Do you want to know the best things to do in Milan?
Milan might be considered the Fashion Capital of Italy, but there’s so much more to this city than designer labels and expensive boutiques.
From priceless art treasures to imposing cathedrals, baroque architecture to incredible food and coffee, Milan has so much to offer.
We visited Milan in our campervan in September 2025 as part of our European road trip and spent several days exploring this vibrant city. We revisited the city in May 2026 for Nigel to meet up with his Italian tutor Riccardo.
If you’re planning a trip to Milan, this post will help you make the most of your time in Italy’s fashion and design capital, even if you’re not into fashion.
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Best things to do in Milan – city sightseeing highlights
Although Milan is Italy’s second largest city the historic centre is quite compact. You can easily walk around and see most of these sights in one or two days.
1 Milan Cathedral – Duomo di Milano
Milan’s iconic cathedral dominates the central square and is one of the most impressive Gothic churches in the world. Construction began in 1386 and, remarkably, continued for nearly six centuries! The final details were only completed in 1965. That’s within our lifetimes – well, Nigel’s lifetime.
The cathedral dominates the large city square, it’s so large it’s hard to fit the whole thing in a photo! While the outside is impressive, you should definitely step inside to admire the stunning interior. We were amazed at how HUGE (and especially tall) it really is in there.
The stained glass windows were incredible. There is some beautiful art in here, although we were a little creeped out by the statue of St Bartholomew, who was flayed alive and is depicted with his skin draped over his shoulders.
The highlight of the cathedral for many people is the rooftop — climb (or take the lift) for panoramic views and a close‑up look at the intricate spires. We found this amazing feat of architecture truly awe‑inspiring.
How to visit Milan Cathedral
To save time you can buy your skip-the-line tickets online. We still had to line up for around an hour, and we were visiting on a rainy day in September! Having said that, when we returned in May 2026, the line was much shorter – maybe the first time we went people were trying to get out of the rain?
For a unique view of the cathedral, head to the 7th floor of La Rinascente shopping centre, and grab a coffee at one of the terrace cafes that overlook the cathedral.
2 Duomo Museum
Once you exit the cathedral there is a small museum opposite, which has various artifacts and artworks from the cathedral, including some of the gargoyles. There’s also a wooden model of the cathedral at 1:22 scale here.
3 Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Next to the Duomo, this stunning glass‑roofed shopping arcade was built between 1865 and 1877, designed by architect Giuseppe Mengoni.
It’s one of the oldest and most elegant shopping galleries in the world, often called “Milan’s drawing room” for its role as a social and cultural hub. You’ll find designer boutiques and historic cafes inside the galleria.
Even if you’re not shopping for Prada, it’s worth a stroll through for the architecture alone. Don’t forget to look up at the glass dome in the roof.
In the centre of the mall, right under the dome, look out for the quirky “balancing challenge”. This is a fun local tradition. Put your right heel in the dip in the centre and spin around (clockwise) three times for good luck.
When we returned in May 2026 this area was blocked off, and it was obvious they had been repairing the “damage” that had been caused by decades of people spinning on their heels. The dip had been filled in and the mosaics replaced.
4 The Last Supper – Cenacolo Vinciano
One of the most famous artworks in the world, Leonardo da Vinci’s “Last Supper” was painted between 1495 and 1498 on the refectory wall of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie.
Unlike traditional frescoes which were painted onto wet plaster, Leonardo experimented with a new technique, which unfortunately led to early deterioration — making its survival all the more remarkable.
Over the centuries, it has endured neglect, war damage, and numerous restorations. The most recent restoration took 21 years and was completed in 1999.
Nowadays the entire room is sealed and climate controlled to protect this precious masterpiece. Visitors area allowed in for just 15 minutes at a time.
How to visit the Last Supper in Milan
I was surprised to find out this church is not in the centre of Milan, it is a 25 minute walk from the Duomo.
Viewing this masterpiece is a moving experience, but tickets are extremely limited and often sell out weeks in advance, so book as early as possible. Entry tickets for the Last Supper are €15 per person.
The entry procedure is rather complicated – you’ll need to show your passport to collect your ticket. There are several ticket and security checks and you can’t carry any bags, tripods or even selfie sticks inside.
I visited the Last Supper as part of this half day tour, which also included a walking tour finishing up at the Duomo. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND taking a guide in to view the Last Supper.
That 15 minutes goes very quickly and our guide talked the whole time, explaining who each of the figures is, and pointing out features I probably would have missed on my own.
5 Sforza Castle (Castello Sforzesco)
This massive Renaissance fortress was originally built as a fortification by the ruling Visconti family in the 14th century. When the last Visconti died childless, the Sforza family took over the rule of Milan.
The castle we see today dates from their renovations and building in the 15th century. The Sforza Castle has served as a military stronghold and nowadays it is a cultural centre.
You can walk through the extensive courtyard of the castle which was once the largest in Europe, or visit the many museum collections housed here. From the archeological collection to Renaissance paintings, sculptures and tapestries, this is a fantastic collection of European Art.
The Sforza Castle is surrounded by Simplon Park (Parco Sempione), which is a perfect spot for a relaxed picnic between sightseeing. You can even take a walk down to the Arch of Peace which dates back to the Napoleonic era.
6 Michaelangelo’s Last Sculpture – Rondanini Pieta
Inside the Sforza Castle complex, you’ll find Michelangelo’s unfinished “Rondanini Pietà”, the last work of the great master. Created when Michelangelo was in his 80s, the sculpture remains incomplete due to his death—making it an extraordinary and deeply moving piece to witness.
The sculpture offers a rare view into the artist’s evolving mind. You can see an art piece within an art piece, revealing layers of his creative process and how he changed his mind mid way through the sculpture. Truly remarkable.
7 Fontana di Piazza Castello
This fountain (also known as the Sforza Castle Fountain, or even the Wedding Cake Fountain) is relatively young. It was originally built in 1936 for a visit by Mussolini, but then taken down in the 1960s for the construction of a Metro line.
The fountain was kept in storage for almost 30 years, before being re-assembled and re-opened in 2000. It’s one of the best photo spots in the city.
8 La Scala Opera House
The Opera House in Milan is one of the most famous in the world. It was built in the late 18th century after a fire destroyed the previous building. The money was raised by the sale of boxes, which were lavishly decorated by their owners.
In contrast, the exterior is rather plain, and even that was under scaffolding when we visited.
You can take a tour of the interior to see some of the beautiful private boxes. Opera performances are held regularly and tickets can be purchased online.
9 Brera District
Cobblestone streets, boutique shops, and art galleries make Brera one of Milan’s most charming neighborhoods. We enjoyed wandering through here, watching pasta being made by hand at a restaurant, and eating Gelati from Crema di Gelati. It’s also a great place for a coffee or aperitivo.
10 Brera Art Gallery – Pinacoteca di Brera
The main art gallery of Milan was established in this former palazzo in 1776. The museum houses an impressive collection of paintings from the 13th to the 20th centuries.
Even if you don’t visit the inside to see the paintings, it’s worth stepping into the courtyard (which is free) to see the statues.
11 Bosco Verticale
Milan is not just Italy’s fashion capital, it’s also the financial capital. Just a short distance from the historic centre is the newer part of Milan. Here you’ll find tall modern office buildings housing banking and other financial companies.
BUT, right next to all this concrete and glass, you’ll find parkland. Open space where the locals can come and walk or sit amongst the greenery. You’ll also find one of the most unique apartment buildings you’ll ever see.
The Bosco Verticale (Vertical Forest) is an apartment building where the outside is covered with greenery. And we’re not just talking vines and a few house-plants here. There are actual TREES growing on the side of the building!
You can reach the Bosco Verticale by a short walk from Garibaldi Metro Station.
12 Navigli
Navigli is Milan’s canal district. The system of canals was built in the middle ages, and apparently Leonardo worked on improving the system of locks. While the canals were once an important part of Milan’s transport sytem, nowadays, its a popular area with bars, waterfront cafes and restaurants.
We visited the Navigli Craft Beer pub to try out a few of the local brews – and even ended up chatting to one of the brewers who had dropped in.
13 Local food
Milanese cuisine in quite different to what you might expect from Italian food. While of course you can still eat Pizza and Pasta here, but the local food is more influenced by Lombardy. You’ll find dishes based on butter, rice and slow cooked meats here.
Probably the most famous dish from Milan is Risotto Milanese, a simple but delicious risotto flavoured with saffron. It’s often served alongside Cotoletta alla Milanese (a veal cutlet that looks like schnitzel on the bone) or Osso Bucco – a slow cooked braised veal shank where the marrow is supposedly the best part.
When we had lunch with Riccardo, Nigel’s Italian tutor, Nigel tried the Risotto Milanese with Osso Bucco. Verdict? Delicious!
How to get to Milan
By Air
The main international airport serving Milan is Malpensa Airport. The city is also served by Linate and Bergamo Airports. All three are well connected to the city center by public transport.
If you’re flying into Malpensa there is an Express Train to the centre of the city, or you can hire a car if Milan is your first stop on an Italy Road Trip.
By Car
You can drive to Milan on main highways from all across Europe, but watch out for the city’s ZTL zones.
Milan has several Traffic Limitation Zones. The large Zone B encompasses almost the entire city. Access to this zone depends on the emissions level of your vehicle. Zone C is the historic centre of the city and access here is also subject to monetary charges.
As we are travelling around Italy by Campervan and our van is a Euro 5 diesel, we could not drive into Zone B. We found it much easier to park our campervan outside the city and take public transport in.
If you are staying in a hotel in the centre of town, speak with your hotel about organising you an access permit.
By Train or Bus
Milan is a major hub with frequent high-speed trains to/from cities across Italy and Europe. Intercity Buses are also available – they are cheap, but take a lot longer. For timetables, and to book trains or buses, we recommend Omio.
Getting around Milan
Once in Milan, the metro, trams, and buses make it easy to get around. A single ticket (valid for 90 minutes after validation) costs €2.20 and you can use contactless payment.
You can also get a 24-hour (or multi-day) unlimited travel pass (price will depend on how many zones you travel through). These passes allow unlimited rides on metro lines, buses, trams, and trolleybuses within the city from the time of validation. This is a great value if you plan multiple stops in a day or if you’re staying for a few days.
Most of the big attractions in the city center are walkable, so if you’re staying in the centre you may not even need public transport.
We stayed outside the centre and caught the train in each day, and from there we walked to most of the attractions we visited.
Where to stay in Milan
Traveling around Italy in a campervan, we chose to stay just outside the city and take the train in. This saved us the headache of Milan’s traffic and helped us avoid the fines that come with its strict ZTL (limited traffic) zones.
We parked overnight at a free public parking area in Bollate, a suburb north of Milan. It wasn’t fancy but it felt safe, was quiet enough for a night or two. There is a grey water dump station here but the fresh water tap has been removed.
We can recommend a local pizza place a short walk from this carpark, it’s called Da Nonno Peppe. If you want to eat in a really traditional Italian family restaurant this is it.
The carpark is opposite a supermarket and a short walk to Bollate Nord train station. From there, it was an easy, direct train ride into central Milan.
If you’re driving a car or travelling with public transport and looking for accommodation in the centre of Milan, you’ll find plenty of options, from dormitory beds in hostels to 5 star hotels. We use and recommend booking.com for all our hotel bookings.
Best things to do in Milan – FAQs
Is Milan worth visiting?
Absolutely!! Both Nigel and I had visited Italy many times when we worked with Contiki, but neither of us had ever been to Milan. It’s somewhere we both looked forward to, and we really enjoyed it, even despite the rain!
Although Milan is Italy’s second largest city, the centre is compact and walkable. It’s definitely worth a day or two to explore (and maybe longer if you like shopping!)
When is the best time to visit Milan?
Well, we can confirm that it rains in September!! We spent several days in Milan in late September 2024, and sadly it rained for most of them. When we returned in May 2026, it was warm and sunny.
Milan is very busy in summer, like all of Italy, and you may find many smaller shops and businesses closed in August, when many Italians take their month long summer holidays.
We would suggest shoulder season and perhaps spring over autumn.
How many days do you need to visit Milan?
While it’s certainly possible to see the main sights in one day, we recommend spending two days in Milan. Especially if you want to see The Last Supper, as this is a little way out of the centre, and the entry process takes a bit of time.
With three days you’ll also have time to visit some of the hidden gems around the city, or perhaps take a day trip to Lake Como.
Is Milan safe for tourists?
Milan is generally safe, but like any major city, stay aware of your surroundings and watch out for pickpockets in crowded areas. We had no problems whatsoever, but just weeks after we visited Milan, one of our Australian friends had her phone taken from her pocket.
Watch our Milan Travel Film
As we are road-tripping around Europe, we produce helpful guides and travel vlogs for our YouTube channel. Why not watch the whole Italy playlist!