Rain, after all, is not always bad news. True, it can create inconvenience, get wet, slow down traffic and dampen the mood. However, in a city like Milan, it helps clean the air of pollution, nourish the earth, and there is never enough water. What to do, however, if it comes right on the weekend?
Staying indoors may not have been in your plans, and it doesn’t have to be an option. In this article, you’ll find some ideas for enjoying Milan even in the rain, such as trying some new activities or visiting lesser-known places that you might not have considered with the sun, but which acquire a special charm when the sky turns gray.
Table Of Contents
The Brera Picture Gallery
When it rains in Milan, there is no better place to take refuge than the Pinacoteca di Brera. As soon as you cross the threshold, the sound of the rain fades and leaves room for wonder. Here, every room tells a story, every painting is an emotion. The romanticism of Hayez’s Kiss, the intensity of Mantegna’s Dead Christ, the harmonious perfection of Raphael’s Marriage of the Virgin. It’s a journey into the heart of Italian art, and the rain outside almost seems to be part of the magic, making it all the more evocative.
Where: Via Brera
Santa Maria at San Satiro
A short walk from the Duomo hides a small, often ignored treasure, the church of Santa Maria presso San Satiro. Upon entering, what strikes immediately is the incredible optical illusion created by Bramante’s genius. The apse seems to extend for meters, but in reality it measures only a few centimeters: a masterpiece of Renaissance perspective that truly leaves one speechless. A fascinating and perfect place to discover when it is raining outside, immersed in the calm and beauty of the historic center.
Where: Via Torino
A brunch
Nothing beats the comfort of a good brunch on a dreary day. Milan is full of cozy places to chat with friends over a hot cup of coffee and mouthwatering dishes, from avocado toast to fluffy pancakes. Sitting in the warmth while the rain pelts down outside becomes almost a ritual of pleasure, where you take it easy and savor every bite. Here are some places to try.
Discovering an art exhibition
If the rain prompts you to seek a cultural refuge, why not take the opportunity to visit an exhibition? Milan offers many opportunities to immerse yourself in art and creativity. A visit to the Palazzo Reale and its prestigious exhibitions is always a great idea for lovers of classical and contemporary art. For those, on the other hand, who are looking for something more innovative and immersive, immersive exhibitions such as Space Dreamers give a unique multisensory experience that transports the visitor to surprising and original universes.
Become a judge for an evening
Put on your most professional outfit and step into the shoes of a popular juror for 60 minutes. The JuryExperience in Milan is the immersive experience that will put a surprising twist on a rainy day. Immersed in an exceptional location, which will be transformed into a courtroom for the occasion, you will witness the final act of a shocking case. Multimedia evidence, surprise witnesses, and two attorneys compete to the last charge to prove the innocence or guilt of the defendant. In the end, however, the verdict is in your hands. How will this immersive trial conclude?
Tickets and more information here.Visit the Central Market
<shortcode data-tag=”smn_responsive_embed” src=”https://www.instagram.com/p/DF455U7xchp/” type=”instagram” 0=”” 1=”class=”x1lliihq” 2=”x1plvlek” 3=”xryxfnj” 4=”x1n2onr6″ 5=”xyejjpt” 6=”x15dsfln” 7=”x193iq5w” 8=”xeuugli” 9=”x1fj9vlw” 10=”x13faqbe” 11=”x1vvkbs” 12=”x1s928wv” 13=”xhkezso” 14=”x1gmr53x” 15=”x1cpjm7i” 16=”x1fgarty” 17=”x1943h6x” 18=”x1i0vuye” 19=”xvs91rp” 20=”x1s688f” 21=”x5n08af” 22=”x10wh9bi” 23=”xpm28yp” 24=”x8viiok” 25=”x1o7cslx”>Market” 26=”Central” 27=”Milan</span>”” nickname=”ilmercatocentralemilano”></shortcode><br /> <br />When the rain starts <strong>right at lunchtime</strong>, a great idea is to take refuge at the <strong>Central Market</strong>, right next to the<strong>Milan Central Station</strong>. This lively indoor market is a true paradise for those who love to discover different flavors:<strong>dozens of stations</strong> offer all kinds of cuisine, from sweet to savory, passing through the most authentic street food, not forgetting cocktails and drinks for every taste.<br /> <h2>A fluorescent painting taller</h2><br /> <shortcode data-tag=”caption” id=”attachment_16965″ align=”alignnone” width=”880″><img class=”wp-image-16965 size-full” src=”https://offloadmedia.feverup.com/milanosegreta.co/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/29113329/PAINT_IN_THE_DARK_MK1_AV-95_n0frtk_Optimized_Version_jmq3ob-1024×683-1-e1733141213210.jpg” alt=”Neon Brush” width=”880″ height=”628″ /> Photo: Neon Brush</shortcode><br /> <br /> When the day is gray, you think of it to give it a splash of color! <shortcode data-tag=”trackLink” link_url=”https://milanosegreta.co/neon-brush-milano/”>Neon Brush Milan</shortcode> will let you rediscover the artist in you under the <strong>ultraviolet lights</strong>. Arm yourself with a brush and indulge in the <strong>fluorescent colors</strong> available, from green to pink to yellow. Between music and laughter, the time will fly by, and by the end of the workshop, thanks in part to the <strong>guidance of a professional</strong>, you will have created <strong>a masterpiece</strong> that glows in the dark, which you can hang in your kitchen or living room.<br /> <br /> <shortcode data-tag=”trackLink” link_url=”https://feverup.com/m/169747″>Tickets here.</shortcode><br /> <h2>Visit the Sistine Chapel in Milan</h2><br /> <shortcode data-tag=”caption” id=”attachment_12225″ align=”alignnone” width=”996″><img class=”size-full wp-image-12225″ src=”https://offloadmedia.feverup.com/milanosegreta.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/13121956/San-Maurizio.jpg” alt=”San Maurizio – Milan art capital The Guardian” width=”996″ height=”747″ /> Photo: Secret Milano</shortcode><br /> <br /> <strong>San Maurizio at the Monastero Maggiore</strong> is called the<strong>”Sistine Chapel of Milan”</strong>. This artistic jewel,<strong>entirely frescoed</strong> from walls to ceiling, is a breathtaking wonder. There is not even an inch of white space, every surface tells stories and beauties of the past. A very impressive place to visit when it rains, to stay indoors while immersing yourself in history.<br /> <br /> <strong>Where:</strong> <shortcode data-tag=”trackLink” link_url=”https://www.google.com/maps/place/Chiesa+of+San+Maurizio+at+Monastero+Maggiore/@45.4654721,9.1763251,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x4786b998808c61e3:0xef0f01fb0b9d4cef!8m2!3d45.4654684!4d9.1789!16s%2Fm%2F02vxlcp?hl=en&entry=ttu”>Corso Magenta, 15</shortcode><br /> <h2>Entry Inside the Duomo</h2><br /> <shortcode data-tag=”caption” id=”attachment_9956″ align=”alignnone” width=”1024″><img class=”size-full wp-image-9956″ src=”https://offloadmedia.feverup.com/milanosegreta.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/13122611/Interno-Duomo.jpg” alt=”things to do for free Milan” width=”1024″ height=”768″ /> Photo: shutterstock.com</shortcode><br /> <br /> At least once in your life you must see the Milan Cathedral inside. Here, jaw-dropping masterpieces await you, such as the statue of<strong>St. Bartholomew Flayed</strong>, the stained glass windows that tell ancient stories, and the <strong>Quadrons of St. Charles</strong>, large canvases full of life and faith. The crypt then is a special place not to be missed. Here are preserved the relics of <strong>St. Charles Borromeo</strong>, one of the city’s most beloved saints.<br /> <h2>A tufting workshop</h2><br /> <shortcode data-tag=”caption” id=”attachment_12553″ align=”alignnone” width=”1024″><img class=”size-large wp-image-12553″ src=”https://offloadmedia.feverup.com/milanosegreta.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/13121903/Tufting-1024×683.jpg” alt=”Yamlab Milano” width=”1024″ height=”683″ /> Photo: instagram / @yamlabmilano</shortcode><br /> <br /> In Milan there is a place called <strong>Yamlab</strong>, a studio where you can discover <strong>tufting</strong>, a fun technique to <strong>create colorful carpets</strong> by inserting threads into a textile base, without knots, forming rings or bangs. It is a true creative workshop where you can bring your personal work to life. A 60×60 rug takes about <strong>3 to 3.5 hours</strong> to make and you will be guided step by step by the experts. You can find it at <shortcode data-tag=”trackLink” link_url=”https://www.google.com/maps/place/Yamlab+Tufting+shop/@45.4877705,9.2159797,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x4786c7df460ec7f7:0x7c9afe146575a177!8m2!3d45.4877668!4d9.2185546!16s%2Fg%2F11t0pb7g2k?hl=it&entry=ttu”>via Padova, 9</shortcode>