Located in northern Italy, the city of Milan is not only the capital of the Lombardy region,
but it's also the second-largest metropolitan area in the country.
It's a major commercial and financial center and is famous for being one of the world’s
most influential fashion capitals.
We’ve been fortunate enough to visit Milan a number of times over the years.
In this video, we’re going to share with you some of our favorite things to see and
do in Milan in addition to shopping at high-end fashion stores.
From museums to fine dining and sightseeing, we're sure you'll find something to love about
this incredible European city.
Even if you're not that big of a shopper, you'll be blown away by the sheer number of
swanky designer shopping options that Milan has to offer.
And then there are the city's countless historical and cultural offerings!
You won't want to miss renowned sites like the Duomo di Milano cathedral or the Santa
Maria delle Grazie Convent, which is famous for being the home of Leonardo da Vinci's
mural 'The Last Supper'.
As you walk around Milan, you’ll quickly discover how easy it is to explore this cosmopolitan
city.
As you stroll through the city’s ancient cobblestone streets and palazzos, you'll see
multiple architectural marvels, numerous pieces of iconic art, and plenty of hidden gems.
Simply put, you'll want to make time to experience everything!
While you might not be able to cross each and every item off your Milan bucket list,
after watching this video, you should have a pretty good idea of where to begin.
Duomo di Milano
The Duomo is a prominent Gothic cathedral that happens to be the largest in the city.
The cathedral's full name is officially the Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica of the Nativity
of St. Mary.
It took almost six centuries to build between 1386 and 1965, but the end result is nothing
short of remarkable.
Of course, you can always go inside and admire its interior.
A small fee is required, but we highly recommend doing that.
Inside you'll find the world's largest Gothic vaults in addition to beautiful stained-glass
windows, gold-adorned altars, ornate sarcophagi, and marble statues.
One of the most intriguing, albeit somewhat disturbing statues, is the one that depicts
St. Bartholomew holding his flayed flesh.
The most revered and famous relic held at the cathedral, however, is a nail that is
believed to be one of those that was used to crucify Jesus Christ.
Annually, a celebration is held around this relic called the Rito della Nivola.
Underneath the Duomo, accessible through its interior is the archaeological area.
Here you can see what has been excavated so far of the Baptisteries of Santa Tecla and
St. John, which are said to date back to the fourth century AD.
Another area worth visiting is the Duomo’s roof terraces.
While this does indeed require an additional fee, it’s well worth it for the phenomenal
views.
The roof is enormous and filled with Gothic spires.
You can reach the rooftop either by taking an elevator or the stairs.
The Duomo is also home to a museum that houses a large number of artworks, relics, and other
elements connected to the cathedral.
This is a great pit stop before or after visiting the rest of the cathedral.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
For another great architectural spot, a visit to this shopping arcade is a must.
While you likely might not be able to afford anything for sale inside, you can still take
some time to appreciate its beautiful construction.
This shopping arcade can be found in Central Milan.
It’s dripping in opulence and houses premium brands, luxury boutiques, and tastefully arranged
window displays.
The rooftop, especially the giant central dome, is one of the best examples of 19th-century
glass and iron architecture in the city.
Da Vinci’s “The Last Supper”
Without question, this is one of the most renowned paintings in the world.
Leonardo's The Last Supper may have been reproduced innumerable times, but there is nothing quite
like seeing the original.
If you want to have this experience, head on over to the Dominican convent of Santa
Maria delle Grazie.
The world-famous mural can be found at the end of the convent's dining hall.
Only a limited number of people are granted entry at once.
As such, tickets need to be booked in advance.
Also, it's worth noting that you are expected to arrive in modest attire.
Scala Theater Museum
This theater is revered for being one of the most famous performance spaces in the world.
The Scala features magnificent woodwork and an iconic red velvet interior.
Fortunately, you don't need to make ticket reservations in advance to show your appreciation
for this famed venue.
Visitors to the Scala Theater Museum get to look inside at the theater's red velvet and
gold interior.
The museum also includes a vast collection of costumes, props, busts, and other objects
related to theater and opera.
Of course, the best way to see the theater is by attending a live performance.
Castello Sforzesco
In the Middle Ages, various regions of Italy were ruled by different sets of rich and powerful
families.
In Milan, the House of Sforza was the main ruling family between 1450 and 1535.
During this era, the Sforza family built the enormous Castello Sforzesco on top of the
site that once held a 14th-century castle.
This beautiful structure was built to be the residence of the head of the Sforza family.
As you can probably imagine, no expense was spared in the buildings construction.
It was designed with both aesthetic and defensive roles in mind.
With it’s sturdy brick construction, the castle features imposing structures like thick
defensive walls and towers.
Back then, it was one of the biggest fortresses in all of Europe.
It was furthermore meticulously decorated by some of the most renowned artisans of the
time including Bramante and da Vinci.
Today, a relatively large portion of the castle still stands and is open for tours.
The castle grounds are free for anyone to visit, but for a fee, you can also visit any
of the castle's eight museums.
These all can be found inside of the castle itself.
The castle's various museums cover a large range of topics, including Renaissance-era
art, ancient art, Egyptian artifacts, musical instruments, and archaeology.
It's a massive complex with lots to see.
Inside, you'll find everything from paintings to statues to sarcophagi to ancient coins.
There is even a sizable collection of weapons and suits of armor on display.
Navigli Canal District
Venice isn't the only European city known for its canals.
Milan is home to the continent's oldest artificial canals which are said to date back to the
12th century.
They were once used as major waterways for irrigation and transportation, but the majority
of the canals were closed down by the 1930s.
Today, the Naviglio Pavese, Naviglio Grande, and Martesana canals are beloved for their
cultural and industrial heritage.
This district has become one of Milan’s liveliest areas.
It’s home to countless cafes, bars, restaurants, and bakeries.
We highly recommend coming out to sample the Lombardy specialty, ossobuco, which consists
of braised lamb shanks.
San Siro
Time is running low to see the famed San Siro stadium which is scheduled to be demolished
shortly after the 2026 Winter Olympics.
This is one of the most iconic soccer stadiums in the world, and it's shared by Italian giants
Internazionale and AC Milan.
Soccer fans from all around the globe visit this famous arena either to take a tour or
attend a match.
It consistently appears on the top of list of Milan’s most popular attractions.
Parco Sempione
This gorgeous 95-acre public park was designed in the style of a traditional English garden.
It can be found next to the Castello Sforzesco and was established in 1888.
It was designed with the intention of providing visitors with panoramic views of the nearby
castle as well as the Arch of Peace.
It's a lovely park that features many sculptures, ponds, and plenty of green space to relax
on.
There are also several old trees that are perfect for catching a little shade on a hot
summer day.
The park is very popular with locals, especially on the weekends during the warmer months.
You'll find numerous vendors, ice cream and espresso carts, drum circles, musicians, children
playing, and families enjoying picnics.
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Inside the park is the 354-foot-tall Branca Tower.
This structure offers panoramic views from atop its viewing station and is named after
the Branca liquor company.
An elevator takes you to the top, where you'll be treated to some of the best views of the
city.
Since it's a ticketed attraction, you can purchase your tickets in advance online.
Also within the park is a museum dedicated to design and architecture called the Triennale.
Pinacoteca di Brera
Being the primary public gallery in Milan, this facility showcases Italian paintings
from the 13th to the 20th centuries.
The site is also home to several thousand students attending one of Italy's premier
art academies.
A few highlights from the gallery include the works of Caravaggio and Raphael and the
breathtakingly beautiful courtyard, which is entirely free to visit.
Lake Como
For a great day trip idea, consider taking a journey to explore one of Italy's most scenic
spots, Lake Como.
The lake is nestled in the foothills of the Alps just 50 kilometers north of Milan, and
it's easily accessible via train dep[arting from the Central Station or Cordusio Station.
After arriving at the small town of Como, you can begin exploring the wishbone-shaped
lake that bears its name.
You can take a ferry to sightsee around the lake or visit one or more of the delightful
destinations at the lake’s center; Menaggio, Varenna, and Bellagio.
With that, we’ll go ahead and wrap this video up.
But before you go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on Milan.
Did you know that Milan is home to Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper mural and that it’s
also famous for having the oldest canal system in Europe?
Let us know in the comments.
And as always, happy travels!