Milan, Italy, will surely surprise you with its many wonders! For the best travel experience in Milan, Italy, check out our curated list of things to do in Milan, Italy, and the best places to visit in Milan, Italy, below. Wondrous Drifter, a Web 3.0 travel startup, hopes to have a significant impact on the world.
Table Of Content
- Acquario Civico
- Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio
- Brera district
- Casa Museo Boschi-di Stefano
- Castello Sforzesco
- Cimitero Monumentale
- Duomo di Milano
- Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
- La Scala Opera
- Milan Chinatown
- Museo nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnologia “Leonardo Da Vinci”
- Navigli Canals
- Palazzo Morando
- Parco Sempione
- Piazza Affari
- Pinacoteca di Brera
- Porta Nuova Skyscrapers
- San Lorenzo Columns
- The Royal Palace of Milan
- Torre Branca
- Explore Europe
Acquario Civico
A relaxing area to get away from the summer heat.
The third-oldest European aquarium may be found on the outskirts of the city’s enormous Parco Sempione.
It was built for Milan International in 1906, and it is the only building from that event that still stands.
The Acquario Civico is, as one might assume, a little out of date.
The aquatic life collection is limited, but the elegance of this Liberty-style structure with a magnificent Titan statue at the entrance more than compensates.
In front of the building is a beautiful fountain with a statue of Neptune and a hippopotamus. Inside, interesting displays show what different aquatic environments look like.
It’s small, yet it tells a beautiful story from the mountain stream to the sea beds.
It’s free after 2 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of the month and all day on the first Sunday of the month.
Take a moment to appreciate the beauty this attraction has to offer.
Address: V.le Gadio, 2, 20121 Milano MI, Italy
Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio
Beautiful church architecture that is well worth a visit.
Because it is adjacent to the Museum of Science and Technology, I recommend you visit the Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio after seeing the museum.
In 386, a church named after the city’s patron saint was erected on the site.
The present basilica, one of the city’s oldest, was finished in 1099.
The Ambrosius basilica is said to be the last resting place of Mediolanum’s first Christian bishop during the Roman era.
The outside of the church is particularly distinctive, with its two brick towers of varying heights and magnificent atrium.
This tourist attraction isn’t well-known, but it’s well worth looking at.
A fantastic opportunity to capture beautiful photographs!
Inside, you may observe Stilicon’s sarcophagus and the crypt, which houses the relics of Saint Ambrose, Saint Gervasus, and Saint Protasus.
It is a sight to behold, with tombstones utilized as wall bricks and wonderful medieval paintings on display.
Address: Piazza Sant’Ambrogio, 15, 20123 Milano MI, Italy
Brera district
Art at its finest.
This lovely neighborhood is located north of the Duomo, between Borgonuovo and Broletto.
Brera is home to the Brera Art Gallery and Brera Academy of Fine Arts. These places have played a big role in making Brera a neighborhood for artists and a center for bohemian culture.
The neighborhood has a unique Bohemian vibe, with art academies, galleries, and well-to-do restaurants and pubs.
Locals would go to a lot of extremely nice eateries.
The atmosphere is great, and you may have a good dinner, a drink, some high-end shopping therapy, or simply stroll down the many cobblestone streets and appreciate the architecture.
It is highly recommended that you spend some time there and walk from the Duomo to this magnificent neighborhood with a truly Italian feel and elegant classic architecture.
A lovely arty, and stylish district to get lost in. It is close to the center yet quite calm and pleasant.
Address: 20121 Milan, Metropolitan City of Milan, Italy
Casa Museo Boschi-di Stefano
A treasure just waiting to be seen.
A Milanese couple’s private art collection is now on display at Casa Museo Boschi-di Stefano, their former home.
The Casa-Museo Boschi Di Stefano is a classic Milanese home located on the second floor of a Piero Portaluppi-designed Art Deco structure.
The remarkable collection of 20th-century Italian art, which includes renowned names like Giorgio de Chirico and Piero Manzoni, is only surpassed by the magnificent art deco elements by cult Milanese architect Piero Portaluppi.
In and of itself, the building is a piece of art.
Iconic artwork and antique furnishings fill the 1930s-style residence.
Have a fantastic day viewing a wonderfully curated art collection in a stunning Art Deco residence.
With a guidebook, you may explore the museum and discover the fascinating origin story of each collection.
This free attraction is short of strolling around but definitely worth a stop during your visit.
To enthusiastic collectors, this is the place to view amazing collections of relics from the past.
Address: Via Giorgio Jan, 15, 20129 Milano MI, Italy
Castello Sforzesco
It was once a mighty fortress for royalty but is now a building for everyone to visit.
This 15th-century castle is located in the heart of Milan and is surrounded by huge grounds and gardens.
The original design, which was made in 1370, has been changed and added a lot, but it still has a status of elegance and power.
A massive brick wall adorned with battlements and framed by a central guard tower sits in front of the castle.
The castle courtyards, moats, and views of the castle from the outside are all open to explore.
It also has various museums where you may learn about its history and appreciate the beauty of its design.
As soon as you walk into the central courtyard, you’ll see the huge guard towers and be amazed by how big the castle is.
Several civic museums are housed within the castle, including an archaeological museum focused on Egyptian artifacts, a museum dedicated to musical instruments, and a museum showcasing Michelangelo’s masterwork, Pietà Rondanini.
A must-see location for experiencing it firsthand. It feels like being inside a castle!
Address: Piazza Castello, 20121 Milano MI, Italy
Cimitero Monumentale
Take a relaxing walk through the cemetery, filled with amazing sculptures.
Every great city has a magnificent cemetery, and Milan’s is impressive.
Cimitero Monumentale is a true “city of the dead,” a location where Milan’s history is preserved via the tombs of its most famous residents.
The Monumental Cemetery is another example of Milan’s unique blend of architectural and artistic styles.
This vast cemetery is known for its artistic tombs and architecturally built monuments.
The tombs of the country’s most notable inhabitants may be found at the main entrance.
The most popular are a pyramid, a white tower, and a marble four-poster bed-shaped tomb.
Rich families in Milan have fought hard to stand out, as shown by the many sculptures and statues of angels.
The atmosphere is very peaceful and pleasant, making it a great place to go to get away from the busy city center.
Don’t forget to pick up a cemetery map at the entry. You wouldn’t want to skip anything about this extraordinary visit.
Address: Piazzale Cimitero Monumentale, 20154 Milano MI, Italy
Duomo di Milano
You can’t say you’ve been to Mila without seeing the Duomo.
The Milan Cathedral is a very colossal structure known for its beautiful design that took over 600 years to finish.
Make sure to go inside to see the beautiful art and intricate details (don’t forget to wear the right clothes).
The Duomo is also one of Europe’s biggest cathedrals.
This is the city’s most important landmark, and posing in front of it is necessary.
While there is a lot to see within the cathedral, going to the top – by steps or an elevator – is a must to observe Milan’s ever-changing skyline.
From the exterior, you can enjoy its beautifully carved stone facade.
The 2.000 white marble sculptures and 136 arrows add to the overall spectacle!
When you see it, you can see why it’s dubbed “the marble hedgehog.”
This massive monument is literally the heart of Milan, and no visit to the city is complete unless you go through its massive doors.
Address: P.za del Duomo, 20122 Milano MI, Italy
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Stroll around the Grand Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and explore the magnificent boutiques.
Another must-see free Milan attraction is Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the gorgeous arcade on the left side of the Piazza while standing in front of the Duomo.
As you enter the Grand Gallery, you could assume you’re in the lobby of an opera theatre or a palace, not a retail mall.
But, in essence, this is what the Galleria is: an incredibly lavish and grandiose indoor retail mall.
It was created by Guiseppe Mengoni and opened in 1877, making it one of the world’s oldest commercial malls.
The cross-shaped mall is surrounded by four glass-paneled arms that let in plenty of light. At the same time, the walls and shopfronts are adorned with intricate paneling and stucco artwork.
Just walk around the arcade and look at the beautiful glass ceiling and high-end and old shops. Stop in the middle and look at the four mosaics showing the four continents.
If you’re on a budget in Milan, avoid the Galleria’s pubs and restaurants; the prices are high and geared at visitors.
This iconic luxury center is a must-see in Milan!
Address: P.za del Duomo, 20123 Milano MI, Italy
La Scala Opera
Attend a stunning performance at La Scala Opera.
Few structures in the world have housed as many famous performers as the Scala Opera.
Archduchess Maria Theresa opened the Teatro Alla Scala in the late 1700s. It’s one of Europe’s greatest opera theaters.
This opera house, located to the north of the Duomo and to the east of Castello Sforzesco, is known for its acoustic capabilities and magnificence.
The décor and grandeur of the seating and stage within the main auditorium are amazing. Six layers of seating and individual boxes frame the stage in a semi-circle. The entire area is full of crimson velvet curtains and gold furniture.
There are guided tours of the Opera House available, but consider getting tickets to watch a show instead. An exciting and unforgettable evening is guaranteed!
We would definitely recommend a night out at this huge theater. It’s an experience you’ll never forget!
Address: Via Filodrammatici, 2, 20121 Milano MI, Italy
Milan Chinatown
Experience eating unique dishes and seeing traditional products in Milan’s Chinatown.
Milan’s Chinatown is small, but it carries a powerful punch.
Since the pedestrianization of Via Paolo Sarpi, the neighborhood has become a lovely spot to stroll about, purchase some Chinese-style trinkets, and have a good Chinese dinner.
There are markets to explore, restaurants to dine in, and street food spots and pubs ideal for a food crawl.
Begin with La Ravioleria Sarpi, where you may enjoy pig, beef, or veggie dumplings or a giant delicious crepe, then across the street to Cantine Isola, a wine bar with a welcoming ambiance and skilled bartenders. At Chateau Dufan, finish with gelato.
Chinatown is incredibly amazing around Chinese New Year when lanterns light up the streets and dragon and lion dancers march around to the sound of drums.
Chinatown, Milan’s first ethnic quarter, is absolutely worth a visit.
Address: 20154 Milan, Metropolitan City of Milan, Italy
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Museo nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnologia “Leonardo Da Vinci”
A treasure trove made by a true artist.
Since we’re on the subject of Leonardo da Vinci, you might be aware that the city of Milan has devoted a large museum to him: the Museo Nazionale Della Scienza e Della Tecnologia Leonardo Da Vinci.
The Museum, founded in 1953, is one of Europe’s major science and technology museums.
It is a popular tourist site in Milan.
The museum, housed in a former 16th-century monastery, displays more than thirty replicas of Leonardo Da Vinci’s daring inventions, ranging from battle engines to measuring devices.
The Leonardo da Vinci display is only a small component of this massive museum.
There are different levels for planes, trains, cars, boats, space, communications, and many other things.
Take your time to look at all of the installations and displays. While the whole museum is interesting, the best parts are the railway hangar and the marine building.
Visit one of Milan’s most beautiful historical sites and learn about science and technology’s past, present, and future.
Address: Via San Vittore, 21, 20123 Milano MI, Italy
This is a scene you definitely should not miss.
The Navigli area, which is crossed by canals, is another must-see in Milan. It’s Milan’s most gorgeous!
Originally, this canal system linked the Po to the region’s lakes. They were used to move products and provide water to Milan.
Leonardo da Vinci created the dam, and the lock mechanism was employed. These waterways carried even the marble needed for the building of the Milan Cathedral.
Today, you can walk along the canals in the Navigli neighborhood while sipping a drink or eating on one of the restaurant patios.
This place is ideal for a stroll along the river. It is a bustling neighborhood with many businesses and eateries.
It’s ideal for visiting near the end of the day when the sun is setting.
It’s a really charming area, especially at night, when the lights reflect in the canals and local life begins in the various taverns and restaurants.
Address: Alzaia Naviglio Pavese, 20143 Milano MI, Italy
Palazzo Morando
Wander through Palazzo Morando to get a sense of aristocratic life in the 18th century.
Palace Morando is a free fashion museum in a historic palazzo just around the corner from Via Montenapoleone.
The apartments are decorated with paintings from the city’s public art collection that show Milan during the time of Napoleon. These paintings are owned by Countess Bolognini.
Temporary fashion and Milanese-style exhibits are usually held on the lower level. On the upper level, you can see dresses and clothes from the middle of the nineteenth century and look at a photo gallery of places and events from Milan’s past.
Palazzo Morando is located in the center of Milan’s ritziest fashion shopping area.
If you get bored of going about and seeing beautiful people spending money, stop by this museum and appreciate the paintings for a bit.
Discover the history of Milano and how it has changed throughout the years via priceless artworks.
I was particularly fascinated with the painting of the Duomo, the cathedral, and the construction chronology.
This one is for the fashionistas! Definitely a tour you should not miss.
Address: Via Sant’Andrea, 6, 20121 Milano MI, Italy
Parco Sempione
Take a stroll through Parco Sempione and soak up the relaxing atmosphere.
One of Milan’s best parks, the Paro Sempione, is a huge public area with gardens right behind the Sforzesco Castle.
Once a hunting pasture for the royal Sforza family, the city’s green lung is now available to the public.
Parco Sempione is an English-style garden with beautiful grass and enchanting decorative ponds and major landmarks like the Castello Sforzesco, Arco Della Pace, and the magnificent Arena Civica.
The park, which has been there since 1888 and has 95 acres, is home to the beautiful Arch of Peace.
There is also a museum in the park, as well as the Torre Branca, a massive watchtower with panoramic views of the city.
The park is popular with walkers, joggers, local office employees with their lunches, and parents with children. During the summer, this venue hosts a variety of concerts.
If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the Parco Sempione is the ideal setting.
Address: Piazza Sempione, 20154 Milano MI, Italy
Piazza Affari
This is one of Milan’s most unusual and sarcastic sights, and it’s also free!
In 2010, during Italy’s economic downturn, a sculpture representing a hand giving the “middle finger” was installed in Piazza Affari, in front of Milan’s stock exchange.
A beautiful 11-meter marble monument showing a big middle finger stands in front of the Milan Stock Exchange offices in Piazza Affari.
The Italian sculptor Maurizio Cattelan made the LOVE statue (which means “Freedom, Hate, Vengeance, Eternity” or “Freedom, Hate, Vengeance, Eternity” in English) to make fun of the bank.
It was criticized and was meant to be removed within a few months, but it has remained in place since 2010.
The plaza itself is basic, as are the buildings that surround it, yet it is dominated by a provocative sculpture of the middle finger.
Because of the square’s size, you now have plenty of freedom to maneuver to capture the finest image of the sculpture and the stock market it faces.
If you have time during your visit to Milan, head to the business area to see a one-of-a-kind monument.
Address: 20123 Milano MI, Italy
Pinacoteca di Brera
A holy place for the faithful
The Pinacoteca is a fine art gallery in the Palazzo Brera. It has an extensive collection of Italian works of art.
It is housed in the Palazzo Brera, a former convent. Monks were the first to turn it into a cultural center with a school, a library, and an observatory for looking at the stars.
Since then, the art gallery’s collection has only grown.
Today, the paintings are shown in around forty rooms and are ordered chronologically according to the artistic approach utilized.
Among the most well-known works are Raphael’s “The Marriage of the Virgin” and Caravaggio’s “Last Supper at Emmaus.”
Much of the art was acquired after churches were closed or demolished, and the museum specializes in northern Italian master paintings.
As you approach the courtyard, you’ll notice a sculptor named Canova’s 1809 monument to Napoleon I.
Walk around and see amazing art displayed and learn about its fascinating history.
Contact us now for an exciting day tour you’ll ever experience.
Address: Via Brera, 28, 20121 Milano MI, Italy
Porta Nuova Skyscrapers
The change in architecture is immediately noticeable, and history continues to flow.
Milan’s primary commercial sector is Porta Nuova, and the name of an arched entrance was erected in the early nineteenth century.
The new steel-and-glass “district,” a showpiece of the Expo 2015 construction and one of the top new Milan attractions, is not far from Garibaldi station.
Sit in the lovely Piazza Gae Aulenti and crane your neck to see the spire of the Unicredit building, the tallest in Milan, then walk around the corner to the Egg artwork, which has brass pipes that allows you to listen to the sounds of the city.
Walk down to Bosco Verticale, a high-rise block of flats with trees and bushes planted on each terrace, and just spectate the surrounding beauty it has to offer.
The metropolis grows higher and higher, and a forest climbs into the sky. Absolutely fantastic.
Seeing the entire area as you explore the skyscrapers will give you a satisfying experience.
Address: Mila
San Lorenzo Columns
A favored hangout for everyone who wants to unwind.
It has to be one of the most intriguing places to drink: beneath Roman-era columns.
San Lorenzo Cathedral is just across the street.
After passing through a medieval gate, through which trams also go, there is a square surrounded on one end by the majestic Roman columns that front the lovely San Lorenzo church.
There is a little ancient arch towards the end.
The neighborhood has a fashionable, bohemian vibe and is popular among young people.
Also nearby are the ruins of Milan’s formerly vast canal system.
Bring your own or get a drink to go from one of the pubs surrounding the San Lorenzo Columns and watch the crowds of young people, amateur guitarists, and BMX riders.
It’s fun to wander about and snap photographs while strolling downtown Milano.
The Colonne is both magnificent and intimidating.
Visit these 5th-century columns to travel back in time. The history alone makes it worthwhile to visit.
Address: Corso di Porta Ticinese, 20123 Milano, MI, Italy
The Royal Palace of Milan
Explore the stunning interior of a former palace that appears as if it came straight from a fairytale.
The Royal Palace of Milan is a palace from the 18th century that served as the official seat of the Milan administration for centuries.
This palace has a lengthy history: it was established as the seat of the local authority in 1350. Various governments governed the city over the centuries.
The Royal Palace, located in the center of Milan, is significant in Milanese art.
The art pieces displayed here are of high quality and go well with the building’s towering shape and ornate interior.
You may also visit the palace’s museum. It displays its own history and the history of Milan and its people.
The museum is split into four sections that let you learn about the Neoclassical, Napoleonic, and Restoration times.
The last section is about the unification of Italy, which was an important event in Milan’s history.
Raise your eyes as you walk inside and take in what would be a paid visit to a great palace in another nation.
Address: P.za del Duomo, 12, 20122 Milano MI, Italy
Torre Branca
The tower will give you a breathtaking experience with its amazing view.
The Torre Branca is a big observation tower that measures 108.6m tall and is located within the Parco Sempione.
The tower was designed by Gio Ponti and was originally known as the Torre Littoria when it was built in 1933.
The tower was closed for repair in the 1970s, but it is now available to the public.
Ascend the elevator to the top of this incredible edifice and enter the tower—from here, you enjoy unrivaled views of Milan and can see for kilometers.
On clear days, you can see the Alps and the Apennines and the sprawling metropolis beneath your feet.
It simply takes a few minutes, and the view from the top is breathtaking!
You won’t find a better view anyplace else. It just costs about €5 and is well worth it.
This should be on your list of things to do in Milan.
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Address: Viale Luigi Camoens, 2, 20121 Milano MI, Italy
