Once the stomping grounds of master artist Leonardo Da Vinci, Milan is renowned as a global capital of fashion and design. This northern Italian city is home to grand palazzos and ornate historic churches that date back to the Roman Empire. Aside from museum hopping, dining out at a cozy osteria, and knocking back espressos at a posh grand cafe like a true Milanese, watching a football match at the San Siro Stadium should also be part of your bucket list of things to do in Milan.
The Milan Cathedral is the fourth largest church in the world, first built in 1386 and completed after 579 years in 1965. This iconic structure can be seen towering over Piazza del Duomo with its contrasting architectural styles ranging from Gothic to Renaissance and Neoclassical. The roof of Duomo di Milano is famous for its dense grid of spires and pinnacles held up by flying buttresses. The cathedral, including the baptistery and rooftop terrace, is open daily but the museum is closed on Wednesdays.
Located at Piazza del Duomo, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is an ornate, four-story double arcade that has been an active shopping mall since 1877. The Galleria features intricate mosaic floors, elegant glass domes and is lined with luxury emporiums and restaurants showcasing Milanese style and wealth. Must-see Milan attractions Duomo di Milano and the Teatro alla Scala are connected by the Galleria passage. The arcade’s common areas are open day and night, however, the establishments have fixed operating hours.
The Sforzesco Castle was built in the 15th century on the ruins of a fortification and later expanded into one of the largest citadels in Europe. The castle takes its name from the powerful Sforza family who ruled Milan for two centuries. The Sforzas collected Renaissance masterpieces and even commissioned Leonardo da Vinci to paint frescoes in several rooms. Priceless art collections can be seen all over the Sforzesco Castle and in the various museums within the Piazza Castello, right beside Sempione Park.
La Scala is a world-famous opera house and ballet theater located in Piazza della Scala, just across Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Since its inauguration in 1778, renowned maestros, singers, and ballerinas have graced its stage with critically-acclaimed performances. Arturo Toscanini, one of the great virtuoso conductors of the 20th century served as music director of La Scala at various times. Within the Teatro alla Scala is a museum that houses a collection of costumes, musical instruments, drafts, paintings, and portraits commemorating the opera’s grand history.
Santa Maria delle Grazie is a Gothic-style church and convent just 15 minutes by foot from the Sforzesco Castle and Sempione Park. The Last Supper, the revered late 15th-century mural by Italian master painter Leonardo da Vinci, is showcased in the convent’s dining hall. The church was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. To reach Santa Maria delle Grazie, you can take the metro (green line M2) from Milano Centrale to Cadorna and walk to the church.
Regarded as one of the best public galleries in Milan and all of Italy, the Pinacoteca di Brera showcases one of the finest collections of Italian paintings. These include religious art masterpieces such as The Marriage of the Virgin by Raphael, Lamentation of Christ by Andrea Mantegna, and Supper at Emmaus by Caravaggio. The museum shares the space with Brera Academy within Palazzo Brera along Via Brera. It is closed on Mondays and is less than a 10-minute walk from Teatro alla Scala.
Sempione Park is a 95-acre urban green space conveniently situated near top Milan attractions like the Sforzesco Castle, Santa Maria delle Grazie, and Pinacoteca di Brera. Aside from diverse flora and fauna, this wonderfully landscaped public park hosts permanent sculptures of artists like Francesco Barzaghi and Antonio Paradiso as well as civic buildings like La Triennale di Milano, which highlights Italian avant-garde architecture and fine arts. Sempione Park is an ideal location for picnics and other leisure activities with friends and family.
The Royal Palace, originally the seat of government of Milan for many centuries, now stands as a cultural center hosting local and international exhibits promoting art and history. The palace facade is directly facing the Duomo di Milano at the center of Piazza del Duomo. On the main floor of the Royal Palace, you can find the Hall of Caryatids where beloved Spanish painter Pablo Picasso chose to exhibit his celebrated oil painting Guernica in 1953. The palace is open to visitors daily, even on holidays.
An essential stop when you’re sightseeing in Milan is the Piazza del Duomo because it’s the perfect jump-off point to all of the city’s key attractions. Right in the middle stands the Duomo di Milano facing the Monument to King Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of a unified Italy, and flanked by the Royal Palace and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping arcade. Piazza del Duomo is just 7 minutes from Centrale Fs to Duomo M3 train station via the line 3 subway.
The Monumental Cemetery is the second-largest memorial park in Milan after Cimitero Maggiore and is located near the city's Chinatown and Porto Garibaldi districts. Visitors are greeted by the Famedio Memorial Chapel at the entrance square, which houses the tombs of Milan’s notable citizens including Alessandro Manzoni, Giuseppe Verdi, and Carlo Cattaneo. The cemetery is open daily except Mondays and can be reached by taking the M2 (green) metro line to Garibaldi or the M5 (purple) to Monumentale.
Milan is synonymous with high fashion, art, and centuries-old churches and palaces. When you travel to Milan, it’s a must to try classic dishes like saffron-infused risotto between visits to top Milan attractions and indulge in the finest Lombardy wines as you shop for iconic Italian brands like Gucci, Prada, and Versace. If you’re a football fan like most Milanese, treat yourself to an AC Milan or Inter game for some heart-pumping action.
Sightseeing in Milan is best during the spring months April and May because the weather is just right for exploring in and around the city. Early fall is also a good option because September to October is not peak tourism season and is usually when film festivals and fashion shows are held. August is when most locals go on vacation so a lot of the businesses will be closed.
Milan is known for being quite a pricey tourist destination but there are districts that cater to budget-conscious travelers. If you prefer a more quiet, laid-back atmosphere and don’t mind taking the subway to the city center then Bovisa and San Siro districts are your options. If you’d rather just be walking distance to top Milan attractions, then stay at Centro Storico. If shopping will be the focal point of your trip, opt for Porta Romana, Porta Venezia, or Chinatown districts.