Milan Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Milan
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II featuring heritage architecture, a castle and night scenes
Milan which includes heritage architecture, street scenes and a sunset
Lombardy showing street scenes
Milan featuring street scenes, heritage architecture and a church or cathedral

Fashionable and historical, this Italian city break destination of basilicas, designer shopping and gourmet dining is one you’ll never forget.

Milan is one of Italy’s great cities and among the world’s fashion capitals. Stare at the skyline from rooftop bars and you’ll see gleaming high-rises mingling with gothic spires. Fill your itinerary with visits to acclaimed galleries and museums. That is, when you’re not shopping or choosing the next restaurant for creamy, saffron-infused risotto alla Milanese.

Visit Milan in summer for free outdoor concerts and the Milano Summer Festival. Fabulous Milan Fashion Week is held in February or March and September or October. The Milan Christmas season brings traditional wooden chalet markets and glittering trees and light installations illuminating piazzas.

Things to do in Milan

Take a memorable photo on the backdrop of Milan Cathedral’s soaring spires and admire the views from the rooftop terrace. More breathtaking views await at the top of the Torre Branca. The steel tower was built in 1933 and rests in Parco Sempione among lush green spaces. In the central square of Piazza Mercanti see the medieval Palazzo della Ragione.

Start your Milan shopping adventure in the magnificent Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Launched in 1877, it’s the oldest active shopping arcade in Italy and filled with high-end boutiques. Stroll along Via Montenapoleone for designer fashion brands and exquisite jewellery stores.

Visit the Santa Maria delle Grazie basilica to gaze at Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper mural. At the evocative Monumental Cemetery of Milan, discover the elaborately decorated tombs of renowned actors and musicians.

Culture and history in Milan

Fashion and culture go hand in hand in Milan and it’s on fine display in the Tortona neighbourhood. Among galleries and boutiques, visit Giorgio Armani’s museum, Silo. Dedicated to interior design, 1930s Villa Necchi Campiglio is filled with art deco furnishings. Once the seat of government, the Royal Palace of Milan now operates as a cultural centre with revolving exhibitions.

The Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology houses the largest permanent exhibition in the world dedicated to the painter and scientist. That’s not all though, with extraordinary displays highlighting everything from astronomy to steam trains and a piece of lunar rock. Take the kids to see the zoology and dinosaur displays at the Milan Natural History Museum.

Dining and nightlife in Milan

From restaurants surrounding the historical Piazza del Duomo to Michelin-starred menus amid skyscrapers in the Porta Nuova district, Milan’s dining scene itself is worth a trip to the city. Choose a charming restaurant lining the cobbled streets of ancient Brera. For waterfront dining, enjoy traditional aperitivo with the locals by the canal in Navigli.

Dress up for the ballet or opera at Teatro alla Scala or see the Milan Symphony Orchestra at the Auditorium di Milano. Football fans flock to San Siro Stadium, home to AC Milan and Inter Milan, and host to big-name concerts. Join the creative scene at lounge bars in Corso Sempione and watch live jazz musicians in Isola. Glamorous nightclubs surround Corso Como and the Garibaldi area.

Getting around Milan

Milan Malpensa Airport is approximately an hour from the city centre by taxi or car. The easiest form of transport is the Malpensa Express train, and regular bus connections are available. An efficient metro, tram and bus network helps you get around with ease. However, Milan is a walkable city with many of the main attractions located in the centre. Use eco-friendly bike sharing services to take advantage of dedicated cycling paths.

Where to stay in Milan

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II featuring heritage architecture, a castle and night scenes

Milan Centre

4.5/5(377 area reviews)

Piazza del Duomo and Cathedral of Milan are top sights in Milan Centre, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at Duomo Station or Via Orefici P.za Cordusio Tram Stop to see more sights in the area.

Milan Centre
Centro Storico

Centro Storico

Piazza del Duomo and Cathedral of Milan are top sights in Centro Storico, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at Via Orefici P.za Cordusio Tram Stop or Cordusio M1 Tram Stop to see more sights in the area.

Centro Storico
Piazza della Repubblica featuring a statue or sculpture and a monument

Central Station

4/5(312 area reviews)

Enjoy the fantastic nightlife in Central Station. Corso Buenos Aires is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Via Settembrini Tram Stop or Via Vitruvio Tram Stop to see more of Milan.

Central Station
Pinacoteca di Brera which includes heritage architecture and a statue or sculpture

Brera

Shopping, live music and restaurants highlight some notable features of Brera. Make a stop by Pinacoteca di Brera or Orto Botanico di Brera while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Via Cusani Tram Stop or Cairoli Station to get around town.

Brera
Default Image

Navigli

4/5(20 area reviews)

Navigli is a destination travellers like for its art galleries, and you might hop aboard the metro at Via Valenza Alzaia Nav. Grande Tram Stop or Porta Genova M2 Tram Stop to explore sights like Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie.

Navigli
Default Image

San Siro

4/5(6 area reviews)

Noted for its shopping and restaurants, there's plenty to explore in San Siro. Top attractions like San Siro Stadium and San Siro Race Course are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at San Siro Ippodromo M5 Tram Stop or San Siro Ippodromo Station to see more of the city.

San Siro
ibis Milano Centro
ibis Milano Centro
3 out of 5
Via Finocchiaro Aprile Camillo 2, Milan, MI
The price is £134 per night from 22 Jun to 23 Jun
£134
includes taxes & fees
22 Jun - 23 Jun
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in Milan. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,202 reviews)
"Very nice Hotel with a good breakfast spread. Daily cleaning and daily towel replacement worked for us very nicely."

Reviewed on 20 May 2025

ibis Milano Centro
Rosa Grand Milano - Starhotels Collezione
Rosa Grand Milano - Starhotels Collezione
4 out of 5
P.za Fontana 3, Milan, MI
The price is £313 per night from 1 Jun to 2 Jun
£313
includes taxes & fees
1 Jun - 2 Jun
Stay at this 4-star luxury hotel in Milan. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 3 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
"Excellent stay . Stay is helpful. Great location for Duomo."

Reviewed on 19 May 2025

Rosa Grand Milano - Starhotels Collezione
Sheraton Milan Malpensa Airport Hotel & Conference Center
Sheraton Milan Malpensa Airport Hotel & Conference Center
4 out of 5
S.S. 336, Ferno, VA
The price is £170 per night from 2 Jun to 3 Jun
£170
includes taxes & fees
2 Jun - 3 Jun
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Ferno. Enjoy a full-service spa, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,312 reviews)
"Convenient location indeed! Rooms are updated and clean for one night stay. Wish there were more food options for late arrivals. No food options, besides espresso and the airport vending machine, in the middle of the night if you are upside down / arriving late like we were. The shower was not holding ..."

Reviewed on 21 May 2025

Sheraton Milan Malpensa Airport Hotel & Conference Center
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Sonder Manzoni
Sonder Manzoni
48 Corso di Porta Romana, Milan, MI
Stay at this aparthotel in Milan. Enjoy a fitness centre, concierge services and cable TV channels. Popular attractions Cathedral of Milan and Piazza del Duomo ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (94 reviews)
"Walkable to everything, spotless, and front desk kind and helpful with everything from room assistance to restaurant tips and taxi service"

Reviewed on 22 May 2025

Sonder Manzoni
Duomo Hotel & Apartments
Duomo Hotel & Apartments
Via San Paolo 13, Milan, MI
Stay at this business-friendly apartment in Milan. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,143 reviews)
"Great location, 5 min walk from the Duomo."

Reviewed on 16 May 2025

Duomo Hotel & Apartments
Milan Retreats Duomo
Milan Retreats Duomo
Via del Bollo 2, Milan, MI
Stay at this business-friendly apartment in Milan. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an airport shuttle (surcharge) and premium bedding. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (534 reviews)
"Great location very clean & excellent communication re directions checking everything was ok & whether we needed any assistance"

Reviewed on 22 May 2025

Milan Retreats Duomo
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Milan

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
332
5 - Excellent 47%
4 - Good
297
4 - Good 42%
3 - Okay
66
3 - Okay 9%
2 - Disappointing
9
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
5
1 - Terrible 1%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

One of my fav cities. Absolutely love the place. Football and fashion. History and culture. Duomo, the Last Supper, Ludovico Einaudi, San Siro, Galleria and Gucci. Love this city. Been a fair few times now. Magical just before Christmas. *****

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Lovely historical city. Nice historical monuments. Amazing food, nice people. Good transport everywhere - we would like to come back :))

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Very lovely staff

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Relaxed to the extreme, expensive, very nice. The cathedral is very impressive.

5/5 - Excellent

Jacque

Great place to go for a mini city break with friends!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

E very beautiful city, with lots of history and beautiful buildings.

Cities near Milan