7+ Classic Things To Do In Milan, Italy
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Milan is the capital of Lombardy located in northern Italy. From Leonardo da Vinci to Prada, this Italian city is known worldwide for its fashion, art, architecture and history.
For first-time visitors, these 7 classic things to do in Milan, Italy can help you plan the perfect itinerary.
Tour the Duomo di Milano
The iconic Duomo is likely something already on your to-do list for when you are in Milan. The striking gothic facade brings in the crowds whether you are religious or not. Construction began on the Duomo in 1386 and due to the complexities of the design it wasn’t finalised until 1965.
Be sure to buy tickets online in advance, this ensures you can research the parts you want to visit and you spend a little less time queuing as buying tickets on the day means an extra queue. When looking at tickets you might get overwhelmed with options, I know I did. My top tip would be to include terrace admission in your ticket.
Alternatively, if you want more information and history on your visit a guided tour around the Duomo may be better suited for you, find some options here.
Go for drinks and dinner in Navigili
The neighbourhood of Navigili is a lively part of Milan and the perfect spot to head to as the sun goes down. With bars and restaurants lined up along the man-made canals, there are plenty of spots to try. We had dinner at Le Striatelle di Nonna Mafalda and I highly recommend it.
To get here head to your nearest Metro station and hop on the green line (M2) to Porta Genova.
Stop by Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Located right off the Piazza del Duomo the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is Italy’s oldest shopping mall and the birthplace of Prada. Unless you’re a regular shopper at Gucci or Prada it’s unlikely you will be able to shop up a storm here. The big appeal to visit is the lavish architecture, mosaic flooring and domed glass roofing.
Fun Fact: There is a mosaic artwork on the gallery floor right in the centre. According to local tradition, spinning counterclockwise three times while maintaining the heel firmly placed over the bull’s testicles brings good luck and wards off evil.
Have a spritz at Terrazza Aperol
Sometimes you have to embrace being a tourist and this activity is extremely touristy. But when you are a tourist in Milan and a human who loves an Aperol Spritz you have to stop by. This rooftop bar above Piazza del Duomo serves up some unique variations of the classic Aperol Spritz and a few light bites. They don’t take reservations and thanks to their gorgeous view over the Duomo, you may have to wait a little for a table.
Visit Castello Sforzesco
This castle dates back to 1358 when it was used as a military defence complex, nowadays it’s home to a handful of historical museums & art by Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo. Discover a complete breakdown of these museums here.
If you’re not interested in heading to one of the castle’s 16 museums, you can wander through the complex and some of its courtyards for free.
Have a picnic in Parco Sempione
This large green space is located between Castello Sforzesco and Arco della Pace. This land used to be used as a hunting ground when the Visconti ruled over Milan in the fourteenth century. Thanks to Emilio Alemagna it’s now a beautifully landscaped park where you can stroll gardens, have a picnic with friends or take a bike ride.
Go on a scavenger hunt
I normally love a good walking tour, but in big cities like Milan walking around in massive groups isn’t always that fun. We had done a World City Trail scavenger hunt in Seville before, so we decided to try it again in Milan.
We had great fun wandering around the sites of Milan solving puzzles and getting stories about the city along the way. It’s a self-guided app, so you can start and stop at any time. All the puzzles can be solved from outside these famous sites, but you also have the freedom to pause if you wish to visit them too. Check it out here.
Bonus Things to Do in Milan, Italy
Visit the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana and the Crypt of San Sepolcro
Wander around the neighbourhood of Brera
Take a trip to Lake Como
See the infamous Last Supper painting at Cenacolo Vinciano
Go to a show at the Teatro alla Scala
Take a tour of the San Siro stadium
How to Get to Milan City Centre?
From Milan Linate Airport
This is more of a domestic airport with flights arriving from other Italian destinations and a small handful of other European locations. It’s located only 5 miles from the city centre and you can catch the Blue Line (M4) metro to San Babila. Where you can reach many central locations by foot or change metro lines to other stops around the city centre.
From Milan Malpensa Airport
This is the largest of Milan’s airports and most likely the one you would arrive at if you were flying from outside of Europe. A train service runs every 30 minutes from Malpensa to Milan Central Station and takes between 45 minutes to an hour. Book your tickets here.
From Milan Bergamo Airport
Located 30 miles outside of Milan and with no direct train access the most affordable way to reach the city centre is by bus. There are a few different bus operators running from Bergamo Airport to Milan Central Station which takes about 50 minutes. Find a bus timetable and prices here.
Let me know your favourite thing to do in Milan, Italy in the comments below.
