From the grand Duomo di Milano cathedral to the extra off-the-beaten-track points of interest of the Italian lakes, right here’s a information to a few of the metropolis’s greatest issues to do, must-see landmarks, and enchanting surrounding areas.
It’s straightforward to get intimidated whereas attempting to plan a trip to Italy since there are such a lot of wonderful locations to see and you need to decide which of them to go to.
As a outcome, it’s a frequent matter of debate on a wide range of journey blogs and web sites, with many individuals questioning whether or not they need to even hassle going to Milan. And given the numerous unbelievable choices obtainable, Milan is incessantly disregarded since it is just thought-about a gateway to different places, a stopover on the path to someplace else, or a metropolis that doesn’t actually fall among the many least expensive locations to go to in Italy.
But town is extra deserving than that; it’s a fascinating and sometimes misunderstood vacation spot (even by Italians!).
Milan may be very wealthy in cultural choices, one thing that’s method too straightforward to neglect contemplating the present format of town. In reality, after WWII, all of the factories that had been broken by the bombings have been rebuilt, and plenty of manufacturing unit employees moved right here. Neighborhoods have been constructed shortly, usually on the expense of inexperienced area and with a concentrate on operate reasonably than aesthetics.
Because of this, town could seem drab and uninviting at first look; except you recognize the place to look, you don’t get the identical awe-inspiring vistas provided by the likes of Rome and Venice, the charming villages of Tuscany, Liguria, and Sicily, or the pristine wilderness areas of Sardinia and Calabria.
But right here is the factor: Milan is beautiful in a special and fewer apparent method.
Milan’s magnificence is within the interiors of its buildings, the courtyards and gardens that encompass them, and the facades of the buildings that make up town. But additionally within the opulence of town’s inns, bars, and eating places. Then, in fact, there’s style, or how folks gown.
Milan is gorgeous in a way that’s much less cliche and fewer touristic.
In this mini-guide, we’ll take you on a tour of Milan’s cobblestone streets, winding canals, and plenty of artistic endeavors. We’ll additionally share insider suggestions, issues to do, and locations you’ll be able to’t miss on this busy metropolis—and people it’s best to keep away from as an alternative.
Things you’ll be able to’t miss in Milan
The Duomo space: the Cathedral and the Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery
The Duomo di Milano, or Milan Cathedral, is a must-see in case you’re visiting Milan. It’s the most important cathedral in Italy and one of many greatest on the earth. The building of this Gothic-style church began in 1386, and it took practically six centuries to finish, with the ultimate particulars added in 1965.
The exterior of the Duomo is understood for being elaborate and ornate. There are greater than 3,400 statues and 135 spires on the skin. It’s embellished with intricate marble carvings and sculptures, together with the well-known copper and gold “Madonnina” statue on the high of the tallest spire.
Inside, the cathedral is simply as spectacular, with an enormous and hovering inside that may maintain as much as 40,000 folks. The primary nave has stained glass home windows and frescoes, and the cathedral additionally has quite a few necessary artworks, just like the spectacular statue of Saint Bartholomew flayed.
One of the best issues concerning the Duomo is its roof, which you will get to by way of a carry or stairs. From the roof, you will get nice views of town and see the intricate particulars of the cathedral’s structure up shut, with its carvings, statues of vegetation and flowers, and the well-known gargoyles.
The Duomo is a crucial spiritual constructing, however it is usually a preferred vacationer vacation spot and a logo of Milan. It’s visited by hundreds of thousands of individuals every year and is a giant a part of town’s identification and heritage.
Looking on the Duomo from the sq., in your left, you will notice the Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery.
This elegant, glass-roofed constructing was constructed within the nineteenth century, and it’s recognized for its high-end boutiques, cafes, and eating places. It is a well-liked vacation spot for each locals and vacationers.
The arcade was constructed by architect Giuseppe Mengoni and named after Vittorio Emanuele II, who was the primary king of a united Italy. The constructing is fabricated from iron and glass, and the inside is embellished with mosaics, marble, and frescoes.
Walking previous the gallery, you can see your self in Piazza della Scala, the sq. in entrance of the namesake opera home.
La Scala is among the world’s most prestigious and well-known opera homes. It is understood for its stunning inside and performances.
The opera home was constructed within the 18th century. Some of the most effective musicians on the earth, like Verdi, Pavarotti, and Maria Callas, have carried out there.
The inside of La Scala is equally spectacular, with a grand, ornate auditorium that may seat over 2,000 folks. The theater is embellished with frescoes, marble, and gold leaf and options quite a few necessary artworks.
Together, the Duomo, the Vittorio Emanuele II gallery, and La Scala are Milan’s most well-known and iconic landmarks and must-sees for anybody visiting town.
The Sforza Castle and its park, the Last Supper
The Sforza Castle is situated a couple of blocks away from the Duomo. It was initially constructed as a fortress by Duke Francesco Sforza, however over time it has been used as a residence for the ruling household, a army barracks, and a jail. Today, the fort is a significant vacationer attraction and homes quite a few museums and artwork collections.
The fort is understood for its imposing dimension and spectacular structure. It is surrounded by a moat and has large partitions and towers that have been designed to guard town from invaders. The inside of the fort is magnificent, with quite a few grand, ornate rooms and halls that have been utilized by the ruling household.
The fort’s exterior courtyards are all the time free, however admission to the within of the fort and the artwork assortment it holds requires a charge.
Parco Sempione, a big and exquisite park situated behind the fort, is a well-liked place for locals and guests alike to spend time year-round due to Milan’s nice local weather.
This lush inexperienced paradise is at its most stunning within the spring when you’ll be able to see turtles swimming within the pond on the park’s coronary heart from the park’s charming bridge, which is adorned with sculptures of mermaids.
In {the summertime}, the attractive grassy areas with views of the fort and the historic gate of Milan often called the “Arco della Pace” are common sunbathing spots for locals and vacationers alike. The pretty foliage of autumn and winter can be a sight to not miss.
Brera and the Fashion District
Nestled within the middle of town, only a stone’s throw from the Sforzesco Castle, Brera is the subsequent must-visit vacation spot in Milan.
This neighborhood is understood for its slender streets, cobbled squares, and colourful buildings. Despite Milan’s modernity, Brera is regarded as one of many metropolis’s most authentically Italian neighborhoods.
At the guts of the district, you’ll discover the Pinacoteca di Brera Art Gallery, which is residence to a few of the world’s most treasured work. But the neighborhood is far more than only a museum—it’s a hub of cultural and creative exercise, with galleries, theaters, and live performance halls dotted all through the realm.
And when the solar goes down, Brera comes alive with a vibrant nightlife scene, from stylish bars and golf equipment to upscale eating places and bistrots to genuine taverne and osterie.
Not removed from Brera is the Quadrilatero della Moda, the Fashion District of Milan.
This is a prestigious space of Milan recognized for its high-end style and luxurious items.
The district is residence to virtually all the world’s most well-known designer boutiques, similar to Prada, Gucci, Valentino, Chanel, and extra.
The elegant streets are lined with outlets, and the realm is a well-liked vacation spot for style lovers from around the globe.
Whether you’re available in the market for a brand new luxurious merchandise or simply need to admire the fashionable designs and the subtle structure, a go to to the Quadrilatero della Moda is a should throughout your journey to Milan.
Santa Maria delle Grazie is a well-known church in Milan, greatest recognized for housing Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, The Last Supper.
The church itself is an attractive Renaissance constructing with a shocking brick façade, and the inside is full of art work and frescoes. The Last Supper is situated on one of many partitions of the church’s refectory and is taken into account one of many biggest artistic endeavors on the earth.
Despite its age, the portray continues to be in remarkably good situation, and guests can see it up shut as a part of a guided tour. If you’re in Milan, a go to to the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie and the Last Supper is a should.
Due to their excessive demand, tickets promote out shortly after they go on sale, so plan months forward.
A 15-minute stroll from right here will take you to the Navigli district. This is a cool and classy neighborhood recognized for its energetic nightlife.
The space is known as after the Navigli, a collection of canals that have been as soon as used for transportation and commerce and are actually a preferred spot, particularly on weekends.
The slender streets are full of the trendiest bars, golf equipment, and eating places of Milan, making it the proper place to seize a drink, hearken to dwell music and drink a spritz to expertise the true spirit of Milan like a neighborhood.
And what you’ll be able to skip in Milan as an alternative
If you’re planning a visit to Milan, you’ll need to take advantage of your time within the metropolis.
But with a lot to see and do, it may be overwhelming to resolve the place to start out. That’s why we’ve put collectively this information to the issues it’s best to skip in Milan—so you’ll be able to keep away from the vacationer traps and concentrate on the really must-see points of interest.
Touristy eating places downtown
It may be tempting to decide on essentially the most simply accessible eating places—these which might be situated in wonderful central places with nice views and make consuming out simpler.
You know, those with the garish indicators and Italian flags, pictures on the menu, and big “specials” boards.
With only a few exceptions, it’s actually unusual for this sort of place to offer essentially the most genuine and pleasant Italian expertise.
Most of the time, the meals at these eating places is watered down and lacks the wealthy flavors that make Italian meals so common. Moreover, they usually don’t have a extremely “Italian” vibe.
Plus, costs are marked up in comparison with different locations, and the service could also be lackluster. All in all, it’s undoubtedly greatest to go elsewhere for an actual Italian eating expertise.
Instead, attempt to discover a native trattoria or ristorante, the place the environment is extra genuine and the meals is true to the Italian culinary custom. Prices will likely be extra affordable, and the environment will likely be far more genuine.
You don’t even have to go away downtown to seek out this sort of meals. The charming aspect alleys are stuffed with hidden gems, and locals don’t often hesitate to provide you a tip on the place to eat.
Buffet aperitivo
Let’s be clear: aperitivo (Italian for “happy hour”) is an absolute must-do whereas in Milan.
As the tip of the workday approaches, in addition to on weekends, many individuals need to unwind with pals and colleagues throughout aperitivo hour, which generally takes place between 7 and 9 p.m.
Drinks are accompanied with a light-weight snack or a couple of small plates of meals, similar to olives, cheese, cured meats, focaccia, or pizza. During aperitivo, the preferred cocktail is an Aperol spritz, which consists of Aperol, prosecco, and soda water.
Before the pandemic, it was far more frequent to serve the aperitivo within the type of a giant buffet with many various choices, usually at a low value that was tempting.
Unfortunately, this additionally implies that the meal is of low high quality, the place will likely be crowded, and it’ll not depart a constructive impression nor be enjoyable!
Some locations nonetheless serve aperitivo this manner, nevertheless it’s greatest to keep away from them.
Instead, select a high-quality restaurant or bar the place you’ll have a spread of small plates served to you instantly at your desk. After all, aperitivo is supposed to be just a little snack loved earlier than a drink, not a substitute for dinner. Quality over amount!
Hop on – hop off excursions
If you’re pressed for time and need to take advantage of your go to to Milan, hop-on, hop-off vacationer buses look like an amazing thought. These double-decker buses assist you to get round shortly, seeing the principle sights in a brief period of time.
While this may be true for very massive cities like Rome or Paris, in a spot like Milan, the place there are fewer distances to cowl, it’s not likely mandatory.
In reality, by taking certainly one of these excursions, you miss out on loads of town’s hidden treasures as a result of the tour merely doesn’t go off the overwhelmed monitor.
If you’re unable to or don’t get pleasure from strolling, you’ll be able to nonetheless benefit from the metropolis’s highlights by benefiting from the general public transportation system, which is extraordinarily environment friendly and covers each nook of Milano virtually 24 hours per day—for affordable.
A weekend in Milan: a strolling information
Milan is the proper vacation spot for a weekend getaway.
To take advantage of your time in Milan, why not take a strolling tour to expertise all the most effective components of this unbelievable metropolis? Here’s a information to planning your excellent weekend in Milan.
Saturday
Start your first day with breakfast at certainly one of Brera’s charming historic cafes, after which head to the Pinacoteca di Brera artwork gallery to see the newest exhibitions. After absorbing some tradition, seize lunch at certainly one of Brera’s conventional eating places.
In the afternoon, make your approach to the Quadrilatero della Moda, Milan’s well-known style district. Starting from Via Montenapoleone, you’ll be able to store at high-end boutiques, get pleasure from a espresso at one of many elegant boutique cafes, or just admire the attractive structure.
From the style district, stroll to Piazza San Babila, the place you’ll discover extra inexpensive purchasing choices alongside Corso Vittorio Emanuele II.
As the day involves an finish, make your approach to Piazza del Duomo, residence to town’s iconic cathedral.
Admire the attractive façade, and if the climate is good, contemplate a go to to the rooftop for beautiful 360° views of town (however bear in mind to guide your tickets prematurely).
Finish the day with an aperitivo at one of many well-known rooftop bars overlooking the sq., however solely after a go to to the regal Vittorio Emanuele II gallery, which is much more majestic when lit up at night time.
Sunday
On the second day of your journey to Milan, you’ll start by strolling from the Duomo as much as the fort by way of the attractive by way of Mercanti and by way of Dante.
Take a second to admire the attractive medieval sq. that was the middle of town (Piazza dei Mercanti) and the place the place the market passed off.
At the tip of Via Dante, you can see your self in Piazza Castello. You can wander by way of the courtyards of the fort without spending a dime or purchase a ticket to go to the within of the fort and the artwork galleries it hosts.
If the day is good, take a stroll by way of Parco Sempione or take a break and benefit from the stunning nature and the climate.
It’s time to go away the park and head south, in the direction of the Magenta district, which is among the richest residential areas of Milan and is stuffed with attractive Liberty-style buildings.
In this neighborhood, you’ll discover many eating places the place you’ll be able to get pleasure from some genuine Italian meals.
In the afternoon, you’ll be able to go to the Last Supper, however be sure you have deliberate this forward of time, as talked about earlier than.
Alternatively, in case you haven’t been in a position to guide in time, a go to to the church and monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazie is value your whereas.
While you’re within the space, don’t neglect to take a look at the “Vigna di Leonardo,” a winery the Duke of Milan gave to Leonardo da Vinci in 1498 whereas he was engaged on the portray of the final supper.
In the night, take a brief and pleasurable stroll to the Navigli, the place you’ll discover lots of of bars and eating places which might be cool and classy. You’re positive to have a good time spending your second night there.
Best day and weekend journeys from Milan
Once you’re executed with town highlights and vacationer points of interest, and you probably have extra time to spend there, it’s time to plan some day or weekend journeys from Milan. Hiking lovers and urbanites will certainly get pleasure from the next locations in Milan’s surrounding areas.
10 Great climbing spots close to Milan
On the opposite hand, the proximity to the Alps and Dolomites makes Milan an ideal launching pad for climbing. A couple of fascinating climbing spots simply accessible from Milan are:
- Lake Como: This beautiful glacier-created lake is among the most stunning locations to go climbing within the space. Take the prepare to Como San Giovanni and begin tackling certainly one of its many trails.
- Val d’Intelvi: Take a brief prepare journey to Tresivio and discover the luxurious Val d’Intelvi Valley. This valley’s terrain is right for leisurely strolls, extra demanding hikes, and even a couple of mountain biking trails.
- Valtellina Valley: This valley is situated much more north and offers quite a few climbing trails of various problem. From the vineyards within the Valtellina Valley to the wonderful views of the Alps, this space is a favourite amongst Milanese hikers, skiers, and rock climbers.
- Val di Mello: In the Stelvio National Park, Val di Mello is one other great spot to discover and go climbing. Take the prepare to Tirano after which hike as much as this magical spot. Along the best way, there are many attractive views and streams to get pleasure from.
- Montevecchia: Near Milan, that is a simple day journey from town. Take the prepare to Barzanò and begin on the base of the mountain.
- Lakes Maggiore and Garda: These two Italian lakes is probably not as near Milan as Lake Como, however they’re undoubtedly definitely worth the longer journey. Both lakes supply loads of stunning surroundings and difficult hikes.
- Grignetta: The Grignetta is a mountain situated proper beside Milan. Take the prepare to Covale and begin your hike.
- Swiss Alps: The quick prepare to Switzerland can take you to Interlaken in 3 hours. Once there, spend the day exploring the majestic Swiss Alps.
- Fellaria glacier: An amazing spot for difficult day hikes and in a single day tenting climate allowing. You can get there by taking a prepare to Valtournenche, then a cable automotive as much as the glacier.
- Valle d’Aosta: The most mountainous area in Italy affords a few of the greatest climbing within the nation and is just some hours’ drive from Milan. Add it to your itinerary!
15 Awesome Towns and Cities a brief journey away from Milan
There are quite a few extremely attractive cities and cities that may be simply reached in not more than two or three hours, as a day or weekend journey from Milan. Here are some Milan day journey locations it’s best to contemplate:
- Bellagio: Situated within the idyllic Como lake, Bellagio is only a low-cost one-hour prepare journey away from Milan and affords beautiful landscapes and actions similar to kayaking and boat rides on the lake. For lots of of years, celebrities and aristocrats have flocked to this Italian lake scape. From the breathtaking surroundings to the fascinating cities and historic websites alongside the lake’s shores, you gained’t discover a higher day journey from Milan.
- Parma: The charming metropolis of Parma is an hour and a half drive from Milan and is residence to the famend Parma ham and cheese together with a few of the greatest museums and church buildings within the area.
- Bergamo: Gorgeous cobblestone streets, palazzos, and church buildings await 50 km away from Milan.
- Verona: A two-hour drive from Milan, the pleasant metropolis of Verona affords a few of the best-preserved Roman ruins and the imposing Arena of Verona.
- Sirmione: This charming village is located on the tip of the Sirmio peninsular and is only a one-hour drive from Milan. Here you can see the ruins of a medieval fort and scorching springs from Roman baths.
- Lake Garda: What if we advised you that the most important lake in Italy is only a 1.5-hour drive from Milan? Garda lake is a great spot for leisurely strolls and boat rides. Families with youngsters and amusement park lovers may also put Gardaland, one of the vital common theme parks in Italy situated within the lake Garda area, on their itinerary.
- Genoa: This vibrant port metropolis may be reached in simply two hours by prepare from Milan and is residence to a energetic previous city with winding streets lined with bars and eating places.
- Turin: Known for its spectacular palazzos, piazzas, and gardens, this metropolis is only a one-and-a-half-hour drive away from Milan.
- Brescia: An hour and a half drive from Milan, Brescia is a historic city residence to some great museums and artwork galleries.
- Liguria: Home to the attractive Italian Riviera and the charming cities of Portofino and Sanremo, this coastal area may be reached in simply two hours by automotive from Milan.
- Venice: The iconic metropolis of Venice is only a two-hour drive from Milan and, as absolutely you recognize, is a must-visit vacation spot in Italy.
- Chianti: Famous for its wine and rolling hills dotted with vineyards and olive groves, you will get to Chianti from Milan in 90 minutes.
- Stresa: Located on the picturesque shores of Lake Maggiore, Stresa affords beautiful views, nice purchasing, and fascinating historic websites. The Borromean Islands are simply offshore and are additionally a must-see vacation spot.
- Bologna: This vibrant college metropolis is only a one-hour prepare journey away from Milan and affords a pleasant mixture of Renaissance-era structure and the bustling environment of a contemporary metropolis.
- Cinque Terre: This charming coastal space is three hours away from Milan and is residence to some beautiful climbing trails together with a string of picturesque villages.
nosbatti.com is a metropolis information to Milan made by locals. It provides insider suggestions and recommendation on the most effective spots to eat, drink, and discover; whether or not you’re planning a visit, a transfer, or simply need to be taught extra about Milan, it’s going to aid you keep away from the everyday vacationer traps and expertise town like a neighborhood.
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