The 14 things to do in Milan

Visit Milan: What are the best things to do and see in one of the most beautiful cities in Italy?

What to do in Milan, a metropolis located in the region of Lombardy – north of Italy – when you want to discover in depth this world capital of fashion? Known to be an important financial centre and famous for its luxury boutiques, Milan also houses renowned points of interest: the famous Duomo of Milan, a splendid Gothic cathedral, or the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, whose fresco representing La Cène, known all over the world, was painted by Leonardo da Vinci himself.

The city is a high cultural place that, as a European metropolis and the second largest city in Italy, remains open to the world and perfectly anchored in the 21st century!

Are you wondering what to do in Milan during your stay? Here is the answer with our selection of essential activities in the capital of Lombard.

1. Visit the Duomo, the Dôme de Milan

In Italian, this is called " piazza del Duomo ". In fact, it is the historic heart of Milan, and it is one of the most emblematic places: in fact, this is where most of the most famous monuments of the city, such as the Royal Palace , a beautiful building of the 18th century and which now serves as an artistic exhibition centre. The adjacent streets that will lead you to the square are worth a look, especially in the evening, with their majestic lighting and the succulent restaurants and cafés typically Italian.

After admiring the colossal statue of King Victor-Emmanuel, you will be able to explore the dark floor of the square to the Duomo: the Dome of Milan, one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Europe, which will allow you, if you are looking for what to do in Milan, to take advantage of the exceptional panorama to which the curious climbs up on the roof of the cathedral.

2. The gallery Victor-Emmanuel II

Right in front of the cathedral, on the piazza del Duomo, the gallery Victor-Emmanuel II is certainly one of the places not to be missed when looking for what to do in Milan; and for cause! This highly aesthetic and luminous place, with baroque and neo-classical architecture, is indeed nicknamed “the Milan trade fair”, with its demeasured arcades and its dome made of glass and metal.

In fact, the place could be similar to a shopping centre with numerous luxury establishments such as Louis Vuitton or Prada, as well as trendy bars and very high-end restaurants. Needless to say, again, that if you want to make some purchases, you should have properly supplied your bank account! But the place, by itself, is worth a look and a visit from Milan to the piazza del Duomo cannot be complete without a passage through this extraordinary architectural work.

3. The Supper in the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie

Close to the Dôme de Milan, the church Santa Maria delle Grazie is famous all over the world to welcome one of the most fantastic works of art of the planet: the famous Cena of Leonardo da Vinci, representing the last meal that Jesus Christ took with the twelve apostles on the evening of Holy Thursday.

Subject to book your ticket a few months before visiting Milan, you will be able to admire this sublime fresco, listed as the church, on the UNESCO World Heritage List! We recommend that you do not make the impasse on this must-see cultural trip when you visit the city, because it is probably one of the most enriching activities to discover once on site.

4. The Sforza Castle

The castle of Milan, Castello Sforzesco , is close to the center of Milan and unlike many castles you do not have to climb a hill to get there.

Inside the castle are several museums, and even if you don’t want to visit a museum, the castle is a good place to walk and the courtyard serves as a local park. You can see artifacts of the castle and architectural details. The Art Museum is home to the latest sculpture by Michelangelo, the Pietà Rondanini. The castle also includes the Museum of Ancient Art, a collection of musical instruments, and the Egyptian and prehistoric sections of the Museum of Archaeology.

5. La Scala de Milan

Starting from the piazza del Duomo and along the axis of the gallery of King Victor Emmanuel II, you will only have a few minutes’ walk to the piazza della Scala, which, as you imagine, owes its name to... La Scala , in other words the building hosting the opera of Milan.

In fact, it is one of the three most prestigious opera houses in the country, with The Fenice de Venice and San Carlo Theatre Naples ! It is possible to admire the greatest theatrical works of the Italian opera, some of which were created within this historic cultural space that one must discover when one comes to visit Milan.

If the exterior of the building appears to be an austere strand, the interior is quite sumptuous and, on its own, is to stay in the city. On the left of the building, you can access the museum museum adjoining the Scala of Milan, including a collection of secular musical instruments, opera costumes and many other treasures of the Italian heritage.

6. The Quadrilatère de la Mode

The Quadrilatère de la Mode ? But what is it? In fact, these are the four streets where, within the city of Milan - one of the world’s fashion capitals - the shops of the most famous fashion houses: Via Montenapoleone, Via della Spiga, Via Sant’Andrea and Via Manzoni are indeed known to host great names of sewing, luxury jewellery or designers like Louis Lauren Vuitton, Versaceo Herm

If you have not, when you come to visit Milan, not the budget to go shopping, you can nevertheless enjoy a visit to this legendary place and make lick-offer by tasting an ice cream... other speciality of the city! The Quadrilatère de la Mode is indeed a mythical place and really is worth a look when you’re looking for doesn’t know what to do in Milan.

7. The Musée des sciences et des techniques Léonard de Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci is definitely very present in the city, and it will not escape the tourists who came to visit Milan! Moreover, a museum is dedicated to him, the Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnica « Leonardo da Vinci » , installed in a monastery built in the 16th century, and exhibiting about thirty models presenting all the ingenuity of the great Italian master, impressive military machines with measuring instruments.

You can also enjoy this gigantic museum by discovering many other collections, not necessarily related to Leonardo da Vinci: Pilgrim, here are the levels attributed to the aeronautical sciences, naval, railway or automotive engineering, as well as to the telecommunications sciences... and many other scientific and technical fields.

Given the large size of the museum, we recommend that you plan a half day to survey it in its entirety when you ask yourself to do in Milan!

8. Offering a cultural stop at the Brera pinnacle

The pinacothèque -name for a museum exhibiting mainly pictorial works- Brera , located in the same name district, offers the visitor the opportunity to admire one of the most important art collections in Italy. It is located in the Palazzo of Brera, a baroque palace built on an ancient monastery. It was the monks who made it a cultural hub including a school, a library and even an astronomical observation centre!

Today, the collections to be discovered include mainly paintings typical of the various Italian schools: Lombardy, Venetian, Ferrarara, Bolonese...

These works, exhibited in more than forty different halls, are classified in chronological order and according to the schools they come from. You can have the chance to observe the majestic style of Rubens, Raphael, Federico Barocci , Giovanni Bellini, Amedeo Modigliani, Umberto Boccioni.. do not miss "The marriage of the Virgin", Raphaël, or "the Supper at Emmaus" of the Caravaggio when you come to visit Milan and you will pass through the pinacoteca of Brera!

9. The alleys centro storico Milan

From the Duomo doors to the Castillo Sforzesco... The whole area is the place where the shops in Milan have settled gradually. Always in agreement with this refined elegance, but tempered by the historical grandeur, the Centro Storico reveals the past of the city through its buildings, paved streets and charming statues and fountains.

Enjoy it to explore the historic centre at random, strolling through the alleys. Take one espresso , eat a good ice (and try them panzerotti at Luini, via Santa Radegonda), or take a cooking class in the city to bring back a little bit of Italy to your home.

10. The Navigli de Milan

A network of canals, partly designed by Leonardo da Vinci, once stretched from all over Milan, but nowadays the Naviglis are limited to two long channels: Naviglio Grande and Naviglio Pavese, in the south of the city. Charming alternative to the centre obsessed with fashion, the canals have a more bohemian style and are lined with cafés, vintage shops and ephemeral gallery. A popular embracing is held on the Naviglio Grande on the last Sunday of each month. Of course, we are far from the canals of Venice or Amsterdam but these two deserve a little walk.

11. A football match in San Siro

If you’re lucky enough to be in town when AC Milan plays at home, make sure you get tickets! The atmosphere in the stadium is amazing, and you’ll have the opportunity to see one of Europe’s most famous and legendary teams play, nothing but that. If the Milan AC plays outside, you can go to the Inter Milan, which is also a great team.

Ask your hotel for more details to buy places and info to get into the stadium. Note that you can also visit San Siro stadium Daytime.

12. Basilica Sant’Ambrogio (Basilique Saint-Ambroise)

Basilica Sant’Ambrogio , one of the oldest churches in Milan, is a church of the 11th century, built on the site of a church of the fourth century. Sant’Ambrogio is the patron saint of Milan and you can see it in a crypt with two martyrs of the third century.

The church is an excellent example of Romanesque architecture and the interior is filled with many interesting vestiges, sculptures and mosaics. Don’t miss the golden altar. There is also a small museum associated with the church.

13. Lake Como

Milan is a large city located in a privileged natural setting: for example, it will be possible, when you come to visit Milan, from rent a car to go to the beautiful city of Bergamo. This fortified city is of reasonable size and is visited in one day: it is one of the most beautiful medieval cities in Italy!

If it’s hot and you’d like to refresh yourself, the sea being quite far away from the city of Milan, you can nevertheless go to the city by car at one hour. Lake Como , Lake Garda or L ac Major , to make a fantastic trip, with family or friends. Even if you come to visit Milan during a short stay, this getaway may be the opportunity to relax and enjoy a pleasant moment in the heart of the Lombard countryside. Come on, we recommend it warmly!

14. Other things to do in Milan and its surroundings

• Turn around 10 Corso Como
• Visit Villa Necchi Campiglio
• Take the old tram of the city
• The city of Lodi
• The city of Monza
• The Abbey of Chiaravalle

How to get to Milan?

The city of Milan has an airport, Milan Malpensa International Airport, which is located 45 km north of Milan, in the province of Varese and which provides the metropolis with regular links to the world. After landing, no problem: shuttles allow you to reach the centre of Milan in less than an hour.

If you come from a distance, the air network remains the best solution to get to the place; moreover, the flight comparison Ulysses will allow you to get there by finding a flight at the best price.

If you come from France and want to visit the city of Milan, it is possible to move to the city by taking one bus or even one car using the motorway network, rather well designed in northern Italy; For example, the city is located less than 500 kilometers from the Lyon or Mareillaise agglomeration. If you choose the second option, use it to make carpool to reduce costs!

You can also use the train joining the Milan-Centrale train station on the Duca d’Aosta square: it is the second station in Italy! Public transport is particularly well located in this metropolis and that is why we advise you to go from your vehicle, in order to avoid the endless searches of a parking space out of price...

Where to stay in Milan?

This will not surprise anyone: when looking for what to do in Milan, we must necessarily think about the housing issue. In fact, you will find on site several types of accommodation to choose according to your wishes, and your budget. Milan, very touristic, being a metropolis with several hundred hotels, it is obviously the simplest and flexible solution for the occasional traveler who is looking to visit Milan; to do so, you will find your ideal hotel by consulting the offers on this Compare hotels . The most accessible hotels are located around the Central Station.

In addition, in this great city with a splendid historical heart, and cut into urban areas with historic buildings as well as modern buildings, it is also interesting to consult the offers of apartments for rent on Airbnb , for example, or on other rental platforms! These offers adapt to your budget and will allow you to choose between a loft with a terrace or a small, more affordable studio, to allow you to feel at home.

Now you know how to explore Milan safely and enjoy the best activities offered in this world fashion capital. But you'll have to choose the ones that will convince you!