21 Best Things To Do In Milan, Italy In 2025

January 30, 2025
One of the best things to see in Milan

Milan stands as Italy’s sophisticated northern capital, blending historical grandeur with modern innovation. This dynamic city offers visitors an incredible mix of artistic masterpieces, architectural wonders, and cutting-edge fashion, all while maintaining its traditional Italian charm.

From Gothic cathedrals to contemporary art spaces, there are endless things to do in Milan if you’re looking to explore!

1. Marvel at the Duomo

Duomo

The magnificent Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milano) defines the city’s skyline and serves as its spiritual heart. This Gothic masterpiece took nearly six centuries to complete, resulting in one of the largest churches in Italy. The cathedral’s exterior features over 3,400 statues and 135 spires, creating an intricate display of architectural artistry.

Visitors can explore both the cathedral’s impressive interior and its spectacular rooftop terrace. The roof access provides unique views of the ornate spires and gargoyles, along with panoramic vistas of Milan. Early morning visits offer the best experience, with shorter queues and optimal lighting for photography.

2. Visit Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper

Last Supper

Located in the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, The Last Supper represents one of the world’s most famous paintings. This masterpiece by Leonardo da Vinci requires advance planning to visit, as only small groups can enter the climate-controlled room for 15-minute viewing sessions.

Reservations open several months in advance and typically sell out quickly. The careful preservation efforts make this limited access necessary, but the opportunity to see this iconic work in person proves truly unforgettable.

3. Explore the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

This elegant 19th-century shopping arcade represents one of the world’s first shopping malls. The Galleria’s magnificent glass dome, intricate mosaics, and ornate architecture create a stunning backdrop for luxury boutiques and historic cafes.

The Galleria connects the Duomo to La Scala opera house, making it a central point for both shopping and sightseeing. Notable stops include the historic Cafe Biffi and the Marchesi 1824 pasticceria, perfect for experiencing authentic Milanese cafe culture.

4. Tour the Sforza Castle

Sforza Castle

The Castello Sforzesco stands as a testament to Milan’s medieval power. Built in the 15th century, this massive fortress now houses several museums containing artistic treasures, including Michelangelo’s last sculpture, the Rondanini Pietà.

The castle grounds lead directly into Parco Sempione, offering a perfect combination of cultural exploration and relaxation. The museums showcase everything from ancient artifacts to musical instruments, providing insights into Milan’s rich history.

5. Experience the Navigli District

Navigli Disctrict

The Navigli area, centered around two historic canals, represents Milan’s most picturesque neighborhood. These waterways once connected Milan to surrounding lakes and rivers, playing a crucial role in the city’s development.

Today, the district comes alive during aperitivo hours, when canal-side bars and restaurants fill with locals and visitors. The area particularly shines in the evening, when the water reflects the lights of numerous bars and restaurants lining the canals.

6. Visit the Pinacoteca di Brera

Pinacoteca di Brera

This world-class art gallery houses one of Italy’s finest collections of paintings. Located in the elegant Brera district, the Pinacoteca showcases masterpieces from artists including Raphael, Mantegna, and Caravaggio.

The gallery occupies a historic palazzo alongside the Brera Academy of Fine Arts, creating a rich cultural atmosphere. The collection particularly excels in religious art and works from northern Italy, providing crucial context for understanding the region’s artistic heritage.

7. Explore the Fashion District

Quadrilatero della Moda

The Quadrilatero della Moda represents the heart of Milan’s fashion scene. This elegant neighborhood contains the highest concentration of luxury boutiques and designer showrooms in the city.

Key streets include Via Montenapoleone and Via della Spiga, where historic palazzos house flagship stores of the world’s most prestigious fashion brands. Even window shopping provides an appreciation for Milan’s role as a global fashion capital.

8. Tour Teatro alla Scala

Teatro alla Scala

La Scala opera house stands as one of the world’s most renowned musical venues. Since its founding in 1778, this historic theater has premiered numerous famous operas and hosted legendary performers.

The attached museum displays fascinating theatrical memorabilia, while guided tours offer glimpses of the opulent auditorium. Attending a performance provides the ultimate La Scala experience, though tickets should be booked well in advance.

9. Visit Fondazione Prada

Fondazione Prada

This contemporary art complex, housed in a former distillery, showcases cutting-edge exhibitions in a striking architectural setting. The foundation’s permanent collection includes important works of contemporary art alongside temporary exhibitions.

The complex includes Bar Luce, designed by filmmaker Wes Anderson, offering a uniquely stylized setting for coffee or cocktails. The foundation’s innovative programming makes it a must-visit for contemporary art enthusiasts.

10. Stroll Through Parco Sempione

Parco Sempione

Milan’s central park provides a green oasis in the heart of the city. This English-style garden offers peaceful walking paths, scenic ponds, and excellent views of the Sforza Castle and the Arch of Peace.

The park contains several cultural institutions, including the Triennale design museum and the civic aquarium. Its central location makes it perfect for a refreshing break between sightseeing activities.

11. Visit Villa Necchi Campiglio

Villa Necchi Campiglio

This perfectly preserved 1930s mansion offers insights into Milan’s elegant lifestyle between the world wars. The villa’s art deco design, complete with original furnishings and decorative arts, creates a time capsule of upper-class Milanese life.

The property includes a beautiful garden with a swimming pool, among the first private pools in Milan. Guided tours provide fascinating details about the villa’s architecture and its former residents.

12. Experience Milanese Aperitivo

Milanese Aperitivo

The aperitivo tradition reaches its zenith in Milan, where pre-dinner drinks come accompanied by elaborate buffets or carefully prepared small plates. This evening ritual typically begins around 6:30 PM and provides a perfect introduction to Milanese social culture.

Popular venues include both historic establishments and contemporary bars, particularly in the Navigli and Brera districts. Many places offer extensive buffets included with the price of a drink.

13. Try Local Cuisine

cotoletta alla Milanese

Milanese cuisine offers distinct flavors and specialties unique to the region. Essential dishes include risotto alla Milanese, colored golden with saffron, and cotoletta alla Milanese, a perfectly prepared veal cutlet.

Traditional restaurants throughout the city serve these specialties alongside other regional dishes. The city’s dining scene also embraces contemporary interpretations of classic recipes, creating an exciting culinary landscape.

14. Visit the Triennale Design Museum

Triennale Design Museum

The Triennale showcases Italy’s significant contributions to design and architecture. Located in Parco Sempione, this institution hosts rotating exhibitions exploring various aspects of design, from furniture to fashion.

The museum’s permanent collection chronicles the evolution of Italian design, while temporary exhibitions examine contemporary trends and innovations. The rooftop restaurant offers excellent views over the park.

15. Explore Brera District

Brera District

This charming neighborhood combines artistic heritage with contemporary style. Home to the Pinacoteca di Brera, the district features numerous galleries, antique shops, and artisanal boutiques along its cobblestone streets.

The area particularly comes alive in the evenings, when its many restaurants and bars fill with locals and visitors. The neighborhood maintains an authentic atmosphere despite its popularity.

16. Visit San Bernardino alle Ossa

San Bernardino alle Ossa

This unique chapel, decorated with human skulls and bones, provides an unusual architectural experience. Built in 1210, the ossuary was created to house bones from the overcrowded hospital cemetery next door.

The baroque chapel features intricate arrangements of bones creating decorative patterns on its walls. While macabre, the site offers fascinating insights into medieval attitudes toward death and remembrance.

17. Explore the Bosco Verticale

Bosco Verticale

These revolutionary residential towers represent a blend of urban development and environmental sustainability. The buildings feature hundreds of trees and thousands of plants on their facades, creating a vertical forest in the city center.

The surrounding Porta Nuova district showcases Milan’s modern face, with contemporary architecture and urban planning. The area provides excellent photo opportunities and demonstrates Milan’s commitment to innovative design.

18. Tour Biblioteca Ambrosiana

Biblioteca Ambrosiana

This historic library houses important manuscripts and artworks, including works by Leonardo da Vinci. The library’s collection includes the famous Codex Atlanticus, containing Leonardo’s drawings and writings.

The attached Pinacoteca Ambrosiana displays an impressive collection of paintings, including works by Caravaggio and Raphael. The building itself represents a masterpiece of baroque architecture.

19. Visit Cimitero Monumentale

Cimitero Monumentale

This monumental cemetery serves as an open-air museum of funerary art and architecture. Elaborate tombs and sculptures create a fascinating display of artistic styles from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Guided tours help visitors appreciate the historical and artistic significance of the most notable monuments. The cemetery provides unique insights into Milan’s social history and artistic development.

20. Explore the Central Station

Central Station

Milano Centrale represents one of Europe’s largest and most impressive railway stations. The monumental building combines art deco and liberty styles, featuring grand architectural details throughout.

Recent renovations have added excellent dining options and shopping opportunities. The station’s facade and main hall provide spectacular examples of early 20th-century architecture.

21. Visit the Leonardo da Vinci Museum

Leonardo da Vinci Museum

The museum celebrates Leonardo’s contributions to science and engineering through interactive exhibits and models. Visitors can explore working recreations of his inventions and study his innovative designs.

The collection provides fascinating insights into Leonardo’s wide-ranging interests and achievements. Interactive elements make this museum particularly engaging for visitors of all ages.

Milan rewards visitors with its unique combination of historical significance and contemporary energy. While the city requires some planning to fully appreciate its treasures, particularly for sites like The Last Supper that demand advance reservations, the effort proves worthwhile. The best time to visit falls during spring (April to May) or autumn (September to October), when mild temperatures and cultural events create ideal conditions for exploration.

Don't Miss

A stop on Fairy Tale Road Germany

8 Must-See Stops On Germany’s Famous Fairy Tale Road

Once upon a time, two brothers traveled through the German
A Toyota Tacoma truck camper

The 12 Best Truck Campers For Toyota Tacomas In 2025

Finding the right camper for your Toyota Tacoma can seem