Milan TOP 10
Sightseeing
One of the most extraordinary castles in Italy, as well as a symbol of the Milanese Renaissance. The castle contains seven thematic museums, to which all the people who grew up in Milan went to as children. If you book the route on the so-called “camminamento di ronda”, i.e., patrol walkway, you will have the whole city in front of you, including the cathedral, seen from the castle.
Useful information:
Standard price: 5 €
Metro stop: Cairoli-Cadorna (M2)
If you have little time, visit the Civic Collections of Ancient Art: it is the castle’s most beautiful exhibition and leads you through the frescoed ducal apartments! I also recommend, if you are in the area in the evening, to go and see the castle lit up at night; I always thought it was a very romantic place…
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Castillo Sforza
Piazza CastelloOne of the most extraordinary castles in Italy, as well as a symbol of the Milanese Renaissance. The castle contains seven thematic museums, to which all the people who grew up in Milan went to as children. If you book the route on the so-called “camminamento di ronda”, i.e., patrol walkway, you will have the whole city in front of you, including the cathedral, seen from the castle.
Useful information:
Standard price: 5 €
Metro stop: Cairoli-Cadorna (M2)
If you have little time, visit the Civic Collections of Ancient Art: it is the castle’s most beautiful exhibition and leads you through the frescoed ducal apartments! I also recommend, if you are in the area in the evening, to go and see the castle lit up at night; I always thought it was a very romantic place…
The art gallery is undoubtedly the richest art collection in Milan. It was Napoleon who founded it in 1809, next to the academy of fine arts, and has a unique collection of works of Italian painting ranging from 1300 to 1900. As a child, my mother made me guess which period / by which painter the works were. I have always found it to be a rather fun game (even if I was cheating very often)! In fact, the exhibition gives you a very crisp image of how Italian art evolved in the years, both in style and in content.
Useful information:
Price: € 10/7 audio guides: € 5
Metro stop: Lanza (M2) Montenapoleone (M3)
During lunchtime you will meet face to face with the students of the Academy: the atmosphere is truly special. You might meet me! Furthermore, after visiting the halls of the art gallery you can take a tour of the ground floor where the works of the students are sometimes exhibited and where you can see their ateliers.
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Pinacoteca di Brera
28 Via BreraThe art gallery is undoubtedly the richest art collection in Milan. It was Napoleon who founded it in 1809, next to the academy of fine arts, and has a unique collection of works of Italian painting ranging from 1300 to 1900. As a child, my mother made me guess which period / by which painter the works were. I have always found it to be a rather fun game (even if I was cheating very often)! In fact, the exhibition gives you a very crisp image of how Italian art evolved in the years, both in style and in content.
Useful information:
Price: € 10/7 audio guides: € 5
Metro stop: Lanza (M2) Montenapoleone (M3)
During lunchtime you will meet face to face with the students of the Academy: the atmosphere is truly special. You might meet me! Furthermore, after visiting the halls of the art gallery you can take a tour of the ground floor where the works of the students are sometimes exhibited and where you can see their ateliers.
It is only natural that the city that for a long time hosted the genius of Leonardo and his inventions is now the host of the biggest technology museum in Italy. In fact, an entire gallery is dedicated to the exhibition of Leonardo's models, built on the basis of the original sketches made by the master. Part of the exhibition is housed in an old monastery, so wandering around the exhibition you will also be able to enjoy two magnificent sixteenth-century cloisters. The collection boasts airplanes, locomotives, sailing ships, telescopes, the Enrico Toti submarine, and even an ESA rocket.
Useful information:
Price: € 10 / 7.50; submarine tour 8 €
Metro: Sant’Ambrogio (M2)
To board the submarine, take a guided tour that can be booked at the information desk. A submarine simulation has recently been introduced in which you will be able to board and complete a mission! Furthermore, if you are interested in the virtual helicopter flight simulator (20 min), which I think is super fun, you must book at the cash desks.
472 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Le Botteghe di Leonardo
55 Corso di Porta RomanaIt is only natural that the city that for a long time hosted the genius of Leonardo and his inventions is now the host of the biggest technology museum in Italy. In fact, an entire gallery is dedicated to the exhibition of Leonardo's models, built on the basis of the original sketches made by the master. Part of the exhibition is housed in an old monastery, so wandering around the exhibition you will also be able to enjoy two magnificent sixteenth-century cloisters. The collection boasts airplanes, locomotives, sailing ships, telescopes, the Enrico Toti submarine, and even an ESA rocket.
Useful information:
Price: € 10 / 7.50; submarine tour 8 €
Metro: Sant’Ambrogio (M2)
To board the submarine, take a guided tour that can be booked at the information desk. A submarine simulation has recently been introduced in which you will be able to board and complete a mission! Furthermore, if you are interested in the virtual helicopter flight simulator (20 min), which I think is super fun, you must book at the cash desks.
One of the largest urban redevelopment projects in Europe has recently changed the appearance of this area of Milan, which was emptied of the railway structures that occupied the area until the 1960s. The project, with its skyscrapers designed by numerous architectural stars, has certainly given the city a skyline of international inspiration. The focus of the intervention is the new square named after the architect and designer Gae Aulenti, which represents the connection point between the Garibaldi, Isola and Varesine districts. The park right next to it, called 'the library of trees' is personally my favorite part of Milan, where I spent many days studying under the trees. In the evening, an LED installation lights up using the solar energy accumulated during the day, giving suggestive light effects. Also, do not miss a visit to the suggestive concept shop 10 Corso Como, founded in 1991 by Carla Sozzani, sister of the director of Vogue Italia. If, on the other hand, you prefer furnishing accessories and the most superfluous but intriguing objects, get lost in the labyrinthine High Tech loft, hidden in an internal courtyard in Piazza 25 Aprile.
751 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Plaza Gae Aulenti
1785 Piazza Gae AulentiOne of the largest urban redevelopment projects in Europe has recently changed the appearance of this area of Milan, which was emptied of the railway structures that occupied the area until the 1960s. The project, with its skyscrapers designed by numerous architectural stars, has certainly given the city a skyline of international inspiration. The focus of the intervention is the new square named after the architect and designer Gae Aulenti, which represents the connection point between the Garibaldi, Isola and Varesine districts. The park right next to it, called 'the library of trees' is personally my favorite part of Milan, where I spent many days studying under the trees. In the evening, an LED installation lights up using the solar energy accumulated during the day, giving suggestive light effects. Also, do not miss a visit to the suggestive concept shop 10 Corso Como, founded in 1991 by Carla Sozzani, sister of the director of Vogue Italia. If, on the other hand, you prefer furnishing accessories and the most superfluous but intriguing objects, get lost in the labyrinthine High Tech loft, hidden in an internal courtyard in Piazza 25 Aprile.
It and Palazzo Reale are probably the two most famous art galleries in Milan, located a few steps from the Duomo. The museum of the ‘Novecento’, i.e., of the twentieth century includes about 400 works of the twentieth century, arranged in chronological order in such a way as to transport the visitor through the artistic evolution of the twentieth century. But surely the main exhibition site in Milan is the Palazzo Reale, i.e., royal palace. In the Middle Ages, this was the seat of the city government; although following renovations it is nowadays in neoclassical style. The palace does not have fixed exhibitions but temporary exhibitions, the destination of many school trips. This is the building that made me fall in love with art personally!
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Museo del Novecento
8 P.za del DuomoIt and Palazzo Reale are probably the two most famous art galleries in Milan, located a few steps from the Duomo. The museum of the ‘Novecento’, i.e., of the twentieth century includes about 400 works of the twentieth century, arranged in chronological order in such a way as to transport the visitor through the artistic evolution of the twentieth century. But surely the main exhibition site in Milan is the Palazzo Reale, i.e., royal palace. In the Middle Ages, this was the seat of the city government; although following renovations it is nowadays in neoclassical style. The palace does not have fixed exhibitions but temporary exhibitions, the destination of many school trips. This is the building that made me fall in love with art personally!
UNESCO World Heritage Site, built in 1463, the basilica is famous for being the site of Leonardo da Vinci's 'Last Supper', one of the most amazing works in the world. To see it, you usually need to book well in advance, but by organizing yourself you will be able not only to enjoy the Last Supper but also the other treasures kept inside the basilica. The basilica itself, with its red bricks, is just as beautiful to look at, especially when the sunset brings out the colors.
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Santa Maria delle Grazie
Piazza di Santa Maria delle GrazieUNESCO World Heritage Site, built in 1463, the basilica is famous for being the site of Leonardo da Vinci's 'Last Supper', one of the most amazing works in the world. To see it, you usually need to book well in advance, but by organizing yourself you will be able not only to enjoy the Last Supper but also the other treasures kept inside the basilica. The basilica itself, with its red bricks, is just as beautiful to look at, especially when the sunset brings out the colors.
The ‘Rotonda’, i.e., roundabout, preserves a pinch of eighteenth-century Milan; everything, inside, seems to be protected as inside a casket. It consists of a large almost circular portico and was originally used as a burial place for the dead of the Ospedale Maggiore. Inside, in fact, you will find the Church of San Michele, a building with a Greek cross plan and an octagonal dome. Today the roundabout, with its green clippings isolated from traffic, has become one of the most coveted places for carrying out Milanese cultural activities, but above all a place to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the city and relax on the grass with a good book. .
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Rotonda della Besana
12 Via Enrico BesanaThe ‘Rotonda’, i.e., roundabout, preserves a pinch of eighteenth-century Milan; everything, inside, seems to be protected as inside a casket. It consists of a large almost circular portico and was originally used as a burial place for the dead of the Ospedale Maggiore. Inside, in fact, you will find the Church of San Michele, a building with a Greek cross plan and an octagonal dome. Today the roundabout, with its green clippings isolated from traffic, has become one of the most coveted places for carrying out Milanese cultural activities, but above all a place to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the city and relax on the grass with a good book. .
The neogothic building that mysteriously towers over Corso Venezia, inside the park of Porta Venezia, is the Civic Museum of Natural History, the most important naturalistic collection in Italy, with a heritage of almost 3 million pieces. The lower level houses a large collection of fossils and minerals, but the real pearl is the giant skeleton of a T-rex. On the upper floor, on the other hand, there is the flagship of the museum, which is the largest collection of dioramas in Italy, i.e., full-scale model reconstructions of the most precious nature reserves in the world. Next to it you will also find the Ulrico Hoepli planetarium, where guided observations of the sky, thematic conferences and special events are carried out against the backdrop of the celestial vault. The Museum Didactic Association (ADM) which deals with scientific dissemination in the museum sections, offers a wide range of activities for all tastes and age groups.
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Museo de Historia Natural de Milán
55 Corso VeneziaThe neogothic building that mysteriously towers over Corso Venezia, inside the park of Porta Venezia, is the Civic Museum of Natural History, the most important naturalistic collection in Italy, with a heritage of almost 3 million pieces. The lower level houses a large collection of fossils and minerals, but the real pearl is the giant skeleton of a T-rex. On the upper floor, on the other hand, there is the flagship of the museum, which is the largest collection of dioramas in Italy, i.e., full-scale model reconstructions of the most precious nature reserves in the world. Next to it you will also find the Ulrico Hoepli planetarium, where guided observations of the sky, thematic conferences and special events are carried out against the backdrop of the celestial vault. The Museum Didactic Association (ADM) which deals with scientific dissemination in the museum sections, offers a wide range of activities for all tastes and age groups.
Any guide of Milan starts, trivially, from the Duomo. It took more than 500 years to complete what has always been the most iconic attraction in the city. Inaugurated by Gian Galeazzo Visconti in 1386, the Italian Gothic-style cathedral, with its 136 spiers and over 3000 Carrara marble statues, is the largest medieval cathedral in Italy. At the top of the cathedral resides the symbol of the city, the so-called 'Madonnina', a 4.16m high statue of the Virgin Mary in gilded copper placed at the highest point of the cathedral. Inspired by it, Giovanni D'Anzi wrote perhaps the most iconic song written in Milanese: 'O mia bella madunina'. I recommend you to walk around Piazza Duomo while listening to it!
Useful information:
Usual admission price: € 3 for the cathedral, € 12 for the terraces on top of the Duomo (for which there are 2 main types of tickets, daytime and evening)
With the cathedral pass (Pass A with the lift full / reduced € 16/8, Pass B on foot full / reduced € 12/6) you will have access to the terraces, the cathedral museums and the archaeological areas.
If you manage to climb the terraces on foot (165 steps), you will save money and time (the queue for the lift can be very long)
I recommend that you take the ticket for the terraces at sunset. The view at that time is priceless!
2114 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Catedral de Milán
Piazza del DuomoAny guide of Milan starts, trivially, from the Duomo. It took more than 500 years to complete what has always been the most iconic attraction in the city. Inaugurated by Gian Galeazzo Visconti in 1386, the Italian Gothic-style cathedral, with its 136 spiers and over 3000 Carrara marble statues, is the largest medieval cathedral in Italy. At the top of the cathedral resides the symbol of the city, the so-called 'Madonnina', a 4.16m high statue of the Virgin Mary in gilded copper placed at the highest point of the cathedral. Inspired by it, Giovanni D'Anzi wrote perhaps the most iconic song written in Milanese: 'O mia bella madunina'. I recommend you to walk around Piazza Duomo while listening to it!
Useful information:
Usual admission price: € 3 for the cathedral, € 12 for the terraces on top of the Duomo (for which there are 2 main types of tickets, daytime and evening)
With the cathedral pass (Pass A with the lift full / reduced € 16/8, Pass B on foot full / reduced € 12/6) you will have access to the terraces, the cathedral museums and the archaeological areas.
If you manage to climb the terraces on foot (165 steps), you will save money and time (the queue for the lift can be very long)
I recommend that you take the ticket for the terraces at sunset. The view at that time is priceless!