Things to do in Milan
Many of Milan's sights surround the flamboyant Duomo cathedral, which dominates the city's central square, Piazza del Duomo. Nearby Brera boasts world-class religious art in the Pinacoteca di Brera, while the Santa Maria delle Grazie church is home to the famous Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci (both are closed Monday). A leisurely boat trip on serene Lake Como provides a scenic retreat north of the city.
Castello Sforzesco
Impressive Renaissance architecture
An impressive piece of 14th-century architecture, the vast Castello Sforzesco
fortress in Parco Sempione encircles an arcaded Renaissance courtyard. Its
collection of museums exhibit decorative arts, musical instruments and
tapestries. Highlights include Michelangelo's emotive Rondanini
Pietà.
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Cost
Free (castle); €3, concessions €1.50, under-18s free (museums)
Opening Hours
Castle: Daily 7am-6pm (until 7pm in summer); Museums: Tue-Sun 9am-5.30pm
Address
3, Piazza Castello, Milan 20121
Telephone
+39 02 88 46 37 00
Pinacoteca di Brera
Renaissance masters
Napoleon's ill-gotten gains form one of the world's best Italian Renaissance
art collections, Pinacoteca di Brera, housed in a fine Renaissance palace in
Brera. The 38 rooms are brimming with 13th-20th-century artworks by
Veronese, Mantegna, Bellini, Carpaccio, and more.
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Cost
€10; concessions €7.50
Opening Hours
Tue-Sun 8.30am-7.15pm
Address
28, Via Brera, Milan 20121
Telephone
+39 0 2 722 631
Poldi Pezzoli Museum
Pre-19th-century paintings
The Poldi Pezzoli Museum, just north of the city centre, displays 15th-18th
century paintings in a private house organised into themed rooms. Highlights
include medieval armoury and works by Raphael and Botticelli, plus
Pollaiolo's famous Portrait of a Woman.
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Cost
€8; concessions €5.50; under-11s free
Opening Hours
Wed-Mon 10am-6pm
Address
12, Via Alessandro Manzoni, Milan 20121
Telephone
+39 02 79 48 89
Duomo
Gothic masterpiece
Dominating the central square, Duomo is the world's largest Gothic cathedral,
with 135 spires sprouting from the roof. Climb up among the 2300 statues
adorning its façade for views of Milan. Inside, marble-patterned floors and
decorative stained-glass windows impress visitors.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily 8.30am-6.45pm
Address
Piazza del Duomo, Milan 20122
Telephone
+39 02 7202 3375
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Elegant 19th-century precinct
Beautiful 19th-century arcade Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is situated on
Milan's central square. Its glass dome forms a roof over elegant cafés and
fashionable boutiques. Pirouette on the bull mosaic for good luck before
joining affluent locals for an espresso.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily all day
Address
Piazza del Duomo, Milan 20123
Transport
Duomo Metro
Santa Maria delle Grazie
Leonardo's Last Supper
UNESCO world heritage site, Santa Maria delle Grazie church and convent in
Sant'Ambrogio was completed in the late 15th century. It is most famous for
housing Leonardo's exquisite Cenacolo (The Last Supper) painting.
Telephone in advance for a 15-minute viewing.
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Cost
€6.50; concessions €3.25; under-18s free (plus €1.50 booking fee)
Opening Hours
Tue-Sun 8.15am-7pm
Address
Piazza Santa Maria delle Grazie 2, Corso Magenta, Milan 20100
Telephone
+39 02 928 00 360 (booking line)
Palazzo Reale
Exhibitions amid Renaissance splendour
Despite on-going renovations, Palazzo Reale on Milan's main square exhibits
temporary exhibitions of art in ornately gilded and decorated Neo-classical
halls. The exhibitions cover a wide range of subjects, from Japanese art to
French Impressionism, Futurism and American contemporary art.
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Cost
Various, according to exhibition
Opening Hours
Mon 2.30pm-7.30pm, Tue & Wed & Fri & Sun 9.30am-7.30pm, Thu & Sat 9.30am-10.30pm
Address
12, Piazza del Duomo, Milan 20123
Telephone
+39 02 80509362
Lake Como
Weekend cruising
A favourite with Hollywood celebrities, beautiful Lake Como is surrounded by
opulent villas, high-peaked mountains and luxurious boutiques. Located 40km
north of Milan, it is a popular weekend escape from the bustling city. Take
a cruise starting from Como town.
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Cost
€1.90-€10 (single adult boat fare)
Opening Hours
Ferries run daily, roughly every half hour from about 7.15am to around 11.30pm
Address
Navigazione Lago di Como (ferry service office), Piazza Cavour 3, Como, Milan 22100
Telephone
+39 031 57 92 11
Ripa di Porta Ticinese, Navigli
Bohemian canalside street
The old canal district in south-west Navigli is picturesquely filled with
artists' studios, eccentric boutiques, antique shops, bars and restaurants.
A perfect place for a relaxing stroll or to mingle with the locals is the
street Ripa di Porta Ticinese.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily all day
Address
Ripa di Porta Ticinese, Navigli, Milan 20143
Transport
Porta Genova FS metro
