Milan, Italy

1. Il Duomo

Il Duomo is the grandest cathedral in Milan. Construction on this glorious piece of architecture began in the 14th century, and took approximately six hundred years to complete.

Il Duomo’s intricately designed towers and spires are a beautiful sight to behold, and visitors who want to get a closer look can schedule a guided tour to take them through the cathedral, the rooftops, the archeological area, and the Duomo museum as well. There are even tours and activities for children, offering Milan’s youngest visitors a chance to appreciate the culture and history that Il Duomo brings to the city.

Piazza del Duomo, 20122 Milano MI, Italy

2. Castello Sforzesco

Castello Sforzesco, or Sforza Castle as it’s called in English, is an iconic symbol of Milan’s metropolis.

Originally built during the 15th century (on the ruins and foundations of an existing 14th century structure), Sforza Castle was the longtime home of Milan’s ruling elite. Renovations and additions made to the castle during the 16th and 17th century gave it a place in world architecture as the largest citadel in Europe, though this record has since been defeated. Visitors can explore Castello Sforzesco’s museums and exhibits on their own, or take a guided tour with an experienced guide.

Piazza Castello, 20121 Milano MI, Italy

3. Museo del Novecento

Art lovers will have a field day at the Museo del Novecento, which houses over four thousand works of Italian art. The museum first opened in 2010, and it focuses on more contemporary Italian art, rather than the classical and historic pieces that can be found in many other museums.

The entire collection at Museo del Novecento focuses on pieces created during the 20th century. The permanent collection, as well as the rotating exhibits and traveling displays, are a great way to get a feel for the development of art in 20th century Italy, and the gift shop and restaurant at the museum are a great place to find a souvenir or discuss the museum’s collection over a delicious meal.

Piazza del Duomo, 8, 20123 Milano MI, Italy, Phone: +39-02-88-44-40-61

4. Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

With a high, domed glass ceiling above its elaborately decorated four-story arcade,Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is the oldest shopping mall in Italy. It was originally built in 1877, and it is the center of luxury shopping in Milan, a city known for its incredible fashion and shopping opportunities.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is home to world-renowned brands that include Prada, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton, as well as some of the oldest restaurants in Milan, like Cafe Biffi, which has been serving customers since 1867.

The mall itself is a sight to behold, with amazing mosaics and beautiful buildings, and even an image of a bull on the floor beneath the main dome. Legend states that visitors who step on the bull with their right foot and turn around with their eyes closed will have good luck.

Piazza del Duomo, 20123 Milano MI, Italy

5. Teatro alla Scala

There’s something so refined and sophisticated about Milan, and what’s more refined and sophisticated than the opera? Teatro alla Scala is a beautiful and historic opera house in Milan which has been putting on world-class productions and thrilling audience members since it first opened in 1778.

The beautiful auditorium has orchestra seats as well as six levels of classic box seating options, but in truth there’s not a bad seat in the house when it comes to watching (and listening—the acoustics in Teatro alla Scala are amazing!) an operatic production here.

For tickets, and a full calendar of events, visitors can check out Teatro alla Scala’s website.

Via Filodrammatici, 2, 20121 Milano MI, Italy

6. Peck

In a place already known worldwide for its amazing food, it takes a real winner to stand out in the Italian food scene. At Peck, customers can find all the high-end Italian food and wine of their dreams.

Peck’s inventory includes an amazing deli with a renowned meat selection, some of the best dairy and cheese products available, fresh hand-made pasta, and other gourmet delicacies.

Their patisserie has a wide selection of mouth-watering cakes, pastries, confections, and gelato, and the wine cellar a Peck is stocked with thousands of high-end labels from every corner of Italy, as well as other wines from around the world.

Via Spadari, 9, 20123 Milano MI, Italy, Phone: +39-0-28-02-31-61

7. Chiesa Santa Maria delle Grazie

Visitors from younger countries may find it sometimes difficult to wrap their heads around the sheer history of everything in Europe. One prime example of this is the Chiesa Santa Maria delle Grazie, a church and convent in Milan that was first opened in 1497 (only a handful of years after Columbus landed in the Caribbean).

The Chiesa Santa Maria delle Grazie is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is the home of the beautiful and famous mural depicting the Last Supper, as painted by Leonardo Da Vinci. Visitors can tour this beautiful piece of history or attend mass here during their visit.

Piazza di Santa Maria delle Grazie, 20123 Milano MI, Italy, Phone: +39-0-24-67-61-11

8. Brera

When visiting Milan, travelers will need to take a stroll through the historic district of Brera, which is located in the center of the vibrant city, just east of the Parco Sempione.

Brera is a district well known for its upscale food and shopping opportunities, and is home to many antique shops, markets, and even high end boutiques like Marc Jacobs and Gucci. Food options are just as plentiful, with everything from cafes to full restaurants dotting the streets, where visitors can sit on a patio and enjoy a cup of espresso or a plate of pasta. Brera is also well known for the massive collection of art that fills the district, as well as the Santa Maria del Carmine church, which was built in the 15th century.

9. Pinacoteca di Brera

In a city well known for its art, Pinacoteca di Brera stands out from the crowd of galleries and museums, which should say a lot for its collection of Italian paintings.

At Pinacoteca di Brera, visitors can view a massive array of historic paintings by Italian artists, including masterpieces by Raphael, Giovanni Bellini, Caravaggio, and many more. The Pinacoteca di Brera is located within the Palazzo Brera, which is also home to a number of other cultural institutions, such as the Botanic Gardens, the Brera Library, and an Astronomic Observatory, so visitors can truly make a day out of their visit.

Via Brera, 28, 20121 Milano MI, Italy, Phone: +39-02-72-26-32-64