Milan Travel Guide - Things To Do

Go clubbing: many people from all around northern Italy are drawn to Milan for its clubs on the weekends, but it’s during the week that the Milanese fill these venues. The best and most crowded nightspots are located in the Brera, Navigli and Ticinese districts – with most of the fashionable venues in Ticinese.

Navigli tends to be a bit retro, but many still recommend it as it has lots of boho bars, that are good places to go with a group of friends. Brera is Milan's original hotspot and remains so today, with every bar here popular. Glamour radiates from the venues of this district, and it’s a great place for an evening stroll.

An absolute must is a visit to the roof, where you can walk among the statues and gargoyles, flying buttresses and the magnificent 14 foot gilded Madonna, while you enjoy panoramic views of the city and beyond. If you have the time, a visit to the Duomo Museum (Museo del Duomo), is also worthwhile.

Visit the Fashion District: even if you don't intend to spend your money or to step foot in one of the elegant shops, it can be fun to wander through the streets that are filled with designer boutiques where the latest runway fashions are created. This area is just a few minutes walk from the Duomo.

The piazza also features a nativity scene, colourfully-lit Christmas trees and street performers, who help make the event even more festive. If you’re visiting Milan with children, they’re sure to love this.

Go shopping: the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is an elegant and immensely popular arcade covered with glass and lined with cafes and shops. The building was constructed in 1865 and named after the king at that time. It was built as part of Milan’s urban beautification initiative of the mid-19th century, and it is the model for a number of upscale American malls, attempting to match its style.

Stop at Teatro alla Scala: the world’s most famous opera house is situated facing the Piazza della Scala. The grand, imposing edifice dates back to 1778 and it was named after the church that formerly occupied this site (Santa Maria della Scala). This is a monument of great significance in the world of opera and an attraction not to be missed.