Milan is a straightforward promote. The vogue capital of Italy is famed for all issues glitz and glam, and even simply sooner or later in Milan will deal with you to some unimaginable issues to do. The metropolis is about in the Lombardy area of northern Italy, and it’s simply accessible worldwide.
The principal points of interest in Milan embody the fabulous Duomo di Milano, the World of Leonardo da Vinci, and Italy’s oldest shopping center – a fast enjoyable reality for you. You are in for an enormous deal with if you wish to construct a Milan itinerary. Whether you need to snap images of colourful buildings, a day journey to picturesque canals in different cities (we’re you, Venice), or see the portray of the Last Supper up shut, Milan has a lot on supply. The listing of the most effective issues to do in Milan is something however quick.
Best Things to Do in Milan
Planning to go to Milan? Congratulations, town is filled with points of interest, from inside the metropolis heart to its outskirts, neighboring areas, and day journey locations. Milan is basically a big circle of fantastic issues to do. In this information, we’ll decide the most effective of its points of interest and actions to compile a beneficial listing 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 purchasing malls in the world, not to mention simply Milan. The grand purchasing heart has a well-known glass domed roof and dates again to the nineteenth century. If you need an indoor exercise to your Milan itinerary, purchasing at Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is a good choice.
It’s value noting that the purchasing heart is primarily devoted to luxurious clothes manufacturers, so be ready to window store if you’re on a finances. Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is value visiting even simply to take in the structure and admire the structure, too. Don’t fear if you’re on a finances to mid-range spending mission.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is possible if in case you have sooner or later 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 resolve to take a strolling tour that is the the most effective 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 pink plush seats and a standard, multi-level auditorium with rows of particular person seating packing containers. Teatro Alla Scala dates again to the 18th century and is among the prettiest buildings to see in Milan. It predominantly showcases Italian opera exhibits and ballet performances, and you’ll simply keep watch over its schedule to see what’s arising throughout your keep. Think regal and splendid, this theater is sensible.
Watching a present on the theater is definitely considered one of our high suggestions for actions in Milan. A museum and library are additionally on-site, which is a giant win. You can seize your tickets right here earlier than you arrive.
3. Museum of Musical Instruments
The Museum of Musical Instruments is among 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 pleasure 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 a large motion of donations – finally rising the trendy assortment to its present dimension.
You can stroll via a whole bunch of displays, 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 go well with 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 finances vacationers, Sundays are additionally free entry, so preserve that in thoughts.
4. Santa Maria delle Grazie
Santa Maria delle Grazie is a registered UNESCO World Heritage Site and basilica, which additionally homes some of the well-known work in the world – Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper portray. The constructing is iconically comprised of terracotta, with a hanging red-brown-brick exterior. You need to guide tickets to enter, and we’d advise doing in order far in advance as potential, as tickets promote out weeks in advance. It is among the most well-known Leonardo da Vinci work in the world, in spite of everything. While there are not 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 for those who simply have sooner or later in Milan, Santa Maria della Grazie is a should to your Milan itinerary. It is Leonardo da Vinci; it’s essential to simply carve time for it.
5. Branca Tower
We gained’t lie; Branca Tower seems a bit unusual. From some angles, it seems like a pylon. However, Branca Tower is the most effective viewpoint obtainable in Milan. The tower could be scaled with the assistance of an elevator and staircase mixture, taking you to 109 meters above the bottom to get pleasure from 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 among the greatest Milan points of interest for sensible views. Make certain to convey a great digital camera.
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 presents excessive rewards. It can also be only a quick stroll from Duomo di Milano, so combining with the classics is simple.
7. The Vertical Forest
The Vertical Forest (aka Bosco Verticale) has grow to be fairly a pattern on social media platforms. What is it? Two twin high-rise flats sporting thick greenery and miniature timber create the picture of a ‘vertical forest’. It is an uncommon option to develop inner-city greenspace however an attention grabbing and daring effort. Each condominium in the high-rise has its personal balcony and greenery to look after, which equally offers privateness and pure screening for the residents to get pleasure from their personal out of doors house.
You can’t go into the high-rises for obvious causes. However, it’s properly value 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 too can spot funky road artwork.
8. Monumental Cemetery
A cemetery could seem a barely bizarre addition to an inventory of must-see points of interest. However, Milan’s Monumental Cemetery is unquestionably value 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 a captivating 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 for those who journey on a finances.
9. Royal Palace of Milan
The Royal Palace of Milan known as the Palazzo Reale di Milano in Italian and is a grand complicated 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 unbelievable likelihood 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 displays. It is simple to see why we’ve added it to this listing. Palazzo Reale di Milano ticks off a couple of totally different experiences with only one go to.
The palace is in central Milan, a brief distance from the Duomo and principal piazzas. Because of its handy metropolis heart location, Palazzo Reale di Milano is simple to incorporate in your itinerary even if in case you have solely sooner or later in Milan.
10. Dine Out
Needless to say, probably the greatest 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 often 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 counsel grabbing an aperitivo someplace scenic, like II Bar in Piazza Duomo. The views include costlier costs, however II Bar has views of the Duomo di Milano. You can then transfer someplace extra genuine and budget-friendly to your principal meal.
Food ought to be a precedence – even when you find yourself simply visiting Milan for sooner or later. You ought to plan to eat out a minimum of as soon as. If you’re a foodie then we undoubtedly counsel leaping on this Food Tour. It is among the greatest we’ve executed.
11. Leonardo Da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology
Leonardo da Vinci is considered 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 actually perceive his affect and imprint on the world, with a large assortment of displays and interactive but academic leisure.
The museum is positioned in west Milan, simply reached through public transport from town heart. It is positioned subsequent to a small cluster of different museums and galleries, like Rossana Orlandi Master Gallery, so contemplate stopping to go to a couple of different close by points of interest to justify the, albeit quick, journey out.
12. Poldi Pezzoli Museum
The Poldi Pezzoli Museum can be up your alley for those who like artwork in elegant settings. Its grand partitions are adorned with Flemish work and beneficial Italian art work, together with works by Piero Della Francesca and Botticelli. The museum is a bit of artwork that includes a modern-Gothic-style inside with darkish wooden furnishings, loads of pink carpets, and a photogenically moody aesthetic. Simply put, the Poldi Pezzoli Museum is superb artwork in an incredible setting.
The museum’s sturdy sense of character signifies that even non-art lovers can admire the aesthetic and expertise. However, artwork lovers get the strongest advice right here because the Poldi Pezzoli Museum is a little bit of a bucket listing ticker in relation to seeing works by totally different well-known artists.
13. Bar Luce
For these acquainted with the title ‘Wes Anderson’, it’s important to try Bar Luce. This little café was designed by the esteemed movie director and runs like a time machine, transporting company again to the Nineteen Fifties with décor and menu. It is among 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 profit from Bar Luce.
The café is subsequent to the Milano Porta Romana station, which is definitely accessible from town heart. If you will have a automotive, you could want to mix it with a go to to the Vaiano Valle, simply south of town.
14. Braidense National Library
For bibliophiles with sooner or later in Milan, add this to your listing of high contenders. Braidense National Library is among the greatest issues to do in Milan for any guide lovers, and the huge constructing is among the largest libraries in Italy. You can enter totally free and luxuriate in simply strolling via the totally different shows, that are extremely grand, with floor-to-ceiling cabinets and ornate wood designs and options. Between the vintage guide shows and the chandelier lighting, Braidense National Library has created a repute as one of many grandest Italian libraries.
If it’s raining otherwise you simply need to do some gentle work, research, or learn when in Milan, Braidense National Library is the place to go. The library’s workspaces and research 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 art work 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 wonderful attraction to your Milan itinerary, particularly if you’re an artwork fanatic.
16. Naviglio Grande
If you will have sooner or later in Milan, it’s unlikely which you can match this little gem into your itinerary. Naviglio Grande is nearly 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 massive 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 working if you need a extra genuine and laidback purchasing expertise than hitting the primary purchasing heart.
Naviglio Grande is definitely reached in half-hour from town heart. 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 quite a lot of days? Then a day journey is unquestionably in order. Bologna is understood for its tradition and artwork. The metropolis is filled with stunning church buildings, medieval squares, galleries, and scrumptious Italian delicacies. It is dwelling 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 practice, which is definitely extra time efficient than driving, which takes almost 3 hours. Because of the rail connection, Bologna is among the greatest day journeys to take from Milan. You can simply spend a complete day there; simply set off early in the morning and get on the final obtainable practice at round 11 pm.
18. Verona
Milan is thrilling, however planning day journeys from Milan is much more thrilling. Italy is a stupendous nation, stuffed with unimaginable cities and vacationer points of interest, so it is smart that you simply need to maximize your time. And what higher method to take action than by catching the practice to Verona for the day? Verona is just below an hour and quarter-hour away from Milan through high-speed practice, 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 points of interest, like its giant amphitheater.
19. Watch a Game at San Siro Stadium
What would a visit to Milan be and not using a soccer sport? San Siro Stadium performs dwelling 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 have to 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 also can tour the stadium and study extra concerning the membership’s historical past.
San Siro Stadium is positioned simply exterior town heart. It is about half-hour away by public transport or by automotive.
20. Piazza della Scala
Piazza della Scala is a shocking 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 heart, with water options and manicured greenery. It is a first-rate spot to seize a espresso, decide a bench, and people-watch. Of course, that is additionally an effective way to keep away from sit-down charges at in style cafes and eating places – though it is best to preserve {that a} secret.
Piazza della Scala is a public house and completely free to get pleasure from and go to. A fountain in the sq. offers free ingesting water.
21. Corso Buenos Aires
‘Shop until you drop’ because the saying goes, on the biggest purchasing road in Milan. Milan takes its vogue significantly, so it could not shock you that it’s dwelling to one of many streets with the best focus of garments retailers in Europe. There are over 350 shops to window store, attempt on, and buy from alongside Corso Buenos Aires. You’ll want a complete morning to get the most effective expertise. There are retailers to go well with all budgets, which is the proper contact, making it extra appropriate than Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II for precise purchasing, not simply admiring the scenic purchasing heart.
Corso Buenos Aires cuts via central Milan and is tremendous easy to achieve. Just be certain that to deal with your self to a espresso or two.
22. Sforzesco Castle
This large fortress is a Medieval-Renaissance masterpiece and probably the greatest points of interest which you can 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, absolutely immersing your self in early Milanese historical past. The attraction additionally homes art work by Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo and presents an on-site historical past museum. Sforzesco Castle packs a punch. It is greatest to dedicate a minimum of half a day to the fortress, 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 high sight, maybe even the primary sight to see in Milan, simply due to how symbolic it has grow to be of town. If you will have simply sooner or later in Milan, Milan Cathedral can be in your itinerary. Whether you enterprise inside or admire its exterior, visiting this cathedral is among the greatest issues to do in Italy.
It is believed 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 advocate you purchase the Fast-Track tickets because the traces could be extraordinarily lengthy to get in.
25. Lake Como
One of essentially the most well-known Milan excursions is a day journey to Lake Como. If you will have quite a lot of days, this is among the greatest day journeys you’ll be able to take, and you’ll admire the romantic mountain surroundings and upscale hospitality. As unbelievable because the inner-city Milan points of interest are, a day journey to Lake Como is magical. It is among the most well-known areas in Italy.
The greatest option to attain Lake Como is by automotive, which takes 2 hours every method. If you set off early in the morning, you’ll have sufficient time to get pleasure from a full day. But if that appears 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 for those who solely spend sooner or later in Milan. However, for those who keep for a couple of days or extra, it is best to go on a day journey to Venice. Everyone loves Venice. The metropolis is fragmented by beautiful canals, navigated by privately owned boats or irresistible but over-priced gondola rides. Venice is a particular responsible pleasure, and for those who’ve not visited it earlier than, Milan is the most effective place to go to since it’s related by high-speed practice. You could be in Venice in simply 2.5 hours by high-speed practice, which is a dream. Pack a great guide or obtain a Netflix sequence; you’ll be properly entertained. And for those who 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 considered one of Milan’s largest and most impactful museums. The museum homes displays on all the pieces design-related, from furnishings to towers – bear in mind we talked about Branca Tower? Some of the items are trendy and summary, and the Triennale di Milano is considered one of Milan’s most always evolving artwork museums. If you need cutting-edge artwork, that is the place to go. There’s an incredible combination of everlasting and non permanent displays, too, which helps to maintain all the pieces recent.
Triennale di Milano is only a 25-minute public transport experience from Milan metropolis heart or lower than quarter-hour by automotive. 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 might sound redundant to say that it is best to go to Piazza del Duomo after already saying to go to Duomo del Milano. After all, the cathedral takes up a whole finish of Cathedral Square. However, it’s so huge and stuffed with its personal actions that it’s value mentioning individually. It can also be the departure level for a lot of strolling excursions – some free or donation solely. So preserve 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 house in Piazza del Duomo, but it surely does get busy. We’d counsel getting there early for those who’d like images and not using a swarm of individuals in the background.
The Ideal 1-Day Milan Itinerary
With simply sooner or later in Milan, you’ll have to hit the bottom working. You have sufficient time to see the primary points of interest. Still, some fast concerns are value reviewing earlier than we get began on the final word one-day itinerary.
You ought to have a look at the most effective offers for queue leaping in the excessive season; in any other case, you’ll waste hours ready in traces. You ought to contemplate the gown code, particularly for non secular 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 principal points of interest to get pleasure from ‘hidden gems’. More than sooner or later is required to see the entire metropolis.
All make sense? Then, let’s have 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 repute for being modern, but additionally fairly nitty gritty, with a darker, massive metropolis vibe – very like the stereotype of Paris. It is a captivating metropolis. The character, tradition, and sheer quantity of issues to do set Milan in its personal league. Before you get pleasure from Milan, although, let’s have a look at essentially the most generally requested FAQs collectively. These quickfire solutions may present the solutions you want for an final journey expertise to go to Milan.
Is 2 days sufficient for Milan?
You can see components of Milan in simply two days, however that doesn’t imply it is best to. You can have a whistle-stop tour of Milan in two days, recognizing the primary points of interest 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 heart.
What is Milan greatest identified for?
Milan is greatest identified for vogue, artwork, and its nitty-gritty tradition. It is a well-known metropolis break, and most guests keep for a protracted weekend, making the most of quick 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 will have barely scratched the floor, possible simply seeing the primary points of interest 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 could be costly in Milan, particularly for those who eat out for each meal. This is especially as a result of eating places in touristy areas cost a premium. There’s additionally a sit-down cost, which is utilized per particular person at most central eating places. Yes, you learn that proper – consider it as a desk tax and a method of justifying why it is best to reserve a beneficial desk house when the restaurant has many potential 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, try to be. Milan is a stupendous metropolis, brimming with cultural and inventive actions and points of interest, in addition to many close by areas of pure magnificence. If you need a getaway, you’ll bear in mind Milan is among the main choices, and we hope you will 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 obtained heaps to maintain in thoughts. You can learn our information on the greatest luxurious inns in Milan since you deserve a little bit of luxurious to slink again to after sightseeing. If these day journeys obtained 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 points of interest off your listing 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 potential and see as a lot as potential. Enjoy.