The best things to do in Milan, from the best art galleries to visit to the coolest neighbourhoods to hang out
It may be world-renowned for its fashion and design, but there are so many incredible things to do in Milan beyond the runways and showrooms. Like its fellow Fashion Week capitals, Milan is first and foremost a vibrant, culture-filled metropolis, rich in art, fine cuisine, buzzing cocktail and wine bars, stunning architecture and hidden gems. The city’s most iconic sights are clustered around the historic centre; most people consider themselves done once they’ve seen them all, but they’re just the tip of the iceberg–there’s plenty more to see and do in Milan. And the city’s efficient public transport network means that travellers have no excuse for confining themselves to the historic centre. From the obvious to the unexpected, here are some of the best things to do in Milan.
Want more Milan recommendations? See our guides to Italy's fashion capital below:
- adidesignmuseum.org
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Getty ImagesWalk of Fame di Milano
This little-known pop-culture relic hides in plain sight in a sleepy pedestrian walkway just off Corso Europa and goes unnoticed by the thousands of daily passers-by – unless they're in the know. Inaugurated in 1992, the Walk of Fame di Milano honoured winners of Italy’s famed Telegatti award and features around 50 handprints ranging from Italian television legends to international stars, including Sophia Loren, Sharon Stone, Sylvester Stallone, Luke Perry and Shannon Doherty. Sadly, today, it’s somewhat forgotten with worn edges and fading signatures reflecting years of neglect. But one can say that’s part of its charm. Jaclyn de Giorgio
Address: Corso Europa, 20122 Milano MI
The ADI Design Museum
As far as Milan design museums go, the Triennale may get the most attention, but the ADI Design Museum warrants a visit as well. Having opened in 2021 inside a converted tram depot, it’s said to be Europe's largest design museum. The 2,000-plus objects on display include winners of the Compasso d’Oro, Italy’s top design award, from the 1950s to the present day. But it feels less like a museum and more like an archive of how everyday life has evolved over the decades. Highlights include Doney 14 Television (1962), one of Europe’s first transistor portable TVs; Vico Magistretti’s Eclisse Lamp (1967) with a rotating shade created for Artemide; and Anna Castelli Ferrieri’s K4870 (1987), a stackable chair designed for Kartell. The closest metro stop is Monumentale on the M5 purple line, but you can also walk there from Garibaldi train station in about 15 minutes. JdG
Address: P.za Compasso d'Oro, 1, 20154 Milano MI
Website: adidesignmuseum.org - palazzocitterio.org/nSanta Maria Annunciata in Chiesa Rossa</strong>\nOne of Milan’s most intriguing, lesser-known attractions is American light artist Dan Flavin’s <em>Untitled</em> installation inside Santa Maria Annunciata in Chiesa Rossa, a 1930s church designed by architect Giovanni Muzio. Commissioned by Reverend Giulio Greco in 1996, the work was completed just days before Flavin’s death. Fondazione Prada, which still oversees its conservation, helped complete the posthumous installation. Blue, green, pink and gold fluorescent tubes illuminate the church’s Neo-Romanesque interior with an ethereal glow. But there’s more. Since 2008, a work by contemporary sculptor Pino Pedano, a poplar-wood disc called <em>Luce</em>, has hovered over the altar. The church remains an active parish, and the installation is open to the public free of charge – though it’s best not to drop in during scheduled services, which are listed on the website. Take the green metro line to Abbiategrasso/Chiesa Rossa; it’s just a five-minute walk from the station. <em>JdG</em>\n<strong>Address</strong>: Via Neera, 20141 Milano MI<br>\n<strong>Website</strong>: <a href=https://www.cntraveller.com/"https://parrocchiachiesarossa.net/la-chiesa.html/">parrocchiachiesarossa.net
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Getty ImagesPalazzo Citterio
Situated in the heart of Brera, Palazzo Citterio opened in December 2024, following an extensive renovation to the historic 18th-century structure. This contemporary art museum showcases two prestigious collections: those of the late Emilio and Maria Jesi, the palazzo’s former residents, and the late art collector Lamberto Vitali. Works by Italian modernists, such as Umberto Boccioni, Giorgio Morandi and Amedeo Modigliani, are on display, along with a painting by Picasso and pieces from other compelling 19th- and 20th-century artists. During the warm-weather months, enjoy a coffee, snack or aperitivo in Citterio Garden, a temporary bistro tucked into the leafy courtyard–museum entry ticket not required. JdG
Address: Via Brera, 14, 20121 Milano MI
Website: palazzocitterio.orgSanta Maria Annunciata in Chiesa Rossa
One of Milan’s most intriguing, lesser-known attractions is American light artist Dan Flavin’s Untitled installation inside Santa Maria Annunciata in Chiesa Rossa, a 1930s church designed by architect Giovanni Muzio. Commissioned by Reverend Giulio Greco in 1996, the work was completed just days before Flavin’s death. Fondazione Prada, which still oversees its conservation, helped complete the posthumous installation. Blue, green, pink and gold fluorescent tubes illuminate the church’s Neo-Romanesque interior with an ethereal glow. But there’s more. Since 2008, a work by contemporary sculptor Pino Pedano, a poplar-wood disc called Luce, has hovered over the altar. The church remains an active parish, and the installation is open to the public free of charge – though it’s best not to drop in during scheduled services, which are listed on the website. Take the green metro line to Abbiategrasso/Chiesa Rossa; it’s just a five-minute walk from the station. JdG
Address: Via Neera, 20141 Milano MI
Website: parrocchiachiesarossa.net - touringclub.it/nArchitecture Gaze</strong>\nMilan is a wonderland for architecture enthusiasts, starting with Stefano Boeri’s <em>Bosco Verticale</em>, or “Vertical Forest” in the Isola neighbourhood: two residential towers planted with the equivalent of a hectare of forest greenery. CityLife features sleek contemporary skyscrapers designed by Zaha Hadid, Daniel Libeskind and Arata Isozaki. Wander through Porta Venezia and Città Studi to admire stunning Liberty buildings (Italian Art Nouveau) alongside examples of Rationalist architecture, a pre- and post‑war style characterised by clean lines and elegant geometry. On the polychromatic Via Abramo Lincoln, once known as “Rainbow Village”, two-story homes built in the late 19th century to house factory workers are now among the city’s most exclusive addresses. And there’s plenty more – just keep your eyes peeled along the way. <em>JdG</em><br>","contentType":"photo","credit":"Getty Images","segmentedSources":{"sm":[{"height":213,"width":320,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/674f6e1e11fdf5a21843b007/master/w_320,c_limit/San-Maurizio-al-Monastero-Maggiore-GettyImages-1678395647.jpg"},{"height":427,"width":640,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/674f6e1e11fdf5a21843b007/master/w_640,c_limit/San-Maurizio-al-Monastero-Maggiore-GettyImages-1678395647.jpg"}],"md":[{"height":427,"width":640,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/674f6e1e11fdf5a21843b007/master/w_640,c_limit/San-Maurizio-al-Monastero-Maggiore-GettyImages-1678395647.jpg"},{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/674f6e1e11fdf5a21843b007/master/w_1280,c_limit/San-Maurizio-al-Monastero-Maggiore-GettyImages-1678395647.jpg"}],"lg":[{"height":683,"width":1024,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/674f6e1e11fdf5a21843b007/master/w_1024,c_limit/San-Maurizio-al-Monastero-Maggiore-GettyImages-1678395647.jpg"},{"height":1365,"width":2048,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/674f6e1e11fdf5a21843b007/master/w_2048,c_limit/San-Maurizio-al-Monastero-Maggiore-GettyImages-1678395647.jpg"}],"xl":[{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/674f6e1e11fdf5a21843b007/master/w_1280,c_limit/San-Maurizio-al-Monastero-Maggiore-GettyImages-1678395647.jpg"}],"xxl":[{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/674f6e1e11fdf5a21843b007/master/w_1280,c_limit/San-Maurizio-al-Monastero-Maggiore-GettyImages-1678395647.jpg"}]}}}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
Getty ImagesSan Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore (aka Milan’s Sistine Chapel)
Da Vinci’s The Last Supper is the hottest and most elusive ticket in town. If you can’t nab a ticket, head to San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore for an unexpectedly sufficient alternative. The church's unassuming monotone facade reveals no trace of what’s inside: floor-to-ceiling 16th-century frescos from Lombard Renaissance painter Bernardino Luini and his contemporaries. The worship hall is spectacular, and the wall behind the altar is actually a partition separating the worship area from the nuns’ quarters. To reach them, walk through the entryway on the altar’s far left side to arrive at a larger space with more frescos. Luini’s version of The Last Supper is painted just above the grille on the partition wall, and the various alcoves depict religious and biblical scenes. If you look closely at Noah’s Ark, you’ll notice a couple of mythical equines boarding the vessel alongside the other animal couples. Take your time – unlike the Last Supper, there’s no 15-minute time constraint. Or entry fee, for that matter. JdG
Address: Corso Magenta, 15, 20123 Milano MI
Website: touringclub.itArchitecture Gaze
Milan is a wonderland for architecture enthusiasts, starting with Stefano Boeri’s Bosco Verticale, or “Vertical Forest” in the Isola neighbourhood: two residential towers planted with the equivalent of a hectare of forest greenery. CityLife features sleek contemporary skyscrapers designed by Zaha Hadid, Daniel Libeskind and Arata Isozaki. Wander through Porta Venezia and Città Studi to admire stunning Liberty buildings (Italian Art Nouveau) alongside examples of Rationalist architecture, a pre- and post‑war style characterised by clean lines and elegant geometry. On the polychromatic Via Abramo Lincoln, once known as “Rainbow Village”, two-story homes built in the late 19th century to house factory workers are now among the city’s most exclusive addresses. And there’s plenty more – just keep your eyes peeled along the way. JdG
Pietra StudioCinque Vie neighbourhood
When it comes to quaint Milan neighbourhoods, the Brera gets all the attention. But you’ll find some of the city’s oldest buildings in the Cinque Vie, or “Five Roads”, a perfectly preserved warren brimming with shops and galleries. The five vie – Santa Marta, del Bollo, Bocchetto, Santa Maria Fulcorina, and Santa Maria Podone – and their offshoots had been a crossroads for trade as far back as the Roman times, so it’s only fitting that it’s a commerce hub that hosts some of the city’s finest shops today, such as Wait & See for clothing, Bitossi Home for table decor, Deodato Gallery for pop art, A di Gaeta for bespoke shoes, Cavalli e Nastri for vintage, Mami Colette for home objects, and third-generation jeweller Pellini for accessories, among others. The Biblioteca Ambrosiana, founded in 1606, straddles the Cinque Vie and the historic centre. Its art collection includes works from Caravaggio, Titian, Botticelli, and more, while the library displays Leonardo Da Vinci’s Codex Atlanticus. JdG
Address: 20123 Milan, Metropolitan City of Milan
- casemuseo.it
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Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty ImagesVilla Necchi Campiglio and the Quadrilatero del Silenzio (Rectangle of Silence)
When it comes to urban geometry, Milan’s fashion-centric Quadrilatero d’Oro, or golden rectangle lined with high-end designer shops, steals the show. But there’s another four-sided quarter worth a stroll, the Quadrilatero del Silenzio, a discreet district that’s home to some beloved gems, like the pink flamingos wandering about the garden of Villa Invernizzi (visible on Via Cappuccini). Pretty much every building carries itself with majesty, and standouts include the eclectic Art Deco Palazzo Fidia on the corner of Via Melegari and Via Mozart and Palazzo Berri Meregalli, a Gothic Art Nouveau building on the corner of Via Cappuccini and Via Vivaio. The neighbourhood’s highlight is Villa Necchi Campiglio, a 1930s mansion designed by Piero Portaluppi that warrants a spot on everyone’s Milan bucket list. Cinephiles will recognise it from Luca Guadagnino’s I Am Love and Ridley Scott’s House of Gucci. The design masterpiece is part of a network of four residences-turned-house museums. Try to join an English-language tour, as it’s much more enthralling than the audio guide. JdG
Address: Via Mozart, 14, 20122 Milano MI
Website: casemuseo.it 
Getty ImagesCenacolo Vinciano (The Last Supper Museum)
Leonardo Da Vinci’s Last Supper needs no introduction. It can be rather difficult to get hold of one of the 15-minute slots for viewing the much-acclaimed historic masterpiece, but it's worth the effort if you are planning your trip to Milan far in advance. The former Dominican convent which houses the mural, the Santa Maria delle Grazie church, is an exquisite example of Italian, and in particular Lombardian, Renaissance-era architecture. There’s a wealth of ornate detailing to take in, and Giovanni Donato’s Crucifixion is another impressive fresco to study too.
Address: Cenacolo Vinciano, Piazza di Santa Maria delle Grazie, 2, 20123, Milan, Italy
Getty ImagesChinatown
Milan’s vibrant Chinatown has been spreading around the pedestrianised Via Paolo Sarpi since the 1920s. At aperitivo hour (as well as on the weekends) you’ll find throngs of locals queuing for steaming favourites like baozi and dumplings. As well as the miscellany of eateries representing various East and Southeast Asian cuisines – ranging from tea houses and dim sum parlours to street-food stalls – the Fabrica Del Vapore cultural centre offers a programme of contemporary art exhibitions. Design lovers should also make their way to the neighbouring ADI Design Museum.
Getty ImagesCimitero Monumentale
This aptly named sprawling cemetery is home to some of the most beautiful 19th- and 20th-century sculptures. The artistic styles found across the many tombs and monuments range from contemporary to classical and include the work of lauded artists, designers and architects such as Adolfo Wildt, Giò Ponti and Carlo Maciachini. Many prominent Italian figures, ranging from artists to politicians, have been laid to rest here over the past 200 years. A guided tour of the cemetery is recommended to unlock many remarkable individual histories, many of which are interwoven with Italy’s immensely rich cultural history.
Getty ImagesQuadrilatero della Moda (Fashion Square)
The cluster of streets forming this upscale fashion district are lined with flagship stores from many of the world’s most eminent luxury brands, as well as exclusive Italian boutiques. Unsurprisingly, the area is also dotted with a number of five-star hotels showcasing the best of Milanese grandeur. The third most expensive street in the world, Via Monte Napoleone, forms the main artery, and other high-end shopping streets worth ambling through include Via della Spiga, Via Sant’Andrea and Via del Gesù. If you’re interested in exploring beyond the luxury goods scene, some of Milan’s lesser-known museums are nearby. Palazzo Morando chronicles Milan’s social and urban history through a display of fashion, interiors and art. The opulent Museo Bagatti Valsecchi houses the art collection of the noble family that once resided there, or admire fascinating displays of Etruscan artefacts at the Fondazione Rovati.
Sophie KnightBrera district
Known also as the artists’ quarter of Milan, the Brera district is a vibrant area filled with contemporary art galleries such as Pinacoteca di Brera, Galleria Antonio Battaglia and Miart Gallery, and the Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera which is an academy for fine arts in the heart of the district. Cobbled streets add to the charm of Brera as well as boutique stores and Milanese restaurants. Make sure to plan ahead and include a trip to the Brera market which takes place every third Sunday of the month (apart from during August).
AlamyFondazione Prada
Founded in 1993 and co-chaired by Miuccia Prada and Patrizio Bertelli since 1995, Fondazione Prada is an art and culture institution with shows also displayed in Tokyo and Shanghai. The permanent venue is based in the south of Milan, Largo Isarco, within a former gin distillery from 1910 – which makes an innovative and striking headquarters. Plenty of incredible and bold contemporary works of art have been on show through Fondazione Prada with the institution taking a keen interest in specific areas like cinema, science and music. Some artists who have exhibited their work for Fondazione Prada include Jeff Koons, Carsten Höller and Mariko Mori. If you’re feeling hungry, you can refuel at the Wes Anderson-designed Bar Luce.
Address: L.go Isarco, 2, 20139
Website: fondazioneprada.org
AlamyMudec
In 1990, Milan City Council managed to hold onto a fundamental piece of the history of the city by converting a former Ansaldo factory into Mudec, an art and culture museum. Mudec houses studios, workshops and a range of exhibitions which change throughout the year. Although the museum’s sleek and modern design is a work of art in itself, here visitors can view various forms of art with an insight into different cultures.
Getting here is straightforward by metro. On the museum’s third floor, you’ll find chef Enrico Bartolini’s namesake three-Michelin-star restaurant. It takes roughly 25 minutes to get to Mudec from Duomo, with the closest stations to the museum being Porta Genova on the M2 green line and California on the M4 blue line.Address: Via Tortona, 56, 20144
Website: mudec.it
Getty ImagesTriennale di Milano
Located in Parco Sempione, Triennale di Milano was founded in 1923. It was originally in Monza before moving to Palazzo dell’Arte in 1933 where it is now housed, offering a rotation of exhibitions as well as permanent displays. Between 1936 and 1996, the museum held many exhibitions and then took a break of twenty years until starting again in 2016. Several hours can be spent taking in the fine arts and architecture of La Triennale before enjoying the grounds of Parco Sempione, the largest park in Milan. Walking to the museum from the centre of the city takes roughly around 20 minutes and makes a pleasant journey on foot filled with beautiful architecture and stores to admire. Cadorna FN and Cadorna M1 M2 are the closest stations if you should choose to take the metro.
Address: Viale Emilio Alemagna, 6, 20121
Website: triennale.org- palazzorealemilano.it; <a href=https://www.cntraveller.com/"https://www.museodelnovecento.org//">museodelnovecento.org
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Getty ImagesPiazza del Duomo
The heart of the city and Milan’s historic centre, the Duomo is a Gothic cathedral and the third-largest church in Europe, after St. Peter’s in Rome and the Cathedral of Seville. It took six centuries to build, and it’s sublime, with its 3,500 statues and stained-glass windows that are especially radiant at night. You can visit the rooftop for a close-up of its 135 spires and the Madonnina, a four-plus metre bronze statue of the Madonna rising 108 metres above the city. Tickets are required for entry (book in advance), or book a guided tour. If you just want to pop in, the entrance on the left-hand side is for worship only, and visitors can enter free of charge to say a prayer, light a candle or go to confession. While you won’t get to see the spectacular view down the central aisle, you can still get a feel for the cathedral’s scale and majesty. Piazza del Duomo is also home to two prominent cultural institutions: Palazzo Reale, the former royal palace that today hosts exceptional temporary exhibitions, and the Museo del ’900, a modern art museum with an extensive collection of Italian Futurist works inside the Rationalist-style Palazzo dell’Arengario.
Address: Piazza del Duomo, Milan, Italy
Websites: palazzorealemilano.it; museodelnovecento.org 
Getty ImagesMilan's canals
Milan used to be thickly webbed with navigli (canals), the arterial trade links to the countryside. Most have sadly disappeared, but the banks of two of the remaining ones, and the basin where they join up, known as Darsena, have in the past two decades become the city's liveliest area for informal drinking, dining, browsing in antique shops or simply strolling by the water. The area is south-west of the centre and within walking distance of Porta Genova on Metro line 2. Though Milan’s remaining canals aren’t limited to the city’s southern edge. The northeast Naviglio Martesana stretches 38 kilometres to arrive at the Adda River, which then flows to Lake Como via Lecco. Its walking and cycling path is marked with colourful pre-war villas and is particularly picturesque in autumn. If the hunger pangs hit, Tipografia Alimentare is the perfect spot to refuel. Though Milan’s remaining canals aren’t limited to the city’s southern edge. The northeast Naviglio Martesana stretches 38 kilometres to arrive at the Adda River, which then flows to Lake Como via Lecco. Its walking and cycling path is marked with colourful pre-war villas and is particularly picturesque in autumn. If the hunger pangs hit, Tipografia Alimentare is the perfect spot to refuel.
Getty ImagesThe Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio
Hidden away in the back streets near the castle is the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio. Named after the fourth-century bishop who became Milan's patron saint, it runs the Duomo a close second as the city's most important church. Within its sober, red-brick walls, it is packed with history and artistic masterpieces, including a solid-gold 12th-century altar: the saint's embalmed body is underneath it. The church is a short walk from Sant'Ambrogio Metro station (Line 2).
Address: The Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio, Piazza Sant'Ambrogio 15, Milan, Italy
ShutterstockPiazza dei Mercanti
This was the medieval centre of the city and is preserved pretty much as it was centuries ago. Within the piazza is the Loggia degli Osii, an ancient administrative building from the balcony of which the city fathers used to address the citizens. Young and old alike amuse themselves in Palazzo della Ragione’s loggia by communicating via the whispering gallery’s seemingly magical acoustic effect. Walking away from the cathedral, go down via Mercanti, the street that bears right. The piazza is a few yards along on the left.
Address: Piazza dei Mercanti, Milan, Italy
Getty ImagesCastello Sforzesco
The city's former hub of power is one-kilometre northwest of the Duomo. Built in the 14th century by the Visconti family, the castle was converted into a cultural treasure-house around 1900. IIts 12 museums and archives cover art from ancient times to the Renaissance, with one dedicated to Michelangelo's incomplete Pietà Rondanini, the third and final of his Pietà series.
Getty ImagesStazione Centrale
Work on Milan’s new central railway station was already underway when Mussolini transformed it into a symbol of Fascist muscularity and national pride. The result, completed in 1931, was overbearingly huge and intimidating, with long, steep flights of steps to the platforms. An ambitious refurbishment in 2011 left the station much more pleasant to use and with many shops, including an excellent Feltrinelli bookshop. A decade later, a further refurbishment saw a new dining destination added to the station’s west wing – Mercato Centrale. Echoing its sister sites in Florence, Rome and Turin, the bustling labyrinth combines an urban grunge-chic aesthetic with a varied food offering, including outposts from heavyweights of the Italian food scene such as Marco Bruni and Davide Longoni.
Address: Stazione Centrale, Piazza Duca d'Aosta 1, Milan, Italy
Getty ImagesGalleria Vittorio Emanuele II
The soaring arcade of stone, glass and wrought iron that links piazza del Duomo with La Scala was built by a British firm, the City of Milan Improvement Company, and opened by King Vittorio Emanuele II in 1867. More than an upmarket shopping arcade, it has echoed to the tramp of 140 years of protest marches; today knots of locals can still be found loudly discussing the behaviour of the government in what is called 'the drawing-room of the Milanese'. If you feel like giving your legs a rest, there’s an outpost of the historic Marchesi 1824 pastry shop just above the Prada menswear store, where you can sip a coffee and even snack on a slice of panettone (they sell it year-round) while gazing at the shopping gallery. Otherwise, head to Terrazza Aperol on the second floor of Mercato del Duomo for a spritz overlooking the piazza.
Address: Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Piazza del Duomo, Milan, Italy
Website: yesmilano.it
ShutterstockLa Scala
Known simply as 'the home of opera' for more than 200 years, La Scala was inaugurated in its present form in 1778 and became a symbol of Italian resistance to Austrian rule in the 19th century. A museum next door charts the theatre's rich history.
Address: La Scala, Via Filodrammatici 2, Milan Italy
Website: teatroallascala.org
