Besides the Obvious

In this article you will get the basic information about the best places in Milano, the top Milan attractions. Let’s speak about the most important city of the North of Italy and one of the most important cities of the country. Touristically, Milano is less well-known compared with the most famous tourist cities of Italy. Milan was not on the classic tours that traveled the country by bus: Roma, Pisa, Florence, Venice. Milan had the fame of the fashion glamor, the seriosity of the business and a very important Cathedral, but it stayed in a sort of second division for the Italian destinations. 

However, at some point the low-cost flights arrived and some companies established around the close to Milano airport important low-cost hubs. The good rates of Milano University attracts students from all over the world, the business companies find a strategic place in the city and the citizens from all over the World start to locate Milano in their radar as a way into Italy. 

What to expect from Milan

Milan is not an average city in Italy. Actually, it is kind of more European in a grayish way. It is a real, authentic metropolis with working class districts and a center where the major services are and the crowd blends in wandering for a free seat in a terrace. 

Milan is expensive, not only the food but the real estate market is kind of unaffordable for local youngs and unemployed persons. That is immediately visible on the prices of tourist apartments and hotels. If you don’t book in advance and wisely you won’t get good value for your money. Even though Milano is not famous for its gastronomy you will find some delicious local and italian specialties and excellent restaurants, including affordable trattorias and pizzerias. Be careful when they offer grappa after the desserts!

Milan, although it is true that as a whole is not as impressive as other Italian cities, it is also true that it has important tourist assets. The best is to stick to your plan and try to visit the places you have in mind and after enjoy some food and drinks. Don’t miss the occasion of discovering the aperitivo concept, when you will be able to combine a drink with some small appetizers, such as olives, dried portions of meat, big olives and different kinds of cheeses to predispose the taste buds to roast the next dinner.

Best places in Milan

On this bucket list you will find our personal list of the top Milan attractions.

Cathedral of Milan

The Cathedral of Milan is located in Duomo Square. The Duomo of Milano is one of the most iconic buildings in all of Italy. This massive cathedral is the fourth largest church in the world and took nearly six centuries to complete. Its Gothic façade has statues and intricate details, while the interior is equally stunning with its vast size and bright colors. A visit to the Duomo is a must when in Milan, probably the first of the top Milan attractions. 

There are different kinds of tickets but you must buy any of them in advance. You can do it on-line which is a good idea on the official site of Duomo. If you want to do it in person at the spot you will have to go to the tickets office which is located in the building in front the side gate of the Cathedral. Getting up to the rooftops is expensive and regardless of what everybody will tell you, the views are not that impressive to justify the price. The decision is yours!

• Schedule: Daily from 8:00 to 7:00 pm. Rooftop opens daily from 9:00 to 7:00 pm. 

Duomo Museum

Duomo Museum contains an impressive collection of pieces of art from the Cathedral that you may calmly admire and understand at optimal conditions. We are not very keen on this kind of opportunist museum but I must admit that Duomo Museum is on the good taste and the collection is interesting. 

• Ticket Duomo Museum was included in November 2022 as a combo in the Cathedral ticket and you could buy that combined ticket just in the museum skipping the long line of the Duomo shop. 
• Schedule: From Tuesday to Sundays from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. It is open until 10:00 pm on Thursday and Saturday. 

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is a glass-roofed shopping gallery in central Milan, Italy. It was built between 1865 and 1877 and is named after Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of the Kingdom of Italy. The gallery connects Piazza del Duomo to Piazza della Scala and is home to many high-end stores and restaurants.

The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is one of the world’s oldest shopping malls and a major tourist attraction in Milan. It is located close to other major attractions such as the Duomo, the Teatro alla Scala, and the Palazzo Reale. The gallery is easily accessible by public transportation and is a great place to start your exploration of Milan. 

Inside you will be able to admire the metal and glass roof, the mosaics from all over the world and if you like shopping you may be in a dreamy paradise of the best-known brands of the world. The entrance is free, but the prices in are high. 

La Scala Opera House

Milan is home to the world-renowned La Scala Opera House. Founded in 1778, La Scala has been called “the temple of opera” and has been host to some of the greatest operatic talents in history.Today, La Scala continues to be one of the most important opera houses in the world, staging some of the most prestigious operas and attracting top talent from all over the globe. If you’re lucky enough to snag a ticket to a performance at La Scala, you’re sure to have an unforgettable experience.

• Entrance fee: It is possible to take a self-guided tour for 9 euros and a guided tour for 25 euros. 
• Schedule: From 9:00 am to 12:30 pm in the morning and 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm in the afternoon. 

Arco della Pace

The Arco della Pace is a monument in Milan, Italy. They built it to commemorate the end of World War I and it is located at the intersection of Via Manzoni and Via Dante. It is located at the intersection of Via Manzoni and Via Dante. The arch is made up of two small arches that are connected by a larger one. It is definitely one of the best places in Milan and a must-do on your top Milan attraction list.

Leonardo’s The Last Supper

Leonardo da Vinci is a famous Italian artist and considered to be the most talented person in history. He was born in 1452 and died on May 2, 1519. During his lifetime, he was an artist, scientist and inventor. He is most famous for painting The Last Supper which is the last meal that Jesus Christ shared with his disciples before he died. It is believed that Leonardo painted it between 1495-1498.

The Last Supper is one of the most well known paintings in the world and has been reproduced countless times by artists from different countries all over the world. You can admire the painting in Santa Maria delle Grazie, one of the churches in Italy on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

• Entrance: 10 euros, you may 2 euros on top for and advance booking fee.
• Schedule: From Tuesday to Sunday from 8:15 am to 7:00 pm 

Santa Maria delle Grazie

Santa Maria delle Grazie is a church in Milan, Italy. It was built in the 15th century and is a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture. The church has a rich history and has been called the “Sistine Chapel of the North” because it houses one of Leonardo da Vinci’s most famous paintings – The Last Supper. The Santa Maria delle Grazie is located on Via Santa Maria alle Grazie 26, Milan.

Sforza Castle

Sforza Castle is a castle in Milan, Italy. It is listed as one of the most beautiful castles in Italy. The original construction of the Sforza Castle can be traced back to the 13th century. The castle has been destroyed and rebuilt many times over its history. The last reconstruction was done by architect Luca Beltrami at the end of the 1800s.

Piazza Mercanti

Piazza Mercanti is a Milanese institution. It is one of the most famous and popular markets in Milan, Italy. It has been around for many centuries and it is still bustling with activity every day. The Piazza Mercanti was first opened in the 13th century as a marketplace for traders to sell their goods. The market became a permanent fixture in Milan and today it has grown into an important cultural landmark for the city.

The Piazza Mercanti is home to over 200 shops that specialize in everything from food to clothing, art and antiques, books, toys and more. This market offers something for everyone so it attracts people from all walks of life who are looking for something new or different to buy or experience.

Santa Maria Alla Porta

Santa Maria alla Porta is one of the oldest churches in Milan and one of the few remaining examples of early Christian architecture in Italy. There are many notable features to this church, including a large mosaic on the right wall that dates back to around AD 450 depicting Christ with saints Peter and Paul. The current building dates from the 11th century and is a Romanesque-style basilica. It is located on Via Torino near the city center.

Pinacoteca di Brera

Pinacoteca di Brera is an art museum in Milan, Italy. It is located on Via Brera, in the city center. The building was designed by Giuseppe Piermarini and built between 1776 and 1786. The Pinacoteca houses a substantial collection of paintings from the 16th to 18th centuries, as well as a number of sculptures and other works of art. It also contains a major collection of drawings and old master prints, which are shown in rotating exhibitions throughout the year.

Pinacoteca Ambrosiana

The Pinacoteca Ambrosiana is a museum in Milan, Italy. It was built to house the art collection of the House of Visconti and their successors, the House of Sforza.

Museo del Novecento

Museo del Novecento is a museum in Milan, Italy. It is located in the Palazzo dell’Arte on Piazza Scala and was inaugurated on December 18, 1923. The museum’s collections are made up of paintings, sculptures, drawings and decorative arts from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The museum has been open since 1892. It was originally called Galleria d’Arte Moderna but was renamed in 1923 when it opened its doors to the public for the first time. The museum’s collections are made up of paintings, sculptures, drawings and decorative arts from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

Navigli

Navigli is a district in Milan, Italy. It is located just outside the center of the city on the right bank of the Navigli canals. The name derives from the Latin word for boat.

Don’t expect a little Venice but it is a very popular district for hanging out. There are many cool bars and terraces full of people drinking cocktails and looking for the best aperitivos. For fun is one of the best places in Milan and certainly one of the top Milan attractions.

Church of San Maurizio 

The Church of San Maurizio is a Roman Catholic church in Milan, Italy. It is one of the most important churches in the city. The Church of San Maurizio is located on Via San Maurizio, near the Castello Sforzesco. The church was built in 1606-1607 by architect Francesco Maria Richini and has a central plan with two lateral chapels. 

The façade has two orders with pilasters and three portals surmounted by a triangular tympanum with an allegory of Faith, Hope and Charity sculpted by Angelo Massarotti (1571-1619). There are also two statues on either side of the portal: St. Ambrose (left) and St. Augustine (right).

Ca’ Granda – University of Milano

The University ranks as one of the top universities in Italy by QS World Rankings. It has also been ranked among the best universities worldwide for arts and humanities by QS World Rankings. It started to work in 1924 by the Society of Jesus and it is the largest Jesuit university in Italy. The University of Milano offers undergraduate and graduate programs to students. The programs are mostly in humanities, social sciences, law, economics and management, and science.

The classism of its buildings, its cloisters and the open-air spaces justify a visit to this emblematic university.

Basilica di Santo Stefano Maggiore

The Basilica di Santo Stefano Maggiore is the most important church of Milan. It dates back to the 11th century and it is one of the oldest examples of Romanesque architecture in Italy. It has a Latin cross plan with a nave and two aisles, side chapels, three semicircular apses and three rectangular ones. The facade has two towers with an octagonal upper part.

San Tomaso in Terramara

San Tomaso in Terramara is a church in Milan, Italy. It dates back to the 13th century and is a part of the Milanese School of architecture.

The church is a perfect example of Gothic architecture. The exterior has a pinkish hue and there are two towers on either side of the facade that are characteristic for this style. The interior has frescoes by artists from the Lombard Renaissance era. The frescoes depict scenes from the life of St Anthony Abbot, Christ’s miracles, and other biblical events.

Basilica di San Lorenzo Maggiore

It dates back to the year 1339 by Emperor Louis IV, Holy Roman Emperor to replace an earlier church that had been destroyed by fire. This is one of the most important churches in Milan. It has been a site for many religious celebrations and ceremonies, including coronations and weddings. At the site of the basilica, it was originally a Roman-era temple. Louis IV also commissioned his wife Margaret of Bohemia to design the church’s gothic architecture and she designed it with three naves with two rows of columns on each side as well as five chapels on each side at its east end.

Santa Maria presso San Satiro

Santa Maria presso San Satiro is a church in Milan, Italy that is an example of Gothic architecture. Originally it dates back to the 12th century and has since been rebuilt several times. The church is famous for its frescoes of Gaudenzio Ferrari.

Milan Chinatown

Milan’s Chinatown is one of the largest in Europe and it’s located near the city’s central train station. It has a population of about 3,000 people and is home to many Chinese restaurants, supermarkets, and shops. It is modern looking like and perfect for drinks with friends.

Enjoy our discounts in the place

Dear Traveller! Thank you for reading the latest article from Besides the Obvious. Please do not hesitate to subscribe to our newsletter, if you don’t want to miss our next travel story.