If you are looking for things to do in Milan, you are in luck. Milan is one of the most vibrant and culturally rich cities in Italy, with plenty of attractions to suit every taste. Whether you are interested in art, history, fashion, or cuisine, you will find something to enjoy in this metropolis. In this article, we will introduce you to some of the best tourist attractions in Milan, and give you some tips on how to make the most of your visit. From the stunning Duomo to the trendy Navigli district, here are some of the things to do in Milan that you don’t want to miss.
Looking for things to do in Milan? Discover the best tourist attractions in Milan:
1. Il Duomo (Milan Cathedral): The largest and most magnificent Gothic church in Italy, with a stunning façade and roof decorated with thousands of statues and pinnacles.
2. Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper: The masterpiece of the Renaissance genius, painted on the wall of the refectory of Santa Maria delle Grazie church.
3. Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II: The elegant 19th-century arcade with a glass dome, connecting Piazza del Duomo and Piazza della Scala, filled with luxury shops and cafés.
4. Teatro alla Scala: The world-famous opera house, where the greatest singers and composers have performed since 1778.
5. Castello Sforzesco: The imposing 15th-century fortress that was the residence of the Sforza dukes, now housing several museums and art collections.
6. Pinacoteca di Brera: The main art gallery of Milan, displaying works by Raphael, Mantegna, Bellini, Caravaggio, and other Italian masters.
7. Parco Sempione: The largest and most popular park in the city center, with a lake, a bridge, and a triumphal arch.
8. Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio: The oldest and most important church in Milan, founded by St. Ambrose in the 4th century, with a Romanesque façade and a golden altar.
9. Pinacoteca Ambrosiana: The oldest public library in Europe, founded in 1609, containing manuscripts, drawings, and paintings by Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, Titian, and others.
10. Navigli District: The charming canal district, where you can enjoy a boat ride, a stroll along the waterfront, or a drink at one of the many bars and restaurants.
11. Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnologia Leonardo da Vinci: The largest science and technology museum in Italy, dedicated to the inventions and experiments of Leonardo da Vinci.
12. Cimitero Monumentale: The monumental cemetery, where you can admire the elaborate tombs and sculptures of famous Milanese personalities.
13. San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore: The hidden gem of Milan, a former convent church with a stunning interior covered with frescoes from the 16th century.
14. Museo Poldi Pezzoli: The private museum of a wealthy collector, displaying his eclectic collection of paintings, sculptures, jewelry, weapons, and clocks.
15. Santa Maria presso San Satiro: The small church with a trompe-l’oeil dome by Bramante, creating an illusion of depth and perspective.
16. Quadrilatero della Moda: The fashion district, where you can find the boutiques and showrooms of the most famous Italian and international designers.
17. Chiesa di San Fedele: The Jesuit church designed by Pellegrino Tibaldi in the 16th century, with a Baroque interior and a painting by Peter Paul Rubens.
18. Palazzo Reale: The former royal palace of Milan, now hosting temporary exhibitions and cultural events.
19. Museo del Novecento: The museum of 20th-century art, located in the Palazzo dell’Arengario near Piazza del Duomo, featuring works by Picasso, Kandinsky, Modigliani, and others.
20. Basilica di San Lorenzo Maggiore: The ancient church dating back to the 4th century, with a striking circular plan and 16 Roman columns in front of it.
21. La Vigna di Leonardo: The vineyard that was given to Leonardo da Vinci by Ludovico il Moro as a token of gratitude for his services at the Sforza court.
22. Torre Branca: The 108-meter-high steel tower designed by Gio Ponti in 1933, offering panoramic views of the city from its observation deck.
23. Villa Necchi Campiglio: The elegant villa built in the 1930s for a wealthy industrialist family, with original furniture and artworks, surrounded by a beautiful garden with a pool.
24. Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Grazie al Naviglio: The Gothic church on the Naviglio Grande canal,
with a fresco by Bernardino Luini depicting the Madonna with Saints.
25. Museo Bagatti Valsecchi: The museum housed in a 19th-century mansion decorated in the neo-Renaissance style, with a rich collection of furniture, paintings, ceramics, and textiles.
26. Arco della Pace: The neoclassical arch built in the early 19th century to celebrate the victories of Napoleon, later dedicated to the peace achieved after the Congress of Vienna.
27. Museo Armani: The museum dedicated to the life and work of Giorgio Armani, the iconic fashion designer who revolutionized the world of style with his minimalist and elegant creations.
28. Chiesa di San Bernardino alle Ossa: The macabre church with a chapel decorated with human skulls and bones, collected from a nearby cemetery in the 17th century.
29. Bosco Verticale: The award-winning pair of residential towers designed by Stefano Boeri, featuring thousands of plants and trees on their balconies, creating a vertical forest in the city.
30. Biblioteca Ambrosiana: The historic library founded in 1609 by Cardinal Federico Borromeo, containing rare books, manuscripts, and prints, as well as a gallery of paintings and drawings.
31. Museo Diocesano: The museum of the Archdiocese of Milan, displaying religious art and artifacts from the Middle Ages to the present day, as well as temporary exhibitions and events.
32. Chiesa di San Marco: The Romanesque church founded in the 13th century by the Humiliati order, with a brick façade and a bell tower, and a Baroque interior with paintings by Tiepolo and Morazzone.
33. Palazzo della Ragione Fotografia: The photography museum located in the medieval Palazzo della Ragione, hosting exhibitions of renowned photographers from Italy and abroad.
34. Hangar Bicocca: The contemporary art space housed in a former industrial complex, featuring large-scale installations and exhibitions by international artists.
35. Chiesa di Sant’Eustorgio: The basilica that was once part of a Dominican convent, where the relics of the Magi were kept until they were stolen by Frederick Barbarossa in 1164.
36. Fondazione Prada: The cultural institution founded by the Prada fashion house, showcasing its art collection and hosting exhibitions, events, and a cinema in a former distillery complex.
37. Chiesa di San Cristoforo sul Naviglio: The twin churches on the Naviglio Grande canal, dating back to the 14th century, with frescoes by Bergognone and Foppa.
38. Museo del Risorgimento: The museum dedicated to the history of the Italian unification movement, with documents, weapons, uniforms, and paintings related to the events that led to the creation of Italy as a nation.
39. Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Miracoli presso San Celso: The Renaissance church built to house a miraculous image of the Virgin Mary, with a marble façade and a dome by Bramante.
40. Triennale di Milano: The design and art museum located in the Palazzo dell’Arte in Parco Sempione, hosting exhibitions, conferences, and festivals related to contemporary culture.
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