The top things to see and do in Milan
The Pinacoteca di Brera
Built on top of an old convent of the 1300s, the Pinacoteca di Brera is an art gallery that exhibitions modern and ancient art and that displays some of the artworks of Giovanni Bellini, Caravaggio, Raffaello, Hayez, Rubens, Tintoretto, Boccioni, Carra`and Picasso.
The Last Supper
Situated in the historic center next to the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, the Museum Cenacolo Vinciano hosts one of the most celebrated art works of all time, The Last Supper by Leonardo Da Vinci.
The Sforza Castle
Situated in the historic center and immersed in the gardens of Parco Sempione, Castello Sforzesco is one of the symbols of Milan and its history. The castle was built in the 15th century by the Duke of Milan, Francesco Sforza, on the left overs of what was a 14th century fortification.
The Quadrilatero della Moda
Milan is one of the world’s fashion capitals, so where else should you go on a shopping spree? Don’t forget to visit the Quadrilatero della Moda, Milan’s high-class shopping district comprising of Via Manzoni, Via Montenapoleone, Sant’Andrea and Via della Spiga. You will find fantastic boutiques and the world’s top fashion houses.
The Duomo Cathedral
The Duomo Cathedral is the cathedral church of Milan. This spectacular gothic cathedral took 6 centuries to complete and it’s the second largest church in Italy, and the fifth largest church in the world. Milan’s cathedral is dedicated to Santa Maria Nascente and is the seat of the Archbishop of Milan.
La Scala Opera House
Teatro alla Scala is one of the leading opera houses and ballet theaters in the world. The theater was inaugurated on August 3rd 1778 and was initially known as the New Royal-Ducal Theater alla Scala. The first performance was Europa Riconosciuta by Antonio Salieri. In the past 200 years, nearly all of the greatest Italian opera artists and numerous singers around the world have made their appearance at La Scala.
The Navigli District
The Navigli are a central district in Milan that were a system of navigable canals. The system comprised of five different canals: Naviglio Grande, Naviglio Pavese, Naviglio Martesana, Naviglio di Paderno and Naviglio di Bereguardo. The Navigli district is no longer navigable but it’s a beautiful and lively district in Milan, great for its delicious restaurants, happy hours and bars!
Fondazione Prada
Opened in 2015, Fondazione Prada offers visitors a chance to unite with art in a way to understand our culture and ideas. With society moving at a fast pace, new ideas constantly emerge. Fondazione Prada gives its visitors the possibility to interact with art and our society’s ideas, giving us the chance to understand how the world and we are changing, through a series of permanent and temporary art exhibitions. But it’s not only the art that is fascinating at Fondazione Prada, also its architectural design is fabulous, in a former 1910’s distillery. A series of three new buildings (Podium, Cinema and Torre) have been added to the seven existing buildings, creating a unique configuration, and a great artistic path to follow. Click here for more information.
Armani/Silos
If art and fashion allure you, your trip to Milan will be incomplete until you visit the wonderful Armani/Silos. Opened in 2015, this 4500 square meter space is dedicated to Giorgio Armani’s collections and creative inspiration. Armani/Silos is set on four different floors, each dedicated to different themes and each displaying Armani’s fashion from the past 40 years. The ground floor displays Armani’s Daywear collections – here Armani’s simple and modernist style and fusion of different cloths to highlight femininity and masculinity comes to life. Click here for more information.
The Gallery of Modern Art
If you’re into modern and contemporary art, GAM is without a doubt one of Milan’s most interesting art galleries. The beautiful estate was designed by Leopoldo Pollack and it was once the residence of Napoleon. Inside the three-storey palazzo, you will find a vast collection ranging from 18th century paintings to 20th century sculptures. Prepare to be stunned by artworks by Italian and European artists, including some of the masterpieces by Giuseppe Ferrari, Giovanni Boldini, Vincent Van Gogh, Edouard Manet, Paul Cezanne, Pablo Picasso, Antonio Canova and many more.
