Milan, Italy: Things to Do Beyond Shopping and Fashion

Milan is the shopping and cultural center of Italy and the “gateway” to the attractions of Northern Italy, be it lakes, mountains, or medieval towns. Tourists often combine enjoying city attractions with visiting the picturesque countryside, so let us dive into it and explore what Milan can offer travelers.

Best Time to Visit Milan, Italy

saiko3p/DepositPhotos

Milan is located in Northern Italy. This means that the local weather is usually quite mild and gentle but a bit rainy, particularly from November to March. Therefore, the best time to visit the city and its surroundings is late spring, the whole of summer, and early autumn.

Keep in mind that July and August are considered to be pretty hot and humid and aren’t always comfortable for long-distance strolling around. Let us say that May, June & September are almost perfect for traveling to Northern Italy. On the other hand, if you prefer a “low” tourist season to travel, then it is better to choose April or October. It can be quite rainy and blustery these months, but there are way fewer tourists around.

Please note that in January, February, June, and September, the fashion weeks are held in Milan, and the city can be a little overcrowded, including problems with booking hotels.

Things to Do in Milan, Italy

TaniaLerro/DepositPhotos

As we mentioned above, Milan is a cultural center of Italy. You can find numerous historical and architectural monuments, museums, the world-known opera house, a one-of-a-kind palace, and much more here. Milan is a fashion center in Italy as well, and the shopping opportunities are almost unlimited in the city, be it shopping centers, galleries, outlets, etc. The travel routes may vary depending on your preferences. Let us outline the main points of attractions.

Milan Duomo

elisalocci/DepositPhotos

The Milan Duomo is a world-known site, and its image is truly iconic. The Gothic-style Cathedral has a long history, lasting for 5 centuries, and can boast unique architectural features such as stained-glass windows and magnificent statues. Most of the tourists usually take photos in front of the cathedral, but we recommend climbing up the building where you can see the Duomo Square from a rather different angle. You can go upstairs on foot or by lift; it depends on the type of entrance ticket you purchase.

La Scala Opera House

wulfman65/DepositPhotos

The La Scala Opera House is one more world-known site in Milan. Even if you are not interested in classical music, it is worth visiting the House with the excursions, which are held inside of the building. You can observe lush interiors with gilded ceilings and magnificent stairs. The iconic red velvet decoration will definitely amaze you with its splendor. The organized tours take place a few times a day and the excursion timetable can be checked out on the official website of the Opera House as well as upcoming performances schedule. The excursion usually lasts for 1 hour.

Museums in Milan, Itlay

jarino/DepositPhotos

Undoubtedly, it is recommended to visit one of the famous museums in Milan. For instance, the Leonardo Da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology offers to take part in various interactive experiments, so you can not only observe the collection of the museum but also participate in creating something new. It is a very fun place both for adults and for kids.

Another great museum to visit is the Brera Art Gallery, where a large collection of masterpieces is exhibited. You can also stroll around the Brera Gardens to feel quiet and peaceful after a busy day.

The Sforza Castle is also a good idea to visit if you are interested in art. Built in the 15th century, it preserved its original architecture. Nowadays, it is an Art Museum with works by great artists and sculptors, including Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo. The Royal Palace recently opened its doors to visitors after some long-lasting reconstruction. The palace was built in the 18th century and kept features of the Neoclassical style.

One more point of your city route should definitely be the Vittorio Emanuele Gallery. The construction of the gallery dates back to the mid-19th century, so it is a true historical monument. Nevertheless, it is used as a fashion passage now. You can find lots of original architectural decorations here, which have been carefully preserved, including frescoes, statues, and mosaics.

Where to Eat in Milan, Italy

Geshas/DepositPhotos

Italy is a country of gourmets, so many tourists choose Italy as a vacation spot not only because of the beaches and attractions but also because of the opportunities for gastronomic tourism. 

If we do not talk about haute cuisine (fine dining), then the most common dishes in Italy are all kinds of pasta with delicious sauces, pizza, calzone, and other pastries, fresh fish and seafood, and for dessert, the Italians invented the most delicious ice cream and tiramisu dessert. Add to this the world-famous Italian wines, and you will understand that lunch or dinner in Italy is a true “paradise” for gourmets.

Restaurants: The most expensive segment of food is considered to be a restaurant, especially if it specializes in haute cuisine. Here, the average bill starts from 50 euros and goes up to infinity. But it is here that you can try real gourmet dishes. Recommended stops include Langosteria, Primè Ristorante, and Trippa.

Cafes: It is a little cheaper to eat in a cafe. As a rule, there are various options such as “breakfasts,” “business lunches,” etc. The food here is less pretentious than in restaurants, but you can “stumble upon” real masterpieces if, for example, this is a family cafe away from the tourist trails. The cost of food in a cafe should be calculated based on 30-40 euros per person. Good options include Osteria Lagrandissima and Trattoria Madonnina.

Pizzerias: Instead of fast food, Italians often go to pizzerias, where you can eat pizza on the go or take away freshly baked pizza. The cost of such pizza starts from 5 euros, and the average check is about 10-20 euros. Local pizzerias carefully preserve the traditions of cooking and baking so you can find a real delicacy! Great pizzerias include Sidewalk Kitchens, Glory Pop, and La Bufalotta.

Day Trip: Verona, Italy

Photo Credit: [@mihtiander/DepositPhotos]

Verona is such an obvious travel destination from Milan as the cities are located at a distance of only 170 km. Verona is full of historical attractions, be it the ancient Roman Arena, the medieval Lamberti Tower, or the Castelvecchio Castle of the 10th century, but one of the most popular sites in Verona is undoubtedly Juliet’s house, which is not a historical monument, but a location from the Shakespeare`s novel. Another option is to climb up the Lamberti Tower, which is 84 m high, and overview the city from its observation deck.

Day Trip: Lake Garda

e55evu/DepositPhotos

Lake Garda is such a charming place to visit at any time of the year. In summer, you can swim, sunbathe, and go to the Gardaland WaterPark here; in other seasons, you can stroll around the tiny picturesque towns, observe the fascinating architecture, enjoy the countryside views, and try local gastronomy. Lake Garda can offer a great variety of things to do.

Travelers can go to Sirmione to see the famous Grottoes of Catullus and take the baths in one of the thermal spa complexes here as Sirmione is well-known for its thermal springs. Another great option is to go to Peschiera del Garda, which is the “gateway” to the Gardaland Water Park. 

Day Trip: Lake Como

Photo Credit: [@Xantana/DepositPhotos]

Lake Como is the closest lake to Milan. You need only 30 min to get to its shores. There is a range of beautiful towns scattered around the lake, and I should say it is quite difficult to choose only one to visit!

You can start with the Como town. It is a typical resort with a lot of restaurants and cafes to just sit, relax and enjoy the views. You can also choose to visit more remote towns, such as the Triangle of Bellagio, Menaggio, and Varenna. Travelers can move between them by ferry and it is quite possible to observe all of them within a one-day trip.

Day Trip: Lake Maggiore

StevanZZ/DepositPhotos

Lake Maggiore is located further than the two lakes mentioned above, but it is definitely worth spending your time and visiting this one as well. The best starting point is the town of Stresa.

There are a lot of things to do in Stresa. For example, you can take a boat trip to Borromean islands to enjoy the lake views and visit island villas and gardens. It is such a picturesque area with landscaped parks, hanging gardens, and peacocks walking around! You can also climb up Mottarone mountain by the cable car and overview the town and the Alpinia Botanical Garden.

Another great way to spend time in Stresa is to take an excursion to one of the following points: the Monastery of Santa Catarina, which is located on a steep cliff; Villa Taranto, with its blooming gardens; or Villa Pallavicino, with its amazing lake views.

Day Trip: Genoa, Italy

Photo Credit: [@kateafter/DepositPhotos]

If you want to go to the sea, then you can choose between the Venetian Riviera and the Ligurian one. Let’s talk about the Liguria region today. It is a picturesque area with marvelous, colorful architecture and a crystal blue sea raging to the cliffs. I would recommend starting with Genoa which is an administrative and cultural center of the region.

Genoa boasts a rich historical heritage, unique architectural sites, and fascinating museums. Its many architectural monuments include the palazzos Rosso, Bianco, and Tursi, the Cathedral of St. Lorenzo, the Museum of the Ligurian Academy of Fine Arts, the church of the Gesu, and many more.

Vacationing in Milan, Itlay

Givaga/DepositPhotos

Milan, Italy is a great travel destination in many ways. You can enjoy the huge variety of architectural monuments here, visit numerous museums, have a great shopping day, try local gastronomy, or even go for a one-day trip to explore the whole region. Milan can offer a lot of things to do, depending on your preferences, so do not miss it when planning your trip around Italy.