What good is your Italian vacation without a trip to the beautiful and majestic Milano! This Italian city in the Lombardy region is a mixed bag with something on offer for every kind of tourist. With major cultural centres, great food, breathtaking architecture, and the best of the fashion world at your fingertips, Milan makes for a great destination. Whether you are looking for top Milan tourist attractions, or building a no-nonsense Milan sightseeing itinerary, we got your back.
Here are some top things to see in Milan
1. Duomo di Milano
Milan Cathedral, locally called Duomo di Milano is one of the most famous things to see in Milan. In the Milan attractions, this holds a special place as it is in a way the most central point in the city. The cathedral, which began construction in 1386, took nearly 5 centuries to complete and is a melange of a variety of architectural styles.
It is one of the biggest Roman cathedrals in the world, and a must when heading out for Milan sightseeing.
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2. Castello Sforzesco
Made by the Duke of Milan, Castello Sforzesco or Sforrza’s Castle was a fortification that eventually turned into a citadel and was one of the biggest in Europe. Now a regular on the list of places to visit in Milan, this castle is home to a variety of museums, most notably, the Museum of the Rondanini Pietà which has legendary sculptor Michelangelo’s last creation.
3. Santa Maria delle Grazie
A UNESCO heritage site, you have to include Santa Maria delle Grazie in your Milan sightseeing plans for the art inside. Apart from its importance as a cathedral, it is one of the most visited places in Milan because it houses the ever-famous mural by Leonardo Da Vinci, The Last Supper. While over the centuries, the mural was tried to be restored, it only led to distortions. The last one that ended in 1999 however tackled many issues that were chipping at it, and the mural was restored to its former glory.
4. Teatro Alla Scala
Teatro Alla Scala, or La Scala as it is locally known is a historical opera house and one of the best things to do in Milan, Italy. It is an iconic venue and has hosted as well as nurtured many of Italy’s best operatic artists, and some of the world’s finest singers, making watching an opera performance here one of the top things to see in Milan.
5. Quadrilatero Della Moda
While beautiful heritage buildings make up for most of Milan tourist attractions, the beautiful city also rivals Paris as the fashion capital of the world, and an array of couture designer houses based in Milan only reinforces its stature. If you want a break in your Milan sightseeing, head to Quadrilatero Della Moda where you can buy the biggest designers on the planet, ranging from local favourites like Valextra to international giants like Guess and Tom Ford, making it one of the best things to do in Milan, Italy.
6. Parco Sempione
Beyond the historical places to see in Milan is the 90-acre Parco Sempione which serves as a perfect break while still regaling the visitors with beautiful structures, fountains, and even a display-turned-library. This stunning park was modelled after the romantic model of English parks and also offered avenues for carriage. Its proximity to other Milan attractions helps to add it to the list of things to do in Milan, Italy.
7. Arco della Pace
If you are visiting Parco Sempione, make sure, once you’re stepping out, you explore the Arch of Peace, or Arco della Pace as it is called locally. The neoclassical arch that was commissioned by Napoleon to honour his victories is made of marble from the Swiss Alps and stands tall as the starting point of the road that connects Milan and Paris via Simplon Pass. Interestingly, Paris has its own version of an arch honouring Napoleon’s victories called the Arc de Triomphe.
8. San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore
The Sistine Chapel of Milan, or San Maurizio is an art lover’s delight. Don’t go by the plain exterior of this chapel, there is a reason it is a part of the best places to see in Milan. The interiors of the Milan tourist attraction are entirely covered in vibrant colours. May that be mosaics, paintings, or murals, San Maurizio, Milan is a sight to behold. It is also one of the historically important Milan attractions as it is built on what used to be the biggest convent for women in Milan and now houses an archaeological museum.