Milan is one of Italy’s most fashionable cities, home to some of the country’s major fashion brands. One of the best spots in the city centre to find them in one spot happens to be the world’s oldest shopping mall, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. But Milan’s not all about fashion, though.
Related: More posts on Italy
It’s among the great Italian cities where you can find rich history, art and culture through grand landmarks. These include the majestic Duomo and its grand collection of basilicas. Add the city’s gastronomic traditions and you’ll have plenty of compelling reasons to put a trip to Milan on your bucket list. So what are the best things to do in Milan?
Start the day at Piazza del Duomo
Take in the buzz of Milan from its beautiful square. Piazza del Duomo is Milan’s grandest square, home to the city’s largest Gothic cathedral. Take your time soaking up the scene at a café, then visit the massive Duomo with its 135 spires and countless statues. You can head up to its rooftop terraces for amazing cityscapes. A lift inside takes you up 70 metres to these terraces for around €13. Numerous sculptors worked on the Duomo over the years – try spotting quirky elements such as tennis rackets and boxing gloves among the Gothic reliefs. Open: Daily from 9 am to 7 pm Phone: +39 02 7202 2656
Shop at Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Walk through the glass-ceilinged arcade of the world’s oldest mall. Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is testament to Milan’s title as one of the world’s fashion capitals. This wondrous, glass-ceilinged arcade connects the piazzas of the Duomo and the Teatro alla Scala opera house, and is lined with cafes and high-end boutiques, such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Prada. Enjoy a coffee stop before heading to the piazzas, and sip your cappuccino as the Milanese do: standing up by the bar. If you choose a spot at their terraces, be prepared to pay extra.
Walk on the walls of Sforza Castle
Milan’s 15th century castle and museum. Despite its name, Castello Sforzesco (Sforza Castle) looks more like a fortress with a large courtyard than a castle. The complex has a library and several museums. Some of these hold the works of Michelangelo and da Vinci, as well as arts and artefacts from Ancient Egypt. The castle is free to enter, but the museum charges around €5 (or free every first Sunday of the month and every first and third Tuesday of the month after the 14th). The castle’s around 800 metres northwest from the Duomo. Open: Tuesday – Sunday from 7 am to 7:30 pm Phone: +39 02 8846 3700
Explore the Brera District
Shop for bargains at the Sunday market. Walking through Milan’s charming district of Brera introduces you to one of the most picturesque neighbourhoods in the city’s historical zone. Brera’s home to an academy of fine arts and an art gallery, which explains its artistic vibe. Vendors selling arts and antiques gather at Brera’s flea market on Via Fiori Chiari every third Sunday. Brera’s narrow streets are lined with small but stylish cafes and speciality shops, which light up after sundown for a unique and atmospheric walk through Milan.
Milan Must-See: Leonardo da Vinci Museum
See da Vinci’s curious flying machines from up close. The Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology is one of Milan’s most inspiring and engaging historical sites. From the outside, it’s a Renaissance monastery. Inside, you’ll find a rich showcase of interactive and educational exhibits. There’s plenty to see and learn about, from real-life 3D realisations of da Vinci’s mechanical designs, to aviation, particle physics, locomotion, and multimedia that lets you explore the galaxies. Kids will love exploring the life-size WWII submarine. Full tickets are from €10. Location: Via San Vittore, Milan, Italy Open: Tuesday – Friday from 9.30 am to 5 pm, Saturday – Sunday from 9.30 am to 6.30 pm Phone: +39 02 485551
Decipher the mysteries of da Vinci’s The Last Supper
View the famous mural in Santa Maria delle Grazie church. This Renaissance church in downtown Milan is famous for its monastery that’s home to Leonardo da Vinci’s mural, The Last Supper. The church is a 5-minute walk from Cadorna station and is free to access. Even so, you’ll need an advanced booking to enter the refectory. You have 15 minutes as part of a group to see the famous fresco. Many try to reveal hidden messages in the painting, inspired by the thriller novel, The Da Vinci Code. Location: Via Giuseppe Antonio Sassi, Milan, Italy Open: Daily from 7 am to 12 pm and from 4 pm to 7:30 pm Phone: +39 02 467 6111
For more stuff like this, join the club! If you’re not already a member, you can sign up here and get tons of amazing, incredible, badass stuff that no one else can get and all your friends will be jealous.
Until next time, be jealous friends. Be jealous.
Udeety
Get FREE access to our member’s only club and enjoy unlimited travel resources. Be the first to find out about new travel discounts and exclusive discount coupons for leading brands. Did I mention it’s all FREE? Are you in? Great! Sign up below!