Italy is one heck of a stylish country, and Milan just might be its most stylish city. It’s an absolute must-visit destination for any budding fashionista, but even if you can’t tell your Dolce from your Gabbana, Milan has plenty of other things to see and do. Here are some of our favourite places to visit in the city.
The Duomo has to be number one on any Milan list. It’s actually the third biggest church in Europe, beaten only by Spain’s Seville Cathedral and a little place in Rome you might have heard of called St Peter’s Basilica. An enduring symbol of Milan, the Duomo is a true Gothic masterpiece. Even if you’re not much of a fan of religious buildings, we strongly recommend spending a couple of hours exploring this magnificent cathedral.
When work began on the Duomo in the late 14th century, nobody could have predicted that it would take a full 500 years to build — even by a builder’s standards, that’s a bit late. It was worth the wait, though. Admire the ornate stonework on the façade, and take your time to look at the 3,500 statues inside. The cathedral also boasts 135 spires. Today, there are lifts that will take you up for a closer look at them in comfort, but you can always climb the 256 stairs if you fancy a workout.
While you’re in the neighbourhood, take your time to explore the Milano Duomo square that surrounds the area. The Piazza del Duomo is one of the coolest places of interest in Milan, with street performers, amazing architecture and lots of places to dine. The eateries here come with hefty price tags, though. As far as we’re concerned, there are much better places to eat out in Milan, like…
The Navigli District
Here’s a free Italian lesson for you: navigli means canals. The city used to be built on dozens of canals, a little like Venice. Today, most of the waterways have vanished, but a few still remain — and the last two canals in the city can be found in the Navigli District, one of the best places to visit in Milan. Stroll along the banks of the canals and cross the historic bridges. It’s almost like being in Venice, but you won’t need to elbow coach loads of tourists out of the way.
This is our choice if you want things to see and do in Milan after dark, as it has some of the best nightlife in the city. It’s also our choice for some of the most impressive restaurants in Milan. Make like a local and order the Milanese specialities — and sorry, that means no pizza! This is rice country, so risotto is always on the menu. Osso buco is another tasty local treat, a rich, meaty dish of veal shanks that’s perfect for the Milanese winter. Eat it with a bowl of polenta for the ultimate northern Italian comfort food. Who needs pasta?
The Bosco Vertical Forest
Italy is a country steeped in history, so most of the best places to visit in Milan date back hundreds of years. Well, not this one. In fact, the Bosco Verticale was only completed in 2014, making it a rare example of a 21st-century Italian building that holds its own in a sea of ancient monuments.
The name Bosco Verticale means vertical forest, and that’s exactly what this is. It’s an impressive pair of towers covered in thousands of trees and shrubs, showing how humans and nature can coexist. The nearby Biblioteca degli Alberi, or Library of Trees, continues the theme. Take a stroll through this city park, which boasts a striking, geometric layout, and admire the hundreds of varieties of trees on display.
The Bosco Verticale is one sight to admire from the outside because you can’t go in. Amazingly, these buildings are residential homes. If you want to move in and enjoy the coolest address in Milan, a Bosco Verticale penthouse apartment will set you back around €16 million. One to save up for, then…
La Scala Theatre
For more than 200 years, the Teatro della Scala has been known as the home of opera. It’s still in use today, and if you fancy a night at the opera, there’s no better place to go. This is truly one of Europe’s finest theatres. Its sumptuous red velvet and gold interior will make you feel like royalty, even if you’re heading for the cheap seats.
Now, we know that opera isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but La Scala is still very much an opera house. If you’d rather see pop, rock or death metal, then you might want to skip the evening performance. La Scala is all opera, all the time. There are special family-friendly performances designed to introduce kids to this art form, with children’s tickets available for just €1. Adult tickets start at €5.
If you’d rather poke out your eyeballs than wait for the fat lady to sing, then head for the La Scala Museum. This tells the history of the theatre without making you sit through a show. You’ll still be able to admire that world-famous decor, and you’ll learn about how La Scala became a proud symbol of Italian resistance to the Austrian Empire. It’s honestly fascinating, and it rightly earns La Scala a place on our list of the best places to visit in Milan.
The Brera District
The Brera District is known as Milan’s Artists’ Quarter. In a country like Italy, imagine just how artistic the artists’ quarter must be! In fact, the Brera District is one of the hippest parts of the city, with its charming cobbled streets and gorgeous boutique shops. The contemporary art galleries are a must for art lovers. You could easily spend a day gallery-hopping, taking in the Pinacoteca di Brera, the Galleria Antonio Battaglia and the Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera.
Dedicated shoppers can’t miss the Brera Market, which takes place on the third Sunday of every month. This is a remarkable market. The focus is on antiques, but it’s a vibrant, colourful street fair with buskers, street performers and mysterious fortune tellers. Don’t expect bargain prices —Milan is not known for its cheap shopping, after all— but come anyway, because the atmosphere is unbeatable. It’s one of the quirkiest and most enjoyable Milan things to see and do.
Chinatown
Coming to Italy to visit Chinatown? Yes, it may sound a little backwards, but thanks to the garment industry workers, Milan has one of the most vibrant Chinatowns in Europe. If you’re —whisper it— starting to get sick of Italian food, come to Via Paolo Sarpi, the pedestrianised street that’s the heart of Chinatown. It’s lined with traditional tea houses, dim sum restaurants and funky, modern eateries serving fusion cuisine.
A major highlight of Milan’s Chinatown is the Fabbrica del Vapore, a cultural centre with a rolling rotation of contemporary art exhibitions. This is something of a hidden gem, but we reckon it’s one of the best places to visit in Milan. The exhibitions here focus on different cultures, and there is often an emphasis on things originating in China and other parts of Asia. In fact, when statues from the Terracotta Army came to Milan, this was chosen to house them.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Start saving now because Italy’s oldest shopping centre is not a place for bargain hunters. You’ll need to raid your piggy bank if you want to actually buy something — but even if you don’t, this landmark shopping centre definitely earns a spot on the Milan top attractions list.
Built in 1961, the Galleria was an instant hit in this fashion-mad city. The window displays in its haute couture shops will take your breath away. Not a fan of fashion? Just admire the incredible glass-domed roof and chic architecture. If only all shopping centres were built like this — it would certainly make a trip to the shops a bit less of a chore.
Inside, you’ll find many of Milan’s oldest shops and restaurants. Marchesi 1824 is a 200-year-old pastry shop selling exquisite sweet and savoury treats. You’ll need to reserve in advance if you want a seat by the window, where you can people-watch to your heart’s content. The Biffi Caffè, founded in 1867 by the royal pastry chef, offers the finest local cuisine. If you want to pick up some headwear, the legendary Borsalino hat shop, dating back to 1883, is definitely worth a visit. These stylish old shops and eateries are among the coolest things to see in Milan.
Sforzesco Castle
Castello Sforzesco is one of the best places to visit in Milan for any fan of history. In the 14th century, the powerful Visconti family established this castle, but they didn’t have much time to enjoy it. Francesco Sforza ousted them, took control of Milan, and turned the castle into the masterpiece that we see today. Over the following decades, as Francesco’s descendants consolidated power, the castle grew even grander and more impressive.
Today, the Duchy of Milan may be a distant memory, but the castle is still worth a visit. It houses an impressive 12 museums. You probably won’t have time to visit all of them, but don’t miss the Rondanini Pietà Museum, which contains works by Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo.
Via Monte Napoleone
Via Montenapoleone Milan is a street lined with shops, but as far as we’re concerned, it’s strictly window shopping only. That’s because this is the second most expensive shopping street in the world, beaten only by New York’s Fifth Avenue. It’s the kind of place where even a tote bag requires you to remortgage your house.
This street is home to some of the world’s most recognisable designer brands, including Gucci, Armani, Versace and Prada. However, we’re more interested in the handcrafted shoe stores, where Italian artisans have worked their trade for centuries, painstakingly producing flawless shoes from the finest leather. If you happen to win the lottery and you fancy a pair of made-to-measure boots, this is the place to go. Until then, it’s still one of the best places to visit in Milan, although you’ll probably be limited to strolling along and admiring the luxury from a safe distance.
Cenacolo Vinciano
There are very few paintings in the world that boast an entire museum dedicated to them — but that’s exactly what Cenacolo Vinciano is. This museum is all about Da Vinci’s Last Supper. If you want to see the painting, you’ll need to be very organised. The whole thing is operated with remarkably un-Italian precision. You’ll have to book well in advance, and each group is only allowed in for 15 minutes at a time.
The spectacular mural is housed in the place where it was painted, the Santa Maria delle Grazie church. There are a few other works on display, including Donato Montorfano’s depiction of Christ’s crucifixion. As well as the paintings, the museum holds some exhibitions about Da Vinci’s life and works.
The Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio
While the Duomo is the most important religious building in Milan, this basilica has earned second place. From the outside, the red brick walls of the church may not seem as exciting as the Duomo. But just like your mother used to tell you, it’s what’s on the inside that counts. And what’s on the inside of the Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio is truly astonishing.
Inside, you’ll find an incredible collection of frescoes and mosaics dating back centuries. Best of all is the 12th-century altar made of solid gold — yes, really. Sant’Ambrogio (Saint Ambrose), the patron saint of the city, lies embalmed underneath the altar. Not bad for a final resting place.
Stazione Centrale
Yes, we’re adding the central railway station to our list of the best places to visit in Milan. In fact, this humble train station is one of the most interesting sights in the city for history buffs. It was built during the dark days of the Mussolini regime, and its original architecture reflected fascist principles. In fact, one of the original waiting rooms —now inaccessible to the public— featured a design with swastikas embedded into the floor.
During the Holocaust, unofficial trains transported Jewish resistance fighters to concentration camps from the secret Platform 21. Today, the Memoriale della Shoah, a tribute to those who lost their lives, marks the spot where the platform once stood.
In the 21st century, local politicians have worked to separate the modern station from its fascist past. It has been extensively renovated, transforming it into a far more pleasant place. One of the highlights is the Mercato Centrale. A new market where travellers can enjoy a wide range of local dishes before catching their train.
With its inspiring history, jaw-dropping art and timeless fashion, Milan is one of the hottest destinations in Italy. Our Milan Express trip is a great way to get a feel for the city. In an action-packed four days, you’ll explore Milan as well as the gorgeous Lake Como. Don’t fancy a trip to Milan this time? Take a look at our Italian itineraries and find a group trip that suits you.
