Milan is the fashion capital of Italy. It is home to many of Italy’s top fashion brands making it a popular shopping destination. You can walk along Via Montenapoleone, in Quadrilatero della Moda’s high-end fashion district. Here you will see many top fashion houses.
Milano is known for being the most important northern Italian business hub. You’ll find buildings in many architectural styles here, including Renaissance and modern glass facades.
Milan’s position as the centre of commerce and trading since antiquity has generated significant wealth, leaving it with many architectural and cultural jewels.
Milan also has many galleries and museums. The city also has a rich cultural heritage thanks to its remarkable churches and castles. Milan’s workaholic reputation is debunked by sights like La Scala, the Cathedral Duomo di Milano and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele 2.
Another must-see is Parco Sempione. This large park is located in the historical city center, near the Arch of Peace (Arco Della Pace), and the Sforza castle. You can end your day by enjoying the best Italian wines and delicious local cuisine in one of the charming Milan restaurants.
After you have seen Milan’s landmarks, it is possible to take a day trip up to Lake Como or Bellagio. You can travel there in one hour by car or using public transport. Lake Como is one the deepest lakes of Europe, and it is located in a stunning environment.
Top 10 Things To Do In Milan
1. Visit the Impressive Duomo
The magnificent gothic Cathedral Duomo di Milano will amaze you when you visit the Piazza del Duomo square in the city’s central square. This cathedral was built in the 14th century. It lasted for five centuries. It is still one of the most important churches in the world.
Milan Cathedral is a landmark of the city. It can accommodate 40,000 people and boasts 135 towers. It is interesting to note that Napoleon Bonaparte was the King of Italy in Milan Duomo in 1805.
More than 5 million people visit Milan Cathedral every year. The Cathedral’s roof is open to visitors who wish to enjoy the magnificent views of the city.
2. Explore the Museums at the Sforza Castle
Sforzesco Castel (Castello Sforzesco), is located close to the city centre and Piazza del Duomo. This medieval fortification was constructed in the 15th century. It was the residence of the Milan Duke, and later a fortress for the conquering armies.
The Sforza Castle was established in 1921 to preserve the cultural heritage of Milan. It was also a major tourist attraction in Milan.
Six museums are available today to help you find outstanding pieces of art. This includes a collection that contains Egyptian art, many paintings, tapestries, and the last sculpture by Michelangelo.
3. The Amazing San Siro
San Siro is where AC Milan and FC Inter are played. San Siro has a capacity for 80,000 and is Europe’s largest football stadium.
San Siro hosted two World Cups in 1934 and 1990 as well as four finals for the Champions Cup or the Champions League.
It is distinguished by its unique design, which can be seen in the corner towers. To learn more about the San Siro stadium, you can take a walking tour.
You can take guided tours in more than a dozen languages. The stadium is a fascinating place to visit. You can also see the locker rooms, and even get on the field. The San Siro Museum houses a collection of jerseys belonging to famous players.
4. Unique Opera and Ballet Performances
You can see the 18th century building that houses the Teatro alla Scala operahouse at the Piazza della Scala Square.
You will be speechless at the impressive interior of La Scala Opera House. Every ballet dancer and opera singer dreams of performing in front of over 2,000 people in La Scala’s grandiose main stage.
A museum is also available in the same building. You can view the rich history of the theater’s costumes, musical instruments, and scenery.
You can check the Milan events schedule, book tickets online ahead of time, and be ready to enjoy a spectacular show.
5. Visit the Fashion Capital of the World’s Oldest Shopping Center
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is a 150-year-old shopping mall between Piazza del Duomo and Piazza Della Scala. It is well-known for its stunning architecture, glass roof, and high dome.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele has been described as one of Europe’s most beautiful shopping centers. The 38-meter high arch at the entrance will impress. The interior floor is decorated with intricate mosaics that depict Florence, Torino, Milan and Torino coats of arms.
There are many places to eat, including cafes and restaurants. You will also find bookstores, jewelry shops, and luxury boutiques with popular brands such as Gucci and Prada. Caffe Biffi is one example of a business that has been around for over 100 years.
6. The Most Impressive Paintings of Italian Artists
Pinacoteca di Brera, an art gallery located in the Brera old baroque palace is Pinacoteca di Brera. It is one the most well-known Italian museums and houses a large collection of paintings. You will find works by artists such as Tintoretto and Caravaggio in 38 rooms.
The order of all paintings is determined by their origin date and which painting school they were made. One room is dedicated works of contemporary art. Here you will find paintings by Modigliani, Morandi, Boccioni, Morandi, and Boccioni. Brera palace also houses an astronomical observatory as well as the National Library, Academy of Fine Arts and the Academy of Fine Arts.
There are also many good restaurants in the area, so make sure you stop by the Brera District when you’re visiting Milano.
7. Visit Historic Milan
Navigli, a network of canals in Lombardy that was built in the 12th Century. Naviglio Grande and Navigli Pavese are two canals that run through Milan .
These canals were once used by locals to transport goods such as marble for Duomo’s building. Navigli is now used for irrigation. The Navigli district is the area of Milan that contains these canals. However, it’s also a popular spot to go out with many bars, restaurants, and cafes.
There are many places to go for an “aperitivo” drink near Navigli Grande canal. Enjoy a Milanese pre-meal drink and meet new friends.
8. Visit the Church Dedicated To the Patron of the City
Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio, a Romanesque church dating back to the 4th Century, is now open. It was built by St. Ambrose who is the patron saint of Milan. In his memory, Catholics observe a major city holiday on the 7th of each December.
It is dominated by two towers that rise higher than the others and red brick facades. Stilicho’s Sepulchre is a decorated sarcophagus that can be found in the Basilica’s interior.
A crypt contains the remains of Saint Ambrose and Saint Protasus. They are all dressed in ceremonious attire. You should visit Basilica to see the stunning frescoes and atrium.
9. The World’s Most Famous Works of Art
Piazza del Duomo is only 20 minutes from the Church of Santa Maria Delle Grazie. The Duke of Milan Francesco I Sforza ordered its construction in the 15th-century. The church was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site by 1980 because of its historical and cultural importance.
Santa Maria Delle Grazie Church houses the mural measuring 8 meters wide of “The Last Supper”. It is the work of Leonardo da Vinci, a renaissance artist. We strongly recommend that you visit this amazing piece of art.
During the bombardment of Milan in World War II, parts of the monastery and the church were destroyed. The wall holding “The Last Supper,” survived the bombing, and the painting was saved for many more years.
10. Milan’s Technology Heaven: Explore the Heart of Milan
For all technology lovers, the Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology is a paradise. It was inaugurated in 1953 at the ancient monastery San Vittore al Corpo. This is just 20 minutes away from Piazza del Duomo.
The museum houses seven departments that house machinery, equipment, artwork, and documents. These represent the technological development over the past 200 years.
The first personal computer in human history, an Alfa Romeo retrocar and the first power plant of Europe can be seen. You can also see spacesuits, a small rock from Moon and other items that were collected during the Apollo 17 mission.
You might enjoy large machines if you are a fan of trains.