Milan is a straightforward promote. The vogue capital of Italy is famed for all issues glitz and glam, and even simply in the future in Milan will deal with you to some unbelievable issues to do. The metropolis is about in the Lombardy area of northern Italy, and it’s simply accessible worldwide.
The fundamental sights in Milan embody the fabulous Duomo di Milano, the World of Leonardo da Vinci, and Italy’s oldest shopping center – a fast enjoyable truth for you. You are in for an enormous deal with if you wish to construct a Milan itinerary. Whether you wish to snap images of colourful buildings, a day journey to picturesque canals in different cities (we’re taking a look at you, Venice), or see the portray of the Last Supper up shut, Milan has a lot on provide. The checklist of the very best issues to do in Milan is something however brief.
Best Things to Do in Milan
Planning to go to Milan? Congratulations, town is filled with sights, from inside the metropolis middle to its outskirts, neighboring areas, and day journey locations. Milan is actually a big circle of fantastic issues to do. In this information, we’ll choose the very best of its sights and actions to compile a helpful checklist to your itinerary. These are the highest 28 greatest actions to do in Milan – what number of are you going to suit in?
1. Galleria Vittorio Emanuele iI
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is allegedly one of many oldest buying malls in the world, not to mention simply Milan. The grand buying middle has a well-known glass domed roof and dates again to the nineteenth century. If you need an indoor exercise to your Milan itinerary, buying at Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is a good choice.
It’s price noting that the buying middle is primarily devoted to luxurious clothes manufacturers, so be ready to window store if you’re on a price range. Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is price visiting even simply to absorb the structure and admire the structure, too. Don’t fear if you’re on a price range to mid-range spending mission.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is possible when you have in the future in Milan since it’s inside strolling distance of the Duomo di Milano and Teatro alla Scala. Most of the strolling excursions of Milan embody the mall. If you determine to take a strolling tour that is the the very best one in Milan.
2. Teatro alla Scala
Teatro alla Scala, aka La Scala Opera House, is the place to go for night leisure in Milan. The huge theater is nothing wanting lavish, with these typical purple plush seats and a standard, multi-level auditorium with rows of particular person seating containers. Teatro Alla Scala dates again to the 18th century and is likely one of the prettiest buildings to see in Milan. It predominantly showcases Italian opera reveals and ballet performances, and you’ll simply regulate its schedule to see what’s arising throughout your keep. Think regal and opulent, this theater is sensible.
Watching a present on the theater is well certainly one of our prime suggestions for actions in Milan. A museum and library are additionally on-site, which is an enormous win. You can seize your tickets right here earlier than you arrive.
3. Museum of Musical Instruments
The Museum of Musical Instruments is likely one of the most enjoyable and lighthearted locations you’ll be able to go to in Milan. The assortment showcased on the museum was as soon as the lifetime assortment and satisfaction and pleasure of Natale Gallini. Upon Natale’s passing, the group was transferred to the possession of the City of Milan. Natale’s generosity sparked an enormous motion of donations – ultimately rising the trendy assortment to its present measurement.
You can stroll via lots of of reveals, together with uncommon devices handed down via a number of generations of distinguished households in Milan. If you have an interest in music historical past, this place is magical. But equally, it’s immersive sufficient to swimsuit these in museums. Admission is pretty priced, and the museum runs free entrance on the primary and third Tuesday each month after 2 pm. For price range vacationers, Sundays are additionally free entry, so maintain that in thoughts.
4. Santa Maria delle Grazie
Santa Maria delle Grazie is a registered UNESCO World Heritage Site and basilica, which additionally homes one of the crucial well-known work in the world – Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper portray. The constructing is iconically produced from terracotta, with a hanging red-brown-brick exterior. You should guide tickets to enter, and we’d advise doing in order far in advance as doable, as tickets promote out weeks in advance. It is likely one of the most well-known Leonardo da Vinci work in the world, in spite of everything. While there aren’t any additional notable artwork collections in Santa Maria delle Grazie, individuals flock to see simply the Last Supper portray and Gothic inside.
If you might be searching for iconic issues to do in Milan, even in the event you simply have in the future in Milan, Santa Maria della Grazie is a should to your Milan itinerary. It is Leonardo da Vinci; you should simply carve time for it.
5. Branca Tower
We received’t lie; Branca Tower seems a bit unusual. From some angles, it seems like a pylon. However, Branca Tower is the very best viewpoint obtainable in Milan. The tower may be scaled with the assistance of an elevator and staircase mixture, taking you to 109 meters above the bottom to take pleasure in expansive views of town. It was constructed as a part of the 1933 Triennale artwork occasion however has remained a number one vacationer attraction ever since.
Branca Tower is likely one of the greatest Milan sights for sensible views. Make positive to carry a great digicam.
6. Piazza Mercanti
Most individuals know of the Piazza del Duomo, however what concerning the Piazza Mercanti? The sq. is surrounded by famed medieval buildings and has a way more quiet, fairytale vibe. The constructing bordering Piazza Mercanti dates again centuries. For occasion, the Palazzo della Ragione was constructed in 1233. Others additionally date again to the fifteenth and seventeenth centuries, with a pit in the middle of the sq. that dates again to the sixteenth century. Piazza Mercanti, which interprets as Merchants Square, was a gathering level for politics and enterprise.
Visiting Piazza Mercanti is free and a fast exercise to tick off in Milan. It requires little effort and affords excessive rewards. It can be only a brief stroll from Duomo di Milano, so combining with the classics is simple.
7. The Vertical Forest
The Vertical Forest (aka Bosco Verticale) has turn out to be fairly a pattern on social media platforms. What is it? Two twin high-rise flats sporting thick greenery and miniature bushes create the picture of a ‘vertical forest’. It is an uncommon solution to develop inner-city greenspace however an attention grabbing and daring effort. Each residence in the high-rise has its personal balcony and greenery to look after, which equally offers privateness and pure screening for the residents to take pleasure in their non-public out of doors area.
You can’t go into the high-rises for obvious causes. However, it’s properly price utilizing public transport to achieve Bosco Verticale and admiring the spectacle from exterior. The greatest views are from Area Cani and TreeVilla Park, the place you may as well spot funky road artwork.
8. Monumental Cemetery
A cemetery could seem a barely bizarre addition to a listing of must-see sights. However, Milan’s Monumental Cemetery is unquestionably price a go to. The cemetery is located in the north of town, close to Chinatown, and it’s a breeze to achieve through public transport, incomes it its first inexperienced tick for accessibility. As an attraction itself, it’s most famed for its headstone structure. Trust Italy to impress with funerary sculptures, proper? Everything from mourning ladies to what seems to be a scene of the Last Supper. Slightly morbid, however all-in-all an interesting go to, Monumental Cemetery is a should when visiting Milan.
It’s additionally free to go to, which is at all times an enormous plus, particularly in the event you journey on a price range.
9. Royal Palace of Milan
The Royal Palace of Milan is named the Palazzo Reale di Milano in Italian and is a grand advanced and former royal residence turned artwork gallery. For an affordable entry price, you’ll be able to sweep via grand halls and Bridgerton-style staircases, embodying your true internal royal. The gallery is a improbable probability to have a look contained in the historic inside of an 18th-century palace. And that’s earlier than you even begin to admire the artifacts and reveals. It is simple to see why we’ve added it to this checklist. Palazzo Reale di Milano ticks off a couple of completely different experiences with only one go to.
The palace is in central Milan, a brief distance from the Duomo and fundamental piazzas. Because of its handy metropolis middle location, Palazzo Reale di Milano is simple to incorporate in your itinerary even when you have solely in the future in Milan.
10. Dine Out
Needless to say, top-of-the-line issues to do in Milan is to dine out. Milanese aperitivo runs from 6 pm till 9 pm and is your pre-meal warm-up. Aperitivo normally consists of night cocktails in Milan, primarily utilizing vermouth or aged wine. Food-wise, this might embody something from salami, bread, olives, and pies. We’d recommend grabbing an aperitivo someplace scenic, like II Bar in Piazza Duomo. The views include dearer costs, however II Bar has views of the Duomo di Milano. You can then transfer someplace extra genuine and budget-friendly to your fundamental meal.
Food ought to be a precedence – even if you end up simply visiting Milan for in the future. You ought to plan to eat out a minimum of as soon as. If you’re a foodie then we positively recommend leaping on this Food Tour. It is likely one of the greatest we’ve got performed.
11. Leonardo Da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology
Leonardo da Vinci is certainly one of Milan’s most well-known residents. You can hint a few of his genius ideas and early findings on the Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology, together with scale fashions and sketches of submarines and planes. Leonardo da Vinci was actually an icon in the early technological and scientific spheres. This museum is the proper place to really perceive his impression and imprint on the world, with an enormous assortment of reveals and interactive but instructional leisure.
The museum is situated in west Milan, simply reached through public transport from town middle. It is situated subsequent to a small cluster of different museums and galleries, like Rossana Orlandi Master Gallery, so take into account stopping to go to a couple of different close by sights to justify the, albeit brief, journey out.
12. Poldi Pezzoli Museum
The Poldi Pezzoli Museum will probably be up your alley in the event you like artwork in elegant settings. Its grand partitions are adorned with Flemish work and helpful Italian paintings, together with works by Piero Della Francesca and Botticelli. The museum is a chunk of artwork that includes a modern-Gothic-style inside with darkish wooden furnishings, loads of purple carpets, and a photogenically moody aesthetic. Simply put, the Poldi Pezzoli Museum is great artwork in an excellent setting.
The museum’s robust sense of character signifies that even non-art fanatics can respect the aesthetic and expertise. However, artwork fanatics get the strongest advice right here because the Poldi Pezzoli Museum is a little bit of a bucket checklist ticker on the subject of seeing works by completely different well-known artists.
13. Bar Luce
For these aware of the title ‘Wes Anderson’, it’s a must to try Bar Luce. This little café was designed by the esteemed movie director and runs like a time machine, transporting visitors again to the Fifties with décor and menu. It is likely one of the extra uncommon issues to do when visiting Milan and one thing many weekend getaway guests miss. Have a go to, deal with your self to a espresso and cake or two, benefit from the arcade video games, and lap up the aesthetic. This might be the closest any of us will get to being in a Wes Anderson movie, so take advantage of Bar Luce.
The café is subsequent to the Milano Porta Romana station, which is well accessible from town middle. If you might have a automobile, chances are you’ll want to mix it with a go to to the Vaiano Valle, simply south of town.
14. Braidense National Library
For bibliophiles with in the future in Milan, add this to your checklist of prime contenders. Braidense National Library is likely one of the greatest issues to do in Milan for any guide lovers, and the huge constructing is likely one of the largest libraries in Italy. You can enter free of charge and revel in simply strolling via the completely different shows, that are extremely grand, with floor-to-ceiling cabinets and ornate picket designs and options. Between the vintage guide shows and the chandelier lighting, Braidense National Library has created a popularity as one of many grandest Italian libraries.
If it’s raining otherwise you simply wish to do some mild work, examine, or learn when in Milan, Braidense National Library is the place to go. The library’s workspaces and examine areas are open to everybody.
15. Pinacoteca di Brera
Pinacoteca di Brera is a grand palazzo utilized by Napoleon in its heyday. The constructing is gorgeous, with columned walkways and an expansive courtyard space. But these days, the spotlight is its treasured artwork assortment, which incorporates works by Raphael and Piero della Francesca. You can wander via the grand corridors and exhibition rooms, admiring among the most well-known paintings in Italy. And, reasonably than paying for the expense of a tour information, you’ll be able to go for an audio information for subsequent to nothing. It is an actual win-win.
Pinacoteca di Brera is a superb attraction to your Milan itinerary, particularly if you’re an artwork fanatic.
16. Naviglio Grande
If you might have in the future in Milan, it’s unlikely that you may match this little gem into your itinerary. Naviglio Grande is sort of the one the rest of Milan’s historic canal system. Its title actually interprets as ‘big canal’ and dates again over 850 years; it’s a large deal when understanding Milan’s early historical past and roots. You can stroll the canal banks, having fun with al fresco bars and eating alternatives. And there are at all times small markets operating if you would like a extra genuine and laidback buying expertise than hitting the principle buying middle.
Naviglio Grande is well reached in half-hour from town middle. You can take a bus after which the metro for quarter-hour or drive, which additionally takes half-hour.
17. Bologna
Staying in Milan for various days? Then a day journey is unquestionably in order. Bologna is thought for its tradition and artwork. The metropolis is filled with lovely church buildings, medieval squares, galleries, and scrumptious Italian delicacies. It is residence to the Bolognese sauce – which ought to be sufficient to persuade you to seize a day journey and meal there.
It solely takes an hour and quarter-hour to achieve Bologna from Milan by high-speed prepare, which is definitely extra time efficient than driving, which takes almost 3 hours. Because of the rail connection, Bologna is likely one of the greatest day journeys to take from Milan. You can simply spend an entire day there; simply set off early in the morning and get on the final obtainable prepare at round 11 pm.
18. Verona
Milan is thrilling, however planning day journeys from Milan is much more thrilling. Italy is an attractive nation, filled with unbelievable cities and vacationer sights, so it is smart that you just wish to maximize your time. And what higher approach to take action than by catching the prepare to Verona for the day? Verona is slightly below an hour and quarter-hour away from Milan through high-speed prepare, so that you’ll have a full day of sightseeing in town.
Verona is most famed for Juliet’s Balcony at Casa di Giulietta. The stone balcony on this 14th-century stone home is alleged to have impressed Shakespeare for the long-lasting ‘Romeo, Romeo’ scene. Verona additionally has different inventive sights, like its giant amphitheater.
19. Watch a Game at San Siro Stadium
What would a visit to Milan be with no soccer sport? San Siro Stadium performs residence floor to AC and Inter Milan. If you might be fortunate, you’ll be able to bag tickets to observe a sport. To do that, you’ll clearly must journey in the soccer season, or a minimum of the shoulder season, so you’ll be able to watch a few friendlies. If you aren’t visiting when a sport is on, don’t despair. You can even tour the stadium and study extra concerning the membership’s historical past.
San Siro Stadium is situated simply exterior town middle. It is about half-hour away by public transport or by automobile.
20. Piazza della Scala
Piazza della Scala is a surprising pedestrianized sq. proper exterior of the Teatro Alla Scala, which we’ve already talked about. It is properly mixed with a go to to an opera or ballet efficiency, however equally an attraction in its personal proper. The grand sq. has a dramatic Leonardo da Vinci statue in its middle, with water options and manicured greenery. It is a main spot to seize a espresso, choose a bench, and people-watch. Of course, that is additionally an effective way to keep away from sit-down charges at common cafes and eating places – though you must maintain {that a} secret.
Piazza della Scala is a public area and completely free to take pleasure in and go to. A fountain in the sq. offers free consuming water.
21. Corso Buenos Aires
‘Shop until you drop’ because the saying goes, on the biggest buying road in Milan. Milan takes its vogue severely, so it could not shock you that it’s residence to one of many streets with the very best focus of garments outlets in Europe. There are over 350 shops to window store, attempt on, and buy from alongside Corso Buenos Aires. You’ll want an entire morning to get the very best expertise. There are outlets to swimsuit all budgets, which is the proper contact, making it extra appropriate than Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II for precise buying, not simply admiring the scenic buying middle.
Corso Buenos Aires cuts via central Milan and is tremendous easy to achieve. Just be sure that to deal with your self to a espresso or two.
22. Sforzesco Castle
This huge fortress is a Medieval-Renaissance masterpiece and top-of-the-line sights that you may go to in Milan. Sforzesco Castle has among the most gorgeous structure you’ll be able to see in town, and you’ll stroll via the fortress courtyard and partitions, totally immersing your self in early Milanese historical past. The attraction additionally homes paintings by Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo and affords an on-site historical past museum. Sforzesco Castle packs a punch. It is greatest to dedicate a minimum of half a day to the fort, as there’s simply a lot to do and see when you arrive. You can seize your ticket right here.
23. Arco della Pace
The Arco della Pace is a should when visiting Milan. The triumphal arch was constructed by Luigi Cagnola and formally requested by Napoleon, which provides it some bragging rights. The grand arch has three arches – the biggest in the center – and celebratory figures of horses and riders atop the construction. There are additionally inscriptions and sculptures adorning its partitions.
The Arco della Pace is completely free to admire and has an precise stamp of wow issue. If you want aesthetic landmarks and historical past, the Arco della Pace is the attraction to your Milan itinerary.
24. Duomo di Milano
Duomo di Milan is the sight to see in town and the postcard picture of weekend getaways to Milan. The grand cathedral is a prime sight, even perhaps the primary sight to see in Milan, simply due to how symbolic it has turn out to be of town. If you might have simply in the future in Milan, Milan Cathedral will probably be in your itinerary. Whether you enterprise inside or admire its exterior, visiting this cathedral is likely one of the greatest issues to do in Italy.
It is assumed that the Duomo di Milan dates again to 1386 when preliminary development is believed to have commenced. Since then, it has undergone a number of works to revive and keep the long-lasting constructing. The efforts have evidently been worthwhile, as it’s the third-largest cathedral in the world and the second-largest in Europe. We do extremely suggest you purchase the Fast-Track tickets because the strains may be extraordinarily lengthy to get in.
25. Lake Como
One of probably the most well-known Milan excursions is a day journey to Lake Como. If you might have various days, this is likely one of the greatest day journeys you’ll be able to take, and you’ll respect the romantic mountain surroundings and upscale hospitality. As improbable because the inner-city Milan sights are, a day journey to Lake Como is magical. It is likely one of the most well-known areas in Italy.
The greatest solution to attain Lake Como is by automobile, which takes 2 hours every approach. If you set off early in the morning, you’ll have sufficient time to take pleasure in a full day. But if that seems like an excessive amount of intensive driving and sightseeing, you’ll be able to guide a guided tour with transport right here.
26. Venice
Again, this isn’t an exercise you’ll be able to select in the event you solely spend in the future in Milan. However, in the event you keep for a couple of days or extra, you must go on a day journey to Venice. Everyone loves Venice. The metropolis is fragmented by attractive canals, navigated by privately owned boats or irresistible but over-priced gondola rides. Venice is a particular responsible pleasure, and in the event you’ve not visited it earlier than, Milan is the very best place to go to since it’s related by high-speed prepare. You may be in Venice in simply 2.5 hours by high-speed prepare, which is a dream. Pack a great guide or obtain a Netflix collection; you’ll be properly entertained. And in the event you set off early sufficient in the morning, you’ll be able to simply have a full day in Venice.
27. Triennale di Milano
Triennale di Milano is certainly one of Milan’s largest and most impactful museums. The museum homes reveals on all the pieces design-related, from furnishings to towers – keep in mind we talked about Branca Tower? Some of the items are trendy and summary, and the Triennale di Milano is certainly one of Milan’s most continually evolving artwork museums. If you need cutting-edge artwork, that is the place to go. There’s an excellent combination of everlasting and momentary reveals, too, which helps to maintain all the pieces recent.
Triennale di Milano is only a 25-minute public transport experience from Milan metropolis middle or lower than quarter-hour by automobile. It is subsequent to Chinatown, the place you’ll additionally discover the Monumental Cemetery on the other facet of the neighborhood. These two locations make excellent additions to an itinerary that features Triennale di Milano.
28. Piazza del Duomo
It may appear redundant to say that you must go to Piazza del Duomo after already saying to go to Duomo del Milano. After all, the cathedral takes up a complete finish of Cathedral Square. However, it’s so huge and filled with its personal actions that it’s price mentioning individually. It can be the departure level for a lot of strolling excursions – some free or donation solely. So maintain that in thoughts when visiting Milan.
As for the sq., you’ll be able to admire an unlimited equestrian statue, feed the pigeons, and admire the grand buildings round you. There’s a lot area in Piazza del Duomo, however it does get busy. We’d recommend getting there early in the event you’d like images with no swarm of individuals in the background.
The Ideal 1-Day Milan Itinerary
With simply in the future in Milan, you’ll have to hit the bottom operating. You have sufficient time to see the principle sights. Still, some fast issues are price reviewing earlier than we get began on the last word one-day itinerary.
You ought to take a look at the very best offers for queue leaping in the excessive season; in any other case, you’ll waste hours ready in strains. You ought to take into account the costume code, particularly for spiritual websites. If you solely have a day, the very last thing you need is to get turned away and waste time discovering an outfit change. You might sacrifice some fundamental sights to take pleasure in ‘hidden gems’. More than in the future is required to see the entire metropolis.
All make sense? Then, let’s take a look at the best one-day itinerary for a first-time go to to Milan.
Morning
Grab breakfast at Bar Luce, the café designed by Wes Anderson. Then, head to the Santa Maria delle Grazie to identify Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper portray earlier than visiting the Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology.
Afternoon
After lunch, store on the Corso Buenos Aires or at Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. You can’t go to Milan with out appreciating vogue.
Evening
You can seize aperitivo and dinner at II Bar in Piazza Duomo, which overlooks the Milan Cathedral. Then, head for a night of opera or ballet earlier than having fun with a few of Milan’s nightlife.
Best Attractions in Milan: FAQs
Milan has a popularity for being modern, but additionally fairly nitty gritty, with a darker, large metropolis vibe – very like the stereotype of Paris. It is an interesting metropolis. The character, tradition, and sheer quantity of issues to do set Milan in its personal league. Before you take pleasure in Milan, although, let’s take a look at probably the most generally requested FAQs collectively. These quickfire solutions might present the solutions you want for an final journey expertise to go to Milan.
Is 2 days sufficient for Milan?
You can see elements of Milan in simply two days, however that doesn’t imply you must. You can have a whistle-stop tour of Milan in two days, recognizing the principle sights just like the Duomo di Milano. But with longer, you’ll get a greater perception into Milan and its tradition and a day journey out of town middle.
What is Milan greatest recognized for?
Milan is greatest recognized for vogue, artwork, and its nitty-gritty tradition. It is a well-known metropolis break, and most guests keep for a protracted weekend, benefiting from brief and low-cost European flights.
Is 3 days in Milan an excessive amount of?
Three days in Milan is unquestionably not an excessive amount of. With three days in Milan, you might have barely scratched the floor, possible simply seeing the principle sights and sampling delicacies. If you keep longer in Milan, you’ll be able to unfold your focus to different cities, taking day journeys to locations like Bologna and Venice.
Is it costly to eat in Milan?
Eating may be costly in Milan, particularly in the event you eat out for each meal. This is principally as a result of eating places in touristy areas cost a premium. There’s additionally a sit-down cost, which is utilized per individual at most central eating places. Yes, you learn that proper – consider it as a desk tax and a approach of justifying why you must reserve a helpful desk area when the restaurant has many doable prospects. It is a little bit of an insurance coverage coverage.
Why We Love Milan, Italy
Are you excited to go to Milan? If you aren’t already, you have to be. Milan is an attractive metropolis, brimming with cultural and inventive actions and sights, in addition to many close by areas of pure magnificence. If you desire a getaway, you’ll keep in mind Milan is likely one of the main choices, and we hope you might have a beautiful time. Tick off the classics just like the Duomo di Milano and stretch your self with day journeys, lesser-trodden actions, and excursions.
Looking for extra Milan inspiration? We’ve bought tons to maintain in thoughts. You can learn our information on the greatest luxurious accommodations in Milan since you deserve a little bit of luxurious to slink again to after sightseeing. If these day journeys bought you enthusiastic about cool locations, there’s additionally our information on the greatest hikes in Cinque Terre – one other well-known area in northern Italy.
Remember to tick as many of those sights off your checklist as you’ll be able to. The most vital problem with Milan itineraries is that most individuals solely go to for a brief weekend, which is an absolute travesty contemplating the quantity of issues to do in town. The greatest mantra for Milan is to remain so long as doable and see as a lot as doable. Enjoy.