Milan is the shopping and cultural center of Italy and the “gateway” to the attractions of Northern Italy, be it lakes, mountains, or medieval towns.
Tourists often combine enjoying city attractions with visiting the picturesque countryside, so let us dive into it and explore what Milan can offer vacationers.
When is the Best Time to Visit Milan?
Milan is located in Northern Italy. This means the local weather is usually mild and gentle but a bit rainy, particularly from November to March. Therefore, the best time to visit the city and its surroundings is late spring, summer, and early autumn.
Remember that July and August are considered pretty hot and humid and aren’t always comfortable for long-distance strolling. Let us say that May, June, and September are almost perfect for traveling to Northern Italy.
On the other hand, if you prefer a “low” tourist season to travel, then it is better to choose April or October. These months can be quite rainy and blustery, but fewer tourists are around.
Please note that in January, February, June, and September, the fashion weeks are held in Milan, and the city can be a little overcrowded, including problems with booking hotels.
What Not to Miss in Milan, Italy
As we mentioned above, Milan is a cultural center of Italy. Here, you can find numerous historical and architectural monuments, museums, the world-renowned opera house, a one-of-a-kind palace, and many more things to do.
Milan is also a fashion center in Italy, and shopping opportunities are almost unlimited in the city, be it shopping centers, galleries, outlets, etc. The travel routes may vary depending on your preferences. Let us outline the main points of attraction.
Milan Duomo
The Milan Duomo is a world-known site whose image is truly iconic. The Gothic-style Cathedral has a long history, lasting five centuries, and can boast unique architectural features such as stained-glass windows and magnificent statues.
Most tourists take photos in front of the cathedral, but we recommend climbing up the building to see Duomo Square from a different angle. Depending on the entrance ticket you purchase, you can go upstairs on foot or by lift.
La Scala Opera House
The La Scala Opera House is one more world-known site in Milan. Even if you are not interested in classical music, it is worth visiting the House, which has excursions held inside the building. You can observe lush interiors with gilded ceilings and magnificent stairs. The iconic red velvet decoration will amaze you with its splendor.
The organized tours take place a few times a day. The timetable and schedule for upcoming performances can be found on the Opera House’s official website. The excursion usually lasts one hour.
Museums in Milan, Itlay
It is recommended that you visit one of the famous museums in Milan. For instance, the Leonardo Da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology offers various interactive experiments, so you can observe the museum’s collection and create something new. It is a very fun place for both adults and kids.
Another great museum is the Brera Art Gallery, which exhibits an extensive collection of masterpieces. After a busy day, you can stroll around the Brera Gardens to feel quiet and peaceful.
If you are interested in art, the Sforza Castle is also a good place to visit. Built in the 15th century, it preserved its original architecture. Nowadays, it is an art museum with works by great artists and sculptors, including Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo.
The Royal Palace recently opened its doors to visitors after a long-lasting reconstruction. Built in the 18th century, it retains features of the Neoclassical style.
One more point of your city route should be the Vittorio Emanuele Gallery. The gallery’s construction dates back to the mid-19th century and is a historical monument. Nevertheless, it is now used as a fashion passage. You can find many original architectural decorations, including frescoes, statues, and mosaics, carefully preserved.
How to Choose Where to Eat in Milan
Italy is a country of gourmets, so many tourists choose it as a vacation spot because of its beaches, attractions, and opportunities for gastronomic tourism.
If we do not talk about haute cuisine (fine dining), then the most common dishes in Italy are all kinds of pasta with delicious sauces, pizza, calzone, and other pastries, fresh fish and seafood, and for dessert, the Italians invented the most delicious ice cream and tiramisu dessert. Add to this the world-famous Italian wines, and you will understand that lunch or dinner in Italy is a true “paradise” for gourmets.
Restaurants: The most expensive food segment is considered a restaurant, especially if it specializes in haute cuisine. Here, the average bill starts from 50 euros and goes up to infinity. But it is here that you can try authentic gourmet dishes. Recommended stops include Langosteria, Primè Ristorante, and Trippa.
Cafes: It is a little cheaper to eat in a cafe. As a rule, there are various options such as “breakfasts,” “business lunches,” etc. The food here is less pretentious than in restaurants, but you can “stumble upon” real masterpieces if, for example, this is a family cafe away from the tourist trails. The cost of food in a cafe should be calculated based on 30-40 euros per person. Good options include Osteria Lagrandissima and Trattoria Madonnina.
Pizzerias: Instead of fast food, Italians often go to pizzerias, where you can eat pizza on the go or take away freshly baked pizza. Such pizza costs 5 euros, and the average check is about 10-20 euros. Local pizzerias carefully preserve the cooking and baking traditions so you can find a real delicacy! Great pizzerias include Sidewalk Kitchens, Glory Pop, and La Bufalotta.
What are the Best Day Trips from Milan
A day trip from Milan offers the chance to escape the city’s urban energy and discover the beauty of Italy’s nearby treasures.
Within a short travel time, you can explore serene lakes, picturesque villages, or culturally rich towns.
It’s an ideal way to complement Milan’s vibrant atmosphere with a peaceful yet enriching experience in the surrounding region.
Day Trip to Verona from Milan
Verona is such an obvious travel destination from Milan as the cities are located at a distance of only 170 km. Verona has historical attractions, be it the ancient Roman Arena, the medieval Lamberti Tower, or the Castelvecchio Castle of the 10th century.
One of the most popular sites in Verona is undoubtedly Juliet’s house, which is not a historical monument but a location from Shakespeare`s novel. Another option is to climb up the Lamberti Tower, which is 84 m high, and overview the city from its observation deck.
Day Trip to Lake Garda from Milan
Lake Garda is such a charming place to visit at any time of the year. In summer, you can swim, sunbathe, and go to the Gardaland WaterPark here; in other seasons, you can stroll around the tiny picturesque towns, observe the fascinating architecture, enjoy the countryside views, and try local gastronomy. Lake Garda can offer a great variety of things to do.
Travelers can visit Sirmione to see the famous Grottoes of Catullus and take baths in one of the thermal spa complexes, as Sirmione is well-known for its thermal springs. Another great option is to go to Peschiera del Garda, the “gateway” to the Gardaland Water Park.
Day Trip to Lake Como from Milan
Lake Como is the closest lake to Milan. It takes only 30 minutes to reach its shores. A range of beautiful towns are scattered around the lake, and I should say it is quite difficult to choose only one to visit!
You can start with Como Town. It is a typical resort with many restaurants and cafes where you can sit, relax, and enjoy the views. You can also choose to visit more remote towns, such as the Triangle of Bellagio, Menaggio, and Varenna. Travelers can move between them by ferry, and it is possible to observe them all within a one-day trip.
Day Trip to Lake Maggiore from Milan
Lake Maggiore is located further than the two lakes mentioned above, but it is definitely worth visiting. The best starting point is the town of Stresa.
There are many things to do in Stresa. For example, you can take a boat trip to Borromean islands to enjoy the lake views and visit villas and gardens. It is such a picturesque area with landscaped parks, hanging gardens, and peacocks walking around! You can also climb Mottarone Mountain by cable car and view the town and the Alpinia Botanical Garden.
Another great way to spend time in Stresa is to take an excursion to one of the following points: the Monastery of Santa Catarina, which is located on a steep cliff; Villa Taranto, with its blooming gardens; or Villa Pallavicino, with its amazing lake views.
Day Trip to Genoa from Milan
If you want to go to the sea, you can choose between the Venetian Riviera and the Ligurian. Let’s talk about the Liguria region today. It is a picturesque area with marvelous, colorful architecture and a crystal blue sea raging to the cliffs. I recommend starting with Genoa, the region’s administrative and cultural center.
Genoa boasts a rich historical heritage, unique architectural sites, and fascinating museums. Its architectural monuments include the Palazzos Rosso, Bianco, and Tursi, the Cathedral of St. Lorenzo, the Museum of the Ligurian Academy of Fine Arts, the church of the Gesu, and many more.
Planning a Milan, Italy Vacation
Milan, Italy, is a great travel destination in many ways. You can enjoy the huge variety of architectural monuments here, visit numerous museums, have a great shopping day, try local gastronomy, or even go for a one-day trip to explore the whole region.
Milan offers many things to do, depending on your preferences, so do not miss it when planning your trip around Italy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Julia Mam, of BadenGuide.com, has been traveling to Europe since 2008. She started her travel blog in 2015 to help people plan their trips around Europe. Julia is in love with exploring European travel destinations and focuses mainly on how-to-get-there travel tips.