Milan travel guide — where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Milan, Lombardy, Italy.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Milan.
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1
Duomo di Milano
The cathedral took nearly six centuries to complete, and its facade is covered in thousands of marble statues and spires in the Candoglia marble that gives it a distinct pale-pink cast. Inside, the nave is dim and vast, lit through stained glass windows that rank among the largest in the world. Most visitors combine the cathedral with the rooftop, where you walk among the spires at close range with the city spread out below.
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2
The Last Supper (Cenacolo Vinciano)
Leonardo da Vinci painted this mural directly onto the refectory wall of Santa Maria delle Grazie, and its experimental technique caused it to start deteriorating almost immediately after completion. Visits are timed in strict 15-minute slots for small groups, entering through a series of climate-controlled airlock doors that protect the fragile surface. What remains is faded in places, but the composition and the individual expressions of the apostles are still striking up close.
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3
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
This glass-and-iron shopping arcade connects Piazza del Duomo to Teatro alla Scala and was one of the first buildings of its kind in Europe when it opened in the 1870s. The mosaic floor beneath the central octagon includes emblems of Italian cities, including Turin's bull, and there's a local tradition of spinning on your heel on the bull's groin for luck. High-end boutiques and cafés line the arcade beneath its arched glass roof.
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4
Pinacoteca di Brera
This painting gallery grew out of Napoleon's habit of gathering artworks from churches and collections across northern Italy, and its rooms still trace a chronological path through Italian Renaissance and Baroque painting. The collection includes Mantegna's foreshortened 'Lamentation over the Dead Christ' and Raphael's 'Marriage of the Virgin', alongside major works by Caravaggio and Piero della Francesca. It occupies the upper floor of the Palazzo di Brera, above the Accademia di Brera art school in the Brera district.
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5
Teatro alla Scala
La Scala opened in 1778 on the site of a former church and has premiered operas by Verdi and Puccini, making it one of the most significant opera houses in Italy. Non-attendees can visit the adjoining museum, which displays instruments, costumes and composer memorabilia, and includes a view into one of the theatre's boxes overlooking the auditorium and stage. Attending an actual performance is a separate, much larger commitment given the range of ticket prices and the formality of the house.
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6
Navigli District
The Navigli are what remains of Milan's historic canal network, once used to transport marble for the Duomo's construction, with only two of the original canals still open today: the Naviglio Grande and Naviglio Pavese. The area along the canals is now dense with bars, small restaurants and vintage shops, and it turns into one of the city's main evening gathering spots. On the last Sunday of the month, an antiques market sets up stalls along the Naviglio Grande.
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7
Castello Sforzesco
This brick fortress was built by the Sforza dukes in the 15th century on the site of an earlier Visconti castle, and its main tower was designed by Filarete. The grounds and courtyards are open to walk through freely, while the museums inside hold an eclectic collection including Michelangelo's unfinished final work, the 'Rondanini Pietà'. Beyond the castle's far side, the grounds open into Parco Sempione.
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8
Pinacoteca Ambrosiana
Founded in the early 17th century alongside the Ambrosian Library, this gallery holds paintings collected by Cardinal Federico Borromeo, including Caravaggio's 'Basket of Fruit' and Raphael's preparatory cartoon for the 'School of Athens'. It's smaller and less crowded than Milan's larger museums, occupying a palazzo near the Duomo. The library portion, with its illuminated manuscripts and Leonardo's Codex Atlanticus, is a separate but related attraction in the same complex.
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9
Parco Sempione
This is the large park behind the Castello Sforzesco, laid out in the late 19th century in an English landscape style on former Sforza ducal hunting grounds. It links the castle to the Arco della Pace at its far end, and includes a lake, the Arena Civica, and views of the Torre Branca steel tower designed by Gio Ponti. It's the main green space serving central Milan, used for running, picnics, and simply cutting between the Castello and Corso Sempione.
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10
Museo del Novecento
Housed in the Palazzo dell'Arengario next to the Duomo, this museum traces Italian art of the 20th century, including significant Futurist works by Boccioni and Balla. The collection is arranged on a spiralling ramp that starts on the upper floors and winds down, a layout that itself frames views out toward the Duomo through the windows. It's a compact, focused museum rather than an exhaustive survey, so a visit is manageable in an hour or two.
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
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Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
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- Milan Card (€13-€39) covers public transport and gives museum discounts — buy at ATM booths or online at milanocard.it, First Sunday of each month: state museums including Pinacoteca di Brera offer free entry, Most churches require covered shoulders and knees; carry a scarf, The Last Supper must be booked at vivaticket.com — slots sell out months in advance, ATM transport tickets (€2.20) must be validated at platform machines before boarding
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Milan rewards early risers
arrive at the Duomo and Last Supper for the first entry slots to avoid peak crowds. Many major museums offer free entry on the first Sunday of the month. The Milan Card (€13-€
covers metro transport for 24-72 hours and gives discounts at attractions
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to visit the Duomo?
The Duomo interior is €5; the full experience (rooftop terrace + museum + cathedral) costs €20. Children under 12 enter free. The rooftop can be accessed by stairs or lift (€3 extra for lift). Buy tickets online at duomomilano.it to save time.
Can I visit the Last Supper without booking?
No — tickets must be purchased in advance through vivaticket.com. Only 25 visitors are admitted per 15-minute slot and all slots typically sell out months ahead. Cancellation tickets occasionally appear 3-5 days before the date. Admission: €15 + €2 booking fee.
Which Milan neighbourhood is best for first-time visitors?
Stay near the Duomo (city centre) for walking access to major sights, or in Brera for boutique charm and the art gallery. Navigli suits visitors prioritising nightlife and a younger atmosphere.