Things to Visit in Milan: Art, Fashion, and Architecture
See Milan beyond the shopping district. Covers the Duomo, Last Supper, Brera neighborhood, canal district, modern architecture, and the best aperitivo spots.
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Duomo and City Center
Tour Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milano)
The largest church in Italy took nearly 600 years to complete. Book a timed-entry ticket online (12-16 EUR depending on access level). The interior is massive and dim; the real spectacle is the exterior with 3,400 statues and 135 spires.
Walk the rooftop terraces for panoramic city views
Visit the archaeological area beneath the cathedral
Walk through Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Italy's oldest active shopping gallery connects the Duomo to La Scala. The glass-vaulted ceiling and mosaic floors are the real attraction, not the luxury shops. Spin on the bull mosaic for good luck (locals consider it touristy, but the worn tile proves everyone does it).
Visit the Piazza del Duomo
The main square is the heart of the city and a good starting point for any visit. The Palazzo Reale (Royal Palace) on the south side hosts major temporary exhibitions. Avoid the men selling pigeon feed or bracelets in the square; they will demand money afterward.
See La Scala opera house
The world's most famous opera house opened in 1778. Museum tickets (12 EUR) include a peek into the auditorium if no rehearsal is running. For a full performance, book 2-3 months ahead; gallery seats start around 30 EUR but go fast.
Art and Culture
See The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci
At Santa Maria delle Grazie church. Tickets sell out weeks (sometimes months) in advance and are limited to 15-minute time slots with groups of 25. Book at the official website the moment tickets are released. If sold out, try calling the booking line or checking for cancellations daily.
Explore the Pinacoteca di Brera
Milan's top art museum in the Brera district, with Raphael's Marriage of the Virgin, Mantegna's Dead Christ, and Caravaggio's Supper at Emmaus. The courtyard with a bronze Napoleon statue is free to enter. Open Tuesday to Sunday, closed Mondays.
Visit Fondazione Prada
Rem Koolhaas-designed contemporary art complex in a former distillery south of the center. The permanent collection and temporary exhibitions are world-class. The Bar Luce, designed by filmmaker Wes Anderson, is inside and open to all visitors.
Tour the Museo del Novecento
20th-century Italian art in a building overlooking the Duomo. The spiral ramp to the top floor has views framing the cathedral. Free entry on the first Sunday of each month. Particularly strong on Futurism and Arte Povera movements.
Visit the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana
Home to Leonardo's Codex Atlanticus (the world's largest collection of his drawings), Botticelli, and Raphael. The library founded in 1609 was one of Europe's first public libraries. Smaller and less crowded than Brera.
Neighborhoods to Explore
Wander through Brera district
Milan's most charming neighborhood has cobblestone streets, art galleries, antique shops, and outdoor cafes. The Orto Botanico (Botanical Garden) on Via Brera is a hidden green oasis. Best explored on foot in the late afternoon.
Explore the Navigli canal district
Two canals (Naviglio Grande and Naviglio Pavese) lined with bars, restaurants, and vintage shops. The area comes alive at aperitivo time (6-9 PM). The Mercatone dell'Antiquariato flea market runs along Naviglio Grande on the last Sunday of each month.
Visit the CityLife district
Milan's new business district features three twisting skyscrapers by Hadid, Isozaki, and Libeskind. The surrounding park and shopping center are modern and car-free. A 15-minute metro ride from the center shows Milan's contemporary ambition.
Walk through Porta Nuova and the Bosco Verticale
The Bosco Verticale (Vertical Forest) towers are covered in 900 trees and 20,000 plants across their balconies. The surrounding Piazza Gae Aulenti is a sleek pedestrian area with the BAM botanical park. Free to walk through.
Browse the Quadrilatero della Moda (Fashion District)
The four-block rectangle bounded by Via Montenapoleone, Via della Spiga, Via Manzoni, and Corso Venezia is the global epicenter of Italian fashion. Window shopping is free; buying is not. Via della Spiga is pedestrian-only and the most pleasant to walk.
Food and Aperitivo
Join the aperitivo tradition
Milan invented the aperitivo: buy a drink (8-12 EUR) and help yourself to a buffet of food. Navigli and Brera districts have the best options. The ritual starts around 6 PM and peaks at 7:30 PM. Some spots serve enough food to replace dinner entirely.
Try risotto alla Milanese
Saffron risotto is Milan's signature dish: creamy, golden, and rich. Often served with ossobuco (braised veal shank). Traditional restaurants in the center serve it for 14-20 EUR. The key is the quality of the saffron, not the amount.
Eat a cotoletta alla Milanese
The original breaded cutlet (predating the Wiener schnitzel, Milanese will insist). A bone-in veal cutlet, pounded thin, breaded, and fried in butter. It should hang over the edge of the plate. Expect to pay 18-25 EUR.
Get a panzerotto from Luini
A fried or baked calzone-like pastry filled with tomato and mozzarella. The bakery near the Duomo has a line that moves fast. Costs about 3-5 EUR and is one of Milan's best cheap eats. Opens at 10 AM; the line starts before that.
Explore Mercato Centrale Milano
Inside Milan's main train station (Centrale), this food hall has stalls specializing in pasta, pizza, gelato, seafood, and wine. Good for a meal before catching a train. Prices are fair for the quality, though slightly above street-level restaurants.
Day Trips from Milan
Take a train to Lake Como
Trains from Milan Centrale reach Varenna in about 1 hour or Como in 40 minutes. Varenna is smaller, quieter, and more photogenic. Bellagio (reachable by ferry from either town) is the most famous lake town. Go on a weekday to avoid crowds.
Visit Bergamo's Citta Alta (Upper Town)
The medieval walled upper town is 50 minutes from Milan by train. Take the funicular up from the lower town. The Piazza Vecchia is one of the finest squares in Italy. Far less touristy than Lake Como and genuinely stunning.
Day trip to Verona
The city of Romeo and Juliet is 1.5 hours by high-speed train. The Roman arena, Juliet's balcony (touristy but fun), and the Adige River views are the highlights. Easy to cover the main sights in 6-7 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in Milan?
2-3 days covers the Duomo, The Last Supper, Brera, and the Navigli district. With 4 days, add a day trip to Lake Como or Bergamo. Milan is more compact than Rome or Florence, so you cover ground faster.
How far in advance should you book Last Supper tickets?
At least 2-3 months for peak season (April to October). Tickets are released in batches and sell out within hours. Check the official booking site early in the morning when new dates drop. Third-party guided tours often have availability when individual tickets are sold out, but cost 40-60 EUR instead of 15 EUR.
Is Milan worth visiting compared to Rome and Florence?
Milan is a different experience: more modern, more design-focused, and less ruin-heavy. If you care about contemporary art, fashion, food culture (aperitivo!), and architecture, it rivals or beats both. It is also the best base for day trips to Lake Como, Bergamo, and Verona.
What is the best area to stay in Milan?
Brera is the most charming and walkable neighborhood, close to the Duomo and Pinacoteca. Navigli is best for nightlife and a younger vibe. Centrale (near the train station) is convenient for day trips but less atmospheric. Avoid staying far from a metro station; Milan's public transport is excellent.