Milan is a bustling city in the Lombardy region of Italy. It is known as a global capital in the fashion and design industry and is also a financial hub. It is a vibrant city with its high-end shops and restaurants. Of interest to visit is the Santa Maria Delle Grazie Convent, which is home to the iconic mural “The Last Supper” by Leonardo da Vinci. Milan’s skyline is also dominated by the Duomo di Milano gothic cathedral in the Piazza del Duomo. In the same area is the 19th-century Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, home to excellent cafes serving traditional Milanese treats and high-end shops. Read more about the exciting things to do in Milan, Italy by scrolling below.
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1. Go for a night out in the Navigli District
This charming district lies along two canals – Naviglio Pavese and Naviglio Grande – both of which are lined by several bars, restaurants, cafes, art galleries, and design shops. Enjoy an aperitif and dine in one of the many excellent restaurants before heading out to enjoy the lively nightlife of the district. During the day, and if you are in the city towards the end of the month, enjoy the vintage bazaar held here every last Sunday to browse and purchase fascinating souvenirs to take home with you.
Book Tours : Navigli Walking Tour - small group tour
2. Munch on panettone at Pasticceria Cucchi
Milan is the birthplace of panettone, a traditional Christmas and New Year’s Eve dessert or sweet bread loaf. The traditional version is made with sweet dough, with added citron, candied orange, lemon zest, and raisins. There are other versions which are plain or have chocolate. Pasticceria Cucchi is a bakery and coffee shop which has been in business since 1936. This is the ideal place to enjoy a piece of panettone or other Italian treats with a cup of cappuccino.
Pasticceria Cucchi
Address: Corso Genova, 1, Milan, Italy
Website: Pasticceria Cucchi
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 7am - 10pm (closed on Mon)
3. Visit the iconic Last Supper
The Last Supper is a classic and iconic mural by Leonardo da Vinci and it is located in the refectory of Santa Maria Delle Grazie, a Dominican convent and church in Milan. The church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a combination of gothic and renaissance architecture. Of interest to note, the church was bombed during World War II, leading to much of the refectory being destroyed. Luckily some of the walls did survive, including the one displaying the famous da Vinci mural.
Book Tours : Skip the Line: "The Last Supper" Ticket in Milan
4. Explore the treasure trove of Milan’s top design dealer - Nina Yashar
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Nilufar takes up two floors of an apartment building to showcase one of the most eccentric displays of collectible, mid-century to contemporary furnishings. Yashar once commented that she likes mixing old and new in design conversations to produce beauty in an interesting way. Nilufar attracts design professionals, curators, and editors, but is also a fascinating visit for normal folk.
Nilufar
Address: Via della Spiga, 32, Milan, Italy
Website: Nilufar
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 1pm, 2pm - 7pm (closed on Sun)
Price: Free
5. Dance to electronic music at Tunnel Club
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
The Tunnel Club is located in a former railway shed, underneath the tracks of the Central Station in Milan. The club is the leader in the electronic music scene in Europe and opened in the 1990s. The Tunnel Club is a trendsetter in the clubbing scene in Milan and features trance, techno, and house DJ sets. The vibe of the club is considered to be underground and people mostly visit the Tunnel Club for the music, not to see and be seen.
Tunnel Club
Address: Via Sammartini, 30, Milan, Italy
Website: Tunnel Club
Opening hours: Fri - Sat: 11pm - 5am
Price: 22-56 USD
6. Unwind at the QC Terme Wellness Center in the shadow of the Spanish Walls
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Located in the shadow of the famous Spanish Walls in the heart of Milan, QC Terme offers a wellness oasis, where visitors can experience sauna, whirlpools, steam baths and relaxation rooms in a peaceful place in Porta Romana. A variety of treatments is available at the wellness center including massages and other spa treatments.
QC Terme
Address: Piazzale Medaglie d'Oro, 2 angolo Via Filippetti, Milan, Italy
Website: QC Terme
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9.30am - 12am; Sat - Sun: 8:30am - 12am
Price: 100-118 USD
7. Window shop in Milan's Golden Triangle
The Golden Triangle (or Quadrilatero d’Oro) of Milan includes some of the city’s most famous shopping streets, Via Della Spiga, Via Monte Napoleone, Via Sant Andrea, Via Gesu, and Via Borgospesso. These streets feature Italy’s most famous designer shops and this is the perfect area to window shop and gaze at the fashion displays and footwear. Some of the window displays and shop interiors are beautiful and interesting.
Book Tours : Serravalle Outlet Shopping Mall shuttle bus
8. Watch a football match at San Siro Stadium
San Siro Stadium in Milan is the largest of its kind in Italy and hosts two top division football teams, AC Milan and FC Internazionale. The stadium holds 80,000 people to watch live football games. There is also a museum dedicated to the history of both football clubs and tours are available.
Book Tours : San Siro Stadium and Casa Milan with Lunch Option
9. Rent a bike and ride alongside the canals
Rent a bike for a reasonable fee or book a bike tour of Milan, then head down to Naviglio, cycling alongside the Naviglio Pavese and Naviglio Grande. Stop off along the way to enjoy a coffee or snack in one of the many cafes and restaurants lining the canals. Naviglio is one of the favorite spots in Milan for fresh air exercise, beautiful buildings, and boats.
Book Tours : Private Bicycle Tour in Milan 3 hours
10. Enjoy an evening at the Teatro Alla Scala in Milan
La Scala was originally known as the Nuovo Regio Ducale Teatro Alla Scala but is best known by its shortened name. The opera house first opened in 1778 and the stage has seen Italy’s greatest operatic artists as well as opera singers from all over the world. La Scala is said to be among the leading opera and ballet theatres in the world. Besides enjoying an operatic performance, it is possible to tour the museum of La Scala, to view its costumes, statues, and paintings.
Book Tours : Private tour of Teatro alla Scala Museum in Milan
Have a great vacation in Milan, Italy
Have fun on your vacation, while experiencing some of the best things to do in Milan, Italy.
Tip from Content Creator
My second time in Milan involved less partying and more spritzes and aperitivos! Visiting Milan only for a day? Here are some more recommendations for a memorable experience:
- Grab a colourful filled doughnut at Aroma Napoletano Milano
- Relish an Aperol spritz with the best views of the Duomo at Terraza Aperol
- Have the best pizza of your life at Gino Sorbillo
- Visit Santuario di San Bernardino alle Ossa
- Head La Prosciutteria Milano in Navigli for their charcuterie boards (and come back to the area at night for drinks)
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