We had heard friends say that Milan, Italy, is not outstanding from a travel point of view; however, while exploring the European fashion capital, we found that, surprisingly, it has a lot more to offer if you want to delve a little deeper. With only three full days to explore Milan, we started running and tried to see and do as much as possible.
We took the time to visit the main attractions such as The Il Duomo, the Sforza Castle and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, but we also moved away from the crowds in search of street art and interesting neighborhoods. Since this is Italy, we also tried to prioritize meals and try everything from pizza to risotto and cappuccino to appetizers. The following travel guide shows 20 things you can do during your visit to Milan, Italy.
Top 20 Things to Do in Milan, Italy
1) Cathedral of Milan
(Italian: the dome-dome of Milan – Domme of Milan)
Our first stop was Il Duomo, the most famous attraction of the city. The cathedral has lasted almost six centuries, and the exterior is covered with Candoglia marble, which gives it its cream-pink color. Visit a completely different experience both during the day and at night.
Il Duomo is an architectural marvel that has lasted almost six centuries. The facade is decorated with more than 3,400 statues, 135 towers and 700 figures. So it is one of the most awesome examples of Gothic architecture in the world. Its construction began in 1386 and over the centuries it has witnessed important events, from coronations to invasions.
2) Dome terrace
Climbing on the roof of the cathedral was one of the coolest things we did in Milan. We had a great view of the city and it was also very nice to take a closer look at the architecture. A funny little fact that we learned: if you donate enough money, you can get one of these church steeples all for yourself.
The towers, decorated with intricate statues and sculptures, rise to the sky, offering a unique perspective on the greatness of the cathedral. From this elevated vantage point, on clear days, you can see iconic monuments such as the Sforza Castle, the modern skyscrapers of Porta Nuova and the Distant Alps.
Although the terrace is located in the heart of a busy city, it offers a feeling of peace and quiet. The nearest metro station is the Duomo, which is a few steps from the entrance to the cathedral.
3) italian breakfast
Before we arrived in Milan, we weren’t quite sure what an Italian breakfast looked like, so we did a little research and asked around. Apparently, it’s just a coffee and everything sweet, including pastries, bread with jam, cakes or cookies. A friend mentioned a great little café and we had breakfast there every day. Consider drinking a cappuccino and / or espresso with a pastry filled with pecans
An Italian breakfast stands for simplicity and quality. Unlike hearty breakfasts from other cultures, the Italian version focuses on light, fresh and delicious ingredients. Think of perfectly brewed espresso, flaky croissants (cornetti) and maybe a slice of fresh fruit.
