Things To Do In Milan: A Beginner’s Guide

Milan is a beautiful city in the Lombardy region of Northern Italy. It is the second most populous city in the country and the most populous in the region. It is renowned for its culture, fashion, and design, and is a popular destination for tourists from all over the world. The city has a long and rich history, and it has been an important center of trade, art, and culture since ancient times. Its many historical sites, museums, and galleries make it one of the most visited cities in Italy. In this blog post we will provide a helpful guide to some of the best things to do in Milan.

History and Culture

Milan has a rich and vibrant history dating back to ancient times. It was founded in the 5th century BC and was originally occupied by the Insubres, a Gallic tribe. In 222 BC, it became part of the Roman Empire and was known as Mediolanum. It was an important center of trade and culture in the Roman Empire, and many of its monuments still stand today, including the Columns of San Lorenzo and the Roman Forum. After the fall of Rome, Milan became an independent city-state ruled by the House of Sforza and was one of the most powerful cities in Europe during the Renaissance. In the 16th century, it became part of the Spanish Empire, then part of the Austrian Empire in the 18th century, and later part of the Kingdom of Italy in the 19th century.

Today, Milan is a bustling city steeped in culture and history. There are many museums and galleries in the city, such as the Pinacoteca di Brera, which houses a collection of Renaissance paintings, sculptures, and drawings by Italian masters such as Raphael, Titian, and Caravaggio. The Museo del Novecento has a permanent collection of 20th-century Italian art, while the Museo di Storia Naturale di Milano features a large collection of natural history artifacts from all around the world.

Architecture and Design

Milan is renowned for its architecture and design. The Duomo di Milano is one of the most iconic landmarks in Milan, and one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in the world. It is an impressive example of Gothic architecture, with its ornate spires and intricate sculptures. Other notable architectural sites include the Sforza Castle, a 15th-century castle built by Francesco Sforza; La Scala opera house, one of the most famous opera houses in the world; and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a historic shopping arcade with high-end shops and cafes.

The city also has many examples of modern architecture, such as the Centro Direzionale di Milano (CDM) skyscraper complex designed by Renzo Piano; Piazza Gae Aulenti, a public square designed by architect Gae Aulenti; and Torre Velasca, a distinctive tower built in 1958 by BBPR architects. Milan is also home to several renowned design schools, such as Domus Academy, Politecnico di Milano, and Scuola Politecnica di Design.

Fashion and Shopping

Milan is one of the leading fashion capitals of the world, and it is home to many of the world’s most famous fashion designers such as Giorgio Armani, Valentino, Versace, Gucci, Prada, Fendi, and Dolce & Gabbana. The city has many high-end boutiques and shopping malls where you can find designer clothes and accessories at discounted prices. The Quadrilatero d’Oro (Golden Quadrilateral) is an area near Via della Spiga that has many designer boutiques and stores. The Corso Buenos Aires is a popular shopping street with more than 350 shops selling clothes, shoes, accessories, cosmetics, electronics, jewelry, furniture, books, and much more.

Nightlife

Milan’s nightlife is vibrant and lively with many bars, pubs, clubs, music venues, and restaurants to choose from. Brera is one of the most popular nightlife districts in Milan with its many bars and clubs that stay open until late night. Navigli is another popular area for nightlife with its many bars and pubs dotted along its canals. There are also several music venues in Milan such as Fabrique Club for live music performances; Alcatraz for indie concerts; and Santeria Social Club for jazz music.

Food and Drink

Milan is a culinary paradise with its many restaurants serving dishes from all over Italy. The city is renowned for its delicious Italian cuisine including dishes such as risotto alla milanese (rice with saffron), cotoletta alla milanese (breaded veal cutlet), ossobuco (veal shank with vegetables), and panettone (traditional Milanese sweet bread). There are many restaurants in Milan that specialize in regional cuisine such as trattorias serving Tuscan dishes; osterias serving Lombardian dishes; pizzerias serving Neapolitan pizzas; and gelaterias serving creamy gelato.

Milan also has many bars where you can sample local wines and beers as well as aperitivos (Italian tapas). Aperitivo bars serve a buffet-style selection of snacks such as bruschetta, crostini, olives, cheese platters, cold cuts, vegetable salads, pasta dishes, and other Italian delicacies. You can also find many craft breweries in Milan serving small-batch beers made with local ingredients.

Popular Tours

If you’re looking for an insightful way to explore Milan’s sights and attractions then there are plenty of tours you can join that will give you a unique perspective on this beautiful city. One popular tour is the “Milan City Sightseeing Tour” which takes you around some of Milan’s main attractions such as the Duomo di Milano, La Scala opera house, Sforza Castle, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping arcade, and more. On this tour you will learn about Milan’s history as you explore its monuments and landmarks with an experienced guide. You will also get to visit some of its most iconic neighborhoods such as Brera and Navigli for an insight into local life in Milan. At the end of the tour you will have a clear understanding of Milan’s culture and heritage. You can book this tour here.

Another popular tour that you can join is the “Gourmet Food Tour” which takes you on an exploration of Milan’s culinary traditions as you sample some of its most famous dishes at local restaurants and markets. You will get to try some traditional Italian dishes such as risotto alla milanese and ossobuco as well as some of Milan’s specialties such as cotoletta alla milanese or panettone. You will also get to visit some local markets to sample regional cheeses and wines as well as try some traditional Italian desserts such as gelato or cannoli. This tour will give you an insight into how Italian food is prepared and cooked with local ingredients giving you an appreciation for Italian cuisine that you won’t find anywhere else. You can book this tour here.

Conclusion

Milan is a vibrant city full of culture, history, fashion, design, food, drink, music, art and more. Whether you’re looking to stroll around some iconic attractions or sample some delicious Italian cuisine there is something for everyone in this amazing city. With its many monuments, galleries, museums, boutiques, bars, pubs, clubs, music venues and restaurants there are plenty of things to keep you busy in Milan. We hope that this blog post has given you some ideas on what to do in this beautiful city so that you can make your visit to Milan an unforgettable one!