Best Things to Do in Milan

Piazza del Duomo is the central piazza in the historic center of Milan, a vast open public space that’s not only home to the magnificent Duomo but several other impressive buildings and sculptures. It’s also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its four architectural masterpieces: the cathedral, the bell tower, the baptistry, and the Campo Santo. At the center of the square is a statue of Vittorio Emmanuel, the first king of united Italy. On the other side is the Royal Palace of Milan, the seat of government in Milan for centuries. Today it’s a cultural center and features an international art exhibition with over 1,500 different works from institutions across the globe. It also reveals traces of various courts that were once housed here, including the Hapsburg, Savoy, and Napoleonic courts. Napoleon is the subject of The Apotheosis of Napoleon, King of Italy fresco in the Hall of the Caryatids.

Santa Maria delle Grazie is most famous as the home of one of artist Leonardo di Vinci’s most famous works, The Last Supper. On display in the dining room, it’s a huge masterpiece created in the late 15th century depicting the last time Jesus dined with his disciples. One of the world’s most famous paintings, it’s been reproduced so many times, some question the point of viewing it in person, especially with little of the original remaining. But no reproduction can truly capture the emotion of the original. Using tempera paints on drywall after sealing the stone with dried plaster and adding a white undercoat, unlike frescoes that are painted on wet plaster which requires quick completion, allowed da Vinci to achieve greater luminosity. The unique technique also provided four years for him to portray the looks of shock and anguish on the faces of the disciples after learning that one would be betraying Jesus.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is no ordinary mall. When you step inside, you might think you’re standing in a grand palace. This indoor shopping area is incredibly opulent and one of the world’s oldest shopping malls, constructed in 1877. It’s formed by two arcades that are shaped like a Latin cross and covered by a glass and iron dome while the walls and shopfronts are decorated with stucco artwork and ornate paneling. When you walk around the galleries, you’ll see a stunning mosaic on the central dome that represents the American, European, African, and Asian continents. There is a wealth of high-end designer shops, including names like Louis Vuitton, Versace, and Prada. In between, you’ll find fine restaurants, including some with celebrity chefs, and legendary spots like the Camparino bar. The Bocca art bookstore has been in the Galleria since 1930, but it’s had an important cultural presence in Milan long before that.

Established during the 4th century AD, the Basilica of San Lorenzo is the oldest church in Milan, although it’s been rebuilt several times over the centuries. At the time of original construction, the basilica was the largest, centrally planned building in the West. Located within the city’s ring of Navigli, it’s one of the city’s most important religious buildings. The main entrance is framed by a series of colonnades that date from the 3rd century, while a bronze statue of Constantine the Great, the first Roman Emperor to convert to Christianity, stands in the courtyard. The interior features impressive mosaics and a fabulous high altar, while the Chapel of Saint Aquilino that adjoins the church boasts 4th-century Byzantine mosaics. It’s possible to access a crypt here as well, where you’ll see some of the original materials used to build the church which were extracted from a Roman amphitheater in the area.

San Siro Stadium has been standing here in Milan for nearly a century as one of Italy’s premier sporting venues and one of the most well-known stadiums in the world. It’s also one of the largest in Europe with a capacity of a little over 80,000. The home stadium for Inter Milan and AC Milan, catching a game here is a great way to mingle with the locals and experience the incredible atmosphere. You’ll also see the iconic circular towers holding up the colossal tiers, and the massive roof partially covering the ground. If you can’t be here for a game, tours are available that typically include visits to the locker rooms. You can even enter the stadium through the player’s aisle just like the official players before sitting in the red stand to learn more about the history of the field. A museum with various past souvenirs and other items is on-site as well.

A fine art gallery inside Palazzo Brera, near Piazza del Duomo and Sforzesco Castle, Pinacoteca hosts a vast collection of Italian art which are displayed on the first floor of the building which also includes the Academy of Fine Arts. The palace once served as a convent which was followed by an incarnation as the national library before being converted into a museum in the 19th century. The palace was built over the remains of a 14th-century monastery that belonged to the Humiliati order and subsequently given to the Jesuits. After it became state property, Austrian Empress Maria Theresa decided it should house some of Milan’s great cultural institutions like the Library, Botanical Garden, and the Academy of Art. Today, you’ll find many great works in the gallery, including Rubens’ Last Supper, Pieta by Bellini, Raphael’s Marriage of the Virgin, and Correggio’s Adoration of the Magi.

Cimitero Monumentale, or Monumental Cemetery, is the second-largest cemetery in Milan. While that might not sound like an enticing tourist attraction, it’s like an open-air museum with many tombs that have significant artistic merit. Established in 1866 to unify several unsanitary and small cemeteries throughout the city, it features genuine works of art from the 19th century through the present day. There’s a vast collection of Italian sculptures, Greek obelisks, and a smaller version of Trajan’s Column. Some of the most notable tombs include a curious pyramid built for the Bruni family, several sculptures that represent The Last Supper, and a sculpted white tower representing the life and death of Christ that belongs to the Bernocchi family. Some of the most renowned Italian actors, musicians, sportsmen, architects, journalists, and other well-knowns are buried here. A map is available in English to help you find the most outstanding monuments.

Of course, it’s not all history, art, and design in Milan. If you’re looking for nightlife, Navigli is where you’ll want to go. During the day, it houses boutiques and artist workshops that are fun to explore, along with various eateries. Frequent festivals are hosted here too. April brings the Festa Di Fiori, a time when this canal-side neighborhood will be filled with flowers. The Festa del Navligo also takes place in April, bringing an antique market, crafts, processions, and concerts, while the barges along the canals will be elaborately decorated around mid-June for the Sagra di San Cristoforo. No matter when you’re here, when the sun goes down, enjoy a romantic stroll along the Naviglio Grande to admire the reflections of the illuminated city. Then when the clock strikes aperitivo hour, the late-night adventure can begin in the theaters, hip cocktail bars, and trendy clubs.