Location: Milan
Top Things to do in Milan
What to do and see in Milan, Lombardy: The Best Free Things to do
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. 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.
3. I Navigli
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,174 reviews
This area in Milan offers reasonably-priced restaurants and some of the city's most exciting nightclubs.
Reviewed By jordanellie41 - Bolton, United Kingdom
The canal path is a lovely setting for an afternoon stroll - as I did - or you can come here after 6pm when the evenings liven up with happy hour for food and drink at the many bars and restaurants that line the paths. It's a picturesque setting with walkways both sides of the canal and various bridges on route to stop and take photos from.
4. 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
5. 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.
6. Monumental Cemetery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,755 reviews
Why visit a cemetery when you’re on vacation, you ask? The tombs at this Milan burial ground offer a great glimpse of Italian artistic styles from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Reviewed By DonnaandCraig - Doylestown, United States
The tombs of Milans famous and wealthy citizens from the 19th and early 20th centuries are large and extravagant. It's like walking around a huge, intriguing sculpture garden, it's fascinating. Well worth the visit. The China Town section of Milan is within walking distance if you want Asian food later.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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
10. Arco della Pace
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,440 reviews
In 1801 Napoleon ordered the demolition of the fortifications for Milan's Castello Sforzesco. This left a large space for the piazza Sempione, now a suitable site for a monumental construction to serve as a triumphal entrance to the city. Begun in 1807 in honour of Napoleon, the arch was not finished until 1838 for the occasion of the coronation of Ferdinando I as King of Lombardy-Venetia. The work of neoclassical architect Luigi Cagnola, inspired by Settimo Severo's arch in Rome, the structure features three colossal Corinthian columns with an arch made of granite from Baveno and adorned with marble from Crevola di Ossola. It is surmounted by the famous 'sestiga della pace' -- the work of Abbondio Sangiorio -- and by four statues of victorious men on horseback.
Reviewed By blairkk25 - New Jersey, United States
I walked twice from Castello Sforzesco through the Parco Sempione to the Arco della Pace. Both times I walked back. The Arco della Pace (Arch of Peace) is impressive and a good photo opportunity. The history of Arco della Pace is connected to Napoleon.
