Often ignored by tourists who only go to Milan because the city is the base to make a connection or point of arrival in Italy, the problem with this fame is that there are people who think that the capital of fashion does not have many attractions and that one day it is more than enough to know her.
There are so many beautiful places to see in Milan and so many cool things to do that it’s even silly to look down on a city so rich in culture and art.
It is possible to visit the main sights of Milan in one day, yes, in fact, it is possible, but I would say that it is quite busy (I had this experience and I confess that if I could I would have stayed longer). If you have more time available, the ideal is to book at least 3 days to discover the city of fashion at your leisure .
To make it easier, check out this map with the attractions of Milan. Just click on the icons to see the address. As you will see on the map, most tourist attractions are very close. Therefore, if you are staying in the center or nearby, you won’t even need to use public transport, you can do everything on foot. Wonderful 🙂
1. Duomo Square and Milan Cathedral
The beautiful Milan Cathedral, also known as the Duomo, is the central point to start your itinerary in Milan.
Located in the center of the city’s main square, Piazza del Duomo , in addition to Milan Cathedral, the square is also home to other famous sights such as the Vittorio Emanuele Gallery and the Royal Palace. In addition, it has cafes, restaurants and the busiest and most important metro station in Milan.
Interesting : Duomo means cathedral. In short, the most important church in the city, where the bishop and archbishop are housed.
With its breathtaking architecture and considered one of the largest cathedrals in the world, in addition to its gigantic size that draws attention from afar, it is no wonder that Milan Cathedral is among one of the most beautiful Gothic churches in the world. Its beauty is so impressive that it is not possible to convey all the details of its architecture in just one cute picture, the interesting thing is to see it up close.
Built with more than 8,000 blocks of white marble on its facade alone, the Duomo in Milan still has a history rich in details and interesting curiosities such as:
- it began to be built in 1386, and holds this one, backwards;
- the cathedral is made up of 135 pointed-shaped towers (known as needles). Each end has a statue. In total, counting the other statues on the outside and inside, there are more than 3,400 statues;
- the most famous statue is that of Saint Bartholomew , which is located inside the church;
How to visit Milan Cathedral
To enter the cathedral it is necessary to purchase a ticket at the local ticket office. See here the ticket prices for adults (children under 6 years old do not pay):
- Cathedral and Museum: 3€
- Archaeological area: 7€
- Terrace: up the stairs (9€), by elevator (13€)
Admiring the outside of Milan is undoubtedly one of the most incredible free attractions in Milan, but with a little investment you can see the statues and all the details of the construction up close on the roof of the cathedral.
With a privileged view of Milan seen from above, on the terrace you will have a spectacular view of Duomo Square and the Vittorio Emanuele Gallery, as well as other tourist attractions and skyscrapers in the city.
2. Vittorio Emanuele Gallery
Located between Duomo Square and Scala Square, a passageway where several famous stores such as Louis Vuiton and Prata are located, elegant restaurants and bars, is the second most photographed attraction in Milan, which is pure glamor and a sight for sore eyes in terms of “architecture”. breathtaking”. It’s the Vittorio Emanuele Gallery.
The Vittorio Emanuele Gallery was built in the shape of a cross, and in the center the formation is a very interesting and photogenic intersection, an octagon. Such ingenuity was the work of the imagination of architect Giuseppe Mengoni , who died tragically after falling from scaffolding shortly before the gallery’s opening in 1877.
In addition to the wonderful stained glass windows and paintings that make up the beauty of the gallery ceiling, the details to pay attention to when visiting the Vittorio Emanuele Gallery are the floor mosaics that represent the coats of arms of four cities in Italy (Florence, Rome, Milan and Turin). , and the beautiful arch that is right at the entrance. No wonder it is ranked among one of the most beautiful galleries in Europe.
Curiosity : the name of the gallery was chosen in honor of the first king of Italy, Vittorio Emanuele II di Savoia.
3. Scala Square and Scala Theater
Across from the Vittorio Emanuele Gallery is the second most important square in Milan, Scala Square, which is home to other interesting sights such as the Teatro Alla Scala and the Palazzo Marino .
And right in the middle of Scala Square, the highlight is the statue of Leonardo da Vinci .
Despite having a simple facade that goes unnoticed, another highlight of Scala Square is the Scala Theater, which has a stunning interior that no one can fault. And did you know that it is the largest opera house in the world and one of the most famous opera houses?
The Scala Theater has hosted performances by great artists such as Toscanini , Verdi , among others.
I didn’t see the inside of the theater, but if you like and understand opera or if you’re interested in seeing a performance, it’s worth noting that to see a show you have to plan in advance as tickets sell out quickly. But don’t be sad, it is also possible to visit the theater museum, which is open for visitation and guided tours.
4. Fashion Quadrilateral
And since we’re talking about Italy’s fashion city, even if you’re like me (a humble person who travels on a tight budget and even sleeps at the airport to save on accommodation), well, you’ve seen that shopping isn’t for everyone. a. However, I think it’s worth stopping by just to see the luxurious windows where a simple outfit costs almost the value of a house (or more). It’s cool to see without spending, right 😉
Write down the names of the most famous streets that are internationally known as the “fashion quadrangle”, where the most chic and expensive designer stores in the world are concentrated: Via Montenapoleone, Via della Spiga, Corso di Porta Venezia and Via Manzoni . These are the four streets that form a quadrilateral.
5. Pinacoteca de Brera
For lovers of art and architecture, it is worth including the Pinacoteca de Brera in your itinerary, a national gallery of ancient and modern art that is located in the old Palace of Brera, a beautiful building that was built for the Jesuits over the monastery of Santa Maria di Breara Humiliat.
In addition to the Pinacoteca, the building also houses other institutions such as the Braidense Library , the Academy of Fine Arts and the Botanical Garden .
The Pinacoteca di Brera is considered one of the most important museums in Italy. The museum houses works by famous artists such as Caravaggio , Bellini , Mantegna , among others. Among the main works in the collection are the Supper at Emmaus by Caravaggio and the Marriage of the Virgin by Rafaello .
And if you are a fan of free seats, the good news is that the inner part of the Pinacoteca courtyard is free to enter. Right in the center of the courtyard there is a very large statue of Napoleon Bonaparte, a statue that contradicts the height of the former king who was not so tall.
- Opening hours : Tuesday to Sunday from 8:30 am to 7:15 pm – Fridays until 9:15 pm – closed on Mondays
- Tickets : 10 euros for regular tickets
- Free entry every first Sunday of the month
6. Sforzesco Castle
To end the afternoon, the tip is to go to the Sforzesco Castle, one of the most important monuments in Milan, which was built in the 15th century by Francesco Sforza on the ruins of an old 14th-century fortification.
In the past, the Sforzesco Castle has undergone several transformations, in the beginning it functioned as a fortress and later it was home to the court of Milan. In addition, it has already passed through the hands of several owners and during the Second World War some parts of the castle were destroyed by bombing.
Today the Sforzesco Castle houses several museums and has a very rich collection, housing masterpieces by some geniuses such as Leonardo da Vinci , Bramante and Michelangelo .
And if you want to visit the museums, you pay 5 euros for a single, cheap ticket. And if you’re not a fan of this type of tour, it’s worth checking out the castle’s courtyard, which has free admission.
If you are interested in visiting the museums, you might be in a hurry to take this tour with just one day in Milan. As there are several museums, it is necessary to reserve at least half a day to get to know them calmly. So the tip is to program yourself and see the ones that interest you the most. Highlighting that the main one is the Pietà Rondanini , which houses Michelangelo’s masterpiece.
- Opening hours :
Castle – every day from 7am to 7.30pm
Museums – Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 5.30pm