Milan: 20 Best Things to Do and Places to See Absolutely

Milan isn’t just Italy’s fashion capital—it’s a city that blends history, culture, and innovation in a way that few destinations can. Whether you’re here for fashion week, exploring centuries-old landmarks, or indulging in world-class Italian cuisine, Milan offers an unforgettable experience.

I’ve explored this vibrant metropolis firsthand, and I’m here to share the best things to do in Milan—from iconic sights to hidden gems.

Start with the legendary Duomo di Milano, one of the largest and most breathtaking cathedrals in the world. Climbing to the rooftop rewards you with panoramic views of the city skyline. Just steps away, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Italy’s oldest shopping gallery, dazzles with its grand architecture and luxury boutiques. For art lovers, Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper is a must-see, but you’ll need to book tickets well in advance.

Beyond the main attractions, Milan’s Navigli district offers charming canals, buzzing nightlife, and some of the city’s best aperitivo spots. If you love football, catch a match at San Siro Stadium, home to AC Milan and Inter Milan. Meanwhile, the trendy Brera district is a haven for art, design, and fine dining.

20 Best things to see and do in Milan

If I think of Milan today, the image that comes to mind is of a multifaceted, cosmopolitan city that has lived (and suffered) a lot and has many things to offer the traveler.

Its history , moreover, has been anything but boring. Founded by the Celts in the 6th century BC, the Romans arrived in 222 BC and, as they were wont to do, took it over. Under their rule, Milan became one of the most important cities of the Roman Empire.

In the Middle Ages , it became a prosperous duchy ruled by families such as the Visconti and the Sforza , who filled it with art and architecture while competing to see who could leave the most impressive legacy. During the Renaissance , the city lived its golden age with geniuses such as Leonardo da Vinci working there.

Then came the Spanish , the Austrians , and endless political back-and-forth until it finally joined modern Italy in 1861 .

In the 20th century, Milan became the country's industrial powerhouse and, over time, the epicentre of fashion, design and the elegant lifestyle that characterises it today.

one day in milan, duomo

Rober met her later than I did and it was not difficult for him to get the hang of it. And we can say that now we love Milan! Are you coming with us on a trip to the Italian fashion capital? Let's go!

1. The Duomo, the great jewel to see in Milan

The list has to start with the Duomo of Milan , for us the most beautiful cathedral in all of Italy (and there are not just a few ugly ones). Construction began in 1386 and was only finished in 1965! The architectural style is a beautiful Gothic style . Slender, elegant and with spires and pinnacles that seem to want to touch the sky.

Going inside is a must: once inside you will be surrounded by a world of chapels, columns, crypts, but we think it is even more advisable to go up to the roof, the so-called “ Terraces of the Duomo ”. They will leave you speechless: walking there, almost touching the Gothic spires and gargoyles, is an experience you will not forget. Just as you will not forget the beautiful views you will get from up there.

The combined ticket to enter the Duomo, which includes access to the underground and the terraces, costs €15, but on foot! (If you want to book it online you can do so here ). After our last visit, we have to tell you that it is money very well spent. The entrance is included if you have the Milan Pass .

Milan Duomo

2. Piazza del Duomo

On your way out, take the opportunity to stroll around the Piazza del Duomo , which is always lively and where you can take some really great photos. Although the best photos are those taken right here of Berlusconi after his mouth was smashed in after a miniature of the Duomo was thrown at him. Don't you remember the news ?

Did you know that the Statue of Liberty in New York was inspired by the statue of the New Law , which is on the façade of the Duomo? Its author (Camillo Pacetti) sculpted it in 1810, a few years before Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi designed his masterpiece.

3. Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery

A short distance away you will find another great attraction in Milan: the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II . It is an elegant space that extends into two perpendicular galleries, covered with glass, iron and glass ceilings and spectacular vaults. It is one of the most expensive places in Italy: inside this shopping gallery you will be surrounded by luxury shops and high-end stores.

Here you can also perform a ritual that is believed to bring good luck: step with your heel on the “attributes” of the bull in the famous mosaic in the centre of the Gallery.

4. Eat a panzerotto from Luini, a delicious thing to do in Milan

Feeling peckish? You can stop off and recharge your energy by eating a panzerotto (or two) at Luini , a real legend! What are panzerotti? They are a kind of pastry filled with various ingredients (the original has tomato and mozzarella), which are cooked either fried or baked.

Still hungry? Check out this post where we tell you about a few restaurants where you can eat well and cheaply in Milan.

5. Leonardo's Last Supper

If you are passionate about art, there are two dates you cannot miss in Milan. The first is with Leonardo's Last Supper , in the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie , one of the most legendary and important paintings in the history of art, which depicts Jesus surrounded by his disciples while he reveals to them that one of them will betray him.

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Leonardo's last supper

6. Brera Art Gallery

The second must-see stop is the Pinacoteca di Brera , which houses some of the most important works of Italian Renaissance art. Have you heard of artists such as Raffaello, Mantegna, Bellini, Caravaggio or Tintoretto? Although the masterpiece of the Pinacoteca is, without a doubt, Hayez's "The Kiss".

The entrance to the museum costs 15€ and be careful because it is closed on Mondays! And while you are there, take a stroll through the Brera district, one of the most interesting to visit in Milan as it is a mix of bohemian and posh 😉 something unique.

7. Sforza Castle

One of the things you have to do in Milan is to visit the Castello Sforzesco (Sforza Castle) and the adjoining Sempione Park , perfect for taking a moment to relax or where to improvise a picnic. Near the park you can also visit the Arch of Peace , which has certain similarities with the Arc de Triomphe in Paris .

We visited it on our own, but if you want to sign up for a guided tour, this one looks good.

milan in a day

8. Shopping in Milan, the capital of fashion

Milan is synonymous with shopping, so if you want to go shopping (or just window shop hehe) take a stroll along Via Montenapoleone, Via della Spiga, Via Manzoni and Corso Venezia... in other words, the well-known Milan fashion quadrilateral .

9. Museum of the 20th Century

The Museo del Novecento , in the Palazzo dell'Arengario, in the Piazza del Duomo, is a great stop for lovers of Italian art from the last century. It was only opened in 2010 but in just a few years it has managed to gain a place on the itineraries of many tourists: here you can learn more about modern and contemporary Italian art, with a particular focus on the movement of futurism .

One of the best-known works is " Unique Forms of Continuity in Space" (Forme uniche della continuità nello spazio) by the artist Umberto Boccioni.

Extra point: the museum has a bit of a surprise, as from there you get a great view of the Duomo.

10. La Scala Theatre, one of the symbols of the city

In Milan you will find one of the most famous theatres in Italy and in the world: the La Scala Theatre . The building itself is not very impressive from the outside, but inside things are different: it is pure magic! The interior is decorated with marble, gold and frescoes, and a harmonious chandelier hangs from the ceiling.

It has been the stage for the world's greatest operas and ballets, and is now part of music history.

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what to see and do in milan, la scala theatre

11. Street art route, something original to do in Milan

If museums aren't your thing and you'd rather go hunting for street art , we have good news: Milan is becoming more and more street-art-friendly. You can find good examples in the NoLo (North of Loreto), Brera, Garibaldi and Isola districts.

There is even a free tour that takes you to explore Milan's street art. An original plan, perfect for those who already know the typical things or prefer to discover other aspects of the city.

⭐ Here we tell you which are the best free tours of Milan in Spanish

12. Columns of San Lorenzo

A great place to meet friends or eat a takeaway pizza is the Columns of San Lorenzo , a very lively area, quite surprising, to be honest. These columns are one of the few Roman archaeological remains found in Milan, in front of the Basilica of San Lorenzo, a short distance from the Porta Ticinese.

They are a set of 16 marble columns, with Corinthian-style capitals, measuring about 7.5 metres high.

Yes, you may not have known it, but Milan was born during the time of Ancient Rome. The city was then called “ Mediolanum ”, a word that means “in the middle of the plain”.

what to see in milan, columns of san lorenzo

13. Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio

Okay, the Duomo is the main attraction in Milan, but Milanese are more devoted to another church: the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio , which was founded in 379 by the bishop (and now patron saint) of Milan, Saint Ambrose. If you have time, it is well worth a visit as it is built in a unique style: Lombard Romanesque.

Entry is free, so if you have time, you have no excuses not to go.

14. Monumental Cemetery

A peculiar place to visit in Milan is the Monumental Cemetery . Cemeteries may make you a little apprehensive, but give this one a chance, it is one of the most beautiful ones there is, full of tombs that could easily be in an art museum.

Salvatore Quasimodo, Alda Merini, Dario Fo, Giorgio Gaber, Alessandro Manzoni, Arturo Toscanini and Giuseppe Meazza are just some of the great Italian figures who rest here.

Admission is free but keep in mind that it is closed on Mondays.

15. Must do in Milan: have an aperitif in Navigli

Another of the best things to do in Milan is to enjoy an aperitivo in the Navigli area . Our tip: have an Aperol spritz at Spritz (redundancy intended). It's a place I'm very fond of, every time I went to Milan for work I ended up having an aperitivo here.

For 14€ you get a cocktail and an all-you-can-eat buffet of pasta, pizza, rice, salads and even desserts. Obviously it's not a place that would win a Michelin star, but if you want to experience a Milanese night… starting here is a great idea. It opens at 6pm.

By the way, if you want you can also take a boat ride along the canals .

⭐ Navigli is one of our favourite areas in Milan, and a great place to look for accommodation. We tell you more about the best areas to stay in Milan .

what to see in milan navigli

16. Galimberti House

One of the most beautiful buildings in the entire city is the Casa Galimberti , which will drive Liberty style enthusiasts (and Instagrammers, of course) crazy. On its façade you can see colorful mosaics with bucolic scenes, women reading surrounded by tropical plants, etc… The truth is that it's cool: it's definitely a curious corner to see in the center of Milan.

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17. Yellow tram ride

Hop on a yellow tram – they are beautiful, historic and one of the best ways to get around the city. And it's true: the new modes of transport may be more comfortable and the wooden seats hurt your bum, but getting on that tram has a priceless aura of romance. Well, you do have to pay: a single ticket costs €2.2.

Find cheap accommodation in Milan here

18. Vertical Forest

A curious thing to see in Milan is the “ Bosco Verticale ”, one of the skyscrapers with the most admirers. Why? Because, as its name suggests, it looks like a vertical forest with all the vegetation sticking out. At the time it was a very cutting-edge building and although today many buildings around the world have copied the idea there are no bad feelings: I hope there are more copies of this style!

19. Chinatown in Milan

Milan 's Chinatown , the largest and oldest in Italy, is a little world apart in the heart of the city. Located on Via Paolo Sarpi, this neighbourhood was born at the beginning of the 20th century with the arrival of Chinese immigrants, and over time it has become a lively corner, where red lanterns, Asian supermarkets and dumpling restaurants coexist with the Milanese rhythm.

People come here to eat well (and cheaply), to buy products that cannot be found anywhere else and to enjoy a different atmosphere, perfect for a walk with a taste of Asia without leaving Milan.

20. Milan Central Station

Whether you arrive in Milan by train or leave on board this means of transport… you will be in luck. Why? Because your first or last image will be of the enormous Milano Centrale station , with its mix of Liberty and Art Deco architecture. We think it's sooooo pretty, the only downside is the toilets: they charge to pee!

What to do in Milan: see the central train station

Take out IATI travel insurance with a 5% discount here . Whatever your destination, save yourself trouble and don't take any chances.

More things to see in Milan

If you travel to Milan during Christmas, you cannot leave without trying one of the most typical desserts in Italy, and originally from this city: panettone . La Pasteleria is a good (and expensive -_-) place where you can try one of the best panettone in Milan.
Piazza dei Mercanti is one of our favourite squares in Milan. It has a clear medieval influence and is always full of life. If you are near it, visit it.
Do you like bold and politically incorrect artworks? LOVE (better known as “ the finger ”) by Maurizio Cattelán is a good example. It stands right in front of the Milan Stock Exchange, as a critique of the world of finance. The name is an acronym for “freedom, hate, revenge and eternity”.
Go up to the terraces of Rinascente (an Italian shopping centre, similar to El Corte Inglés), in Piazza Duomo: from up there you will have one of the best views of Milan for free.

More things to do in Milan

Take the free art tour.
Do you love football ? Milan is home to a world-class temple of football, with a curious fact: it is used by both of the city's teams and depending on who is playing, it is called one way or another: San Siro stadium for AC Milan, and Giuseppe Meazza for Inter.
Another interesting museum in Milan is the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana , with masterpieces by Caravaggio, Titian Botticelli, among others.
Are you a beer lover? Then you have to try the craft beer from Birrificio Lambrate .
Need some peace and quiet? Head to the Terme di Milano . The place is as cool as it is expensive: daily entry costs €45. If you prefer, there is the “aperiterme” option, which allows you to enter after 5pm and enjoy an aperitif buffet.
The Church of San Bernardino alle osse is a somewhat creepy but very curious place: inside you can visit an ossuary full of eggs and skulls.
Did you know that Milan has the smallest bar in the world ? We are talking about Backdoor43 , a 4 m² bar that only accommodates 2 people at a time (with reservation). However, everyone can visit it and have a cocktail outside. It is located at Ripa di Porta Ticinese, 43.

what to see in milan

Excursions from Milan

Do you have more days in Milan? Considering that 2 days are enough to see the main sights, we recommend you take advantage of the time to do one of these excursions :

Lake Como and Bellagio . Although you can do it on your own, here we tell you about our trip .
Bernina Express train through the Swiss Alps .
Cinque Terre (Here we tell you about our trip to Cinque Terre ).
Lake Garda and Verona

Cinque Terre

These are our recommendations for things to see and do in Milan . The city of fashion and design has a lot to offer: art, history, gastronomy and a vibrant atmosphere on every corner. Have we missed any must-sees ? Tell us in the comments and help us complete the list.

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