Looking for the best things to do in Milan? Milan is one of those cities where you can see the biggest sights in a day or two, but there are also plenty of smaller places that make the city more interesting once you start wandering around.
I’ll be honest: Milan was not my favourite city in Northern Italy. I wouldn’t spend a whole week here, but I do think it’s worth adding to your itinerary for a couple of nights, especially if you’re travelling onwards to places like Lake Como, Turin or Lake Maggiore.
From the iconic Duomo to aperitivo by the canals, these are 10 things to do in Milan that I would actually recommend.
1. Climb the Duomo di Milano
Obviously, we have to start with the Duomo.
The Duomo di Milano is the huge Gothic cathedral right in the heart of the city, and yes, it is as impressive in real life as it looks in photos. But if you’re going to visit, don’t just look at it from Piazza del Duomo.
Definitely go up to the rooftop.
The Duomo terraces are one of the best places to see Milan from above, and you can actually walk between all the spires and statues. On a clear day, you can see across the city and towards the mountains in the distance.
It’s also one of those places where the details are almost more impressive than the building itself. There are statues and little architectural details absolutely everywhere.
So yes, it’s touristy. Yes, you’ll probably be surrounded by other people taking approximately 700 photos.
But I still think it’s worth it.
My tip: If you only have limited time in Milan, make the Duomo rooftop one of your priorities.
2. Walk through Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Right next to the Duomo you’ll find Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, one of the most beautiful shopping arcades in Milan.
The building has a huge glass ceiling, beautiful architecture and some very fancy shops. Even if you’re not remotely interested in buying anything from the luxury stores, it’s worth walking through.
Honestly, this is one of those places where you’ll probably stop every few metres because everything looks so aesthetic.
It connects Piazza del Duomo with the area around Teatro alla Scala, so it’s also very easy to include while exploring the city centre.
3. Explore Castello Sforzesco
If you want something a little slower after all the city-centre sightseeing, head towards Castello Sforzesco.
This huge historic castle sits in the centre of Milan and is surrounded by green spaces, making it a nice place to walk around without necessarily having to spend hours inside a museum.
You can explore the courtyards, walk through the surrounding gardens and continue towards Parco Sempione.
I especially like this as a slower afternoon activity. You don’t always need to be ticking things off a list, sometimes wandering around a beautiful old castle and grabbing a coffee afterwards is enough.
The castle also houses several museums and has a long connection with Milan’s history and art.
4. Visit Museo del Novecento
If you like modern and contemporary art, add Museo del Novecento to your Milan itinerary.
The museum is right next to the Duomo, so it’s incredibly easy to combine with your visit to the cathedral.
It focuses on 20th-century Italian art, with works from artists including Modigliani, Boccioni and Morandi. But one of the things I liked most is that you also get some really nice views over Piazza del Duomo from inside the museum.
So even if you’re not the biggest museum person, the location makes it a pretty good stop.
5. Find Sant’Alessandro in Zebedia
Okay, this one is for the people who like finding places that aren’t completely packed with tourists.
Sant’Alessandro in Zebedia is a beautiful Baroque church tucked away in the city centre.
It’s the kind of place you can easily walk past without realising there’s a gorgeous interior hiding behind the doors.
I loved that it felt much quieter than the big attractions around the Duomo. Milan has plenty of these little architectural surprises, so don’t only follow Google Maps from one famous attraction to the next.
Sometimes the best places are the ones you randomly walk into.
6. Have aperitivo in Navigli
If there is one area of Milan where I would tell you to actually slow down and enjoy yourself, it’s Navigli.
The neighbourhood is built around the canals and is packed with bars, restaurants and places to have an aperitivo.
Go around sunset, grab an Aperol Spritz or another drink, sit outside and watch people walk along the canals.
This is honestly one of my favourite things to do in Milan because it feels less like “okay, what attraction do I need to see next?” and more like actually experiencing the city.
Navigli is also one of the areas I would recommend staying in if you want a more lively atmosphere. The area is particularly good for drinks and nightlife.
And yes, an Aperol in Italy is basically a sightseeing activity.
7. Have breakfast at Ditta Artigianale
Okay, technically this isn’t a sightseeing attraction.
But I’m including it anyway because food is part of travelling and I’m not making the rules.
Ditta Artigianale is a great spot for breakfast and coffee, especially if you’re looking for something a little more brunch-y.
I particularly liked the avocado toast, and it’s a good place to start a day of exploring before heading towards the city centre.
Because sometimes the best things to do in a city involve sitting down and eating.
8. Wander around Brera
Brera is one of those neighbourhoods that I would recommend exploring without too much of a plan.
It’s known for its artistic and slightly bohemian atmosphere, with narrow streets, cafés, galleries and pretty buildings.
You can also visit the Pinacoteca di Brera, one of Milan’s major art museums, but honestly, even if you don’t go inside, I think the neighbourhood itself is worth wandering through.
Grab a coffee, walk around the little streets and see where you end up.
It’s a completely different feeling from the busy area around the Duomo, and it’s a nice place to slow down for a few hours.
9. See Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper
One of Milan’s biggest cultural highlights is Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper.
The famous painting is located in the refectory of the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie and is one of the most well-known artworks in the world.
I would definitely recommend booking this in advance if you want to see it. This isn’t one of those attractions where I would just show up and hope for the best.
Even if you’re not normally someone who goes to museums specifically for famous paintings, seeing something this historically important in real life is pretty cool.
And it fits nicely into a day exploring the western side of central Milan, especially if you’re already heading towards Castello Sforzesco.
10. Step inside San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore
And finally, another one for my “wait, why is nobody talking about this?” list.
San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore is a beautiful historic church near the centre of Milan, and the inside is covered in incredible frescoes.
It’s much less famous than the Duomo, but that’s exactly why I think it’s worth adding to your itinerary.
You can combine it with The Last Supper and Castello Sforzesco since they’re all in roughly the same part of the city.
Milan has so many impressive churches and buildings that it would honestly be a shame to only see the famous ones.
How Many Days Do You Need in Milan?
I would personally recommend 1–2 nights in Milan.
If you’re travelling through Northern Italy, Milan is a really convenient starting point before continuing towards places like Lake Como, Lake Maggiore or Turin.
You can see the biggest highlights in one full day if you plan your route well, but two days gives you more time to enjoy areas like Navigli and Brera instead of running from attraction to attraction.
If you’re planning a bigger Northern Italy trip, I’d also recommend checking out my Northern Italy Travel Guide, where I go into more detail about the route, transport and the other places I visited.
My Honest Take on Milan
Honestly, I’m still not completely sure if I would say Milan is really worth going to on its own. It wasn’t my favourite city in Northern Italy, and if you asked me to choose between spending a few extra days in Milan or somewhere else in Italy, I would probably choose somewhere else.
BUT, Milan is such an easy city to fly into, and it’s also a really convenient starting point for travelling further through Northern Italy. So if you’re already flying into Milan, you might as well stay for a day and see the highlights.
And honestly? One day is more than enough for me.
See the Duomo, walk through the Galleria, wander around a neighbourhood, have an aperitivo in Navigli and eat some good Italian food. You’ll get a pretty good feel for the city without needing to spend days here.
So would I fly to Milan specifically just to spend a week there? Probably not.
Would I spend a day there if I was flying in anyway? Absolutely. It’s easy, convenient and there are definitely some beautiful things to see, I just wouldn’t make Milan the main event of my Italy trip.
Planning Your Trip to Italy?
Planning a trip to Italy can be surprisingly difficult, especially when you’re choosing between huge historic cities, beautiful coastlines, charming smaller towns, mountains, lakes and islands.
That’s why I’ve created my Italy Travel Guide, where I share destination guides, things to do, local tips and my personal experiences from travelling around Italy.
→ START HERE: Italy Travel Guides
FAQ: Things to Do in Milan
What is the best thing to do in Milan?
For me, the Duomo rooftop is the absolute must-do in Milan. The cathedral is impressive from the outside, but walking around the rooftop gives you a completely different perspective of the city.
Is Milan worth visiting?
Yes, especially for 1–2 nights. Milan wasn’t my favourite city in Northern Italy, but I still think it’s worth including in a longer Italy trip because of the Duomo, architecture, food, museums and neighbourhoods like Navigli and Brera.
What can you do in Milan in one day?
Start at the Duomo and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, walk towards Castello Sforzesco, explore Brera or another neighbourhood in the afternoon, and finish with aperitivo in Navigli.
Is Navigli worth visiting?
Absolutely. Navigli is one of my favourite areas in Milan for an evening because of the canals, bars, restaurants and aperitivo atmosphere.
What should you not miss in Milan?
If you’re short on time, I would prioritise the Duomo rooftop, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Castello Sforzesco, Navigli and one of Milan’s smaller historic or artistic spots.
How many days do you need in Milan?
I recommend 1–2 nights for most travellers. Two nights gives you enough time to see the main sights without rushing too much.
