What to do in Milan
How to have fun in Milan? Where to go for excursions or shopping? What activities are worth travelling to Milan for?
Art and design
It costs nothing to walk around the city and take in the sight of the city's spectacular palaces and galleries. If you'd like to see art up close, don't skip the following places:
The Last Supper/Il Cenacolo
Da Vinci's Last Supper (Il Cenacolo) is located just off the Corso Magenta in the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie. Leonardo Da Vinci's masterpiece is a major tourist attraction and tickets must be booked in advance.
Pinacoteca di Brera
Art lovers can't miss the jewel of the city, one of the most prestigious art schools in Italy. Here you can admire greats such as Titian, Caravaggio, Veronese and Tintoretto.
Museo del Novecento
Translated as Museum of the Twentieth Century, this museum is located in the heart of the city in the main square, Piazza Duomo. The museum hosts exhibitions of the greatest artists of the twentieth century, including the king of Pop Art, Andy Warhol. The building has a beautiful view of the entire piazza.
Salone del mobile/Milan design week
Furniture and interior design lovers flock to the city every year for the Salone de mobile, the biggest design festival, where thousands of national and international brands showcase their latest design fads. In addition to the main exhibition held at the Expo Milano exhibition centre, there are also smaller expositions in the city. Czech artists often present their art also in the Czech Centre.
For more information visit: salonemilano.it.
Sights and history
Although Milan is not a city with monuments on every corner like Rome or Florence, you will find world-famous historical buildings that are architectural gems.
One of the most important religious monuments not only in Milan but also in the world is undoubtedly one of the largest cathedrals in the world - the Duomo di Milano.
Milan owes much of its development to the wealthy and influential Sforza family, who ruled the city during the 15th century and left behind the monumental Castello Sforzesco.
A small intersection of Milanese and Bohemian history can be found in the Basilica of St. Ambrose, where, among others, Charles IV was crowned King of Lombardy.
Opera
Italy's La Scala is a big name in the world of opera, and a visit to the theatre alone is worth it. Tickets for performances sell out months in advance (always buy online via the official website), but the venue can also be visited on guided tours.
Aperitivo
Spend the evening like true Milanese, in a bar with a rich snack included in the price of the drink (aperitivo).
Most bars around the city offer free snacks during happy hour, and often it's not just a mix of potato chips and olives, but an extensive buffet of pasta, pizza, small sandwiches and more.
The best atmosphere is offered by the bars around Navigli, the water canals, where you can soak up the true Italian atmosphere. We leave the choice of bar up to you.
Shopping
Milan is a shopping paradise and there's something for everyone. Visitors with bulging wallets head to the upmarket shops in Quadrilatero d'Oro, located between Via Monte Napoleone, Della Spiga, Sant'Andrea and Manzoni.
Tourists with more modest requirements can make do with the most famous shopping avenue, Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, which is bounded by Piazza San Babila and Piazza Duomo.
However, no one should miss the legendary indoor gallery Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.
Most of the folk-priced shops can be found on Corso Como, the city's longest shopping street, which can be reached on foot from Piazza San Babila.
Vintage lovers should visit Corso di Porta Ticinese and continue on to the picturesque Navigli district, home to small shops and bazaars. There are outlet shopping malls around Milan, easily reached by pre-booked buses.
The Zani Viaggi travel agency operates 2-3 buses daily to the Seravalle shopping centre. Buses also leave from the city centre to the Foxtown shopping centre.
Detailed information is presented in a separate chapter Shopping in Milan.
Football
Whether you're an AC Milan or Inter Milan fan, your steps will be directed to the same place. The monumental San Siro Stadium, which can seat up to 85,000 fans, is home to both Milanese football clubs. If tickets are sold out or there's nothing on, visit the stadium on guided tours every day from 8:30am to 6pm for 17 euros.
The schedule of Serie A (Italy's top league) matches is not published until mid-September and tickets can always be bought several weeks in advance. Most are bought by locals as part of their season tickets and only a minimum of tickets go on sale. Upcoming games and ticket prices can be found at sansiro.net.
People Watching
Settle into one of the local cafes and soak up the atmosphere of the bustling city along with its stylishly dressed residents.
Where.
- The steps in front of the Duomo in Piazza Duomo
- Parco Sempione City Park
- Colonne di San Lorenzo
- Navigli
Fashion Week
Milan Fashion Week ranks among the most famous in the world. However, getting to it is not easy. During fashion week, the city fills up with celebrities and well-known personalities who want to impress with imaginative outfits from international designers.
Fashion Week Milano is one of the most prestigious fashion shows in the world. It is held twice a year in February/March and September/October. Shows are held in 30-40 locations around the city during the week.
Official website: cameramoda.it/en
Formula 1 races
Milan is also a promising city for motorsport enthusiasts. Practically in the northern Milanese suburb of Monza is one of Europe's most famous motor racing circuits, where Formula 1 races are held.
The biggest event in Monza is the Italian Grand Prix held on the second Sunday of September. Ticket prices for Grand Prix races range from 100 eur to 1 000 eur depending on the specific location.
Ticket sales and official information about the Monza circuit can be found at: monzanet.it
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