Why go to Milan? The 10 good reasons to go Milan
A glimpse of the mountains
On a clear day, get up high to contemplate the silhouette of the Alps on the horizon.
Aperitivo, a Milanese tradition
From bars to cafés,aperitivo in Milan is a ritual you won't want to miss!
Enjoying risotto
The king of Milanese menus. The saffron giallo is a must!
Riding a 1920s streetcar
Around 125 vintage streetcars still circulate in the city, forming part of the Milanese scenery.
Milan, city of fashion
Haute couture, ready-to-wear or vintage: Milan is a shopping temple!
Eclectic architecture
Liberty, neoclassical or futuristic... Milan's architectural eclecticism is astonishing.
A city of design
Showrooms, boutiques, museums... in Milan, design is around every corner.
Plan a trip to the lake
Romantic, poetic and enchanting, the lakes region lends itself to daily escapades.
Experience opera at La Scala
Renowned the world over, the quality of La Scala's shows is indisputable.
Calcio at the San Siro
Watching a match at the Stadio San Siro is like no other. You'll be thrilled to join the tifosi!
What to visit Milan?
Interview: MY MILAN
With Marie-Isabelle Corradi, author
Milanese by style, but Parisian at heart, and an inveterate traveler, Marie-Isabelle Corradi is a passionate travel reporter. Author of numerous guidebooks, she reveals here the best addresses in Milan, her native city. From the terraces of the Duomo to the backstage area of La Scala, from fashion boutiques to trendy cafés, the capital of fashion and design has no secrets for her.
See the video of the interviewGood to know to visit Milan
Timetable
Museums and national sites are generally open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., but often close a little later in summer and a little earlier in winter. Closing day is Monday or Tuesday.
To be booked
You can't see Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper without booking in advance via the website (cenacolovinciano.org). You'll need to book at least two or three weeks in advance, and even two or three months in advance for Christmas vacations, summer vacations and the first Sunday of the month (when admission is free). Since January 2024, however, to meet tourist demand, the number of tickets has been increased (110 more entries each day). These extra tickets go on sale online every Wednesday at 12 noon, for the following week and for the slots at 15 and 45 of each hour. Think about it if you haven't booked in advance! Finally, if you really can't find a slot available, you can always ask at reception if there are any cancellations that day... and keep your fingers crossed!
You'll also need a reservation to see the Enrico Toti submarine at the Museo della Scienza e della Tecnica (www.museoscienza.org).
Budget & Tips
Budget. For a visit to a municipal museum or site, you'll need to calculate between €5 and €10, a little more for entry to a private museum, especially if it holds a few masterpieces, such as the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana at €15, or the Cenacolo Vinciano, home to Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper , at €15.
Visitors under the age of 18 who are nationals of the European Union are entitled to free admission, while teachers, young people between 18 and 24 and senior citizens over 65 almost always benefit from discounts.
With the exception of the Duomo, all of Milan's churches are free of charge. You will, however, have to pay a few euros for access to the sacristies, chapter houses and crypts containing church treasures. Proper attire is essential (no shorts, bare shoulders or miniskirts).
Good deals. The permanent collections of Mudec, the Casa Museo Boschi di Stefano and the Pirelli HangarBicocca are open all year round.
As in France, every1st Sunday of the month, free admission to all the city's municipal museums (including the Musei del Castello Sforzesco, the Galleria d'Arte Moderna, the Museo Archeologico and the Museo del Risorgimento).
Young visitors. The Museo di Storia Naturale offers plenty to keep young visitors entertained with its animal exhibits, while the Museo della Scienza e della Tecnica lets the more inquisitive discover Leonardo da Vinci's ingenious machinery. Finally, the municipal aquarium will keep them busy on a rainy afternoon.
Guided tours
Several associations offer guided tours of the city in several languages(www.milanoguida.com, www.miguidi.it, www.scopriremilano.it). Special mention must be made of the Milano Free Tour volunteers(www.freetour.com/milan): enthusiastic young guides who accompany you on a tour of the historic center. All free of charge, but a good tip is of course in order.
What's very local
To enter the churches, appropriate attire is required: no shorts or tank tops. A scarf to drape over your shoulders as a shawl before entering may be useful.