All about Milan
When to visit
Skip the car: Milan’s traffic requires nerves of steel to navigate as a newcomer. Milan’s top attractions are walkable, so sightseeing on foot is a good way to go. If you want a break, both the Milan Metro and tramway network are well-suited to visitors and offer multiple ticket options. You can use many contactless cards to tap in and out of the metro and most trams, or you may download the ATM Milano app to buy tickets and plan journeys on the hop.
Getting around
The city turns into a catwalk for the semi-annual Milan Fashion Week, held at the end of both summer and winter, and this is a popular time to be in Milan. Other big events include the Ambrosian Carnival (Carnevale Ambrosiano) in February and the Milan Design Week (Salone del Mobile) in mid-April. In sweltering August, the Milanese take their summer vacations to the sea or lakes, so many restaurants are closed. The opera season kicks off in December.
Traveler tips
The aperitivo tradition of a pre-dinner drink and snack is a Northern Italy thing, and the Milanese do it well. Experience it as the locals do in a Navigli district bar on a sunny evening, sipping a classic Italian drink as you chat. Crodino or chinotto (pronounced with a “k”) are both good soft drink options, or you can opt for a signature cocktail like an Aperol or Campari spritz (or a Negroni if you’re feeling dangerous). Drinks arrive first, followed by a tray of nibbles. You pay when you leave.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Milan best known for?
Italy’s capital of contemporary fashion and design is most famous for a masterpiece dating from more than 500 years ago: Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper, housed in Milan’s Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie. The city’s majestic gothic cathedral (Duomo) is also a star attraction.
How long do you need in Milan?
You’ll need at least a full day to visit The Last Supper and stroll from the Duomo through Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II to visit La Scala opera house. Stay overnight to dip into the city’s evening aperitivo scene and spend the following day browsing fashion boutiques and Brera Art Gallery.
What are three must-see sites in Milan?
Two of Milan’s top three sites are less than a five-minute walk apart: the Cathedral (Duomo) and La Scala opera house, separated by the ornate Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. The city’s third headliner, Leonardo’s The Last Supper, is in Santa Maria delle Grazie about a 20-minute walk from the Duomo.
How do I spend a day in Milan?
Book your afternoon tickets (or tour) to The Last Supper in advance and plan your itinerary around the entrance time. Begin in Milan’s center with a visit to the Duomo, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and La Scala before heading to Santa Maria delle Grazie to admire Leonardo’s famous painting.
What should you not miss in Milan?
This cosmopolitan city is famous for its buzzy aperitvo cocktail hour in the trendy Navigli and Brera neighborhoods come evening. Joining the chic locals as they sip their iced spritzes and negronis is a great way to get a true feel for the city.
What can you do for free in Milan?
A number of Milan’s architectural treasures are most impressive from the outside, including the soaring Duomo, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and Sforza Castle located in the grand (and public) Sempione Park. You can also stroll through the picturesque Brera Botanical Garden and along the Navigli canal without spending a penny.