Milan is so much more than fashion week.
BetweenRome , Florence , and Venice , Italian cities are beloved by tourists . Milan , while pop for a few days of shopping and a cathedral photo op , is n’t usually at the top of anyone ’s lean . But the urban center is more than just the Duomo and Galleria , and well deserving the visit for those who are unforced to take the sentence to explore .
situate in the Lombardy region ofNorthern Italy , Milan is one of the fashion capitals of the world . Every twelvemonth , decade of thousands of people constellate there for either of the city ’s two fashion weeks . But even those not interested in luxuriousness and designer clothing can enjoy visiting this centuries - previous city , and there ’s raft of sport to be had at any time of twelvemonth . And as flight prices from the US to Europebegin to dropfor fall and winter travel , there ’s never been a better time to go to Milan . Here ’s everything you should do when you call in .
Best places for first timers to visit in Milan
When you go to Milan for the first time , everyone is travel to tell you that you need to see the Milan Cathedral , well known as the Duomo . They ’re telling you the truth . The third - largest church in the earth , the Duomo is Milan ’s most important watershed and is site the right way in the city center . While the outside of the duomo is magnificent enough on its own , fail deep down and visiting the top will give you an unparalleled view of the city skyline .
handily locate beside the Piazza del Duomo is Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II , another popular holidaymaker situation . Here , you ’ll find flagship store for some of the big name in luxury fashion — think Prada , Louis Vuitton , Gucci , Armani , Versace , and more — stacked inside a four - story merchant vessels center . You have to visit at least once while you ’re in the fashion capital , but you do n’t have to pull out your reference card if you do n’t want to . The Galleria is a outstanding place to windowpane workshop and snap some photos for Instagram under its signature glass domes .
Once you ’ve had enough of the busy Piazza del Duomo and Galleria , take a 15 - minute stroll to Parco Sempione , the largest ballpark in Milan . Take in the beaut for a few hour before you check at Castello Sforzesco on the south border of the park . This 15th - century bastion house several museums and libraries with prowess by maestro like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo .
Francesco Riccardo Iacomino/Moment/Getty Images
But there ’s more to do than the basics . Be sure to visit the Fiera di Sinigaglia , a hebdomadary flea market in the Navigli neighborhood that takes space on Saturdays , to attend for unexpected treasure . Swing by the Brera Botanical Garden as well — the beautiful outdoor outer space near Central Milan is entirely free to explore .
Where to eat and drink like a local in Milan
Pizza, paninis, and pastas
When it comes to Italian cuisine destinations , many are quick to ignore Milan in favour of city like Naples andBologna . But if you roll in the hay where to eat in Milan , you will incur yourself enjoying some of the best in Lombard cuisine .
A misstep to Milan is incomplete without eating at one of the city ’s many trattorias , andTrattoria Trippais the one not to drop . Awarded a Bib Gourmand by the Michelin Guide , Trattoria Trippa specializes in unsophisticated but extremely delicious Lombard cuisine . The carte changes daily in orderliness to make use of the bracing ingredients possible , but must - have staples include fried tripe and bone kernel . For an equally unfussy but less crowded restaurant that ’s consummate for magnanimous groups , check outA Santa Lucia . Wolf down Milanese risotto and plenty of seafood dishes amongst hundred of fame portraits , all wait down at you as if in approving of your food selection .
On the hunt for some unfermented pastries ? Check out the nearly-100 - class - old bakeryPasticceria Cucchi , where you may sip a cappuccino alongside some traditional panettone .
© Marco Bottigelli/Moment/Getty Images
For those who prefer to eat on the go , there ’s tidy sum of street food to choose from . you may find paninis , individual pizza , or meat - stuffed sugar on any street in the city . If you ’re by the Duomo , check out Luini for panzerotti , a folded piece of fry pizza dough stuffed with cheese and Lycopersicon esculentum .
Negroni Sbagliato… with Prosecco in it
In Milan , Campari is king — which makes sense as the liqueur originated just 30 miles outside of the city . If you ’re a fan of Campari , or concerned in becoming one , there ’s no better position to begin toast than atCamparinoin Galleria . Rated the 85th best bar in the world by 50 Best , Camparino has beenthedefinitive spot to drink the aperitivo in Milan since 1915 .
For a minuscule more variety , check outTerrazza Duomo 21 . Overlooking the Piazza del Duomo , the voguish cocktail bar extend a wide choice of drinks ( with or without Campari ) and dj playing live sets of late into the night . ensure to grab a mesa with a view early in the night , as the prevention tends to fill up up quickly .
If you ’re looking to get away from the centre of Milan , head over to the Navigli neighborhood . Milan ’s canal territory , Navigli is posit along the city ’s remaining two canal and bursting with cake and eating house . Stop byUgo , a cocktail bar with a originative computer menu focused on gin - ground cocktail , andRita & Cocktails , a rooter - pet place in the district know for its imaginative drinks and share plate . For a cozier ( read : smaller ) venue , go to Backdoor 43 . Measuring just 12 square metre , Backdoor 43 has been named the modest cocktail bar in the world and can host a upper limit of just four people — perfect for those who require to feel like they have their own secret speakeasy .
A Santa Lucia
Milan neighborhoods you can’t miss
Navigli
fix on the two stay canal in Milan , the Navigli district is a sorcerous region with lashings of waterfront bars and restaurants . Stroll along the water as you take in the historic street art before parking yourself at a local bar like Ugo or Rita & Cocktails for a drinking and a view of the sunset . If you visit Navigli on the weekend , make certain to design fourth dimension at the Fiera di Sinigaglia , Italy ’s oldest weekly flea market .
Centro Storico
The heart of Milan , Centro Storico is the metropolis centerfield where all the hustle and bustle resides — as well as the most popular ethnic attraction . Here you ’ll find the Piazza del Duomo , the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II , and Parco Sempione . Teatro alla Scala is also located in Centro Storico . If you could , take a guided hitch of Teatro alla Scala and snaffle tickets to a show at one of the most far-famed dramaturgy in the domain .
Porto Garibaldi
Beloved by tourists and local anaesthetic alike , Porto Garibaldi is home to Corso Como , the tower of Milan ’s nightlife . While the rest of the city eternal rest , the street of Corso Como is buzzing with partygoer moving from nightclub to nightclub , bar to bar . tally out11ClubroomorHollywood Rythmotequeif you ’re take care for somewhere to dance the night away , any twenty-four hour period of the workweek .
Porta Venezia
Technically a subdistrict of Centro Storico , Porta Venezia is also Milan ’s LGBTQ+ neighborhood , and a melt weed of queer - friendly prevention and eating place serving up all types of ethnical cuisines . The district is also home to Corso Buenos Aires , a one - km - long shopping street perfect for those who are looking to make purchases alfresco of the Galleria . If you ’re not in the mood to drink or shop , take a walk over to Giardini Pubblici Indro Montanelli and relax in the forage .
Museums, art, and culture in Milan
Milan boast an unbelievable aggregation of museum and artistry galleries , rivaling any other Italian city . Its greatest artistic claim to fame , however , is that Milan is the home to Leonardo da Vinci’sLast Supper . locate in Santa Maria delle Grazie church , the piece is assailable to the public to visit . Do be warned , however , that memory access to the painting call for some planning ; be certain tobook your ticketahead of time and play a government - issued ID that equal the name on your ticket .
Just a Lucy Stone ’s stroke from the Galleria isTeatro alla Scala , an 18th - century opera house sign of the zodiac and museum . The theater is famous for its operas ( of course ) and concert dance , and also bluster a museum and medicine library heart-to-heart to the public . If you ’re not interested in see a show , it ’s still deserving taking a guided turn of the theater to view the royal box and the theater ’s costume collection .
If you ’re look for artistic production on the more forward-looking side , check out theMuseo del Novecento(next to the Duomo ) , which is dedicate to twentieth - 100 Italian art . The museum is only 13 years onetime , but boasts more than 400 nontextual matter . If you desire to go even more innovative , make your way toPirelli HangarBicocca , a contemporary art museum in the Bicocca territorial dominion . Located inside a former Pirelli tire factory , Pirelli HangarBicocca was converted into an 11,000 - square foot art picture gallery in 2012 . The heading features revolving installations as well as a permanent exposition ofThe Seven Heavenly Palaces 2004 - 2015by Anselm Keifer . Lovers of contemporary art should also check outFondazione Pradain the Largo Isarco district , which maintains a busy calendar of case from film screenings to live performances alongside revolve contemporaneous art exhibitions .
Terrazza Duomo21
Nature and outdoor experiences near Milan
Fresh - zephyr action near Milan are easy approachable , starting with a sojourn toLake Como . just skip on a train from Milan ’s central place . Just an hour from the urban center , Lake Como is the third large lake in Italy and one of Milan ’s sound day trips . unlax on the beach alongside the invert Y - shaped lake or take a gravy boat ride on the weewee . If you ’re looking to be a bit more active , there are hundreds of tramp track to be found in the Hill that border the lake , pray to be explored .
Also worth a sojourn is San Pellegrino Terme — yes , thatSan Pellegrino — around two hours by train from Milan . The charming watering place town , nestled in Italy ’s Val Brembana valley along the Brembo River , has been home to the piss brand for over a century . Walk amongst the gorgeous art nouveau mode construction of the town and learn about the story of its mineral H2O before reach your manner toQC Terme , the most beautiful daytime watering place in Italy , for some much - deserve R&R. It ’s well worth leaving the city just for the experience of sipping San Pellegrino in an outdoor whirlpool overlooking the northern Italian mountains .
Milan hotels and other great places to stay
If you ’re take care to make your Milan visit a sumptuousness — and you ’re uncoerced to pay for it — you’ll want to stay at the five - starBulgari Hotel Milano . Built in an 18th - centurypalacein the eye of the city , stock rooms set forth at a whooping $ 1,000 a night and grant visitors approach to the hotel ’s spa with indoor consortium , gardens , and an extensive bar . Another option is the similarly pricey and luxuriousFour Seasons Hotel Milano , located just minutes aside from the Duomo .
If the luxury is a piece outside of your budget or solace zone , you still have some wonderful options . Stylishnhow Milano , locate in Milan ’s Via Tortona district ( walking length to the Navigli ) , is a more advanced option that brag a vibrant color pallette , funky piece of furniture , and rooftop pools . dress shop hotels likeCasa BaglioniandChateau Monfortoffer a more traditional stay . But no matter where you prefer to log Z’s in Milan , know that every part of the metropolis is easily accessible by groundwork , car , or metro .
What to know before you go to Milan
The best times of the year to visit
While there are no bad times to chaffer Milan , the best time of year to visit the urban center are the give and evenfall , when the conditions is temperate and the tourists are few . If you ’re interested in fashion or celebrity culture , however , you may want to visit the city during its two manner weeks , typically in September / October or February / March . You may get lucky and run into any issue of A - lister roaming the streets in their best looks .
Milan’s time zone
Italy cohere to day economy time , meaning that the clock is set forward an hour in the spring and back an 60 minutes in the fall . As of late 2023 , Milan is in Central European Time ( GMT +1 ) .
Milan’s weather and climate
Summers in Milan are hot and humid , with mediocre temperature in July reaching nearly 80 degrees Fahrenheit . Winters are cold and groggy , with the January average sitting at around 40 arcdegree Fahrenheit . descent and natural spring in Milan run to be rainy , but offer the most well-situated temperatures .
The language
The official language of Milan is Italian . That said , many Milanese people talk English as well .
How to get around
There are several ways to navigate Milan with ease . The Milan Metro is an exceedingly commodious way to get across the city for gaudy . There are five subway system lines , which are all coordinated by issue and colour . The underground starts at two euros for a one - way ticket and is the most expansive tube system in Italy , meaning that you may apply it to get practically anywhere .
Cabs and rideshares are also choice . Milan is one of only two Italian cities in which Uber operates ( the other is Rome ) . Though Uber is a democratic and practicable option for getting around the city , you’re able to only call Uber Blacks , meaning you will be pay a act more for every Uber than you might be used to . An Uber alternative there is the appWetaxi . Wetaxi let you to call a cab and know the maximum price you are become to pay for your ride before you call it . It is especially democratic among locals .
The currency
Milan uses the Euro ( EUR ) . As of December , 2023 , $ 1 USD exchanges for € 0.92 EUR .
International adapters you’ll need
Italy , like most European countries , use the case 100 hype , nock by two rounded prongs .
Alexandre Rotenberg/Shutterstock
Alexandre Rotenberg/Shutterstock
Teatro alla Scala
Luisa Whr/iStock/Getty Images Plus
nhow Milano
Buena Vista Images/Stone/Getty Images
AleMasche72/Shutterstock
