Best Attractions in Milan

Explore Milan’s top attractions with our guide, uncovering iconic landmarks, cultural treasures, and culinary delights that define this vibrant city.

Milan, Italy, is the second most visited city after Rome with almost 11 million people coming to visit every year. Even with COVID-19 causing problems, Milan had more tourists in 2022 than in the year before. In 2020, Milan had only about 773,000 visitors because of travel rules and concerns about safety. Tourists like it because there are historical places to see like the Duomo di Milano and also modern things like fashion. You must be thinking what makes this city so popular among tourists? Well here is a list of the best attractions in Milan which makes it so popular.

Best Places to Visit in Milan

Duomo di Milano

The Duomo di Milano also known as Milan Cathedral is one of the places to visit in Milan. It is built in a Gothic style. It is grand stretching 157 meters long and standing 108.5 meters tall. It is also one of the biggest Catholic cathedrals in the world and the largest in Italy. The cathedral is made from pinkish-white marble and has five main sections called naves and 40 big pillars holding it up. The middle part of the cathedral reaches up to 45 meters. It is made from a mix of bricks and marble. If you climb up to the roof you can see a great view of Milan.

Castello Sforzesco

Castello Sforzesco also called Sforza Castle is a famous symbol of Milan’s past and its connection to the Renaissance period. It was built in the 15th century by Francesco Sforza and is one of the biggest and most impressive castles in Europe. The castle looks really grand and it has beautiful gardens around it too. At first, it was used as a fort for the military but now it is more of a place for art and culture. It is one of the best museums in Milan. You can visit different museums and art galleries inside. Visitors to Castello Sforzesco can see different museums inside like the Museum of Antique Art, the Museum of Musical Instruments, and the Picture Gallery.

Santa Maria Delle Grazie

Santa Maria delle Grazie is recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. It is famous because it holds a painting by Leonardo da Vinci called “The Last Supper”. The church is an amazing example of the Italian Renaissance style. It shows how important art and culture were in Milan when the Sforza family ruled. Santa Maria delle Grazie is not just old it is also a reminder of how creative people can be and how their art can stay alive for a long time.

Piazza Gae Aulenti

Piazza Gae Aulenti in Milan, Italy, is a big round public area that mixes modern style with historical architecture. It is elevated 6 meters above the street making it higher than the surrounding roads. This square is the main part of a big project to make an old train yard into a market. Piazza Gae Aulenti is named after a famous Italian architect, Gae Aulenti. She had a vision for how things should look.

Villa Necchi Campiglio

Villa Necchi Campiglio is an old house turned into a museum. It is famous because it is well-designed and combines different kinds of art and technology. A Milanese architect named Piero Portaluppi built it from 1932 to 1935. The villa shows off Rationalist architecture. The outside of Villa Necchi Campiglio follows a design style of rationalism. The villa was also one of the first places to have advanced technology for its time showing how modern and creative it was. That is why it is one of the best things to see in Milan.

Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio

The Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio is an old church built in Romanesque style. The church is known for its simple and sturdy look. It is one of the oldest churches in Milan. The church you see today was mostly built between the 9th and 10th centuries with some extra parts added in the 12th century. The Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio was designed by a famous architect named Donato Bramante in the late 15th century. The church is important for its religious history and continues to be one of the Milan tourist attractions that attracts people who are interested in spirituality and the past.

Best Museums in Milan

Museo Poldi Pezzoli

This museum has several pieces of art from the Renaissance period as well as decorative arts and historical artifacts.

Bagatti Valsecchi Museum

In this museum, you can find a carefully chosen collection of fancy European furniture and decorative items. The museum used to be a house.

Armani Silos Museum

This museum has the collection of the famous fashion designer Giorgio Armani. You can see clothes, drawings, and videos of his fashion shows.

Leonardo Museum

This museum has a collection of Leonardo da Vinci. The museum is interactive where people can participate and multimedia installations show his inventions and art.

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