Location: Centro Storico
Top Things to do in Centro Storico
What to do and see in Centro Storico, Lombardy: The Best Sights & Landmarks
One of the world’s fashion capitals, Milan offers endless opportunities for chic shopping. Hit the artsy neighborhood of Brera for leather goods and Via Monte Napoleone for exclusive, expensive boutiques. The enchanting mosaics and glass vaults of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II make shoppers feel like they’re wandering inside a painting. Take break from your spree to gape at the iconic Duomo, then grab tickets to a performance at La Scala. Post-opera, the Navigli district pulses with late-night activity.
Restaurants in Milan
1. Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4,483 reviews
Reviewed By NusratChe - London, United Kingdom
The exterior façade covered in grey stone is somewhat understated by Italian standards and one is not prepared for what lays in its interior. Once inside, your senses are filled with vibrant colours of paintings and frescoes everywhere. Walls are covered by spectacular frescoes from the 16th century while above, the vaulted ceiling is painted in glorious biblical scenes. This was a church attached to a nunnery and indeed there is a separate large room called 'Hall of Nuns'. A marvellous place to spend an hour or two, very close to Santa Maria delle Grazie that houses The Last Supper. No entrance fee but a small donation would show a visitor's appreciative decorum. On the vault of the hall of the nuns is depicted a starry sky, with God, the Evangelists, and angels. In the end there is the painting Ecce Homo. Organ In the hall of Nuns there is an organ of 1554 by Giovan Giacomo Antegnati entirely by mechanical transmission, consisting of a keyboard of 50 notes and a pedal 20, constantly united to the keyboard.
2. Dialogo nel Buio
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,595 reviews
3. Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 29,522 reviews
For sheer belle époque splendor, this extravagant 19th-century glass-topped, barrel-vaulted tunnel serves as a lively, noisy and colorful shopping mall, teeming with life and inviting you to people-watching from the tables that spill from the Galleria's many bars and restaurants.
Reviewed By briancB9323XM - Arlington, United States
Our stay began at a great B & B one block from the most beautiful outdoor shopping plaza in the world. Just a short walk from our B & B we came upon the stunning Vittorio Emanuele II magnificent shopping center of classical architecture lined with boutique restaurants and designer shops, including the 4 story Louis Vuitton glorious masterpiece. I design shopping centers and other urban design uses and none can come close to the perfection of this space. At the axis of the two colonnades is a glass dome that at Christmas time features a perfect tree and lights on the top of the dome, mesmerizing all who simply stood and stared at the lights above. This place is a cant miss on a trip to Milan with spectacular elegance.
4. Santa Maria delle Grazie
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,314 reviews
One of the world's most famous paintings, Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper" (1495-97), is displayed here.
Reviewed By SammyLuli
This beautiful church built 1497, by the same architect designed the St Peter's Basilica in Rome, commissioned what would become one of the greatest artists of humanity, paint a fresco, that would in turn become the most coped image of the last 5 centuries of Western civilization and a defining image of Christianity. Inside the church itself is beautiful detail, gorgeous craftsmanship without being ostentatious, the grounds are lovely as well. I would recommend getting a tour, wealth of information and puts into perspective the 600 year history of what you're looking and allows access to lovely gardened grounds, especially that this almsot all disappeared in WW2.
5. Duomo di Milano
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 56,586 reviews
The Duomo, symbol of Milan in the world, is one of the largest cathedrals in Italy and Europe. Patrimony of Milanese people and humanity, over the centuries it has been expressing, with its magnificence, the devotion of humanity toward the Divine, involving future generations in an endless commitment. The Milan Cathedral, besides being an artistic monument, is a privileged place of prayer, deeply linked to the memory and teachings of the Bishops who succeeded on St. Ambrose's chair, and to the history of the millions of worshippers who, every year, gather in this place to celebrate the Sacred Mysteries. The Cathedral is the mother Church of the Diocese, having a symbolic role of exemplarity both in the life of the city worship, and in relation with the Diocese activity.
Reviewed By ibrett23 - Derby, United Kingdom
I come here every year, past 8 years for a long weekend break. Duomo is a fantastic work of art, great views of Milan from the rooftop, the inside and the museum are also worth the visit, €28 euros for a skip the line tour of all three is a bargain too
6. Piazza del Duomo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13,549 reviews
This busy and vibrant city square features the gothic cathedral, one of the largest in Europe.
Reviewed By Neilstewart46 - Castleford, United Kingdom
Your first trip to Milan would not complete without visiting this area. The ambience in this area is amazing. It gets a little busy but what do you expect from the scenic vistas and the shops in the area. One thing I would say is watch your personal belongings as according to the Locals there are a lot of pick pockets and thieves in the area who are very clever. We had breakfast and coffee at the Gran Caffe Visconteo which was very reasonable and the staff are brilliant and every helpful
7. Brera District
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,238 reviews
An artsy, bohemian-type neighborhood hosting a number of high-quality leather shops, great for purses, shoes and clothes.
Reviewed By jccc477
Close to the city centre, lots of shops and restaurants, easy walk to everything. We liked Brera. The metro is close as well.
8. Castello Sforzesco
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13,235 reviews
Reviewed By vimals2016 - Pune, India
It’s a very beautiful castle spread across a large area.. it’s centrally located in Milan .. u have a big garden of castle next to it .. it’s a good idea to buy ticket and get a guided tour in case u love history ... simply beautiful.
9. Chiesa di Santa Maria presso San Satiro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,776 reviews
Just south of the world-famous Duomo in Milan, this historic church was built in the 9th century. More commonly known as “San Satiro,” it houses Byzantine frescoes and other works of art.
Reviewed By 214evaf - Bloomington, United States
Visit and admire the amazing depth perception of the altar arches and columns. It is so deceiving! Ingenious.
10. Basilica San Lorenzo Maggiore
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 563 reviews
Reviewed By alessandrofL127YD - Milan, Italy
Beautiful church built the firsts years of 300 so 1700 years ago. Marvelous the churchyard with beautiful Roman columns , a copy of the statue of Emperor Costantino and a beautiful and scenographic facade of the basilica. Inside you can admire the 4th century mosaic of Christ the Lawgiver, frescoes depicting the Last Supper, frescoes over and behind the main altar. Behind the church a very nice park connect the Basilica of Saint Lawrence to Basilica of Saint Eustorgio
