Visit Milan
The moment you arrive, Milan surrounds you with its effortless energy and style. Streets are lined with sleek shops and designer boutiques. Shiny sneakers click past leather loafers. Window displays change like art installations every season. The city centre pulses with life. Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II arches above luxury brands. Cafés spill onto cobbled streets. Fashion editors, tourists and locals brush past each other while sipping espresso.
The Duomo towers above the city with spires and statues that catch the sunlight. Marble glints next to modern glass and steel. Historic streets wind toward hidden treasures. Castello Sforzesco stands with massive walls and museums inside. Art lovers flock to see Leonardo’s Last Supper in Santa Maria delle Grazie. Markets filled with fresh produce, cheese and pastries from Lombardy.
Neighbourhoods show off their own energy. Brera mixes galleries, concept stores, and quiet squares. Navigli’s canals glow at sunset, lined with cocktail bars and terraces. Street art and pop-up shops surprise around every corner.
Even the food scene matches the style. Aperitivo hours bring plates of small bites with cocktails. Markets provide fresh pasta, cheeses and seasonal produce. Milan feels alive and fast. Every street, square and corner pulses with creativity.
Top sights to visit
- Duomo di Milano This immense Gothic cathedral is the city's signature landmark. It took nearly six centuries to complete and is famous for its intricate spires, countless statues, and magnificent stained glass. Pro tip: Climbing to the rooftop provides an amazing experience. It allows you to walk among the spires and providing spectacular panoramic city views.
- Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II Housed in a spectacular 19th-century glass-vaulted arcade. This is one of the world's oldest and most beautiful shopping malls. It's nicknamed il salotto di Milano (Milan's drawing room) and is home to luxury boutiques and historic cafés.
- Santa Maria delle Grazie and The Last Supper This church and Dominican convent houses Leonardo da Vinci’s iconic mural, The Last Supper (Il Cenacolo). Tickets must be booked months in advance due to strict viewing limitations imposed to protect the fragile artwork.
- Teatro alla Scala One of the most famous opera houses in the world. Renowned for its acoustic perfection and history of hosting legendary premieres. You can visit the adjacent Museo Teatrale alla Scala (Theatre Museum) to see costumes, instruments and historical documents.
- Castello Sforzesco A massive medieval-Renaissance fortress that once housed the ruling Sforza family of Milan. Today, it contains several museums and art collections. It has Michelangelo's final, unfinished sculpture, the Rondanini Pietà. The castle grounds lead to the Parco Sempione.
- Brera District A charming neighborhood with historic streets, art galleries and trendy cafés. Home to the Pinacoteca di Brera, which features masterpieces of Italian art. The area is perfect for wandering and discovering local boutiques and artisan shops.
- Darsena and the Navigli Canals Once the primary port of Milan, the Darsena (dockyard) and the surrounding Navigli (canals) district has become a trendy hub for nightlife and dining. In the evening, the area comes alive and it’s a great spot to enjoy a traditional Italian aperitivo.
- Piazza Mercanti A medieval square that showcases Milan’s historic roots beyond the famous Duomo area. Surrounded by old palaces and statues, it retains a quieter charm. It’s an excellent spot to discover local history away from the main tourist crowds.
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History of Milan
Milan started as a Celtic settlement called Mediolanum around 400 BC. The Romans took it over in 222 BC. They built walls, forums, and an amphitheater. Roman gates and roads still shape parts of the city today.
In the Middle Ages, Milan grew into a powerful duchy. The Visconti family ruled from the 13th century, building castles, churches, and canals. The Sforza family continued their work. They created landmarks like Castello Sforzesco and supporting the arts. Silk production and trade made the city wealthy and influential.
During the Renaissance, Milan became a centre of culture and innovation. Leonardo da Vinci worked here, painting The Last Supper and designing canals and machines. Palaces, churches, and public squares flourished. Art and architecture combined with thriving commerce. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Milan modernized under Austrian and then Italian rule. The city became Italy’s industrial and financial hub.
The 20th century saw Milan emerge as a global cultural centre. Fashion houses, design schools and media companies put it on the world map. Milan’s history is visible in every piazza, street and canal. Reflecting centuries of trade, culture and ambition.