12 Best Things To Do in Milan, Travel Guide, visit attractions
12 Best Things To Do in Milan Hotels,
Travel Guide
We are delighted to share with you our exclusive travel guide for Milan, which will enable you to explore all of this beautiful nation’s attractions. If you read our post all the way through, you will know where to eat, what to do in Milan, which hotel to stay at, what tours are worthwhile, how to get here, how much money to save, and what kind of budget you need based on the available travel deals.
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Table of Contents
Our itinerary from Italy written in separate articles from this one:
Turin; Savona-Genoa-Portofino; Milan; Bergamo; Verona; Padua-Bologna-Rimini-San Marino; Florence; Pisa-Livorno; Rome-Vatican; Naples; Bari-Lecce; Sicily; Sardegna.
Discover more of Italy with us!
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We will now treat you to the best travel guide and the 16 must-do activities in Italy. Take advantage of our recommendations for hotels, tours, flights, and activities!
After visiting the city of Bergamo, we left excitedly to the city of Milan and we want to tell you that we were eager to see the Cathedral,but not before making a good plan for our trip.
We had seen pictures and we had to wait long time to get here. We are so happy that we can share with you our Milan travel guide that was perfect for us for a day we spend in this beautiful city.
By the end of this article you will know everything about things to do in Milan, hotels and restaurants, tours and activities. Our Milan travel guide will be your inspiration for your next trip in Milan!
Informations
Milan is a city in northern Italy, capital of Lombardy, and the second-most populous city proper in Italy after Rome. The population within the wider Milan metropolitan area is estimated between 8.2 million and 12.5 million making it by far the largest metropolitan area in Italy and one of the largest in the EU.
Quick Tips
Temperature: Spring is the ideal weather to explore Italy. The crowd pull is highest during summer.
Language: The official language is Italian.
Currency: Euro aprox. 1$=0,82 EUR
Food Prices: Meal in a cheap restaurant=15 EUR, Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant=55 EUR
You can find more information about the visa here.
There are parts of the city that you are permitted to drive into between specific hours if you have already read our trip guide for the cities of Bergamo and Verona. The fines for breaking this rule are rather steep. Therefore, please use caution when in ZTL zones!Google searches on these topics will yield more information about them.
Things to do
Milan Cathedral/Duomo di Milano
The Milan Cathedral, also known as the Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica of the Nativity of Saint Mary, is Milan, Italy’s main cathedral. It is home to the Milanese archbishop, Mario Delpini, and is dedicated to the Nativity of St. Mary. Construction on the cathedral started in 1386 and was not completed for over six decades until 1965. It is the biggest church in Italy (the bigger St. Peter’s Basilica is located in the independent state of Vatican City), the second largest in Europe, and the third largest worldwide.
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Victor – Emanuel – Passage
The Victor-Emanuel-Passage is located to the left of the Cathedral. One of Milan’s most iconic sites is the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the country’s oldest continuously operating retail gallery. It is situated in the town center, close to the Milan Cathedral, and is located inside a four-story double arcade. Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of the Kingdom of Italy, is honored by the name of the Galleria. Architect Giuseppe Mengoni created the design in 1861 and constructed it between 1865 and 1877.
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Teatro alla Scala
One of the greatest and most well-known operas in the world is performed at the Milan Scala, commonly known as the Italian Teatro alla Scala in Milan or Scala. It is situated at the Opera House’s location, Piazza della Scala. The Santa Maria della Scala church, constructed in 1381 and named for the donor Beatrice Regina della Scala, Bernabò Visconti’s wife, is the source of the square’s name. In Milan, La Scala has 2,030 seats for spectators. If you are unsure of what to do during your extended stay in Milan, this is a fantastic destination to check out.
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Royal Palace
The Royal Palace is also located close to the cathedral. Milan’s city palace is called the Royal Palace. The Habsburgs lived here in Lombardy, among other things. Southeast of the cathedral square is where the house is situated. Empress Maria Theresa molded the palace’s current exterior and interior design. Giuseppe Piermarini restored the palace for Ferdinand Karl of Austria-Este in 1778.
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Sforza Castle
Sforza Castle is a medieval stronghold situated in Milan, in the northern region of Italy. On the ruins of a stronghold from the fourteenth century, Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan, constructed it in the fifteenth century. It was one of Europe’s largest citadels in the 16th and 17th centuries, when it was later expanded and restored. Luca Beltrami extensively restored it between 1891 and 1805, and various museums and art collections are now housed there.
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Simplonpark
Our next stop on the itinerary was the Simplonpark, one of the most well-known tourist destinations in Milan and situated behind the Castle. Milan’s 386,000 m² Simplonpark is an urban green area. Northwest of the city center is where it is situated. The Arco della Pace is situated on the northwest side, while Castello Sforzesco forms its northwest boundary. The location of Arena Civica is east of the park. Napoleon Bonaparte opened it.
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Triennale Milano
A truly eye-opening experience is produced by the building’s exquisite architecture and the captivating exhibition. Would suggest, particularly for those with an interest in design and architecture. You may learn a great deal about Italian design and contemporary art at this wonderful museum. Beautiful and fascinating artifacts from Italian design history could be found throughout the permanent show, and there were also fantastic temporary displays. If you want to learn about Italian architecture or just unwind, this is one of the greatest attractions in Milan.
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Arch of Peace
Milan, Italy’s city gate is called Simplon Gate. Both the actual gate and the neighboring neighborhood, known as the quartiere, which is a portion of Zone 1 (the ancient city center) and includes the main thoroughfare Corso Sempione, are referred to by this name. The gate is identified by a famous triumphal arch known as the Arco della Pace (“Arch of Peace”), which dates to the 19th century but whose ancestors were a gate of Milan’s Roman defenses.
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Art Academy Milan
One of Italy’s most significant art museums is the Pinacoteca di Brera in Milan. The baroque “Palazzo di Brera” serves as its base. The display collection includes paintings from early antiquity and Dutch Baroque painting alongside works from the Trecento, various Italian art epochs, and more recent times, with a focus on Renaissance and Baroque paintings from Northern Italy.
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Sant'Ambrogio
The current namesake, church father Ambrosius, began building on the church of Sant’Ambrogio in Milan, northern Italy, in 378. However, the church’s current configuration primarily originates from the Romanesque reconstruction that took place between 1088 and the end of the 12th century.We visited Leonardo da Vinci’s “the last supper” on the route to Santa Maria delle Grazie. There was no need for a ticket.
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Santa Maria delle Grazie
After two stops, we got back on the M3 metro and arrived at the location of Santa Maria delle Grazie church. We had to walk for five minutes to get to the subway station, but you can obtain assistance getting to the chapel. It was fairly simple to locate. One of Milan’s most popular attractions is the Dominican cathedral Santa Maria delle Grazie. Situated on the north wall of the refectory, the church is most well-known for containing Leonardo da Vinci’s secco masterpiece, The Last Supper, which was produced between 1494 and 1498 and is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980.
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Piazza Gae Aulenti
We rode the M3 metro to the Cathedral after seeing all of these sights, and then we rode the M1 to the central rail station. After arriving, we traveled to Piazza Gae Aulenti, which is ten minutes away by rail. We heartily urge you to check out this attraction.
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A few ways from the city center are the Bosco Verticale and Monza Cathedral, which you can visit if you want to spend more time in Milan and want to see more.
Where to stay
Where to eat
Conventional Cuisine and Dining Locations At Taglio, Michetta (“pane e salame”) For those who indulge in the beloved Italian mid-afternoon snack ritual known as merenda, bread and salami are a favorite after-school snack. Latteria San Marco’s Crudaiola all’Arturo: Winter is a great time to enjoy traditional Milanese food, which includes stews and polenta. Refettorio Simplicitas serves minestrone, a vegetable soup created with whatever ingredients are on hand. The main ingredients are celery, carrots, onions, and beans. Nothing more is added to the pot sometimes! Masuelli San Marco Polenta
Gorgonzola & Mascarpone: Apéro is one of the most iconic Italian eating experiences; it’s more of a “how” than a “what.” Steps from the Duomo lies the Luini panzerotto business. The pizza dough is slightly sweet, filled with a few savory or sweet ingredients, folded into a half-circle, and deep-fried.
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Trattoria del Nuovo Macello serves cotoletta alla Milanese, a pan-fried cutlet made with clarified butter whose meat is derived from veal that has been fed milk. Giovanni Traversone’s modern cotoletta at Trattoria del Nuovo Macello is rich, juicy, and pink on the inside, an appropriate representation of Milan’s blend of the old and the new. Ossobuco with Gremolata: The name “Ossobuco” really translates to “bone hole” in Italian (“osso” means “bone”), which conveys the essence of this dish’s star ingredient. Simmered for a long time in a delicious broth made with a variety of vegetables and red wine are cross-cut veal shanks. Ratanà’s Risotto alla Milanese Known for its unique golden color laced with saffron, risotto alla Milanese is unquestionably a must-try dish when visiting
Pasticceria Martesana’s panettone A mainstay of the Christmas table, panettone is a fluffy brioche made with eggs, butter, sugar, raisins, and candied fruits. Demand for it surges over the holidays. Pasticceria Supino’s cannoli is among the greatest because it combines a rich, creamy pasticcera with a buttery, flaky puff pastry. Negroni Sbagliato @ Bar Basso: A conventional negroni is made with equal parts gin, Campari, and red vermouth. More than 40 years ago, bartender Mirko Stocchetto blended a negroni using prosecco instead of gin.
Eateries Traditional Milanese dishes such as codetta alla Milanese, ossobuco, and saffron risotto are served at Trattoria Madonnina. Pacifico-Fish, which plays the first fiddle, is occasionally presented in a very creative fashion, such as having visitors slurp ceviche out of a martini glass in the style of James Bond. Dongiò: The restaurant’s hallmark dish, spaghettoni alla tamarro, is cooked with fresh pasta and tomato sauce, and the n’duja sausage is a spicy spreadable sausage paste produced from pig belly and shoulder. The kitchen specializes in southern home cooking.
Terrazza Triennale: With a stunning perspective of the Parco Sempione, this rooftop is one of the most gorgeous in the entire city. Head chef Stefano Cerveni is preparing spaghetti with mussels and prawns while the waiters are serving fruity beverages. Trippa: Diego Rossi, one of the most well-liked chefs in the area, has made it his mission to honor offal by preparing simple dishes including tripe, kidneys, liver, heart, lung, and sweetbreads.His perfectly cooked risotto is well-known across Milan, and his menu is always changing based on what’s available and what’s in season. Rossi’s trick: Each dish never contains more than four components.
The comprehensive menu at Ristorante Giacomo leans heavily toward seafood, with options like market-fresh fish, paccheri with swordfish and eggplant, and a wide assortment of raw carpaccio and tartare. Il Luogo di Aimo e Nadia serves a variety of delicacies, such as squid from the Adriatic ink sauce, purple shrimp and burrata, risotto with zucchini flowers, and semolina ravioli with codfish. Pick between the Delicata Bianca (fior di latte, poppy seeds, chives) and the Marinara (San Marzano, crushed garlic, basil) for your pizza and prepare to be blown away. Using only the best ingredients, each option is incredibly well-prepared despite being deceptively basic. You can take part in some incredible food tours that will delight fans of Italian cuisine!
Saving Tips
Flea markets: Milan has a number of inexpensive flea markets. Possibly the most well-known flea market, offering reasonably priced furniture, books, leather goods, jewelry, and clothing. Purchase a Blochetto: Single tickets for trams, metros, and buses cost €1.50, but purchasing a ten-pack (blochetto) is a smart option if you intend to utilize Milan’s public transit system frequently. The tickets in the pack are interchangeable on all modes of transportation and are priced at €13.80, which sets it apart from other packages. Eat a lot of stuzzichini because this is the Italian equivalent of a “happy hour” that includes a lot of delicious food. Whenever you order a drink at a pub around six or seven o’clock on most nights, you’ll typically be welcomed with complimentary appetizers (stuzzichini) in
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Invest in a high-quality water bottle to save money and use it instead of drinking straight from the faucet. The water in Milan is excellent and very safe to consume. Free Activities and Attractions in Milan The Via Speronari stands as one of Milan’s oldest streets. a few block away from the Duomo. Leonardo’s Horse is easily accessible from Milan’s city center or Duomo via tram 16; alternatively, it’s a 10-minute stroll from the Lotto Metro stop. Churches: No house of worship is permitted to charge admission under Italian Holy Law. It follows that practically every church in Milan is open for free admission!
Free Museums: Every day, the Casa Museo Boschi di Stefano and Pirelli Hanger are free museums in Milan. First Sunday of every month, free admission to Milan museums:The Civic Museum of Natural History Free admission to the Forzesco Castle Museums, GAM, and Museo del Risorgimento on the first and third Tuesdays of each month (after 2:00 pm) and on the first Sundays.
Parks: Milan is home to some excellent parks that are perfect for a pleasant afternoon. Montanelli, Sempione, and Lambro are the best. Milan’s Civic Aquarium: Free on Tuesdays after 2:00 PM and daily 30 minutes before closing. Purchase a special pass: If you intend to visit several of Milan’s must-see locations and museums, you might want to consider investing in a City Pass. With this card, you can get discounted prices on public transportation as well as free admission to a lot of Milan’s attractions.
Como, Bergamo, Lugano, Bellagio, Cinque Terre, St. Moritz, Varenna, Venice, Interlanken, Genova-Portofino, Verona-Lake Garda, and Stresa-Lake Maggiore are all worth visiting during a day trip from Milan. From Milan, two great day trips are Como and Bergamo. You can visit each one separately or combine them into a single day. One of the greatest places to live in Italy is Bergamo, a stunning town at the foot of the Alps. Because of Lake Como’s breathtaking beauty, celebrities from all over the world have been drawn to it.
Shopping
Along with places like New York, Rome, London, and Paris, Milan is regarded as the global center of fashion. The city is well-known for producing internationally acclaimed fashion designers, including as Domenico Dolce, Giorgio Armani, Gianni Versace, and Miuccia Prada. Fashion enthusiasts will find Milan to be a varied location. Autumn and spring are the finest seasons to shop. In Milan, the summer sales start in July every year. The winter sale happens after the January public holidays. The majority of stores are open full day on Sundays in December as well. The worst time of year to go shopping is in August because most stores are closed, especially those on the outskirts.
The most well-known clothing retailers in Milan are the following if you’d want to go shopping there: Corso di Porta Ticinese: Milan’s most alternative stores are located between the Via Edmondo de Amicis and the Piazza 24 Maggio. The region is home to young designers and vintage clothing businesses such as Custo, Diesel, or Miss Sixty. Corso Buenos Aires and Via Torino are the best locations in Milan to purchase young fashion.
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The longest shopping street in all of Europe is the Corso Buenos Aires, a Milanese high street. Over one kilometer is occupied by 350 stores. This implies that if you plan to go shopping, you should allow enough time. Affordable choices such as Benetton and H&M are available. A portion of Piazza del Duomo, the Via Torino is home to several of the most well-known retailers, including Pull and Bear, Zara, H&M, Pimkie, Calzedonia, and Foot Locker.
The pedestrian area that connects Cathedral Square, Piazza Cordusio, and Castello Sforzesco is called Via Dante. Numerous stores representing well-known fashion labels can be found here. These streets showcase a representation of both Italian chains like Intimissimi and new international fashion labels like H&M. For the occasional minor hunger or thirst, there are bars and gelaterias in between. The Brera Design District The design area of Brera, which is primarily made up of pedestrian zones, is home to lovely jewelry and bijouterie stores, little art galleries, and handcrafted clothing stores.
Vittorio Emanuele II Galleria Some of Milan’s most renowned stores are housed in this glass-covered shopping arcade. Other designer shops include, to mention a few, Versace, Armani, H&M, Louis Vuitton, Diesel, Replay, Zara, and Luisa Spagnoli.
Milan outlet malls offer reasonably priced retail. Milan is the ideal destination if you want to own a designer item without having to pay an excruciating price tag. The most popular outlet is Corso Como Outlet, which is the low-cost equivalent of the renowned concept store of the same name. At the outlets, Helmut Lang and Chloe are displayed in racks. At the conclusion of the season, even the top designers occasionally have unsold pieces, and the malls provide both quality and variety. To acquire designer items such as Miu Miu, Armani, and Dolce & Gabbana, visit Il Salvagente.
Transport
Purchase of tickets for travel within and around Milan 2€ pass.good for 90 minutes Daily pass.Ticket valid for 24 hours, 7€ for 3 days.10 tickets on a 12€ Carte.18€ These tickets (Mi1–Mi3 fare zones) are accepted on S lines (suburban railroads), buses, trams, trolleybuses, and metro lines.Additionally, you can go to Assago Forum on line M2 and Rho Fiera on line M1 (as an alternative, think about the S lines). Where to purchase tickets All metro stations have automated ticket vending machines, and authorized resellers can also purchase tickets.Via the official ATM app, tickets can also be purchased.
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Simply use your contactless card to pay for the metro at the ticket gate (look for the orange one).At the beginning of your voyage, touch in, and at the conclusion, touch out.The appropriate fare for your trip will be determined automatically by the system (the daily fare is applied after 4 trips).See this page for additional details. The airport arrival hall doors are connected to the city center (via Gonzaga, behind piazza del Duomo) by bus line 73. Verify the hours of departure from Duomo and Linate. Purchase a ticket at the ticket machines located in front of the terminal exit, or pay contactless straight on board. To board, all you need is a Mi1-Mi3 ticket (a regular 2€ ticket, daily pass, carnet, etc.).
Getting here
Presently, Milan’s airports handle over 36 million arrivals and departures from the city of Lombardy, which is quite close to the Italian lakes and other noteworthy cities and villages.Milan has three airports and a large tourist population because of this. Milan is home to three airports that handle both domestic and international travel.Finding nonstop flights to Milan from the United States is a challenge. Still, a lot of international airports, including Chicago (ORD), Los Angeles (LAX), Boston (BOS), Houston (IAH), and Dallas (DFW), have a lot of one-stop flights. They don’t always cost a lot of money.
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Milan has three airports despite being a very small city. With a mere 8 kilometers, Milan Linate is the closest airport to the city core. Short-haul flights from Italy to Europe are expected to operate out of this rather small airport. Milan The largest airport in Milan is Malpensa, which is located 50 kilometers from the city center. There are three ways to get from Malpensa Airport to the city center. Trains and buses leaving from Terminals 1 and 2. The town of Bergamo, which is regarded as a Milan county, is home to Milan’s third airport rather than Milan itself. Additionally, there are fifty kilometers separating Milan and the airport.
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