Have you noticed that most of the photos of Milan have the Duomo di Milano as a backdrop? But the capital of Lombardy has many other attractions worth visiting. Find out now which are the main tourist attractions in Milan, and start planning your trip.
In addition to photos and videos of Milan’s tourist attractions, check out tips for visiting, such as schedules, ticket prices and which are the free places.
Milan is Italy’s wealthiest city and number 2 in the country by population, behind only Rome . With temperatures that exceed 30ºC in summer and drop below zero in winter, Milan is most pleasant for travelers in the spring and autumn months. Despite being known as the “Capital of Fashion and Design”, Milan is also an excellent gastronomic, historical and cultural destination.
Milan landmarks, in order to make your itinerary easier
In the list of the main tourist attractions in Milan, there are museums, squares, churches and open-air places. As such, it is very eclectic, interesting to anyone planning a cultural or religious tour of northern Italy , as well as those who are more interested in modern places and free attractions to visit.
We organize the attractions to facilitate your itinerary, according to the closest places. Numbers 6, 7, 8 and 9 are located in the heart of the Historic Center of Milan, the only area that is really not to be missed on your trip.
Golden tip: on this skip-the-line guided tour , you have priority access to the attractions visited, such as the Duomo Museum and the Church of San Gottardo.
1. National Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci is considered one of the greatest inventors in history. And he was also a painter, sculptor, architect and musician, among many other skills. Despite being born near Florence, da Vinci spent much of his life in Milan. And the Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnologia displays many of his creations, as well as other related collections.
2. Basilica of Saint Ambrose and the Devil’s Column
Built between 379 and 1099, it is one of the oldest churches in Milan. It underwent several renovations, especially after being bombed by the Allies during World War II. Inside, the gold-covered altar and paintings draw attention. On the outside, in addition to the Romanesque architecture, the eye is also drawn to the Devil’s Column / La Colonna del Diavolo, a Roman column with two holes, which legend says are the marks of the devil’s horns.
3. Castello Sforzesco
Over 650 years old, the Sforzesco Castle has characteristics of a medieval fortress, such as the huge moat around it, and also a Renaissance style, like its inner walls. Its highest point is Torre Del Filarete, 70 meters high.
4. Sempione Park
Take a break from the crowds. For a free outdoor tour of Milan, head to Sempione Park. All this close to the main tourist attractions: Parco Sempione is located in the heart of the Historic Center of Milan, a few steps from the Milanese Arc de Triomphe. In the park area, there are the Sforzesco Castle, the Civic Aquarium, the White Tower and the Triennale di Milano museum, as well as fountains, cafes and statues.
5. Triennale di Milano
Inside Parco Sempione is the Palazzo dell’Arte, a building that houses the Triennale di Milano, a museum dedicated to design and the arts. It hosts world-renowned exhibitions and installations that move the cultural life of Milan.
6. Piazza and Duomo di Milano
The Duomo di Milano, translated into English as Cathedral of Milan, is the most famous landmark in Milan. Its impressive facade, in Gothic style, has 136 marble spikes. This beautiful Roman Catholic church is located in Milan’s main square, Piazza del Duomo, where other attractions are located, such as the Museo del Novecento and the statue of Vittorio Emanuele II.
7. Royal Palace of Milan
Finally, among the most visited tourist attractions in the capital of Lombardy, the Palazzo Reale di Milano stands out. Alongside the Duomo, the palace once functioned as a government city and residence for different royal families. Much of its structure needed to be rebuilt after the bombings in 1943. Today it houses a cultural center and hosts various art shows.
8. Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery
It is the oldest mall in Europe and a symbol of Milan. Inaugurated in 1877, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II remains a luxurious shopping and leisure center, where there are designer stores such as Prada and Dior, bookstores, cafes and even a hotel, the Galleria Vik Milano , a 5-star hotel with a view of the stained glass windows. and gallery mosaics.
9. Teatro alla Scala
Over 200 years old, Teatro alla Scala is one of the most important opera houses in Europe. It suffered damage due to bombings in World War II, but underwent renovations and is still open to the public, with an intense schedule of shows.
10. Pinacoteca di Brera
Did you know that Napoleon Bonaparte, the most feared French conqueror, was King of Italy? By his order, the most important Italian paintings from the regions under his control were taken to the Palazzo di Brera. Among them, works by masters such as Tintoretto, Caravaggio and Rafael Sanzio. In the central courtyard, a large statue of Napoleon, completely naked, greets visitors.
11. Naviglio Grande
It looks like a Venice landscape, but this canal is actually in Milan. Built in the 12th century to transport people and cargo from Milan to Switzerland, today its function is purely visual and tourist. On its banks in the central area of Milan, the Navigli district has lively and alternative nightlife.