum

The La Scala Opera House & Museum is a short walk from the Galleria. It provides insight into the world of opera. The museum covers composers, costumes, and set design. Visitors can see a beautiful historic harp. The best part is looking into the Teatro La Scala itself. If you are in Milan during the production season, consider seeing an opera in the evening. The interior of La Scala has red and gold decor and good acoustics. Evening performances have a dress code.

Milan art and science museums

Milan offers important art and science experiences. These include famous paintings and interactive exhibits.

No visit to Milan is complete without seeing Da Vinci’s Last Supper. It is housed in the Santa Maria delle Grazie monastery. This painting is one of the world’s most famous. Booking a guided tour in advance is the best way to see it. Tickets on the official Italian website sell out quickly. Visits are limited to 15 minutes to preserve the painting. The fresco on the other wall in the refectory is also worth seeing.

Santa Maria delle Grazie and The Last Supper tickets

Tickets for The Last Supper on the official website release once per quarter and sell out the same day. Group tours are a good option for last-minute tickets. Visits are limited to 15 minutes. Advance reservations are mandatory and should be made well before your visit.

Pinacoteca di Brera art gallery

The Pinacoteca di Brera is in the Brera district. It is a must-visit for art enthusiasts. Founded by Napoleon Bonaparte, the gallery holds masterpieces by Caravaggio, Raphael, and others. One famous painting is The Supper at Emmeus by Caravaggio. The Brera is a good place to escape the heat in summer.

Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology

If you prefer science, visit the Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology. It is accessible by tram or metro (Sant’Ambrogio station). The museum has extensive exhibits on da Vinci’s inventions and science contributions. Many exhibits are hands-on, making it good for children.

Milanese food and fashion

Milan is a global fashion capital. It also has a unique food identity.

The Lombard cuisine is specific to Milan. It features hearty dishes like “risotto all Milanese” and “cotoletta”, a fried veal cutlet on the bone. “Polenta” is a cereal-based mush, a northern alternative to pasta. The Navigli district has trendy canal-side eateries. Neighborhoods outside the tourist center also offer good food. Ossobuco is another classic Milanese dish.

Milanese lunch options

For traditional Milanese cuisine, visit a local trattoria. Trattoria Milanese is known for authentic dishes since 1933. They are famous for risotto alla milanese and cotoletta alla milanese. Antica Trattoria della Pesa, established in 1880, specializes in ossobuco and mondeghili. It has a charming courtyard for outdoor dining.

Milan’s fashion district

Milan is a global fashion capital. The “Fashion Quadrilateral” is near the city center. This area has boutiques and showrooms of leading fashion houses, including Louis Vuitton. It is a place for window shopping. The area’s architecture and atmosphere are worth experiencing.

Fondazione Prada modern art

Take a metro ride to Lodi T.I.B.B. station for Fondazione Prada. This is a contemporary art space. It features cutting-edge exhibitions by international artists. Themes often include fashion and modern art. It is in the Tortona/Vigentino district, south of the city center. The Bar Luce, a Wes Anderson-designed cafe, is open from 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM. The Torre restaurant is open Wednesday to Sunday evenings.

Milan gelato

Cool off with Italian gelato. Look for shops without many flavors or piled toppings for higher quality. Cioccolatitaliani is a chain that offers delicious gelato. They have specialty cones, like strawberry and Peruvian dark chocolate gelato with marshmallow and melted milk chocolate at the bottom. Cioccolatitaliani is a quick walk from Il Duomo Cathedral.

Green spaces and historic sites

After exploring the city center, find relaxation in green spaces and visit more historical places.

Sempione Park is next to Sforzesco Castle. It is a green oasis. The park has lawns, walking paths, and a serene lake. It is a place for relaxation. At the park’s far end, you can see the Triumphal Arch, a war monument for peace. The Branca Tower is also in the park. It is the highest point in Milan, reachable by a 1-minute elevator ride. The park is the largest in the city.

Parco Sempione and Torre Branca

Parco Sempione is free to enter. The Torre Branca viewpoint is optional. It requires a ticket. You can stroll in the early evening to see the Arco della Pace in golden light. Climbing Torre Branca at sunset offers panoramic Milan photos.

Sforzesco Castle history

Sforzesco Castle is a 15th-century fortress. It was built by the Sforza dynasty. It transitioned from a fortress to a cultural hub. Its courtyards and museum show ancient artifacts, decorative arts, and musical instruments. The instrument section is notable. The castle was first built in the 14th century by the Visconti family. Francesco Sforza expanded it in the 15th century. It became the seat of the Duchy of Milan. Architect Luca Beltrami restored its Renaissance appearance in the late 19th century. Visitors should see the Sala delle Asse, decorated with frescoes by Leonardo da Vinci. Also see the Pietà Rondanini, Michelangelo’s final and unfinished sculpture, in the Museum of Ancient Art. You can visit the castle grounds outside for free. Inside the museum costs 5€.

Basilica Sant’Ambrogio and San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore churches

The Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio is one of Milan’s oldest churches. It was founded in 386 by St. Ambrose. The current Romanesque structure dates from the 11th-12th centuries. Its facade has a large portico with arches. The interior has a raised presbytery over a crypt. The church houses the golden altar by Vuolvinio and the 4th-century Stilicone sarcophagus. It also contains the remains of St. Ambrose. San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore is called Milan’s “Sistine Chapel”. It was built in the early 16th century as part of a Benedictine convent. The church is divided into two sections: a public church and a hall for nuns. Both areas have stunning frescoes by Bernardino Luini and his sons. The church’s organ dates from 1554. Despite its plain exterior, San Maurizio’s interior is a Renaissance art masterpiece.

Milan evening and nightlife

As evening approaches, Milan offers vibrant districts for dining and entertainment.

The Navigli district is to the southwest of the city center. Two canals, Naviglio Grande and Naviglio Pavese, form its heart. This gives it the nickname “Little Venice of the City.” Naviglio Grande is lined with bars, restaurants, and shops. Naviglio Pavese offers boat rides. Enjoy an aperitivo as the sun sets. The district is known for its aperitivo, Milan’s happy hour tradition. Bars along the canals offer cocktails with complimentary snacks. This is a good way to sample Italian dishes. Strolling along the canals is also a way to see Milan’s architecture. The canal lights and live music start just after dusk. This is a good time for a stroll before dinner.

Navigli District canals

To reach Navigli from central Milan, take the Metro Green Line (M2) to Porta Genova station. From there, it is a short walk. Boat tours along Naviglio Grande are available. The district is best experienced in the early evening.

Rooftop bars for city views

Sipping prosecco with city views is a Milan experience. Visit one of the many rooftop bars. We enjoyed an evening at The Roof Milano. The cover charge included a drink and an aperitivo spread. This was a way to end the day.

Navigli dinner by the canals

Enjoy dinner along the Navigli canals. El Brellin is in an 18th-century building on Naviglio Grande. It offers traditional Milanese cuisine with a modern twist. It has a canalside terrace. Taglio is a bistro-style restaurant on Naviglio Pavese. It serves Italian and international dishes using local ingredients. It overlooks the canal.

Day trips from Milan

If you are visiting Milan, consider escaping the city for a day trip. Both Verona and Lake Como offer different experiences.

Verona, known as Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet city, is about an hour and 15 minutes east of Milan by train. It is known for its romantic atmosphere and Roman history. You can walk its streets, visit Juliet’s balcony, and see the Verona Arena, a Roman Amphitheater still used for performances. Lake Como offers breathtaking scenery. You can reach the old town of Como by train in about 45 minutes from Milan. The mountains there are tall. You can cruise the waters, explore lakeside towns like Bellagio, or visit opulent villas. Both destinations are accessible by train. Guided day tours are also an option.

Monumental Cemetery

Milan’s Monumental Cemetery is just outside the city center. It is like an open-air museum. Founded in the 1800s, it has elaborate sculptures, mausoleums, and artistic tombs. It is the resting place for many Milanese figures, including poets, musicians, and politicians. The cemetery is open from Tuesday to Sunday and is free to enter. Be quiet and respectful in the area.

Getting to Milan

Milan is well-connected to other Italian and European cities by air and train. This makes it easy to include in your travel plans.

Milan is served by three airports: Malpensa International Airport, Linate Airport, and Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport. Malpensa is the largest and handles most international flights. It is about 50 km from the city center. Travel from Malpensa to Milan takes about an hour. The Malpensa Express train is the fastest option. An inexpensive airport shuttle bus is also available. Milan Linate Airport is closer to the city center, about 7 km away. It mainly serves domestic and European routes. You can take a public bus or airport shuttle bus to central Milan from Linate. Bergamo Airport is about 50 km from Milan. It is popular for budget airlines. Milano Centrale train station is the city’s main railway station. High-speed trains connect Milan to Rome, Florence, Venice, Naples, Paris, Zurich, and Munich. Traveling by train is scenic and efficient. Trains in Italy are affordable and comfortable. The Milano Centrale train station itself is an interesting building with amazing architecture. Several bus companies, including Flixbus and Eurolines, offer routes to Milan from European cities. Bus travel can be a budget-friendly choice.

Getting around Milan

Milan has an excellent public transportation system. This makes it easy to navigate the city.

The Milan Metro is the most efficient way to get around the city center. It has four lines and 113 stations. The Metro connects to destinations like the Duomo, Castello Sforzesco, and the Brera District. Single tickets are valid for 90 minutes. They can be used on the Metro, buses, and trams. A day-pass is recommended for unlimited rides. Milan also has an extensive tram and bus network. Trams offer a scenic way to explore historic streets. A Hop-on Hop-off bus is also available, offering narration. Central Milan is very walkable. Many main attractions are close to each other. The historic center around the Duomo and Castello Sforzesco is good for walking. The Brera district has charming cobblestone streets. The Porta Nuova area shows modern architecture. The Navigli district is good for evening strolls. Walking tours are also an option.

Milan public transport tickets

The Milan City Card includes free public transportation for 3 days and access or discounts at top attractions. A 1-Day Travel Pass offers unlimited metro, tram, and bus rides until midnight. Single ride tickets cost €2.20 for 90 minutes. These can be bought at metro stations, newsstands, or via the ATM Milano app. The Hop-On Hop-Off Bus costs €24–€30 per day.

Where to stay in Milan

Milan offers various accommodation options, from budget-friendly hostels to luxury hotels. Many are near important transport hubs or attractions.

Ostello Bello Milano Duomo and another location near Milan Central Station are good hostels. They offer private and dorm rooms, a bar/restaurant, and outdoor space. B&B Hotel Milano Aosta is a mid-range hotel close to Milan Central Station. Chateau Monfort – Relais is a 5-star design hotel in central Milan. It is close to the fashion district and Central Station.