What to do in Milan

Italy’s financial capital is often overlooked by tourists in favor of cities with more history farther south, but Milan is alive with culture, with a vibrant, modern energy unlike anywhere else in the country.

One of the world’s fashion capitals, the city has beauty around every corner, with exquisite architecture all over. Milan’s monuments brim with class, from its historic churches, theaters, and galleries to one of the world’s great football stadiums. The city’s food and nightlife scenes are second-to-none, making it a destination that shouldn’t be missed in Italy. Read on for a guide to some of the city’s best places to visit.

Duomo

Milan’s most iconic landmark is without a doubt its fabulous Duomo, which is one of the largest churches in the world. Located on the city’s main square, the Piazza del Duomo, the cathedral is renowned for its incredible facade, consisting of a dense tangle of pinnacles and spires that rise high into the sky from its front and along its sides, adorning the top of the flying buttresses that support the world’s tallest Gothic nave (148 ft, 45 m).

While the cathedral is impressive both inside and out, a visit isn’t complete without going up to the roof terraces. From here, you can enjoy a close-up perspective of the 135 intricate spires and the statues and gargoyles that adorn the cathedral from above, as well as one of the best panoramas of the city.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Just next to the Duomo is Milan’s lavish shopping arcade, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Beyond the luxury shops located inside, the galleria is an architectural marvel in its own right, with its arched glass and cast-iron ceilings and its opulent buildings and mosaic tile floor.

If all the window shopping makes you hungry, stop for some refreshment at Marchesi 1824, the city’s oldest and arguably most famous pasticceria. The shop is a sweets-lover’s paradise with a wide variety of options; I recommend trying something with pistachio, which is both a local and house speciality.

If you walk straight through the galleria you will exit at La Scala, one of the world’s premier theaters for opera and ballet.

Brera

Just north of La Scala, you will find the quartiere of Brera, one of Milan’s most charming neighborhoods. Brera has long been an area frequented by artists and bohemians, growing out of the city’s fine arts academy located in the Palazzo di Brera, which also houses the Pinacoteca di Brera art gallery.

In addition, Brera is one of Milan’s best areas for nightlife. The milanesi get a head start on nightlife with the obligatory aperitivo, popular throughout northern Italy but nowhere more so than in Milan. The aperitivo is more than just an evening drink; it is a social ritual that symbolizes the nightly transition from work to home, a chance to meet with friends and enjoy a leisurely drink and snack before heading home for dinner. The drink of choice for aperitivo is traditionally an Aperol Spritz or a Negroni Sbagliato (‘wrong Negroni’), the Milan original that was created when a bartender accidentally added prosecco rather than gin to the Campari and vermouth while preparing the classic Negroni. The snack that comes with the drink varies depending on the bar, but typical ones include anything from olives and potato chips to bruschette or focaccia.

For an aperitivo or for a drink later in the night, I recommend heading to N’Ombra de Vin, a Brera staple inside a beautiful wine cellar that used to be the dining hall of a 16th century monastery.

Parco Sempione

Just west of Brera is the expansive Parco Sempione, the city’s largest green space. The park’s entrance is guarded by the imposing Castello Sforzesco, a 15th century castle that is now a museum art gallery.

Walk through the castle’s gate and enter into the park, where you can enjoy a relaxing afternoon in the sun. For a picnic lunch, make a stop first at Panini de Santis and bring a delicious sandwich with you.

Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio

The charming Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio is one of the oldest churches in the city, first consecrated by Saint Ambrose himself in 379. The building you see today dates from the 12th century, and it is a beautiful Romanesque basilica complete with an impressive original bell tower and a lovely porticoed courtyard. The church and its grounds offer visitors a wonderful sense of serenity in the middle of the city.

Navigli

The navigli are a series of canals built during the Middle Ages to connect the city with the large rivers that flank it on either side, the Ticino and Adda, mainly used for transporting people and goods as well as for irrigation. Though the canals are no longer key to the city’s economic success, they still make for a pretty sight.

More importantly, though, the neighborhood of Navigli, nestled in the southwest corner of the city between the two largest canals, has developed into one of the city’s hippest neighborhoods. Full of restaurants, bars, and cool shops, the neighborhood has a bohemian vibe and is one of the best areas in the city for nightlife. Expect a scene of outdoor bars and street parties along the Naviglio Grande canal.

San Siro

It would be remiss not to highlight Milan’s rich footballing history, centered around the temple of sport that is the San Siro, known officially as the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.

The ground is home to two of the biggest clubs in Italy and all of Europe, AC Milan and Inter Milan, who share a fierce rivalry. The San Siro itself is an architectural marvel as well as one of the most iconic stadiums in world football, and I highly recommend going to a match there. One of the two teams will have a home game each weekend; it is surely AC Milan who have the more passionate support. If you are lucky enough to align your visit with the Derby della Madonnina, contested between the city’s two footballing giants, you will be in for an unforgettable experience.

What to Do in Milan