Top 5 things to do in Milan

Milan’s cultural heritage is undoubtedly one of the most important in Italy. As the capital of Lombardy, you’ll need time to visit this sublime city from top to bottom. You’ll have the opportunity to vary the pleasures between discovering the old town of Milan and its surprising buildings, or visiting one of the temples of European football such as San Siro. Not forgetting, of course, that Italian gastronomy should be discovered and treated as an activity in its own right, so delicious are its specialities. If you’re still hesitating about taking a trip to Lombardy, here’s a list of things to do that will make your stay even more memorable!

1- Visit the Duomo Cathedral

Category: $ / Cultural

The Duomo Cathedral, the emblem of the city of Milan, is one of the most important religious buildings in Italy and the whole of Europe. The Duomo is the third-largest church in the world, just behind the Cathedral of Our Lady of the See in Seville and, of course, St Peter’s Basilica in Rome and the Vatican in particular. Construction of this Gothic-style cathedral began in 1386. 506 years later, in 1892, construction of the Duomo Cathedral was finally completed, before being renovated in 1965. Located in the Piazza del Duomo, Milan’s central square, this imposing cathedral is a must-see when visiting the Lombard capital. During your visit, you’ll have the chance to learn about the history of Saint Ambrose, bishop of Milan from 374 to 397, who left an indelible mark on the city. Contemplate the cathedral’s stained glass windows, wander through the 27 rooms that make up the building and admire the view over the whole of Milan from the terraces of the Duomo cathedral. It is important to note, however, that proper attire is required to visit this holy place, and that anything considered extravagant is strictly forbidden, on pain of being refused entry.

2- Visit / Watch a football match in Milan’s iconic stadium

Category: $$ / Sporting / Cultural

In Italy, football is a veritable religion, and probably even more so in Milan. The city is home to two world-renowned clubs: AC Milan and Inter Milan. Both teams share the same stadium. However, depending on which team is playing, the name of the stadium changes, hence the fact that it’s not mentioned above, so there’s no jealousy! When AC Milan play at home, the stadium is called San Siro, the district in which the stadium is located. On the other hand, when Inter Milan play, the stadium is called Giuseppe-Meazza, after a former Italian player who was a double world champion in 1934 and 1938. Call it what you like, but this is the biggest stadium in Italy, with a capacity of 80,018. Its atmosphere is unrivalled anywhere else, and you can feel the fervour of the Italian people when it comes to football. Whether you’re a football fan or not, you’re in for a unique experience. If you simply want to visit the stadium, you’ll have access to the players’ changing rooms, the San Siro museum, the tunnel through which the players enter and the steep bleachers that give the stadium its charm.

3- Discover Milan via the Navigli canals

Category: $ / Unusual / Cultural

Climb aboard a small electric boat to discover Milan in a different way. You’ll sail along the Navigli canals, which used to lead to Milan either via the Ticino, a Swiss-Italian river, or via the Adda, another river, this time from Lombardy. This tour will give you the chance to discover Milan’s colourful traditional houses. Your guide will tell you all about the history of the buildings you pass, including the 12th-century church of San Cristoforo. You’ll discover the place where the Marscarpone was born, and one of the liveliest places in Milan, the modern Darsena. Here you can eat, party and stroll along the quays. If you have trouble with the Italian language, don’t worry, just ask for headphones.

4- Discover Milan through its gastronomy

Category: $$$ / Gastronomy

If you want to discover Milan’s best specialities in the area’s best restaurants, this is the activity for you! Let yourself be taken on board by a guide specialising in Italian gastronomy. First, enjoy a glass of sparkling Franciacorta wine. Next, a risotto will be served in one of Milan’s most prestigious restaurants, accompanied by a pasta dish and a glass of white wine. Continue your culinary journey by sampling different types of local cheese in one of Milan’s most famous cheese dairies. And finally, the icing on the cake, a five-course meal will fill your belly (if you haven’t already). Grilled meat, antipasti, vegetables, dessert, quality wine, everything to make you happy.

5- Discover Milan the fun way

Category: $ / Unusual

If you’re a family, discovering Milan in the form of a treasure hunt is a fun way that’s sure to delight your children. Using your phone, you’ll have to solve riddles while visiting Milan’s most legendary landmarks. Take your time, stop for a gelato or a coffee, and rest your legs, because in Milan, you walk a lot!