Ultimate Milan Travel Guide: Best Things To Do, Eat & See (2025)

Milan is a glamorous hub to all things culture, fashion, and luxury, making it the perfect spot for a European city break or the start of an Italian adventure. Located in the northern part of Italy, Milan is home to captivating cathedrals, museums, hotels, trattorias, and, of course, fashion. So, weather you are a architecte lover, history buff, foodie, or fashion fanatic Milan has got you covered! In this Ultimate Milan Travel Guide we will go over all of the very best things to do, eat & see. Read on to discover the magic of Milan, Italy!

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Map Of Milan

Best Hotels In Milan

Quick Tip - In Milan you must book accommodation ahead of time. There are not many affordable hotels in the city and the ones that are affordable book out.

🛎️Luxury Milan Hotel - Four Seasons

🛎️Middle Range Milan Hotel - Château Monfort

🛎️Budget Milan Hotel - B&B Hotel Milano Central Station

Best Things To Do In Milan: Milan Travel Guide

Walk Though Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Located right next to the Duomo, The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is a must in Milan. While it was extremely crowded and, honestly a bit overwhelming, it was still totally worth walking through.

Visit The Duomo di Milano

The Duomo di Milano is one of the most incredible structures I have ever seen. This gothic cathedral dates back to the 1300s and took over 500 years to fully complete.

When I was in Milan I felt that the Duomo marked the center of the city. So it is a great place to start when seeing all of Milan's most popular sights.

You can go inside the Duomo for free, but if you want to go in the museum and the rooftop you must buy a ticket.

Stop By Basilica di Santa Maria delle Grazie

The Basilica di Santa Maria delle Grazie is one of the most famous churches in Milan, and not just because it is beautiful. The stunning Basilica is home to the famous Last Supper painting by Leonardo da Vinci.

Quick Tip - You have to buy your tickets to see The Last Supper ahead of time, and don't be late because they will skip over you. You can buy tickets here.

Visit Sforza Castle

Sforza Castle is a 15th century Renaissance castel that once belonged to the prominent Sforza Family.

Today the castle, its gardens, and a museum within the castle is open to visit.

Don't miss Parco Sempione behind Sforza Castle! It's a great place for a picnic or walk. It also offers views of Sforza Castle if you don't want to pay to get in.

Explore The Brera District

The Brera District was one of my favorite areas of Milan. In the Brera District you will find stunning cobblestone streets, amazing trattorias, cool cafes, and vintage shops.

If you are a fellow photographer you will love this area!

Shop the Quadrilatero della Moda

If you are in Milan you have to take some time to explore the fashion scene. Quadrilatero della Moda is a gorgeous neighborhood in the northeastern part of Milan and is home to some of the best shopping in the world.

Unless you have money to burn - avoid actually buying anything in Quadrilatero della Moda, I found that the prices are upped.

Visit The Navigli Canals

The Navigli Canals are a little hidden gem in Milan. Located in the southwest corner of Milan, The Navigli Canals were designed by Da Vinci and are lined with cool shops and restaurants.

Navigli Canals are a great place to explore at sunset! Loved getting dinner at Osteria del Binari in the Navigli neighborhood.

Do a Day Trip From Milan

I swear there are so many amazing places to see in Italy, so day trips are an awesome way to see more of the country. Milan in particular has so many amazing day trips you can take.

I have never been to Lake Como, but it is obviously a great day trip option from Milan (and one of the most popular). You can book a tour to Lake Como. I always find that tours are way easier than trying to figure it out by yourself.

Another day trip idea from Milan is Florence! Florence is such an amazing place, and I have been there so I can attest that it is a must visit in Italy. Read our Florence Travel Guide here : )

Milan Hidden Gems

One of my favorite parts of exploring any new city is uncovering its best hidden gems. Here are some cool spots I came across in Milan that only the locals know about:

Vicolo dei Lavandai - Vicolo dei Lavandai is a picturesque street in the Navigli Neighborhood. I love it because it seems like the kind of place that hasn't changed from medieval times, making it truly magical.

San Bernardino alle Ossa - Okay, so if you like to get creeped out you will love this place, if not, maybe skip to the next one. San Bernardino alle Ossa is a church of bones that is situated right next to the Duomo. You will find human bones everywhere in San Bernardino alle Ossa - seriously, people back in the day were nuts!

Villa Necchi Campiglio -Villa Necchi Campiglio will make you feel like you have stepped back in time. It is a perfectly preserved 1930s villa in the fashion district. Inside you will find furnishing frozen in time and beautiful art pieces.

Best Restaurants In Milan

Fine Dining In Milan - Contraste

Middle Range Restaurant In Milan - Trattoria Milanese

Cheap Eats In Milan - Pasta d’Autore

How To Get To Milan

There are three airport you can fly into when getting to Milan - Malpensa (MXP, Linate (LIN, or Bergamo (BGY). If you are flying from the usa or have a longer flight you will most likely be fling in to MXP. If you are on a budget airline like easyjet or Ryanair you will most likely be flying in to LIN or BGY.

MXP to Milan City Center

Getting to Milan City Center From MXP is super easy. The best and cheapest way is by taking the Malpensa Express Train (comes every 30 mins). The Malpensa Express Train will take you right in to Milans city center - and its cheap! (around 13 euro)

You can also take the Shuttle Bus, this is the cheapest way to get to the city center from MXP. But, it takes around one hour to get to the city. (around 10 euro)

The easiest, but most expensive way is by taxi. This will cost you around 100 euro.

LIN to Milan City Center

LIN is the closest airport to the city center. You can take the M4 metro line or a taxi from LIN. A taxi will run you about 40 euro.

BGY to Milan City Center

The bus is definitely the best way to get to the Milan city center from BGY. It is quick and direct (10 euro). Another option is taking a taxi (40 euro).

Milan Travel Guide FAQs:

How long to stay in Milan?

You can see so much of Milan in a short amount of time! You can see all of the main sights in two days. But if you want to explore Milans hidden gems, stay for three!

What is Milan known for?

Milan is most well known for its fashion scene. But it is also home to architectural wonders, an amazing food scene, and so much history! I kind of think of it as the gateway to Italy.

What is the best time of year to visit Milan?

Milan is a year round destination! It is always busy. My favorite time in Italy has to be October though.