The world capital of fashion and design, Milan boasts a remarkable heritage to discover, including the Gothic cathedral of the Duomo of Milan, in the heart of the city, and the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, home to Leonardo da Vinci's famous fresco of The Last Supper. Discover the city's many surprises, andimmerse yourself in the refinement and art of living typical of Milan. Harmoniously blending its cultural heritage with its modernity, Milan appeals to lovers of art, culture and architecture, as well as shopping and design enthusiasts. So, what to do and see in Milan? Let's discover our selection of 16 must-sees.
1. Milan's Duomo
If Milan is one of the world's most beautiful cities to visit, and one of Italy's must-see places, it's not for nothing. With a surface area of 12,000 m², a height of 108.5 m and 3,400 statues, Milan's Duomo is one of the largest churches in Europe, just behind St. Peter's Basilica in Rome and Seville Cathedral in Spain. This marble mountain adorned with hundreds of statues is the symbol of Milan, and its crenellated silhouette has become a veritable trademark. If you arrive at the square via the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, take time to admire the luminosity of the white marble façade, which is sure to surprise you.
We recommend that you buy a combined ticket (book in advance here) to visit the interior and go up to the roof terraces, from where you'll have a breathtaking view of the city and the peaks of the Alps on the horizon.
2. What to do in Milan Visit the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
This is the most famous shopping arcade in the city . Take time to admire its dome (47 m high), one of the first glass and iron constructions in Europe, and the facades of the buildings at the intersection of the two transverse alleys, decorated with allegories of the cities that were once the capitals of Italy: Milan, Florence, Rome and Turin. Today, the Galleria Victor-Emmanuel II is the main thoroughfare between Piazza del Duomo and Piazza della Scala, lined by a string of cafés and luxury boutiques. You'll notice the bull mosaic in the center : it's good luck to step on it... To find out more, read our dedicated article "10 lucky traditions from around the world".
3. See the Last Supper painting in the Santa Maria delle Grazie church
The Unesco-listed basilica of Santa Maria delle Grazie was commissioned by Ludovico the More, who intended the church to become the Sforza mausoleum. The artist designed the impressive tribune, sacristy, rectangular choir and small cloister. Leonardo da Vinci was also entrusted with the decoration of a small wall in the refectory, which today makes the Basilica of Santa Maria delle Grazie so popular. It was here, in fact, that Leonardo da Vinci painted the Last Supper in 1498, the most famous fresco in the history of art (9 m x 5 m), depicting Jesus announcing to the apostles the betrayal of one of them.
Book your guidehere , who will take you to the old refectory of this ancient monastery, where you can admire the Last Supper and discover the incredible story behind it.
4. What to do in Milan Visit the Sforza Castle
Built by Galeazzo II Visconti in 1358, the Sforza Castle was successively the residence of the lords of Milan, a military barracks and a hospital. Today, the Castello houses a different museum in each of its wings, each with several masterpieces to see according to your interests. Plan a full day's visit if you want to see everything, as it's just as much fun to stroll through the gardens, admire the turrets, walls and moats as it is to visit the museums inside that interest you .
Discover the Sforza castle by booking your reserved admission ticketshere , including an audioguide that will take you through the museum and its art collection at your own pace.
5. La Scala Theatre Museum, Milan
During your stay in Milan, don't forget to visit this legendary theater, home to some of the greatest names in opera history and one of the world's top opera stages. We particularly recommend the Museo teatrale alla Scala (Milan Scala Theatre Museum), located on the second floor, which tells the story of theater and opera. You'll see antique musical instruments, costumes and scenes that contributed to the glory of famous opera artists such as Maria Callas, Pavarotti and Carrera... The other great thing about this museum is thatit gives you access to a box from which you can contemplate the auditorium and discover its magnificent architecture without having to buy a ticket.
Click here to book your guided tour of La Scala museum and theater.
6. What to do in Milan The Fashion Quadrangle
Did you know that from the 16th to the mid-20th century, Como was one of Europe's most important centers for the production of precious silks? Milan, considered a shopper's paradise, is one of Europe's top 10 shopping destinations! Enjoy the sunshine and the dolce vita as you store in the many boutiques and shopping arcades. Head for the Fashion Quadrilateral, the heart of Italian haute couture, where Versace, Gucci, Valentino, Prada and others have all set up their headquarters between via Montenapoleone, via Sant'Andrea, via della Spiga and via Manzoni. If you prefer vintage, the Navigli area is ideal, before ending your shopping day with a spritz!
7. Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology
Housed in a former 16th-century monastery, this museum dedicated to Leonardo da Vin ci exhibits 30 models recreating some of the inventor's most daring inventions, based on original drawings: you'll see machines for war and flight, measuring and construction instruments, boats, bridges, churches, even a fan and an ideal city. The rest of the exhibition is in the same vein, with a collection devoted to rail and air transport, including 4,000 historic ships. Take advantage of our partner's special rates by booking your ticket to the Leonardo da Vinci Science Museum here .
8. What to do in Milan The Pinacoteca di Brera
During your stay in Mila, don't miss the Pinacoteca di Brera, one of Italy's most important art galleries. It was created by Napoleon to display works looted from churches and monasteries. Today, it housesover 400 works by Lombard and Italian artists from the 14th to the 20th centuries. Masterpieces on display include Piero della Francesca's Montefeltro Altarpiece, Raphael's The Marriage of the Virgin and Caravaggio'sThe Meal at Emmaus, which is bathed in a perfect rendering of light and shadow.
Visit the Pinacoteca, Milan's leading art gallery, and admire some of the most famous works by renowned artists before taking a guided walk through the lively Brera district by booking right here!
9. Stroll through Milan's historic center
Start by visiting Milan's Central Station, one ofEurope's most beautiful railway stations and a remarkable example of Italian Rationalism (1920-1930). Continue to Piazza del Duomo and stroll through the Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery. Take the time to linger for a moment in Piazza della Scala, where the statue of Leonardo da Vinci overlooks the Teatro alla Scala, Verdi's kingdom. In the same square, you can admire the façade of the Palazzo Marino, one of Milan's most majestic palaces, before visiting the Sforza castle and the Sempione park, and ending your visit inthe Brera district, where you can breathe in the air of yesteryear among the antique shops and tarot card readers.
10. What to do in Milan Stroll along Milan's Navigli
These poetic canals offer an unusual landscape and are one of the must-see places to breathe in the atmosphere of old Milan. This is the only place where you can still catch a glimpse of the network of canals laid out in part by Leonardo da Vinci. It was via the Navigli that the marble slabs needed to build the Duomo were transported from the Candoglia cellars on Lake Maggiore to the historic center. The old washerwomen's arbour can still be seen, as can the characteristic "di ringhiera" houses (with balustrades), now home to artists' studios.
11. Basilica Sant'Ambrogio (Saint Ambrose Basilica)
A testament to 16 centuries of history and considered one of the most famous examples of Lombard Romanesque art, Sant'Ambrogio is Milan's principal basilica dedicated to the city's patron saint. Take time outside to admire its magnificent open atrium with finely carved capitals and its two original towers. Inside, you'll find a unique 12th-century ambo (pulpit for reading sacred texts), decorated with two rare gilded copper sculptures.
In the church square stands a strange white marble column pierced with two small holes, known as the "devil's column". The story goes that the devil, in despair at having failed to lure Saint Ambrose into sin, blew his horn into the column...
12. What to do in Milan San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore church
Sober on the outside, but what splendor when you step inside!San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore is an astonishing church in the heart of Milan, not to be missed during your stay. Composed of a single nave divided into two sections, one reserved for the faithful and the other for the sisters of the once-annexed female convent. The church is divided into two sections, one reserved for the faithful and the other for the nuns of the former convent. The church's decoration was entrusted to Bernardino Luini, and the result is impressive. Every inch of its walls is decorated with brightly colored frescoes.
13. Visit the art museum of Milan's Royal Palace
Milan's Palazzo Reale was the residence of the various families who ruled the city of Milan (the Torriani, the Visconti, the Sforza). The Palazzo Reale is now a busy center for temporary exhibitions. Sadly, the splendor of the interior rooms was lost in the bombings of 1943, but the splendor of the salons can still be glimpsed. Its exhibitions are both classic and avant-garde (such as those devoted to Goya and El Greco, or the one on Giuseppe de Nittis, a 19th-century Italian painter), and attract ever-growing numbers of visitors.
14. Stroll through Milan's cemetery
Built in 1866, the Milan Cemetery housesthe sculpted tombs of many of Milan's bourgeois families, as well as celebrities and Italian artists such as the writer Alessandro Manzoni, of all faiths. The result is an impressive array of chapels, crypts, statues and works by renowned artists such as Giacomo Manzù and Francesco Messina. Take your time to wander through this open-air museum, where every tomb is a work of art. One tomb, for example, is a reproduction of the Leaning Tower of Pisa...
15. What to do in Milan Taste the culinary specialties
Milan is one of the 5 most gourmet cities in Italy, and with good reason! One of the must-try dishes in Milan is osso buco with saffron risotto alla Milanese. The dish consists of a veal shank with its bone filled with marrow. It is prepared with wine, olive oil, saffron, various seasonings and served with risotto alla Milanese, tomatoes and other vegetables. A word of advice: don't hesitate to accompany it with a Piedmont red wine, the nebbiolo variety. Finally, for a touch of sweetness, don't hesitate to take a break in Milan with a coffee and a slice of Panettone.
Discover our dedicated article "What to eat in Italy? 20 culinary specialities to discover".
16. An excursion to Lake Como
It's a must-do in Italy : a stay in Milan is an opportunity to take an excursion to the famous Lake Como. Tradition has it that visitors descending on the shores of Lake Como for the first time cannot help butbe seized by the same sense of wonder that Stendhal experienced as a young officer. Lake Como is indeed a little corner of paradise, and the views are breathtaking! The wooded mountains surrounding the lake drop steeply into the water, so the roads and small towns cling to the shores, sometimes acrobatically.
Book here your guided daytrip by bus from Milan to discover the breathtaking beauty of Lake Como and visit Villa Olmo. A boat cruise on Lake Como is included.
To reach Como San Giovanni station (to the north), simply take the Milan-Como-Chiasso line from Milan Central Station. There's a train every 30 minutes to all stations between Como and Milan, and you'll need to get off at the Como Lago station (facing the lake), which is closest to the city center.
Where to stay in Milan
Milan offers a variety of accommodation options to suit different budgets and preferences. Milan's city center (Centro Storico) is ideal if you want to be right in the heart of the action, close to major tourist attractions such as the Duomo, La Scala, and the shopping districts. The Brera district is renowned for its artistic charm, with hotels offering an elegant and intimate atmosphere. Known for its canals, the Navigli districts offer a lively atmosphere with numerous bars, restaurants and nightlife. You can find charming hotels and apartments along the canals.
Here are our 3 favorite accommodations in Milan:
- The cheapest: Piccolo Hotel
Located in the city's trendy new district, the Piccolo Hotel has excellent public transport links, enabling you to reach Milan's historic center in just 10 minutes by bus . Prices are particularly attractive, given the possibility of private parking- a real bargain in this area. Click here to book your stay!
The Hotel Regina, which you can book in just a few clicks here , is ideally located between the Duomo and Sant'Ambrogio Basilica. The welcome is charming and the service impeccable. The hotel is increasingly environmentally friendly, and offers free bicycles for sightseeing.
- The chicest: Bulgari Hotel Milano
Set in an 18th-century palace surrounded by magnificent gardens, the Bulgari Hotel Milano is an upscale 5-star hotel just a 6-minute walk from the La Scala theater and 1.1 km from Milan Cathedral. Elegant rooms offer garden or courtyard views, complimentary breakfast and an indoor swimming pool. Click here for for rates and availability!
What to do in Milan in 2 days
Looking fora cultural, gastronomic and shopping getaway? Attractive airfares amplify the reasons to visit Milan, making it an ideal destination for a weekend with friends. Here's a suggested itinerary for exploring Milan in two days:
Day 1:
- Duomo di Milano: Start your day by visiting Milan's magnificent cathedral, one of the city's most iconic monuments. Be sure to climb to the roof for a panoramic view of the city.
- Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II: A few steps from the Duomo, explore this historic shopping mall known for its luxury boutiques, cafés and spectacular architecture.
- La Scala: Head to Milan's famous opera house, La Scala, for a guided tour of this prestigious venue.
- Brera: After lunch, stroll through the Brera district, known for its picturesque streets, art stores and galleries.
- Sforza Castle: Visit this medieval castle, which houses several museums, including Michelangelo's famous Pietà Rondanini.
- Parco Sempione: End your day with a stroll through this park, located right next to the Sforza castle. It's an ideal place to relax and enjoy nature right in the heart of the city.
Day 2:
- Navigli: Start your day exploring the charming Navigli districts, known for their picturesque canals, vintage boutiques, cafés and antique markets.
- Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie: Visit this church to admire Leonardo da Vinci's famous fresco, The Last Supper.
- Milan's business district: Explore Milan's modern district, home to impressive skyscrapers such as the Unicredit Tower and the Pirelli Tower. You can also shop in the luxury boutiques of Via Montenapoleone.
- Porta Nuova district: close to the business district, discover Porta Nuova, a fast-growing district with green spaces, contemporary art and innovative architecture.
- Porta Ticinese district: Round off your visit with a trip to the lively Porta Ticinese district, known for its eclectic boutiques, trendy bars and young, dynamic atmosphere.
Of course, these are just a few of many suggestions. Milan has a wealth of museums, art galleries, restaurants, boutiques and historic sites to discover. Feel free to adapt this itinerary to suit your personal interests!
What to do in Milan in 3 days?
With an extra day in Milan, you have even more possibilities to explore this fascinating city. Here's how you could extend your itinerary:
Option 1: Explore Milan further
Morning: Visit the Porta Garibaldi district and explore the surrounding area, including the Biblioteca degli Alberi park and the lively streets of Corso Como. Take the opportunity to shop in the area's trendy boutiques.
Afternoon: Explore the historic Porta Ticinese district, known for its picturesque streets, vintage boutiques and lively atmosphere. Be sure to visit the Sant'Eustorgio Basilica and the adjacent museum to discover the history of Milan.
Evening: For your last evening in Milan, opt for a relaxing activity like a sunset cruise on the Navigli canals . It's a pleasant way to discover the city from a new angle.
Option 2: Day trip from Milan
Morning: Leave early for an excursion close to Milan, such as Lake Como or Lake Garda. These picturesque lakes offer superb scenery, charming villages and activities such as hiking, cycling or boating.
Afternoon: Explore the region by visiting local attractions such as the gardens of Villa Melzi in Bellagio (for Lake Como) or the medieval village of Sirmione (for Lake Garda).
Whether you choose to stay in Milan or go on a day trip, your third day will be an excellent opportunity to discover more of this beautiful part of Italy.
What to do in Milan in the evening
In Milan, there are a multitude of options for enjoying your evenings, whether you're looking for a cultural, gastronomic or entertainment experience. Here are a few suggestions:
- Dine in a typical restaurant: Milan is full of restaurants offering authentic Italian cuisine, as well as international dishes. You can opt for a quiet dinner in a chic downtown restaurant, or discover more traditional trattorias to sample regional dishes.
- Stroll through lively neighborhoods: Neighborhoods like Brera and Navigli are particularly lively in the evening. You can stroll the cobbled streets of Brera, visiting art galleries and enjoying the bohemian atmosphere, or explore the lively canals of Navigli, where you'll find numerous bars, restaurants and open-air cafés.
- Take in a show: Milan is famous for its music, dance and theater. You can book tickets for a performance at La Scala, one of the world's most famous opera houses, or explore the city's many theaters for contemporary and classical shows.
- Admire the illuminated city: A night-time stroll through Milan offers a different perspective of the city, with its monuments and historic buildings beautifully illuminated. Don't miss a stop at the Duomo, illuminated under the stars, for a particularly impressive experience.
What can families visit in Milan?
Milan offers many family attractions suitable for all ages. Here are a few suggestions for places to visit with the whole family:
- The Duomo di Milano: Milan's famous cathedral is a must-see. You can climb up to its terrace for a panoramic view of the city, but be sure to check age restrictions and opening times for children.
- Parco Sempione and Castello Sforza: This large urban park is ideal for a family stroll. You can also visit the nearby Castello Sforza, home to several interesting museums, including the Museum of Ancient Art.
- The Museum of Science and Technology: This interactive museum is perfect for curious children. It features exhibits on topics ranging from astronomy to the history of aviation.
- Acquario Civico di Milano: Located in Parco Sempione, this aquarium is home to a variety of fish, reptiles and amphibians. It's a fun excursion for the whole family.
- Natural History Museum: This museum boasts an impressive collection of flora and fauna specimens. Children can explore the various exhibits and learn more about the natural world around them.
- The Navigli canals: A stroll along the Navigli canals can be an enjoyable family activity, especially at weekends when the flea markets are set up.
