Best Things To Do In Milan

Milan combines all the advantages of a big city with the comfort of a small historic centre. The Duomo, La Scala, the Castle and Leonardo Da Vinci's The Last Supper are just some of its great attractions. Here's what you can see and do in Milan:

It is a must-see in this city. Without the Duomo, Milan would not be Milan. This impressive Gothic cathedral, the fifth largest in the world, stands in the square of the same name, the Piazza del Duomo, in the heart of the city.

It took almost six centuries to build and stands out for the beauty of its pinkish-white marble façade, its pinnacles and towers crowned by statues, a splendid rooftop terrace offering the best views of the city and a Renaissance-style altar that apparently houses one of the nails of Christ's Cross.

The Duomo is the most visited place in Milan. It is open from 8am to 7pm every day. Of course you can't leave without going up to the Milan Duomo Terrace which is open from 9am and seeing the interior of the Milan Duomo in detail. The best options to see the Duomo are:

• Get a ticket for the Duomo of Milan to avoid the long queues.
• Booking a guided tour of the Milan Duomo will enrich your visit.

Visiting Da Vinci's Last Supper is one of the top things to do in Milan. On the wall of the dining room of a former Dominican convent, the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, you can admire a masterpiece up close: Leonardo Da Vinci's 'The Last Supper'.

This fresco, which has stood for centuries after defying bombardment and inclement weather, is key in the history of art for its mastery and original depiction of one of the most dramatic moments of the New Testament.

To visit the work it is necessary to book a ticket well in advance or book a guided tour of The Last Supper Santa Maria delle Grazie is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 8.15am to 6.45pm. And if you want to delve deeper into the artist's work, be sure to visit the Leonardo da Vinci Museum in Milan.

This is another major point of interest, so add the plan to visit Milan Castle to your list.

In 1801 it was demolished by Napoleon, but was rebuilt a century later to look as it did during the time of the Sforza family, the family who fought to make it one of the most majestic courts in Italy and to whom it owes its name.

You can visit it on your own and book tickets to the Sforza Castle, go aboard a tourist bus or on one of the tours that go around the city. Today, the Sforzesco Castle is home to dozens of museums, some of which are very interesting:

• The Pinacoteca di Milano, with more than 1,500 works.
• The Egyptian Museum.
• The Museum of Furniture.

It is the first shopping centre in Italy and one of the first in the world and one of the things to do in Milan at night. Built in the 19th century, it stands out for the mosaics that decorate its floors and walls and for a large glass dome that connects Piazza La Scala with Piazza del Duomo.

Today it is still a shopping passage where some of the city's most luxurious boutiques, historic cafés, such as the Biffi, and restaurants with lively terraces are concentrated. It is free to enter, but you can visit it by booking a guided tour of Milan.

This gallery is specially illuminated for Christmas, making it a must-see if you visit Milan at Christmas time. Although the illumination is maintained during the months of December or January.

The Teatro alla Scala is one of the most famous and oldest opera houses in the world, a must-see whether you are an opera enthusiast or not. Its interiors date back to the 18th century and have an antique beauty that permeates its foyer, auditorium and interesting museum.

I recommend booking a visit to Milan's Teatro alla Scala to see the props and instruments of composers such as Chopin, Verdi, Puccini and Mozart. But also because it is the most complete way to learn about its rich history and anecdotes.

Some of the greatest works in history have passed through its stages, such as Otello or Madame Butterfly, and singers such as María Callas, Pavarotti or Plácido Domingo.

To get to know a city you should not only visit its monuments. A stroll through some of its most characteristic neighbourhoods is the best way to discover its culture and way of life.

In Milan, one of these neighbourhoods is Brera. Brera is in the historic centre, on cobblestone streets and among cafes and original shops that live with 18th century buildings, such as the Pinacoteca de Brera, one of the most renowned museums in the world and where I recommend you book a guided tour of the Pinacoteca de Brera.

There you will also see up to 4 important churches: the Basilica San Simpliciano, the Chiesa di San Marco, the Chiesa di Sant'Angelo and the Chiesa Santa Maria del Carmine. But also the Botanical Garden and the Astronomical Observatory.

Milan is one of those cities that you feel like walking and touring without haste to discover each of its corners. But getting on one of the best tourist buses in Milan is, without a doubt, a great option to move comfortably between the main points of interest.

It allows you to get on and off the bus every time you want to walk around a certain area. Plus, it's perfect if you' re travelling to the Italian city in winter, as the cold temperatures can give you a hard time.

By booking a seat on the Milan sightseeing bus, you'll be able to travel three different routes and make sure you don't miss anything. And while you move around the city, you won't have to give up the wonderful views that its streets have to offer.

Piazza Mercanti is a medieval corner in the centre of Milan and one of the most beautiful squares in the city. In fact, it is one of the points of interest included in many of the Italian city tours such as the Milan bike tour.

During the Middle Ages it was the commercial and governmental centre of Milan, so it preserves some of its most remarkable and curious buildings. There you will be able to see:

• The Palazzo della Ragione, dating from 1233 and housing the Courts of Justice.
• The Palazzo delle Scuole Palatine, the most prestigious higher school in Milan during the Middle Ages.
• The beautiful Casa dei Panigarola, in Gothic style.
• The Loggia degli Osii, decorated with statues and coats of arms and which housed the offices of the judges.

As I said before, I recommend you to book a bike tour in Milan, because many of them stop in this piazza or pass through it.

A tour of the San Siro stadium in Milan is a must if you are passionate about football. Here you can learn about the history of the two teams of the city: Inter Milan and AC Milan, and admire the most precious relics and objects of these two teams of the Italian league.

To do so, you can book a tour of the San Siro stadium in Milan, which lasts about an hour and will give you access to both teams' museums and the temporary exhibition, as well as the changing rooms, the press room and even the Tunnel of Champions, my favourite area!

Milan's location makes it a perfect starting point to explore and take tours and excursions to other nearby areas from Milan that are really worthwhile, such as:

• Venice and Verona: two of Italy's most famous cities. Excursions are usually day trips and you will be accompanied by a guide. Even so, here is a post with all the details on how to get from Milan to Venice
• Cinque Terre: declared a World Heritage Site, it is a beautiful coastal area made up of the towns of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. Here is how to get from Milan to Cinque Terre.
• Lago di Garda: it is the biggest lake in Italy and its beauty will leave you open-mouthed.
• City of St. Mortiz: it is at the foot of the Swiss Alps and you can get there on a historic train that crosses the Bernina Strait. You also have the option of taking an excursion from Milan to the Swiss Alps.

If you have two days or even three days on your trip to Milan, don't hesitate. You can organise your own visits or get to know these places in a very practical, comfortable and time-efficient way with one of the many excursions organised from Milan.

Lago di Como is one of the excursions you can't miss. At any time of the year you'll be able to enjoy the many things to do, even the winter at Lago di Como is spectacular, as you'll have the opportunity to enjoy incredible views of the snow-capped Alps.

In case you want to go on your own, I leave you a post to consult how to get from Milan to Lago di Como:, but my recommendation is that you opt for an excursion to Lago Como from Milan

Of course, once there you can't miss the most beautiful villages of Lago di Como and don't forget to book one of the best boat trips on Lago di Como, a plan that will amaze you.

The Cemetery of Milan is one of the most recommended and surprising visits in the city. Far from being gloomy, this 19th century cemetery is an authentic open-air museum of 250,000 square metres dotted with tombs of great artistic value, sculptures, Greek temples and even a pyramid.

It also has the so-called 'Hall of Fame', which contains the tombs of some of the country's most important figures. To make sure you don't miss anything in the Monumental Cemetery, buy a guided tour of this and other major points of interest in Milan.

• Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 8 am to 6 pm with free admission.

As a big city with so much to see and do, you may need a break to relax during your discovery of Milan.

That place is Sempione Park, where you can stroll around a spectacular English-style garden, amidst nature, an artificial lake and monuments such as the Arco della Pace, commemorating Napoleon's victories. Undoubtedly, one of the essential plans if you travel to Milan with children.

• Visitinghours: every day from 6.30 am to 9 pm.

Once your plane lands at the airport of the Italian city, I recommend that you plan your transfers to the centre of Milan.

It is also a good idea to plan ahead so that you don't leave this beautiful city without getting to know most of its essential plans. To do this, I'm going to give you some posts about what to see and do depending on the length of your trip:

• What to see and do in Milan in 2 days.
• What to see and do in Seville in 3 days.
• What to see and do in Seville in 4 days.