Milan has a well-deserved reputation as a city of business, finance and fashion. As such, it can be straightforward to identify the capital of Italy’s Lombardy region as a destination where Europe’s rich and prominent need to “be seen,” but not necessarily as tourists, especially on a budget.
However, there is still a must see in Milan for the curious traveler, regardless of their wealth or fashion sense.
The Duomo has been a landmark of Milan for over six hundred years. The white marble Gothic cathedral is one of the largest churches in the world and offers a breathtaking view the first or hundredth time you see it.
Highlights are the magnificent altars of Pellegrino Pellegrini, the sarcophagi of the historic archbishops and the macabre sculpture of St. Bartholomew Flayed (1562) through Marco d’Agrate. It is also worth visiting the archaeological domain at the back of a narrow staircase.
The cathedral itself doesn’t interest you? Do not miss the opportunity to make a stop on the roofs of the cathedral. The perspectives are one of the biggest attractions of the city and are acquired with an entrance price totally independent of the cathedral itself. Choose between two other lifts or an energy-intensive descent down a narrow, winding staircase.
You may not be able to buy anything inside, but a stop at Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is still necessary to appreciate the magnificent architecture.
Rich in wealth, the excellent glass-vaulted grocery shopping gallery is home to high-end brands and luxury boutiques with stunning window displays. The roof and, in particular, the giant central dome are among the examples of nineteenth-century iron and glass architecture.
Arguably one of the greatest paintings in the world, Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper has been reproduced many times. However, head to the Dominican convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie to see the impressive original mural at the end of the dining room.
Only a handful of people are allowed at a time, so tickets will need to be booked in advance. Do not arrive in modest clothing.
One of the most prominent functional spaces in the world, La Scala’s beautiful wood and red velvet interior is a must-see. Luckily, you don’t need tickets to an exhibit to appreciate the highlight.
The red and gold velvet interior of Teatro Alla Scala is a must-see in Milan, Italy.
Visitors to the Scala Theatre Museum can take a look inside as part of their tour. The museum also includes a collection of busts, costumes, and other items similar to opera and theater.
Built in the fifteenth century, the medieval fortification was one of the largest citadels in Europe. Behind it is the vast Parco Sempione, a green lung in the center of Milan.
Following a primary post-war renovation, the building now houses several of the city’s museums and art collections. With so much to see, a guided tour is a must if you’re interested in art history.
Time is running out for one of the world’s most iconic football stadiums, the San Siro. Shared through Italian giants AC Milan and Internazionale (Inter), the stadium will soon be demolished and replaced.
Inter Milan enthusiasts before a UEFA Champions League match at the San Siro stadium.
Football enthusiasts from all over the world stop at the famous bullring to get fit or walk around the stadium, one of Milan’s top attractions.
Not only Venice is known for its canals. Milan is home to the oldest synthetic canals in Europe, dating back to the twelfth century. Once waterways were provided for transportation and irrigation, the maximum canals were closed in the 1930s.
But today, the Naviglio Grande, Naviglio Pavese and Martesana canals are appreciated for their commercial and cultural heritage. It has one of the liveliest spaces in the city, it houses cafes, bars and a handful of classic restaurants where you can enjoy risotto or stew. Leg of lamb called ossobuco, a Lombard specialty.
Milan’s main public gallery presents Italian paintings from the thirteenth to the twentieth centuries. It is a true centre of excellence for Italian art, as it is also home to a few thousand academics from one of Italy’s leading art academies.
The highlights of the gallery come with works by Raphael and Caravaggio and the striking courtyard, which is absolutely easy to visit.
Finally, set aside a day to explore one of Italy’s most picturesque spots in the foothills of the Alps. It’s easy to exercise in Como, a small town in a triangle-shaped corner of the lake.
From Como, ferries are available for sightseeing on the lake and visiting one or more of the 3 captivating destinations in the middle of the lake: Bellagio, Varenna and Menaggio.