Top Things to Do in the Milan | Must-See Attractions & Experiences

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Places To Visit In Milan

Basilica Of San Simpliciano

Snuggled in the streets near the Brera district, the Basilica of San Simpliciano is the second oldest known Christian Church. It is dedicated to St Simplician, the bishop of Milan, who was St. Ambrose's successor. It is one of the first churches in Milan. It is a Roman Catholic Church in the heart of Milan, established by bishop Sant'Ambrogio in the 4th century. Along with exceptional historical value, this Basilica also has an artistic merit. Embracing a Latin cross layout, this Basilica di San Simpliciano is set on an elegant cobbled square that is accessible from Corso Garibaldi in proximity. Being one of the first churches built in Milan, this Basilica is the last one of the four basilicas that Sant'Ambrogio wanted to establish in the different areas of the city. The present-day Romanesque look was designed during the 12th and 13th centuries. It is one of the best preserved structures of the early Christian age. Notably, there is a fresco of the Coronation of the Virgin Mary by Bergonone that is a popular tourist attraction, set inside the Church. The Piazza Paolo VI, which adjoins the right side of the Church is a great place for visitors to stop by for a while. Read More

Basilica of Sant'Eustorgio

The Basilica of Sant'Eustorgio is located on one of Milan's major streets, leading to Pavia, the capital of Longboard's' kingdom. This Romanesque church in the Basilicas Park is said to have been a significant stop for pilgrims on their way to Rome as it houses the tomb of The Three Kings. The Basilica of Sant'Eustorgio is located on one of Milan's major streets, leading to Pavia, the capital of Longobards' kingdom. Dating back to the 3rd century, the Basilica of Sant'Eustorgio is home to the Portinari Chapel, an epitome of renaissance architecture.This Romanesque church in the Basilicas Park of Milan is said to have been a significant stop for pilgrims on their way to Rome as it houses the tomb of The Three Kings. Dating back to the 3rd century, the Basilica of Sant'Eustorgio is home to the Portinari Chapel, an epitome of renaissance architecture. Read More

The Martesana Canal runs from Milan to Trezzo sull’Adda and is 36km long. Biking along this path is a pleasant experience as you get some outdoor exercise while sightseeing. It is a peaceful ride through many towns and villages lush with greenery. You will encounter many parks, cafes, gorgeous palaces, and monuments along the path. Visit during spring when the trees and plants are in full bloom or during the winter when it is frosty, which has a charm of its own. Read More

The Brera District is a bohemian quarter situated in the artistic heart of Milan. It is home to many art schools, historic art museums and galleries, and art studios. Apart from these, you can also shop at the various fashion boutiques and stores selling vintage accessories and exquisite bijoux. The Brera has a fantastic food scene, too. Try out the different gourmet Italian dishes and fresh fish delicacies sourced from Milan’s Fish Market. You can enjoy a nice aperitivo in the evening at one of the bars.Some attractions worth visiting include:1. Pinacoteca di Brera—An art gallery housing works by Titian, Caravaggio, Rubens and other talented artists. 2. Brera Botanical Garden—This garden has several exotic varieties of plants, shrubs and medicinal herbs. 3. The Brera Astronomy Museum—An observatory for celestial bodies, founded by the gifted astronomer Giovanni Schiaparelli.4. Museo del Risorgimento—A museum documenting Italy’s unification and history.5. Biblioteca Braidense—Italy’s oldest and one of the most beautiful libraries with a good collection of books.From attractions to shopping stores to food and drinks—the Brera district has it all and deserves a visit while you are in Milan. Read More

Breweries

Milan is also known for its aperitivo scene—an aperitivo is a pre-meal drink enjoyed by the Milanese and the Italians in the evening after work. The city has many great breweries supporting its widely spread and the most vivid drinking culture. It is also as popular for its craft beer. Milan became famous for its beer when the Birrificio Lambrate was founded in 1996. It progressed the drinking culture of this city, and many breweries have been set up ever since. Here is a list of some famous Milanese breweries:1. Baladin Milano2. La Buttiga Beer Room Sarpi3. La Birrofila4. Bere Buona Birra5. HopThese provide some of the finest craft beer, rum, whiskey, and delicious food. Read More

Cascina Cuccagna is an 18th-century farmhouse restored as a public centre for citizens' use in Porta Romana, Milan. It has a huge floral garden, fruit trees, two large courtyards, and a herb and vegetable garden that gives the real essence of nature. It is a cultural centre that organises myriad events. It’s a cultural centre where many programs like movie screenings, music shows, farmer’s markets, art exhibitions and workshops are arranged. It houses a popular restaurant—Un Posto a Milano—with a seasonal menu comprising dishes made from produce sourced from a local farm. Its bar offers arguably the best Aperol spritz. There’s also a flower and plant shop and a cooking station.Buy some souvenirs and floral plants from "La Fioreria" the plant shop, or try hands on some organic cooking at the creative cooking lab housed inside the farmhouse. The highlight of the farmhouse is the Farmers' market where visitors can shop exotic vegetables and fruits straight from the farm. Read More

Chinatown

Milan’s Chinatown is the biggest district in Milan, offering Chinese food, clothing, trinkets and bric-a-brac. This neighbourhood extends over a few roads, with Paolo Sarpi street as its main road. The stores are mostly owned by Chinese families and are all Chinese or Asian-themed. This is the best place in Milan to taste some authentic Chinese viands. The best time to visit the Quartiere Cinese is between January and February, during the Chinese New Year. Stores are decorated beautifully with red lanterns. The New Year Parade also takes place, rounding off with their signature “dragon dance”. Read More

Italy's oldest Modern Art Museum, Modern Art Gallery, houses over 47,000 individual pieces of artwork ranging from paintings and sculptures to photographs and installations. It has always connected historical art pieces to modern debates, keeping them relevant in the contemporary world. Locally popular as GAM, this museum has been open to the public since 1863 and keeps evolving with new additions. Artwork is displayed in a thematic grouping that changes over time and keeps the visitors' perspective fresh.Neighborhood: The GAM is located in Centro, where Milan's heart beats. This area is home to Milan's historical symbol, the gothic cathedral surrounding Duomo Square. This neighborhood is also a shopper's true delight. Read More

There are restaurants in old train carriage settings, and then there is a restaurant in an old tram that runs! AtMosphera offers a relaxing tram ride throughout Milan as you enjoy a gourmet four-course meal. The journey starts and ends at Piazza Castello and lasts about two and a half hours. ATMosfera offers three meal options—seafood, meat and vegetarian, with different choices of wine and extras. In addition, there are two trams, ATMosfera1 and ATMosfera2, each having 24 seats. These are century-old trams engineered by ATM, Milan’s public transportation company. Dining at ATMosfera is a unique experience and worth a try. Read More

The Golden Triangle is a section of high-end fashion streets in Milan. Via Montenapoleone, parallel to Via della Spiga, connected by Via Sant' Andrea, are three of the most upscale streets. The stores here have an excellent display of designer clothes and shoes for you to window-shop endlessly. In this region one can find top international brands like Gucci, Armani, Chanel, Versace, Prada, Fendi, Trussardi, Valentino, Dolce and Gabbana ad more. These chic, expensive stores become slightly more affordable during January and July when sales happen. In addition, Milan has a biannual Fashion week at the end of February and the beginning of October. This is the busiest time for the Golden Triangle; you can expect to run into celebrities and prominent people from the fashion world. Read More