Looking for what to visit in Milan on a first or second trip? From Gothic spires and Renaissance genius to elegant 19th-century arcades, the city blends history, style and culture like few others. Below is a curated selection of iconic sights to help you prioritize, all easy to reach from our hotel near Milan.
5 top sights to visit in Milan
Duomo di Milano (Milan Cathedral)
Milan’s unmistakable icon: anyone should visit it at least once in a lifetime! Don’t miss a visit to the terrace, which offers a breathtaking view of the city and can be accessed by stairs or an elevator.
Located in Piazza Duomo, it is the third largest cathedral in the world, after St. Peter’s Basilica and the Seville Cathedral.
Admire the marble façade and step inside for a forest of columns, then head up to the Rooftop Terraces to walk among the spires for unique city views.
Did you know?
The cathedral took nearly six centuries to be built: construction began in 1386, and was completed over 500 years later by order of Napoleon.
The façade is decorated with 136 spires and 2.000 statues (one of them the famous “Madonnina” which watches over the city) and the inside consists of 5 imposing naves supported by 52 columns.
Tip from the concierge
Tip: book skip-the-line tickets in advance, and remember that the rooftop has separate access and timed entries.
Tickets
Visit the official web page of the Duomo to check opening hours and book your tour: https://ticket.duomomilano.it/en/categoria/biglietti
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
A masterpiece of 19th-century iron-and-glass architecture, this elegant covered arcade links the Duomo to La Scala. Cafés, historic shops and haute couture make it the city’s “drawing room.”
Did you know?
On the central mosaic floor you’ll spot a bull from Turin’s coat of arms. Locals believe that spinning your heel three times on the bull’s “sensitive spot” brings good luck… so much so that the tiles there are often worn down!
Tip from the concierge
Don’t miss the spectacular glass dome!
Castello Sforzesco
A symbol of the city, not far from the Duomo, is this imposing construction built in the mid-1400s by the noble Visconti family to protect the city. The Sforza Castle is one of Europe’s most impressive citadels and today it hosts several civic museums ranging from Renaissance art to musical instruments and ancient sculpture, with Parco Sempione just behind for a relaxing stroll.
Did you know?
Leonardo da Vinci used to work here when he moved to the court of Ludovico Sforza during the Renaissance.
The Castle houses several museums, first of all the Milan Archaeological Museum and the famous gallery called Pinacoteca Sforzesca, which exhibits over 1,500 works of art dating between the 13th and the 18th century.
Tickets
The Castle Museums are open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:30 (the ticket office closes at 16:30). A single ticket allows entry to all the Castle Museums. https://www.milanocastello.it/it/home
Teatro alla Scala (La Scala Opera House)
Located in Piazza della Scala, this is one of the most prestigious opera houses in Italy (along with San Carlo in Naples and La Fenice in Venice).
Opened in 1778, La Scala is among the world’s most prestigious opera houses. If you aren’t attending a performance, you can still visit the La Scala Theatre Museum to see costumes, instruments and memorabilia celebrating centuries of music history.
Did you know?
La Scala hosted the opening nights of Verdi’s Otello and Bellini’s Norma among others, and saw the performances of all the icons of “il bel canto”.
Tip from the concierge
Performance schedules sell out quickly; check dates early if you wish to attend.
Tickets
Visit the official web page of Museo Teatrale alla Scala to arrange your tour: https://www.museoscala.org/en/index.html
Pinacoteca di Brera
In the heart of the artistic Brera district, this gallery houses masterpieces from the Renaissance to the 19th century. It began alongside the Academy of Fine Arts and remains one of Italy’s most important public collections.
Did you know?
Its 40 rooms house some of the major Italian works of art; masterpieces such as Raphael’s The Marriage of the Virgin, Caravaggio’s Supper at Emmaus, Mantegna’s Christ and Piero della Francesca’s The Virgin and Child, to name but a few.
Tip from the Concierge
Make time for Mantegna’s Dead Christ, Piero della Francesca, Caravaggio and Hayez.
Did you know?
Visit the official web page of Pinacoteca di Brera to arrange your tour.
https://pinacotecadibrera.eventim-inhouse.de/webshop/webticket/timeslot
The Last Supper (Cenacolo Vinciano)
Leonardo da Vinci’s legendary mural (1495-1497) in the refectory of Santa Maria delle Grazie is a defining work of the Renaissance.
Did you know?
In 1652 a doorway was cut into the refectory wall, slicing off the lower part of Leonardo’s scene and likely removing Jesus’ feet. The door was later bricked up, but the loss is still visible today.
Tip from the concierge
Access is strictly timed and numbers are limited to preserve the painting, therefore is essential to reserve well in advance; same-day tickets are rare.
Tip from the concierge
Visit the official web page of the Cenacolo Vinciano Museum to arrange your tour: https://cenacolovinciano.org/en/visit/
Where to stay near Milan: Hotel de la Ville in Monza
If you prefer the elegance of a quiet base over the city rush, Hotel de la Ville in Monza is a refined choice near Milan.
You can reach the Duomo area in about 30 minutes by car or opt for train + metro for predictable travel times. After a full day ticking off what to visit in Milan, return to classic interiors, tailored service and the gourmet Derby Grill, the perfect balance between proximity to the city and the calm of a destination hotel.
Our concierge is at your disposal to plan your visit to Milan: timed-entry tickets, transfers, metro routes, museum reservations, and restaurant bookings. So you can focus on what to visit in Milan while we handle the details.