Milan Travel Guide: The Best Things to Do, See & Eat
Milan, Italy's chic fashion capital, dazzles with the stunning Duomo cathedral, the world-renowned La Scala opera house, and the Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci. Experience vibrant culture, stylish shopping, and exquisite cuisine in this dynamic city.
With 302+ hand-picked places to explore, Milan rewards travellers who look beyond the obvious. Here's our complete guide to the best of the city — organised by what you're in the mood for.
Must-See Attractions in Milan
The icons and landmarks no first visit is complete without.
Start with Leonardo da Vinci's Statue — ideal for art lovers and history enthusiasts, this statue celebrates a Renaissance icon. Just as worthwhile is Villa Necchi Campiglio: ideal for art lovers and history enthusiasts seeking to explore Milan's elegant past. Piazza Gae Aulenti completes the picture: ideal for travelers interested in contemporary architecture and lively public spaces in Milan.
Leonardo da Vinci's Statue
Milan • Monuments & Statues
Ideal for art lovers and history enthusiasts, this statue celebrates a Renaissance icon.
Villa Necchi Campiglio
Milan • Famous Landmarks
Ideal for art lovers and history enthusiasts seeking to explore Milan's elegant past.
Piazza Gae Aulenti
Milan • Historic Squares & Plazas
Ideal for travelers interested in contemporary architecture and lively public spaces in Milan.
Monument to Alessandro Manzoni
Milan • Monuments & Statues
A grand statue honoring influential Italian novelist Alessandro Manzoni stands in Piazza San Fedele, Milan.
Museums & Culture in Milan
Galleries, museums and cultural landmarks for a deeper look at the city.
Top of most lists is Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore: renowned for its stunning Renaissance frescoes, this church is often called the 'Sistine Chapel of Milan. Locals will also point you to Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio — a cornerstone of Milan's ecclesiastical history, perfect for a cultural day out in the city. And for something different, there's Castello Sforzesco: located in Piazza Castello, this medieval fortress showcases Milan's rich history and stunning architecture.
Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore
Milan • Historical Sites
Renowned for its stunning Renaissance frescoes, this church is often called the 'Sistine Chapel of Milan.
Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio
Milan • Historical Sites
A cornerstone of Milan's ecclesiastical history, perfect for a cultural day out in the city.
Castello Sforzesco
Milan • Historical Sites
Located in Piazza Castello, this medieval fortress showcases Milan's rich history and stunning architecture.
Museo Bagatti Valsecchi
Milan • Museums
Explore the 19th-century aristocratic life through art and decor in Milan's Via Gesù.
Best Things to Do in Milan
Activities and experiences to fill your days.
If you only make time for one stop, make it VR Zone Milano — located on Via Pasubio, this immersive virtual reality gaming center offers unique experiences in Milan. Civico Planetario Ulrico Hoepli earns its reputation too — experience one of Europe's most advanced astronomical projection systems in a historic setting. Round out the shortlist with Escape Hunt Milan — located on Via Montebello, this venue features immersive escape room experiences that test your wits and teamwork.
VR Zone Milano
Milan • Indoor
Located on Via Pasubio, this immersive virtual reality gaming center offers unique experiences in Milan.
Civico Planetario Ulrico Hoepli
Milan • Family-Friendly
Experience one of Europe's most advanced astronomical projection systems in a historic setting.
Escape Hunt Milan
Milan • Indoor
Located on Via Montebello, this venue features immersive escape room experiences that test your wits and teamwork.
Escape Room Intrappola.to
Milan • Indoor
Ideal for groups seeking an engaging indoor adventure in Milan's lively atmosphere.
Where to Eat in Milan
From local classics to standout modern kitchens.
Start with L'Immagine Ristorante Bistrot — ideal for couples and families seeking authentic Milanese cuisine in a cozy setting. Just as worthwhile is Gong Oriental Attitude: contemporary interpretations of traditional Chinese cuisine in a stylish Milanese setting. Iyo completes the picture: located on Via Piero della Francesca, Iyo presents an upscale dining experience with a focus on Japanese cuisine.
L'Immagine Ristorante Bistrot
Milan • Local Cuisine
Ideal for couples and families seeking authentic Milanese cuisine in a cozy setting.
Gong Oriental Attitude
Milan • Asian Cuisine
Contemporary interpretations of traditional Chinese cuisine in a stylish Milanese setting.
Iyo
Milan • Asian Cuisine
Located on Via Piero della Francesca, Iyo presents an upscale dining experience with a focus on Japanese cuisine.
Trattoria Trippa
Milan • Local Cuisine
A noteworthy stop for an authentic taste of Milan's evolving culinary scene.
Milan After Dark: Bars & Nightlife
Where to go once the sun sets.
Top of most lists is Birrificio Milano: ideal for craft beer lovers looking for a casual atmosphere and unique seasonal brews. Locals will also point you to Bere Buona Birra — over 100 craft beers from around the world set this bar apart in Milan's nightlife scene. And for something different, there's Birrificio Lambrate: located on Via Adelchi, this brewery is a key player in Milan's craft beer scene.
Birrificio Milano
Milan • Craft Beer Bars
Ideal for craft beer lovers looking for a casual atmosphere and unique seasonal brews.
Bere Buona Birra
Milan • Craft Beer Bars
Over 100 craft beers from around the world set this bar apart in Milan's nightlife scene.
Birrificio Lambrate
Milan • Craft Beer Bars
Located on Via Adelchi, this brewery is a key player in Milan's craft beer scene.
Blue Note Milano
Milan • Live Jazz Venues
The only venue in Milan affiliated with the renowned New York Blue Note, offering a unique jazz experience.
Where to Stay in Milan
Hand-picked hotels, hostels and B&Bs across every budget.
If you only make time for one stop, make it Casa Calicantus — ideal for couples and families seeking a serene stay in Milan's historic district. Château Monfort earns its reputation too — a fairy-tale inspired luxury hotel with elegant interiors and spa facilities in Milan's historic district. Round out the shortlist with Four Seasons Hotel Milano — located on Via Gesù, this hotel combines historical architecture with modern luxury in Milan's fashion district.
Casa Calicantus
Milan • Bed & Breakfast
Ideal for couples and families seeking a serene stay in Milan's historic district.
Château Monfort
Milan • Spa Hotels
A fairy-tale inspired luxury hotel with elegant interiors and spa facilities in Milan's historic district.
Four Seasons Hotel Milano
Milan • Luxury Hotels
Located on Via Gesù, this hotel combines historical architecture with modern luxury in Milan's fashion district.
Grand Hotel et de Milan
Milan • Luxury Hotels
This hotel suits couples and luxury travelers seeking historical charm and proximity to Milan's cultural attractions.
Shopping in Milan
Markets, boutiques and everything in between.
Start with Milan Souvenir — ideal for families and tourists seeking Milan-themed keepsakes to remember their trip. Just as worthwhile is Serendeepity: located on Corso di Porta Ticinese, this shop merges music and fashion in a vintage atmosphere. Il Centro completes the picture: a massive shopping complex offering an extensive range of stores and entertainment options.
Milan Souvenir
Milan • Souvenir Shops
Ideal for families and tourists seeking Milan-themed keepsakes to remember their trip.
Serendeepity
Milan • Vintage & Thrift Shops
Located on Corso di Porta Ticinese, this shop merges music and fashion in a vintage atmosphere.
Il Centro
Milan • Malls
A massive shopping complex offering an extensive range of stores and entertainment options.
Mercato Metropolitano
Milan • Markets
Located on Via Valenza, this market merges diverse food options with cultural experiences and a commitment to sustainability.
Parks & Green Spaces in Milan
Room to breathe when you need a break from the streets.
Top of most lists is Parco di Trenno: a spacious park with extensive trails, ideal for hiking and outdoor activities in Milan. Locals will also point you to Giardino della Villa Belgiojoso Bonaparte — a picturesque landscape punctuated by ponds and sculptures, reflecting Milan's aristocratic past. And for something different, there's Parco Giochi delle Cave: ideal for families seeking outdoor play and recreation in a park setting.
Parco di Trenno
Milan • Hiking Trails
A spacious park with extensive trails, ideal for hiking and outdoor activities in Milan.
Giardino della Villa Belgiojoso Bonaparte
Milan • Botanical Gardens
A picturesque landscape punctuated by ponds and sculptures, reflecting Milan's aristocratic past.
Parco Giochi delle Cave
Milan • Playgrounds
Ideal for families seeking outdoor play and recreation in a park setting.
Parco Nord Milano
Milan • Parks
A large urban park in Sesto San Giovanni, ideal for outdoor activities and nature observation.
74 Explorer Picks We Held Back
Every list above is our free tier. On top of it, our editors mark the roughly one-in-ten places in Milan that are genuinely special — standout stays, tables worth planning a day around, and rooms most visitors never find — as Explorer picks, with full write-ups reserved for members. A few currently on the Milan list:
- Cooking Class at Cook in Milano· Indoor
- Cimitero Monumentale di Milano· Historical Sites
- Duomo di Milano· Monuments & Statues
- Lago di Lugano· Coastal Areas
- Fondazione Mudima· Art Galleries
Planning where to stay in Milan?
Our neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood guide covers the best areas and hotels for every budget.
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