If you are wondering what things to do in Milan, in this post we recommend 6 essential places. These are spots that you will not find in any other European capital and that will surprise you for good of Milan, Italy.
Milan, capital of Italian and international fashion, and an essential stop if you go to the north of Italy. It is a very easy and comfortable city to get around. You can go by tram or on foot, but the most important thing is to get lost and then find yourself in its streets. The tram runs through practically all the points of interest in the centre and is a very original way to discover this Italian city, but there are promenades and avenues that are well worth enjoying on foot.
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What not to miss in Milan Italy?
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The Duomo of Milan
It is the most emblematic postcard of the city and one of the most typical stops, but this place is really worth being in. Both the impressive façade and the whole area surrounding it (Piazza del Duomo), make the Duomo one of the most special places in Milan, Italy. We could say that it is love at first sight.
Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery
The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, known as the “salon of Milan”. It is next to the Duomo and is part of the magic of the place. Designed in the 19th century, this gallery is made up of several galleries covered with glass ceilings and impressive vaults. That will have you gawking upwards. As a curiosity of the sky in this gallery, in the central vault there are represented in a mosaic the continents of Asia, Africa, Europe and America.
Milan Monumental Cemetery
One of the biggest attractions in Milan is the Monumental Cemetery. I know it may sound strange, but this cemetery is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. In addition, the architecture and the spaces you will find there will not leave you indifferent. So, don’t go there with prejudices, go in and let yourself be surprised.
The Brera district
After making three of the obligatory stops, visiting the Brera neighbourhood, is to enter one of the most bohemian and interesting neighbourhoods in the city. Formed by the streets via Brera, via Solferino, via Pontaccio, Corso Garibaldi and Corso Como, you will discover a journey through Milan’s culture, art and history. Take the opportunity to wander through its streets and investigate its shops. Also, the cafes and restaurants, it is a good time to look for a place to eat and choose the one you like the most. Also, if you have time, you can visit the Brera Botanical Gardens, one of the lungs of the city, or the Pinacoteca and the Academy of Fine Arts.
Sempione Park and Sforzesco Castle
A great place to stroll after lunch and spend the afternoon is Sempione Park. A huge natural space in the middle of the city where you can take a break and sit and read on the lawn. Another undoubted attraction in the park is the Sforzesco Castle. Built as a fortress in 1368, it houses some of Milan’s best museums. Moreover, if you are a monument lover, the Sempione Park is a good choice as it is also home to several important buildings such as the Arch of Peace.
Navigli neighbourhood and river
An obligatory stop if you are in Milan is the Navigli neighbourhood. You must even repeat if you stay more than one day. Guarded by the Navigli River, this neighbourhood is the perfect place from which to watch the sunset in Milan and stroll through a quintessentially Italian atmosphere. It is also full of restaurants and bars where you can have a drink or dinner in a privileged setting.
Enjoying Italian gastronomy
As an Italian city, another of its strong points is its gastronomy. As one of the northern Italian cities, the most typical Milanese dishes are Carpaccio, Cotoletta alla milanese, and Ossobuco alla milanese (veal shank stew). If you are not a big fan of meat and are still thinking about pasta and pizza, my recommendation is Pasto – Laboratorio di pasta con cucina. This is a restaurant with fresh pasta of the day and a dream for Italian food lovers. Of course pasta and pizza are a classic and you will find very good quality in all their restaurants.
Shopping in Milan Italy
If you like fashion, you will enjoy Milan. Its people and shops are all about elegance and trends. So, don’t hesitate to go to Via Montenapoleone, Via della Spiga, Via Manzoni and Corso Venezia, known as Milan’s fashion quadrilateral. There, you will find everything you are looking for and more.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What to see in Milan, Italy, in 1 day?
If you are just passing through and you are only staying in Milan for 1 day, I would take the opportunity to see just enough, but with enough time to enjoy it and leave the city with a good taste in your mouth:
- The Duomo
- Vittorio Emanuele Gallery
- Brera neighbourhood
- Navigli neighbourhood.
- What to see in Milan in 2 days?
If you come for a short 2-day weekend. It is perfect to see all of Milan and not miss anything important. Also, I would focus on the 6 key sites I have marked above plus an afternoon of shopping and gifts.
What to see in Milan, Italy, in 3 days?
If you visit Milan in 3 days, apart from enjoying the energy of this city, It is interesting that you think about making an excursion to its surroundings one of the days of your trip. Moreover, you will find several buses that will take you there without the need to rent a car. All the stops are spectacular, but Lago Di Como is my favourite. A different and extraordinary environment where you can rest your mind and simply enjoy the views. For me, a place not to be missed.
Depending on the type of excursion you are looking for, you can also go to:
- Bergamo
- Portovenere
- Monterosso
- Vernazza
- La Spezia
How to prepare and organize the things to do in Milan, Italy?
To prepare your itinerary you can take this post as a reference and download the Passporter App. Here, you can add the points of interest, check timetables and see on the map how to organise your route. This application will be very useful to find out which are the most interesting places for your personal itinerary. In addition, you will find an extensive photo gallery of the places I have recommended and new suggestions that will surely surprise you.
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