The Duomo of Milan was commissioned as a symbol of the glory and grandeur of the city and brings to life half a millennium of history, with its glass-stained windows and the priceless artworks within.
Not only is it the largest and most elaborate Gothic building in Italy, it is also the largest Gothic building in the world where you can actually visit the terraces and walk on its rooftop from where you can admire the unmissable panorama of the city and the mountains in the distance.
As it is located at the very heart of the city, the Duomo is surrounded by many other landmarks and historical eateries.
P.za del Duomo
20122 Milano
Metro lines
M1 red (Duomo)
M3 yellow (Duomo)
Tram lines
1, 2 ,3, 12, 14, 15 ,16, 19
Mon - Sun: 9:00 - 19:00
Throughout history, this imposing complex has played many roles: defensive fortress, ducal residence and military barracks. These days it hosts several dedicated Municipal Museums and is home to one of the city’s most extensive art collections. The most prized artworks are certainly Leonardo da Vinci’s celebrated wall painting in the Sala delle Asse and Michelangelo's Pietà Rondanini.
It is also a place to enjoy in the open. The castle grounds are fascinating in themselves, with large courtyards, massive walls, moat, towers, crenulated battlements and the green expanse of Parco Sempione. The entrance to the castle is free, but excludes the museums.
Piazza Castello
20121 Milano
Metro lines
M1 red (Cairoli or Cadorna)
M2 green line (Lanza or Cadorna FN)
Tram lines
1, 2, 4, 12, 14, 27
Bus lines
50, 57, 58, 61, 94
Castle: Mon - Sun: 7:00 am - 7:30 pm
Museums and exhibitions opening times:
Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm (last entry 5:00 pm)
The Last Supper mural in the refectory of Santa Maria delle Grazie painted by Leonardo da Vinci, has fascinated and intrigued art lovers and countless visitors for centuries. It is one of UNESCO’s World Heritage sites.
The mural painting is extremely fragile and requires meticulous care in conservation: therefore, visits are limited and by reservation only, and must be booked well in advance.
Piazza di Santa Maria delle Grazie, 220123 Milano
Metro lines
M1 red (Cadorna or Conciliazione)
M2 green line (Cadorna + walk 700m)
Tram lines
16 (S. Maria delle Grazie)
Bus lines
50 and 169 (Via Boccaccio)
Tuesday - Sunday 8:15 am to 7:00 pm (last entry 6:45 pm)
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
The magnificent nineteenth-century gallery by celebrated architect Giuseppe Mengoni, features beautiful mosaics and caryatids around windows and balconies and links to the Teatro alla Scala.
The covered arcade’s luxury brand shops are juxtaposed with classic white-tablecloth restaurants, celebrity chefs’ eateries and legendary venues.
The Galleria is Italy’s oldest shopping mall and taking a stroll here is a popular pastime for both locals and tourists. To invoke good luck, spin your heel 3 times around over the bull’s testicles in the mosaic (representing the Turin coat of arms) on the floor of the gallery’s central octagon.
Navigli (canals)
The Navigli (canals) were historically used for the transport of goods and passengers as well as for irrigation. The marble blocks for the construction of the Duomo were brought into the city centre this way. The canals were eventually filled to enable vehicle traffic to circulate, but the original charm of the area still survives. These days it is a great place to hang out.
By day, the district is home to several markets, art galleries, indie and artisan craft shops and on the last Sunday of every month a popular antiques fair takes place here. In the evening, it’s frequented for its quirky charm, as a stop for a drink or something to eat and for its lively nightlife scene.
Quadrilatero della Moda - The Fashion District
The Quadrilatero della Moda (Fashion Quadrilateral) is Milan’s luxury shopping district, and one of the most famed in the world.
So-called because it is delimited by four prestigious streets - via Montenapoleone, via Manzoni, via della Spiga and Corso Venezia - and because most of the designer labels that have made ltalian style and fashion famous all over the world, can be found on these streets. There are also numerous museums in the vicinity.
