Sights and landmarks in Milan

Sights and landmarks in Milan

1. SeeWest

   Allianz Tower (Torre Isozaki)

   The Straight One - Il Dritto

   It is not accessible, but since it is 207 m high with 50 floors you can see it from far away. Designed by Arata Isozaki.

2. SeeCentro Storico

   Ambrosian Gallery and Library

   Pinacoteca e Biblioteca Ambrosiana

   Historical library that also houses the Ambrosian art gallery with treasures such as Leonardo Atlantic Codex.

   €17, or €20 including the crypt

3. SeeWest

   Arco della Pace

   Porta Sempione

   The triumphal arch of peace stands at the place at one of Milan's seven city gates. First the gate was known as Porta Giovia and was closer to the city center. Porta Sempione means "Gate towards Simplon", and once the road leading over the Simplon Pass to Paris went through this gate. The current gate was built in the early 19th century and at that time it was referred to as Arco della Pace.

4. SeeCentro Storico

   Bagatti Valsecchi Museum

   Museo Bagatti Valsecchi

   Extraordinary, somewhat bizarre 1880s house museum of the aristocratic Bagatti Valsecchi brothers, showcasing their passion for Renaissance art and design. Slightly spoiled by unsympathetic electrical wiring and noise-generating machines.

   Tue Wed Fri-Sun 13:00-17:45, Thu 13:00-21:00·€14; entrance is included in the Case Museo (house museums) card

5. SeeCentro Storico

   Basilica di San Lorenzo Maggiore

   Saint Lawrence

   A lovely 4th-century basilica, perhaps is one of the oldest basilicas in Western Europe. It is famous for its beautiful courtyard, with Roman-age columns and statue of the emperor Constantine. The Colonne di San Lorenzo (St. Lawrence's columns) are actually a remain of the Roman "Mediolanum", dating from the 3rd century AD. Further south the square you can see Medieval Porta Ticinese (there is also a homonymous newer gate which lies about 600 m south by Corso di Porta Ticinese).

6. SeeCentro Storico

   Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio

   Saint Ambrose

   A beautiful and huge Romanesque church which was almost destroyed by allied bombing in World War II, although some of its mosaics left well preserved.

7. SeeSouth

   Basilicas Park

   Parco Papa Giovanni Paolo II or Parco delle Basiliche

   Named the Basilicas Park as it connects two basilicas: the Basilica of San Lorenzo and the Basilica of Sant'Eustorgio. Formerly a place for drug use and anti-social behavior, it has been cleaned up and redesigned and is now more pleasant. It was renamed after the late Pope John Paul II.

8. SeeCentro Storico

   Biblioteca Nazionale Braidense

   Biblioteca di Brera

   A library established in 1770 by the Austrian governor. It has since acquired other historical collections and the archives of RAI (Italy's state television). It is very active in organising workshops and debates on new media and new technologies.

9. SeeNorth

   Boschi Di Stefano House Museum

   Casa museo Boschi di Stefano

   Extensive collection of 20th century art. Building (1929–1931) and some furniture by Piero Portaluppi.

   10:00–17:30, closed Mon·Free

10. SeeNorth

    Bosco Verticale

    Vertical Forest

    The residential twin tower's name should be interpreted literally, as it stems from the fact that the buildings' intricate facades contain actual living trees on various levels, which serve a variety of purposes beneficial to the residents. The total amount of vegetation growing on the facades is equivalent to a hectare of an actual forest.

11. SeeCentro Storico

    Brera Art Gallery

    Pinacoteca di Brera

    One of Italy's most important art collections and one of the foremost collections of Italian paintings. The ticketing system is a bit unusual – there are no "standard" single-entry tickets, only a "Brera card", which allows one to visit any number of times within 3 months. It costs €15, but the entry date/time slot still needs to be booked and may be sold out for the current day!

    8:30-19:00 Tue-Sun·15€

12. SeeCentro Storico

    Castello Sforzesco

    "See who's in charge!" The round corner towers of the castle are two fists smacked down on the city plains, while the central square tower stares balefully down towards city centre. Who'd dare challenge the Duke? Yet so confident is he, he's built an extra redoubt within those walls, the military design is already outdated by the 15th century, and that rasping noise is his own family sharpening their knives against him. The Sforza-Visconti dynasty was ousted in the 16th century and the city was ruled by Spain, Habsburg Austria then Napoleon. The castle encloses a large grassed courtyard which is free to enter. Within are several museums, including museums of applied arts, ancient art, historical musical instruments, prehistory, Egyptian art and fine arts.

13. SeeOuter Milan

    Certosa di Garegnano

    The Garegnano Charterhouse houses Capuchin Friars and 16th century frescoes.

14. SeeOuter Milan

    Chiaravalle Abbey

    A beautifully-preserved medieval abbey still run by monks today.

15. SeeSouth

    Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Grazie al Naviglio

    This landmark at the northern bank of Naviglio Grande bears the same name as the UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Western part of the country. The church is just a little over a century old, built in Romanesque Revival style, and is the third church built on that place.

16. SeeWest

    Chinatown

    Sarpi

    Not as big or famous as the ones in London or New York, Milan does also have a Chinatown, dating from the 1920s. Main street is the Via Paolo Sarpi, which is mainly a pedestrian street. Wide varieties of Chinese food is available. See Eat section for specific recommendations.

17. SeeWest

    Cimitero Monumentale

    Milan's old cemetery in Neoclassical style. It is filled with lavish sculptures, impressive mausoleums and monuments. Well worth a visit!

18. SeeNorth

    Contemporary Arts Pavilion

    Padiglione d'Arte Contemporanea (PAC)

    A contemporary art space. In 1993 a bomb destroyed the building in a time when Italy was heavily committed in its fight against the Mafia.

    Tue Wed Fri-Sun 09:30-19:30; Thu 09:30-22:30; Mon closed·Adult €8.00, reduced €6.50

19. SeeNorth

    Corso Buenos Aires

    One of the longest shopping streets in Italy and Europe. It is a large avenue, who, at first, is quite old, but the buildings gradually become newer further along. Today, it contains loads, loads and loads of shops, such as Swarovsky, H&M, Milano House of Cashmere, Calzedonia, Outlet, United Colors of Benetton, Adidas, Nike, Calvin Klein, Zara, Luisa Spagnoli, and a good number more. Since the Corso Buenos Aires is so long, you have the P.ta Venezia and Loreto stations at either side, and the Lima one more or less in the middle.

20. SeeWest

    Corso Magenta

    An elegant and aristocratic street in the north-western part of Milan. It contains sophisticated cafes and shops, and also some fine, mainly Baroque, palaces, notably the Palazzo Litta, one of the best examples of 18th century Milanese architecture, and also a place in which Napoleon I spent some time. Metro stations Conciliazione, Cadorna, Cairoli and Cordusio are the closest to the avenue. The famous Santa Maria delle Grazie church and convent, where Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper can be found, is very close to the Corso.

21. SeeNorth

    Corso Venezia

    Considered one of the finest and most beautiful streets in the city. Right near the glitzy Montenapoleone area, it is flanked by a series of beautiful villas, museums and palazzi, from all eras. It also contains parts of the Giardini Pubblici, an old and leafy garden and park. On addition to being an aristocratic-aired place, today, several elegant boutiques have opened up here, so it's great for both sight-seeing and designer shopping. Best station to reach it is that of Palestro right in the middle, but San Babila and P.ta Venezia are within decent walking distance.

22. SeeCentro Storico

    Corso Vittorio Emanuele II

    One of the most popular high street shopping arteries in the city. It has a very elegant modern appearance, but too has some well-preserved grand 18th- and 19th-century buildings, including a rotunda-like neoclassical church. The Corso contains some great retail stores, including big shopping centres, fashionable outlets, and youthful, sporty designer boutiques. It is pedestrian.

23. SeeWest

    Deposito Tranviario Messina

    The tram deposit is an example of early 20th-century Italian industrial architecture with an impressive iron gridded ceiling.

24. SeeCentro Storico

    Duomo

    Cathedral

    Massive, impressive and slightly mad: the cathedral is a late Gothic confection in white marble, festooned with spires and statues. You can admire the facade free from the piazza; getting inside or onto the roof involves three separate queues that may take over an hour, unless you book online. First locate the ticket office: it's along the street on the cathedral's south flank but has been known to wander, with various pop-up outlets. Here you queue #1 to pick up a number to queue #2 for the ticket desks. Buy your ticket, which will be for a specific time slot that day. When that time approaches (and off-peak it could be immediate) join queue #3 at the cathedral door for security and ticket check. There's a tedious list of what is and isn't allowed. Despite this list, shorts which end just above the knee are indeed allowed. Short-shorts are prohibited. Small backpacks are allowed (there is a bag check station). The interior is just as impressive as outside, though if you hate it you'll be in distinguished company. The problem was that construction went on in fits and starts for over 500 years, with every ruler adding bits or disliking previous work. Then in 1805 the conquering Napoleon said "Get this finished tout de suite, and my treasury will pick up the bill" and lo! it was finished. (Though he never paid up.) The Crypt of St Charles is entered within the cathedral, no extra fee, it closes around 17:00. The Baptistery of St John (extra fee) is within the cathedral. The roof (extra fee) can be reached by a lift or by 250 steps. The museum (included in ticket, closed W) is in the adjacent Church of St Gottard in Corte. It displays the story of the construction, with walk-in wooden models, façade designs from several centuries, sculptures and more.

    Daily 08:00-19:00, roof from 09:00·Cathedral: adult €3; roof by stairs €13, by lift €15; Baptistery of St John €3

25. SeeCentro Storico

    Expo Gate

    Information hub and ticket office for the Expo Milano 2015. The gate consists of two structures designed by Scandurra Studio.

    Daily 10:00-20:00

26. SeeSouth

    Gardens of the Guastalla

    Parco della Guastalla

    Among Milan's oldest (founded in the 16th century), but quite small gardens, and are very close to the University district. The parks, however, were only opened to the public in the early 20th century. You can have a nice walk inside, and you also have a classical temple-like structure and also a sort of pond with a Baroque railing surrounding it. Reachable via Crocetta, P.ta Romana, Missori or even San Babila metro stations. It's also not that far from the Duomo.

27. SeeNorth

    Giardini Pubblici Indro Montanelli

    Public gardens

    An 18th-century park complex in the Montenapoleone/Porta Venezia district, designed in an English Romantic garden style. Inside, you can find rockeries, water features, fountains, statues and monuments, and other interesting features. You also get a planetarium, a natural history museum, and on the other side of the Palestro street, you can also find an opulent Royal villa which today hosts a contemporary art collection within grand ornate halls. Reachable via P.ta Venezia, Turati or Palestro metro stations. The gardens are in an excellent position since they're quite near to the Duomo and Brera district, and extremely close to the Montenapoleone street and the glamorous shopping area around it.

28. SeeOuter Milan

    Hangar Bicocca

    Contemporary art museum in a giant hangar in the industrial district just north of Milano Bicocca university. They have a few permanent sculptural installations along with rotating temporary exhibits and events.

29. SeeCentro Storico

    L.O.V.E. sculpture

    Il Dito

    On the square, where the Italian Stock exchange has its headquarters. The abbreviation L.O.V.E. stands for Libertà, Odio, Vendetta, Eternità (Freedom, Hate, Vengeance, Eternity) ideated by Maurizio Cattelan in his atelier on Viale Bligny in Milan.

30. SeeSouth

    La Rotonda della Besana

    An 18th-century Neoclassical complex. It is now an exhibition space.

31. SeeWest

    Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology

    Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnologia

    As the name tells, it is a museum to learn more about science and technology. Hosted in a former monastery, San Vittore al Corpo.

    Tue-Fri 09:30-17:00, Sat & holidays 09:30-18:30·€10, concessions €7.50, disabled and children under 3 free. Guided tours €8 or €10 with reservation

32. SeeOuter Milan

    Leonardo's Horse

    Il Cavallo di Leonardo

    A bronze sculpture realised according to an original project of Leonardo da Vinci. It is on the courtyard of the race-track of San Siro, just behind the Stadium. The race-track is open on race days but the courtyard is open everyday.

33. SeeWest

    Libeskind Residences

    Designed by Daniel Libeskind and constructions are completed.

34. SeeOuter Milan

    Museo San Siro Collezione Milan Inter

    Inter and Milan paraphernalia are at display at the museum in the stadium that two of the most famous football (soccer) teams in Italy call home.

35. SeeNorth

    Palazzo Lombardia

    The government of the region of Lombardy spared little expense to relocate itself to what became Italy's tallest building when completed in 2010. It ceded this title to Torre Unicredit one year later, but has an upper hand in terms of the highest usable floor at 160 metres. The building is open for visit every Sunday, from 10:00 to 18:00. During visit time, you can climb to the "belvedere" glass wall on the 39th floor

36. SeeWest

    Palazzo del Sole 24 ore

    An office building hosting the business magazine Sole 24 Ore and an example of modern Italian architecture.

37. SeeSouth

    Parco Vittorio Formentano

    Largo Marinai d'Italia

    A park with many different trees in the southeast of Milan at the location of a former market. The park also hosts the building of, where theater performances and concerts are held.

38. SeeCentro Storico

    Piazza Belgiojoso

    A small, yet very impressive square, which hosts the magnificent neoclassical Belgiojoso Palace, built by Milanese noblemen in the late 1700s, and the House of Manzoni, where notable Italian writer and literary figure Alessandro Manzoni lived, and which today hosts a library and the Centro Nazionale di Studi Manzoniani (National Centre of Manzoni-related studies).

39. SeeCentro Storico

    Piazza Della Scala

    The location of the Statue of Leonardo da Vinci and La Scala theatre. It is a small, but grand square flanked by fine palaces, such as the city hall and the commercial bank. Great place for a photograph and right next to Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. Ticket office is underground in the Duomo Metropolitana stop.

40. SeeNorth

    Piazza Duca d'Aosta

    A very big, relatively modern and busy square in the north-east of Milan, famous for hosting the city's majestic central station, and the Pirelli skyscraper. The Piazza is generally bustling with people, and is at the heart of Milan's economic and business district. It is where you'll end up if you need to go to the central station, but it is also a good place to go because it boasts some excellent examples of post-Second World War modern architecture, such as the Pirelli building, and some elegant hotels, such as the Hotel Excelsior Gallia.

Browse all 174 places in Milan

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Milan (CC BY-SA 4.0).