20 Best Places to Visit in Milan

If you are wondering what to do in Milan during your visit to the beautiful Italian city you are in the right place! Read the article to discover the most amazing places to visit in Milan.

1 – Discover the Duomo di Milano

The Duomo is the most famous cathedral in the northern Italy and it’s also a symbol of the city. Besides being a place of prayer, the Duomo is an amazing artistic monument in gothic style and the terrace of Duomo has a fantastic view of the city so do not miss to visit it! You can book a ticket for the Duomo in advance to skip the long line. 

2 –  Shopping at Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

The Galleria is also known  as il salotto di Milano (Milan’s drawing room), because of its numerous shops and because it is a meeting and dining place loved by citizens of Milan. Visit the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II to see some of the most elegant clothes shops in Milan.

3 – Visit The Sforza Castle

The Sforza castle, Castello Sforzesco in italian by the name of the family who wanted it, was built in the 15th century by Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan. It was built on the remnants of a 14th-century fortification. It has undergone significant restructuring over the centuries and now it host several  art collections and you can also find interesting temporary art exhibitions. If you want to visit the castle and discover the lives of dukes of Milan who lived here avoiding the queue you can buy a skip the line ticket for the Sforza Castle.

4 – Listen to a symphony concert at Teatro alla Scala

The Teatro alla Scala was founded, by the will of the Empress Maria Theresa of Austria, to replace the Royal Ducal Theatre, which was destroyed by fire on 26 February 1776 and had until then been the home of opera in Milan.

It was designed by the neoclassical architect Giuseppe Piermarini and now is the most important theatre in  Milan. We suggest you to book in advance the ticket to attend a concert or a ballet, It will be a marvelous experience.

Moreover, to discover the secrets of one of the most famous opera houses in the world, you can book a guided tour of La Scala Theatre and its museum.

5 – The Pinacoteca di Brera and its masterpieces

The Pinacoteca di Brera is a museum and it crowded a huge collection of artworks includes several of the greatest masterpieces in the history of art anywhere in the world.

For example the museum houses The death Crist and three mourners by Andrea Mantegna and The kiss by Francesco Hayez. In  the same building that houses the Pinacoteca you will also find a botanical garden and the Brera Astronomical Observatory so don’t miss it!

If you want to skip the line, you can buy the ticket for the Pinacoteca di Brera and receive it on your mobile. 

6 – Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper and Santa Maria delle Grazie

Leonardo da Vinci captured in a wall-painting named Last supper the moment in which Christ announced the betrayal by one of the apostles, an announcement which throws into panic those present.

Located next to the refectory housing the Last Supper you can find the renaissance church of Santa Maria delle Grazie. It was designed by the architect Donato Bramante and commissioned by Ludovico il Moro, duke of Milan.

Get a skip the line ticket or enjoy a guided tour of the Last Supper.

7 – Navigli, the perfect district to try a traditional aperitivo

The Navigli district is the perfect zone to visit during the sunset and enjoy a typical Milanese aperitif so book evening walking tour in the Navigli.

In the Naviglio Grande you can find several good restaurants, the Church of San Cristoforo and the Alley of the Washerwomen, where the women went to wash clothes in the past. Moreover, the last Sunday of every month there’s a nice antique market. 

8 – The Monumental Cemetery, an outdoor museum

The Monumental Cemetery, isn’t  just a simple cemetery, is an extraordinary outdoor museum. Here you can find  the works of great sculptors of the 1900s.

The cemetery is comprised of three distinct zones: the central one hosts the tombs of catholic families and people, that to the right facing the facade, is reserved for Jewish persons, while the left is for non-Catholics.

If you want to find out more about the most interesting tombs book a free tour of the Milan Monumental Cemetery.

9 – Take a relaxing break in Parco Sempione

Parco Sempione is the green heart of Milan. The park is located between Sforza Castle and the Arch of Peace and is the perfect place to go for a walk during the springtime. Inside the park you will find the popular Bar Bianco if you want to stop for a drink.

10 – Admire the historical marble arch Arco della Pace

Arco della Pace (Arch of Peace) is triumphal arch built to celebrate the Napoleon’s victories. It is located between the Arena Civica and the Torre Branca.

The arch is one of the most interesting examples of Neoclassical architecture in Milan. Now it serves as the entrance to Parco Sempione. In the surroundings of Arco della Pace there are many bar and restaurants so it the perfect place to enjoy a traditional italian aperitif.

11 – Explore Museo del Novecento

The Museo del Novecento is a museum related to the art of 20th century and it houses a collection of magnificent historical artworks. it is located in the very centre of the city, just near the Duomo Cathedral and it is one of the museums open on Monday in Milan.

12 – Civic Aquarium of Milan, the perfect place to have fun with children

If you don’t know what to do in Milan with your children, we suggest you to visit the  Civic Aquarium of Milan (Acquario Civico di Milano) the third oldest aquarium in Europe. The aquarium has over 100 different types of underwater life. You will spend an amazing and interesting afternoon if you will decide to visit it!

13 – A breathtaking view over the city from Palazzo Lombardia

Palazzo Lombardia is a single complex of public buildings, including a skyscraper standing at a height of 161.3 meters hosting the new offices of the President and  Regional Government of Lombardy. During specific days the building it’s open to the public and you can ascend to the belvedere on the 39th floor from where you can enjoy a breathtaking view over the city.

14 – If you are passionate about soccer don’t miss San Siro Stadium

San Siro Stadium is home to two of the most storied soccer teams in the history of the sport, F.C. Internazionale Milano and A.C. Milan.

The stadium can host more than 80,000 supporters and the atmosphere during a game is electric so if you like this sport you can buy tickets to see a soccer match. It is possible to visit the San Siro Stadium on a normal day. 

15 – Quadrilatero della moda for a luxury shopping experience

If you are passionate about fashion you cannot miss a visit to Via Montenapoleone fashion district. It is a high-class shopping district in the centre of Milan, and the streets that composed the district are Via Montenapoleone, Via Manzoni, Via della Spiga, and Corso Venezia.

It is characterised by the presence of numerous boutiques which represent most of the world’s major fashion houses. Another good idea if you love shopping is visiting one of the outlets located near Milan by coach.

16 – Visit the romanesque style Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio

One of the most ancient churches in Milan, it was built by St. Ambrose in 379–386, in an area where numerous martyrs of the Roman persecutions had been buried. The first name of the church was in fact Basilica Martyrum. It is located close to Università cattolica del Sacro Cuore, one of the most prestigious university in Milan.

17 – Villa Necchi Campiglio, a quite place in the city centre

Among the most enjoyable thing you can do for free in Milan there is a visit to Villa Necchi Campiglio garden. A hidden green spot within the walls of the residence, the Villa Necchi Campiglio garden is a precious oasis of peace in Milan.

18 – The museum of science and technology Leonardo da Vinci

The Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo da Vinci of Milan is the largest in Italy and is the perfect place to spend a rainy day in the city. This museum houses thousand technical-scientific objects, paper, photos, volumes, magazines related to the history of science, technology and industry, starting from the 19th century to the present, with particular reference to Italy.

19 – Gae Aulenti square, the most modern part of the city

Milan is full of historical buildings but if you want to see the most modern part of the city Piazza Gae Aulenti is the place to go. Here you will find the highest skyscraper in Italy, the Unicredit tower. If you need to have a break, Gae Aulenti square is very close to Corso Como, a well famous street full of bar and restaurants.

20 – The Vertical Forest, an example of sustainable residential building

Vertical Forest is a sustainable residential building. It consist of two residential towers of 110 and 76 m height, realized in the centre of Milan, on the edge of the Isola neighborhood and it  host more than 800 trees. If you are passionate about architecture you cannot miss it!

Have you been to one of those? let us know in the comment section below what are your favorite places in Milan. Enjoy Milan 🙂

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