Best Things to do in Milan 2025
In this article, I discuss things to do in Milan. The perfect combination of modern and authentic Italian city makes Milan a great destination for lovers of architecture, culture, tourism, fashion and design. In addition to the well-known Milan sights, it is also a city for doing business, such as the business district Porta Nuova and the exhibition and congress location Fiera Milano. Culturally, you should not miss the special museums, magnificently decorated churches and atmospheric squares, while your stay can also be complemented with unique events and activities, such as attending an opera or ballet performance at the Teatro alla Scala.
Are you going to Milan specifically for the fashion? Then visit one of the many designers with their own studios, the Armani/Silos Museum or the stylish shopping arcade and landmark in the heart of Milan Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Are you having a hard time deciding on tourist attractions for your city trip? Click on one of these top highlights for more information about these unique Milan tourist attractions and sights. See '25x Things to do in Milan Italy?
1. Milan Cathedral (Duomo)
In Piazza del Duomo you will find the famous Milan Cathedral. Construction of this church began in the 14th century and lasted until the 20th century. The architecture, Baroque facade, mosaics and paintings of the Duomo will amaze you. Visit the Cathedral Museum to learn more about its history and details, and go up to the roof to enjoy beautiful views of the Italian city and get a close-up look at the spires. More information on 'Milan Duomo' or buy a Duomo roof ticket to visit the cathedral and the roof terrace to prepare for your trip.
2. Da Vinci's The Last Supper
In the monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazie you can see the 'The Last Supper' fresco. This famous fresco, measuring 5 by 9 meters, depicts the moment when Jesus informs his apostles about the traitor among them.
📌 Warning: It is important to book your tickets a few weeks in advance to visit Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece. The number of tickets is very limited and therefore booking is essential (more information and tickets The Last Supper).
3. Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
This Galleria is the oldest shopping center in all of Italy and the covered shopping arcade is best known for its special glass roof. This shopping center is perfect for shopping for well-known brands or souvenirs. You can buy clothes, accessories, books and art. You can enjoy a luxurious overnight stay at the Galleria Vic Milano hotel or meet there for lunch or dinner. From the top floor you will also have a special view over Milan and its highlights. More information 'Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II'.
4. Landmark: Castello Sforzesco
You will visit this castle in Milan, Italy to learn more about the history of the city. You will learn about the impact of the war, the famous Italian families and the constructions and restorations that took place. The castle is not only architecturally impressive, you will also appreciate the decorative elements inside. The castle houses several museums, such as the Pinacoteca, the Egyptian Museum and the Archaeological Museum. You can enter all these smaller museums by purchasing this combined ticket. More information 'Sforzesco Castle'.
5. Parco Sempione and Arco della Pace
The Arco della Pace (the great entrance to the city) with its horses on top, borders the Parco Sempione. This place attracts visitors not only because of the historical importance of the entrance (built for Napoleon), but you can also relax in this elegant park and escape the hustle and bustle of the city or walk to Castello Sforzesco. More information 'Sforzesco'.
6. I Navigli District
What to do in I Navigli District? Navigli is known for its canals with cozy restaurants and bars. It actually feels like you are sitting on a real canal. In this district you will find many small, artisan shops and designers and artists who sell their own work from their studios. On the last Sunday of the month, for vintage items, visit the Mercatino dell'Usato di Porta Genova, an antiques and flea market. A fun activity is to take a boat tour of the Navigli district canals with an aperitivo. In the Vicolo dei Lavandai alley, you can learn about the history of the neighborhood. More information 'I Navigli'.
7. La Scala Theater
You can book a guided tour at this neoclassical theater or book a show for the evening, such as opera, ballet or an orchestra. You won't be bored by the red velvet chairs, the golden decorations and the chandeliers hanging in the middle. Do you want a guided tour? This also includes a visit to the museum located next to the Teatro La Scala. Highlights include the theater costumes from the past and the beautiful old sets, as well as paintings and musical instruments. For more information on visiting the 'La Scala Theater' or to check if the theater is open to tourists on your desired date, visit this website.
8. Pinacoteca di Brera
The Pinacoteca di Brera is an art gallery in the Brera district of Milan. This art gallery, which mainly houses classical art, is divided into 36 different rooms, and each room displays a specific period, movement or art form. The Pinacoteca is located in Palazzo Brera, where you can also visit the Brera Library, the Astronomical Observatory and the (free) adjacent botanical garden. More information on the 'Pinacoteca di Brera'.
9. Milan's Monumental Cemetery
The Cimitero Monumentale di Milano is a special landmark, although it may not immediately come to mind when visiting the cemetery. The various items from famous artists are on display and the large structures and statues make it a unique place where families have built for their dead. The small chapels and picturesque tombs make it quite different from other cemeteries. It is a peaceful place where you can easily wander around for a while through all the monuments present. More information on 'Cimitero Monumentale'.
10. San Siro Stadium
As a football fan, you will want to visit the football stadium of A.C. Milan and Internazionale. A new stadium is being built near the Stadio San Siro, so those who want to see the old one will no longer have all the time in the world. When you book this stadium tour, you will see all the important places in the stadium, such as the changing rooms. The San Siro stadium houses a museum and a separate museum for A.C. Milan fans. It is called Casa Milan. More information about the 'football stadium'.
11. San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore
A church that is not very attractive from the outside, which will surprise you once you enter. Almost every inch of the walls and ceiling is covered with paintings or mosaics. Even the walls and pillars are decorated. The former monastery was divided into two parts and only in the late 18th century were nuns allowed to enter the church with the faithful. You will be amazed by all the applied colors and decorative elements. More information 'Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore'.
12. Milan sightseeing by bike
Want to experience Milan in a different way than on foot or by public transport? Book this fun bike tour with an enthusiastic guide. The guide takes you to places that are difficult for most visitors to find and shows you all the highlights of the city. It won't take you more than half a day to discover the most important tourist attractions in Milan by bike. This bike tour will be a special experience with those who know the tourist attractions of this city (more information and booking a bike tour).
13. Where to go: Brera Art District
You will immediately notice the colorful houses in the cozy alleys of this Milanese district. Mainly artists and other creative people live here and you immediately feel the atmosphere of the district. Many shops, studios and specialty boutiques invite you not only to browse the shop windows, but also to go inside. The Brera district is also perfect for a delicious Italian lunch or dinner in one of the cozy restaurants or bars. More information 'Brera'.
14. Alle Ossa, sister chapel of San Bernardino
Alle Ossa in the Chiesa di San Bernardino is a chapel completely covered in bones and skulls. The ossuary may be scary to look at, but it attracts many visitors to this church. Not only are the bones interesting, but you can also see a magnificent ceiling. It is mainly associated with a painting in gray and yellow, in the central part of which angels and spirits are depicted. The four corners are painted with saints and the Virgin Mary. More information 'San Bernardino Bone Chapel'.
15. Museo della Scienza e della Tecnologia
Are you traveling with children or on a rainy day? Then be sure to visit the 'Museo della Scienza e della Tecnologia Leonardo da Vinci'. This large and interactive museum is located in an old monastery and is an important tourist attraction in Milan. Here you can see objects based on Leonardo da Vinci's sketches, including various real models (and scale models) of submarines and other ships, steam trains and airplanes. Learn more about the Milan Science Museum.
16. Places to visit: Porta Nuova
Porta Nuova is Milan's business district. In addition to several large companies, there are also nice boutiques and cozy bars. The district originated on a site where factories and old train tracks used to be. It is the showcase of various international architects and investors, the most important modern attractions of which are the UniCredit Tower and the Bosco Vertical. The latter are two large residential towers with huge terraces and lots of greenery. You can see trees and plants from afar. More information 'Porta Nuova'.
17. Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio
This is one of the oldest churches in Milan, Italy, and the original church was built by Saint Ambrose. Over time, the church has been regularly rebuilt and restored through bombardments and now, in addition to a church, it also has a walled courtyard. There is a covered colonnade on both sides. You will read in particular about the legend with the devil who left his mark here. More information on visiting 'Sant'Ambrogio'
19. Pinacoteca Ambrogio and the Da Vinci Codex
When visiting the Pinacoteca Ambrogio (more information and tickets) you will learn about artists such as Botticelli, Caravaggio, Titian and Raphael through the works on display. The Pinacoteca Ambrogio's collection includes not only paintings but also manuscripts. The highlights here are the Codex Atlanticus - twelve leather-bound manuscripts with writings and drawings by Leonardo da Vinci. Read about Leonardo da Vinci's inventions and see his sketches of everything from airplanes to musical instruments and nature to weapons.
📌 Tip: Behind the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana is Leonardo's crypt, which is part of the church of San Sepolcro. After a long renovation, this underground church from the 11th century can once again be visited. The crypt of San Sepolcro contains, among other things, a floor from the Roman period and frescoes from the 11th century (more information and conservation).
20. Shopping in the 'Golden Quadrangle'
In addition to visiting the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II for shopping, you can also visit the Quadrilatero d'Oro. Also known as the Golden Quadrangle, this is the place to visit if you are looking for chic fashion and luxury brands. The Quadrangle is made up of Via Manzoni, Via Monte Napoleone, Corso Venezia and Via della Spiga. You can recognize the fashion district by brands like Gucci, Chanel and Cartier.
21. L.O.V.E., a special landmark
This donated sculpture is located in the square in front of the Milan Stock Exchange. You will see that the middle finger of a hand is pointing up and this middle finger is not being raised towards the stock market, but towards equity investors and those who are causing the financial crisis. The statue was designed by Italian Maurizio Cattelan and the letters L.O.V.E. do not symbolize love as you might think, but rather Libert, Odio, Vendetta and Eternit (Freedom, Hate, Revenge and Eternity).
22. Things to do in Milan: Enjoy an ‘Aperitivo’
Milanians love their aperitivo at the end of the working day. From 6pm, bars and cafes like the one in the Navigli district are ready for you, with simple drinks like Negroni, Prosecco or Aperol Spritz, along with a delicious meal. This tradition began when at the end of the working day - but before heading home for dinner - people would have a small snack to satisfy their hunger. Will you join in on this tradition while you’re in Milan? For example, with this Sunset Navigli Food and Drinks Tour with Locals.
23. See the sights by (historical) tram
The Milan tram network has been around since 1881 and so it’s no surprise that you can still see historic trams in Milan. With over 180 kilometres of tram tracks, you can use 17 different tram lines in ‘Milano’. If you don't want to explore the city entirely on foot, you can take the tram from the ATM to visit Milan's attractions or to your accommodation instead of the metro. More information on 'Transportation in Milan'.
24. Santa Maria presso San Satiro
Less than a five-minute walk from the Milan Duomo is another interesting church, the Chiesa di Santa Maria presso San Satiro. Entrance to this elegant church is free. When entering the church, you will especially notice the inclusion of golden colors on the ceiling. The existing lighting emphasizes the color even more. The black and white floor also attracts attention, but the most special thing about this church is the richly decorated altar.
25. Visit more museums in Milan
If you are interested in the cultural scene in Milan, you can also visit the following museums: Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnologia, Museo del Novecento, Museo Poldi Pezzoli, Museo Gallerie d'Italia, Museo Storico Alfa Romeo, Pirelli Hangar Bicocca, Casa Museo Boschi di Stefano, Museo Leonardo3 and the Natural History Museum. From classical to modern art, fashion to cars and science to technology, Milan's museums have it all. This article is a summary of the most beautiful museums in Milan.
Extra: Day trips from Milan
From Milan you can easily take various day trips, for example by train. The city of Bergamo is 40 minutes away from Milan, the highlights of which are definitely worth seeing. Explore medieval Bergamo with tourist attractions such as the Duomo and its piazza. You can travel to Lake Como (⭐ I can recommend this Como day trip from Milan), where you visit picturesque places (Como, Bellagio or Varenna) or see the impressive nature and spacious villas along the water. Furthermore, you can reach beautiful cities such as Turin, Verona, Bescia or the port city of Genoa by train. In this article you can read about the 10 best day trips from Milan.
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Frequently Asked Questions Tourist Attractions Milan
What are the top 10 places to visit in Milan?
The main tourist attractions are the Duomo, Milan Cathedral and the mural of Da Vinci's The Last Supper. Also visit the Parco Sempione with the Castello Sforzesco, the cozy canal district Navigli, the artists' district Brera, the La Scala theater and the San Siro stadium. In this article you can read about the top 25 Milan attractions.
How to visit Da Vinci's Last Supper?
Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper is a mural located in the monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazie, which can only be visited in small groups. More information and tickets for visiting the Last Supper.
Can I visit the Duomo for free?
No, you have to pay a 5 euro entrance fee to visit the cathedral. You need to buy a separate ticket to visit the Duomo's roof terrace, which has a great view. More information about these tickets for the Duomo's roof terrace.
What museums are there in Milan?
The most famous museum is the Pinacoteca di Brera. Other museums can be found in the Castle of Milan and more at the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, the Museum of Science and Technology, the Museo del Novecento and Casa Milan, A.C. Milan museums. In this article you can read all about the museums in Milan.
Note: Explore the stunning Duomo di Milano, visit the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II for luxury shopping, and admire Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece The Last Supper. Visit the Sforza Castle, relax in Parco Sempione, and enjoy authentic Italian cuisine in the Brera district. Milan beautifully blends art, fashion, and history for every traveler.