Milan Activities
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Latest page update: 10 December 2024
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By Dion Protani
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Known principally as the "Fashion Capital of Europe", the city of Milan is the cultural and political capital of Lombardy. Its population of a little under 1.5 million makes it the second most populous in Italy, behind only Rome. Milan is the biggest and most important city in the north of Italy. It's the country's financial capital and an important travel hub.
Aside from its fashion tag, Milan is rich with history and a wide range of sights including the world-famous "Last Supper"; Leonardo Da Vinci's original masterpiece on display at the city's Santa Maria delle Grazie church. |
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Milan highlights
The painting, one of the most popular in the world has a current waiting list of 6 months to see it! You'll be glad to hear that Milan's other main sights are somewhat easier to visit and they include the beautiful Milan Cathedral; set in the heart of the city in Piazza del Duomo, the interior of the cathedral is one of the most breathtaking in Italy and you can also walk around its rooftop, gaining unparalleled vistas of the city.
Also on Piazza Duomo is the elegant Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, an indoor shopping arcade built in 1877. This is the world's oldest shopping centre, built in Renaissance Revival style with a spectacular glass-domed ceiling. A short walk from the Galleria is one of the world's most famous theatres; La Scala, (or "Teatro alla Scala" to give its full name) where you can watch operatic performances or visit the museum including the theatre itself. There are dozens of other great museums in the city including the Pinacoteca di Brera, the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana and the National Museum of Science and Technology to name but a few.
Also on Piazza Duomo is the elegant Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, an indoor shopping arcade built in 1877. This is the world's oldest shopping centre, built in Renaissance Revival style with a spectacular glass-domed ceiling. A short walk from the Galleria is one of the world's most famous theatres; La Scala, (or "Teatro alla Scala" to give its full name) where you can watch operatic performances or visit the museum including the theatre itself. There are dozens of other great museums in the city including the Pinacoteca di Brera, the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana and the National Museum of Science and Technology to name but a few.
Italy's fashion capital
The Quadrilatero dell'Oro or "Golden Rectangle" is where you'll find the majority of those shops which don't need to display their prices; you already know they're going to be expensive. Every fashion house or elite brand name is represented here and many people come to Milan solely for the purpose of making a purchase here or perhaps more realistically, some elite window shopping.
Parco Sempione is a grand park in Milan city centre which is another area not to be missed. At one end of the park is the impressive Sforza Castle with its grandiose fountain to welcome you at the entrance; walk through to the courtyard of the castle and you'll find a variety of museums and exhibitions.
Parco Sempione is a grand park in Milan city centre which is another area not to be missed. At one end of the park is the impressive Sforza Castle with its grandiose fountain to welcome you at the entrance; walk through to the courtyard of the castle and you'll find a variety of museums and exhibitions.
Monuments and nightlife
Beyond the castle lies the huge expanse of the park with further sights such as the Torre Branca which you can climb to get more great views of the city, and at the opposite end of the park to the castle, the Arco della Pace which is one of the iconic symbols of Milan.
Some of Milan's best nightlife can be found in the young, vibrant Navigli district. Two canals called "Naviglio Grande" and "Naviglio Pavese" are lined by dozens of bars, restaurants and cafes which are great to visit during the daytime or evening. I can also highly recommend a visit to the Cimitero Monumentale just a little outside the city centre.
Some of Milan's best nightlife can be found in the young, vibrant Navigli district. Two canals called "Naviglio Grande" and "Naviglio Pavese" are lined by dozens of bars, restaurants and cafes which are great to visit during the daytime or evening. I can also highly recommend a visit to the Cimitero Monumentale just a little outside the city centre.
Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio
Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio, Milan
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Columns of San Lorenzo
Columns of San Lorenzo, Milan
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Navigli
Naviglio Pavese, Milan
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Pinacoteca di Brera
Pinacoteca di Brera, Milan
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Quadrilatero della Moda, Milan
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Chiesa di San Maurizio Maggiore al Monastero, Milan
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Milan Travel
Milano Centrale
Milano Centrale Train Station
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Milan Metro Map
Milan Metro Map
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