Our tours in Milan
Our tours in Milan
What to know about Milan from our local guides
Milan offers something for everyone, whether you’re into fashion, art, history, or just about anything else. Here are a few things to do in Milan that are worth checking out.
- Visit the Duomo, Milan’s iconic Gothic masterpiece and the largest cathedral in Italy, and climb to the rooftop for breathtaking city views.
- Feast your eyes on Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper, housed in the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie.
- Explore Sforza Castle, an imposing medieval fortress-turned-museum that houses various art collections, including Michelangelo's unfinished masterpiece, the Pietà Rondanini.
- Shop your way around Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, an elegant gallery known for its stunning architecture in addition to its impressive collection of luxury fashion brands.
- Discover an impressive collection of Italian Renaissance art, including works by Caravaggio, Raphael, and Mantegna, at the Pinacoteca di Brera art gallery.
- Stroll along the picturesque Naviglio Grande and Naviglio Pavese canals, lined with trendy bars, cafes, boutiques, and art galleries.
While it is possible to book Last Supper tickets online, the official website isn’t very user-friendly and offers little to no flexibility in case your plans change. Your best bet is to go with a guided tour to guarantee a hassle-free experience and ensure you get in. Our Best of Milan Tour offers skip-the-line, pre-reserved access to the famous (and rapidly deteriorating!) masterpiece, along with the context you need to fully appreciate da Vinci’s genius.
Milan is a fantastic city for families and many of its top attractions, including the Duomo and the Last Supper, are easy to visit with little ones. Parco Sempione is a sprawling green space in the heart of Milan with plenty of space for kids to run free, and nearby Sforza Castle is a fascinating visit for travelers of all ages.
Milan might not be as famous as Naples or Bologna when it comes to gastronomy, but there are still plenty of delicious typical foods from Milan that are worth a try.
First things first: risotto. Rice is more common than pasta here in the north of Italy, and risotto alla Milanese is arguably its best iteration. It’s creamy, saffron-infused, and a true culinary masterpiece.
Plenty of other staple dishes of Milanese cuisine are similarly hearty and filling—perfect for the chilly winter months. Ossobuco (braised veal shanks cooked with vegetables, wine, and broth), cassoeula (a pork and cabbage stew), and the famous minestrone soup are all commonly found on menus and family tables throughout Milan.
Craving something sweet? Crumbly and buttery sbrisolona cake is one of Milan’s best-known desserts. If you’re visiting around Christmastime, be sure to try the famous panettone—though it’s now enjoyed throughout Italy and beyond, it has its roots here in Milan!
There’s really no bad time of year to visit Milan. It all depends on your personal travel style, budget, and the kinds of experiences you’re looking to have.
As with much of Italy, the spring and fall “shoulder seasons” offer beautiful weather and a pleasant atmosphere in the city without the crowds. While summer is easily hotter and more crowded, it also offers dozens of festivals and events, including outdoor concerts at Sforza Castle. It’s also a lovely time of year to enjoy a day trip to picturesque Lake Como, just two and a half hours away by train.
Winter is the quietest time of year to visit Milan, as well as the most budget friendly. While temperatures can be quite chilly and snow is a possibility (this is northern Italy, after all!), the city won’t be nearly as crowded with tourists and offers a more relaxed atmosphere.
Milan offers a modern and efficient public transportation system. With five metro lines and dozens of buses and trams, there are plenty of options to get you wherever you need to go. Tickets start at just €1.60 for a single journey and can be purchased at self-service kiosks, newsstands, and ATM (Azienda Transporti Milanesi) service centers throughout the city.