Milan is a beautiful Italian city with strengths in the commerce, design, art, entertainment, fashion and finance. Known as the major world fashion and design capital, Milan will surprise you for its elegance and its culture. In fact, this city is home to numerous artistic masterpieces (including the Milan Cathedral, the Sforza Castle and some breath-taking Leonardo da Vinci’s works like the UNESCO World Heritage Site “The Last Supper”) and to many cultural institutions, and every year offers wonderful artistic events and several occasions to look at the city from a different perspective.
Attractions
The Duomo
In general, the main cathedral of an Italian city is added to the list of the attractions if it is home to beautiful artistic works, but in Milan the reason why you should visit the Duomo is less obvious. In fact, although the inside of the famous Milan’s cathedral is wonderful, it is its spire-laden roof the main attraction you should not miss. This cathedral is the most important gothic architectural work in Italy, and from the roof you will be able to admire not only this fascinating city, but also the intricate gothic details that make the exterior of this cathedral one of the most loved in Italy. To get to the roof, you have to get out of the Duomo and search for the elevator entrance in the square. One ticket for the elevator costs 13€, while if you are brave enough to climb up with the stairs, you will pay just 9€(children between 6 and 12 years old pay 7€ for the elevator and 4.5€ for the stairs). The roof is open every day from 7 am to 7 pm, last entrance at 6 pm. The Duomo is open every day from 8 am to 7 pm, and the ticket costs 2€. Remember that in order to enter, you should be dressed appropriately, with shoulders and knees covered. To learn more about the Cathedral dress code, go to our FAQs.
Our tip: to avoid the line, book online and collect the ticket at the info building in front of the Duomo. The majority uses the elevator, so you might find a queue even with the ticket. For this reason, if you want to skip it just book a stairs ticket and use that as an excuse for a further Italian gelato! The best time to visit the roof in the summer is in the morning, when the weather is not very hot, while in the winter if you go before the sunset you will have a romantic view of this dynamic city during the golden hours.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is one of the oldest shopping malls in the world. Named after Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of the Kingdom of Italy, this large scale, glass covered arcade connects the square in front of the cathedral, Piazza del Duomo, with the square in front of the opera house of Milan, Piazza della Scala. The Octagon in the centre is considered by locals the living room of Milan, named also “Il Salotto di Milano”. The Gallery was constructed during the Italian unification as a symbol of the Italian unity. For this reason, you should not be surprised that the Gallery is decorated with various patriotic symbols such as the white flag with a red cross, symbolizing Milan, the bull symbol of Turin and the wolf, the famous Rome’s symbol. Even the statues on the facades were sculpted in honour of famous Italian artists and scientists.
Our tip: as every Italian knows, stepping with the heel of your foot on the genitals of the bull, symbol of Turin, is considered an act that brings good luck! Do not miss the opportunity to follow this tradition!
Another suggestion: avoid the rooftop of the Gallery. Although the idea is very nice, the ticket is not cheap while the quality of the restaurant is low, the information about the history of the gallery are provided only in Italian and from there you will not be able to admire the Duomo (one of the main reasons leading many tourists to book the ticket).
Castello Sforzesco
Developed as a fortress in 1368, the castle was then converted into a palatial residence and finally destroyed when Milanese people proclaimed the Ambrosian Republic. The castle was then rebuilt in 1450 and began a magnificent Renaissance residence, decorated by Italian artists such as Donato Bramante and Leonardo da Vinci. Two centuries ago, it was finally converted into a public building home to several cultural institutions. Today, the castle hosts the Museums of the Castello, with rare artistic works such as the last masterpiece by Michelangelo, the unfinished Pietà Rondanini, and some frescoes by Leonardo da Vinci and Bramante.
Admission to the castle and to the Sempione park is free, opening hours: from 8am to 12pm; from 7am to 9.30pm. If you want to visit the museums, you can buy a unique ticket costing just 5€ (3€ if you are a student, free if you are under 18). The museums are open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 5pm.
Our tip: every Tuesday from 2pm, every day from Wednesday to Sunday from 4.30pm and every first Sunday of the month admission is free!
Pinacoteca di Brera
This amazing art gallery, with over 500 works dating from the 14th- 20th century, is one of the most famous art collections of Renaissance art in Italy. It is located in a stunning 17th century building alongside the Academy of Fine Arts, in the Palazzo di Brera. If you love art, this is the place for you: amongst the collection you will find true masterpieces by Piero della Francesca, Caravaggio, Raffaello, Mantegna, Bellini, Tintoretto and Veronese! Free admission for under 18, reduced tickets (7€) for under 25, 10€ for adults. Opening times: from Tuesday to Sunday 8.30am-7.15pm (last entrance 6.40pm). For more info, visit the official webpage.
The “Last Supper” by da Vinci
Painted directly on the dining hall wall of the Dominican Convent close to the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, in Milan, the “Last Supper” by Leonardo da Vinci, an UNESCO World Heritage site from 1980, is considered one of the most important masterpieces in the world. With this work, da Vinci wanted to represent the instant just after Jesus revealed that one of his friends would have betrayed him. For this reason, this painting represents the reactions of shock and rage from the apostles. Although this is without doubt one of the Milan’s must-see sites, the convent in which the Last Supper is located was not built for a big crowd. The limited space, together with the fact that the protection of this masterpiece requires optimal environmental conditions, are the reasons why only 25 people are allowed in at a time, in visiting blocks of 15 minutes. As you can imagine, numerous tourists want to admire in person this work, hence we recommend that you book at least a couple of months in advance. The day of the visit, be sure to dress appropriately, with shoulders and knees covered, or you may be turned away from the convent. Free admission for under 18, reduced tickets (7€) for under 25, 12€ for adults.. Opening times: from Tuesday to Sunday 8.15am-7.00pm (last admission 6.45pm).
Our recommendation: there are many non-official websites offering tickets for the Last Supper. Our tip is that you use the original website: http://www.polomuseale.lombardia.beniculturali.it/index.php/cenacolo-vinciano/. Tickets can be purchased online here.
Last suggestion: look at this wonderful work carefully. Between the third and fourth persons seated on the left, you can see a hand holding a knife in a threatening manner. Although many claimed that the hand belongs to St. Peter, according to others it was only during an artistic restoration that the hand was linked to the body of St. Peter. In the original painting it was Giude, they said, who had a knife in his hand.
Flamingos in Milan
The elegant Villa Invernizzi is located between corso Venezia and via Cappuccini. This building was the home of a rich Milanese man, Cavalier Invernizzi, and today hosts a foundation. There, you will find the most incredible hidden place of Milan: an elegant and surreal Italian garden inhabited by 12 flamingos. These rare birds have lived in the Villa since 1970, and it is clear that they have perfectly adapted to their Italian life.
Via Montenapoleone: Italy’s most fashionable street
Along with design and finance, fashion is Milan’s biggest draw. Its fashion influence spreads to the worlds, and if you love fashion, this is your place. Be aware: via Monte Napoleone has been ranked as the sixth most expensive shopping street in the world, therefore you might decide to avoid shopping this time. Nevertheless, exclusive fashion and couture boutiques will make you feel like in paradise!
The Navigli
The Navigli are a system of canals developed from the XII century that connect the lake Maggiore, the lake Como, the Ticino river and the Po river. Leonardo da Vinci projected some parts of them (like the dam of the Naviglio Pavese), and the Duomo di Milano was built with the Marple coming via these canals! Today, these canals are the perfect place for a walk and for a night out: indeed, you many popular pubs and restaurants are located in this zone. Our tip: for an unusual view, go to Vicolo Lavandai, a beautiful corner where women used to wash clothes.
Food and drink
Historic cafés
One of the best Milanese historic cafés, the Café Bistrot Savini can be found in one of the most beautiful buildings of Milan, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. If you order an aperitivo in this café, be aware that many important artists, politicians and novelists were sitting in the same place: among them, Verdi, Sinatra, Montale, Hemingway, Chaplin and D’Annunzio!
The second beautiful historical café in Milan is the Café Bar Gin Rosa, located in another gallery in Milan, Galleria San Babila. This place has a long history and it is famous because his owners invented many cocktails: from the first aperitif drink containing distilled wormwood flowers, to the famous Gin Rosa, a cocktail served at 25 degrees made with 32 ingredients (including herbs, berries and roots). Try this unusal cocktail before dinner, for the happy hour!
Where to have lunch?
If you are a Wes Anderson fan, then you will think that Bar Luce, located at the Prada Fooundation (Largo Isarco 2, 20139 Milano) is a little piece of heaven made exactly for you. The decor is soothing pink and pistachio, the bar is colourful and antipasti and pastries look like part of the décor! There, you can have light lunches, panini, coffees and nice and unusual deserts. Panini cost 7-8€ (our tip: try the Ralf Panino: goat cheese with basil, salmon and tomato), a 3-scoops gelato just 3.50€. If you love coffee, try the Caffe Luce: chocolate sauce with an Italian espresso on top, capped with whipped cream and more chocolate drizzle. Need we say more?
Joya is a Milanese restaurant withone Michelin star that will make you smile: in order to make more accessible its food, this restaurant has opened Joia Kitchen, its bistrot offering a very convenient menu. The quality of the food is very high: in fact, Joia has become famous for its ingredients, always organic, most grown from peasant farmers, some from Joia’s synergic vegetable garden. The menu is vegetarian, but we are sure you will love it! For lunch, Joia Kitchen offers a unique dish, accompanied by a good salad, water and coffee at a price ranging from 12 to 15€. There are also other fixed menu options with more dishes, all delicious. Some examples? Blueberries risotto with porcini mushrooms and parmesan, and hand-made tagliolini alla chitarra with tomatoes, basil, tapenade of olives, capers and pistachios. The restaurant is located in Via Panfilo Castaldi 18, the bistrot is open from Monday to Friday 12.20-2.30pm, 7.30pm-11pm.
Best gelato of Milan
Q.B. Gelato (via Aristide de Togni 30) is one of the best gelaterie of Milan. There you will find an amazing ice-cream, lovingly prepared in the laboratory adjacent to the shop. What makes this gelato so tasty is the exclusive use of natural products: every single taste is made from high-quality raw materials. It is strictly gluten-free, and celiac and vegan do not have to worry: you will find amazing tastes made without milk.
Do you love chocolate? Then try the gelato of the historic gelateria Il Massimo del gelato (Via Lodovico Castelvetro, 18 or Piazza Risorgimento), with more than 10 variants of chocolate ice-cream (100% cocoa, Domori Venezuelano al 75%, chili chocolate, chocolate with orange)!!
Where to have dinner?
Would you like to try a truly Italian pizza? Then go toMarghe Pizzeria (via Cadore 26). A very friendly restaurant with a lovely staff and, of course, delicious pizzas! The menu is simple and organized, but not very extensive. This is not a touristic place therefore menu is just in Italian but do not be afraid, the staff will be able to help you decide the best pizza for you. You will love it! Prices around 12€.
b>For all the pasta lovers, try Platina (via Lecco 18), a sort of pasta heaven! There you can choose you dish from a menu with many hand-made Italian pasta variants, like spaghetti cacio e pepe; ricotta di bufala ravioli with spinach, speck and zaferan; and spaghetti with ricotta di bufala, tomato sauce and courgette flowers. A pasta dish costs just 10€and portions are abundant, this is why we are sure you will love this place!
Accomodation
If you are young, your budget is not particularly high and you want not just an accommodation for the night, but an opportunity to find new friends, you should know that Milan has a fantastic luxury hostel that might be the perfect choice for you. Ostello Bellooffers a bed from 28€ with breakfast, welcome drink and tastes of typical Italian cuisine, free internet wifi, sheets and towels and an amazing rooftop terrace with hammocks. The location is perfect: via Medici 4, in the city centre, close to the Duomo. Included in the price are the weekly cultural events hosted by the structure and musical instruments available to guests.
Would you like an elegant 4 stars hotel? NYX Milan (Piazza Quattro Novembre 3) is the hotel we want to suggest. In three minutes you can reach the Stazione Centrale Train Station and in 10 minutes the Milan Fashion District. Unique stylish place featuring a rooftop terrace with views on Milan skyline. If yo book in advance or you look for a last-minute offer, you can find real bargains with double room for just100€!
Transportations
The closest airports to Milan are Milan Linate, Milan Malpensa and Orio al Serio. The connection between the airports and the centre of Milan is secured by many bus companies. Tickets are available in front of the Central Station or outside the airport. In general ticket costs less than 10€ and if booked online, you can have a discount (Terravision for instance has many tickets under 5 euros).
Once in Milan, you can decide to walk or to take the bus. Children under 5 years can use bus for free (also children under 10, but only two children per family). A single ticket costs 1,50 € and is valid for 90 minutes. If you are planning to take more than one bus during the day, perhaps the day-ticket (4.50€) is the most convenient solution! If you are staying for 2 days, buy the 48h-ticket (8.25€).
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