Milan is a lively, sparkling city, so many are the things to do every month for the people who live there. How would a tourist fare? Let’s find out what to do as a tourist in Milan this summer especially, but also always:
Table Of Contents
- Visit the immersive exhibition all dedicated to the master Vincent Van Gogh
- A walk on the terraces of the cathedral
- Organizing a trip to Lake Como
- Getting a nice ice cream cone in the city
- Diving into natural pools
- Attending the performances of "Milan is alive"
- Attending a Candlelight Concert
- Discovering Leonardo da Vinci's trail through the city
- Attending an art exhibition in the city
- Making a aperitif in the "living room of Milan"
- Strolling through the Navigli
- Visiting the churches of Milan
- Crossing Chinatown on foot
- Discovering modern Milan
- Take a selfie at the Peace Arch
- Visiting the Monumental Cemetery
- Taste traditional dishes
Visit the immersive exhibition all dedicated to the master Vincent Van Gogh
At Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience can’t be missed. If you want to experience something unique, drop in. Tickets are running out fast because it really is something incredible. If you want to “dive” inside a painting, you have to go there. Thanks to 360-degree projections, the famous painter’s most celebrated works will be all around you, and you will find yourself completely immersed in sunflower fields, starry nights, almond blossoms and other wonders. Give it some thought. In addition, it is also cool inside. That would be a good compromise. A cultural visit away from the mugginess that plagues Milan in summer.
A walk on the terraces of the cathedral
Among the things to do in Milan, whether you are a tourist or not, it is imperative to go up to the terraces of the Duomo and admire the spectacle of panorama that opens before you. There is a unique view and from here you can also peek through the spires of the Church and find a boxer fighting for example. Beautiful, beautiful. It would be to go up there every day to see a Milan from above unforgettable.
Organizing a trip to Lake Como
Milan has the advantage of being in a location from which delightful destinations can be reached. Lake Como is one of them. Perfect for spending time in the midst of Nature and by the lake admiring one of the most exclusive places in Northern Italy. The Lake is a destination every year for celebrities and big names on the international scene, remember George Clooney’s house or Dua Lipa’s celebrations, then the Ferragnez and many others. Lake Como then is very versatile, allowing you to go for walks, relax in the sun on the beach, take the ferry and visit the surroundings which are enchanting, Varenna, Bellagio are some villages not to be missed. Taste excellent local food and admire unique views. In short, for an out-of-town or day trip, Lake Como is perfect.
So too are Lake Maggiore or Lake Garda ideal; in short, there are easily accessible locations around Milan that make for perfect days out. All you have to do is choose, whatever your decision, you certainly won’t go wrong.
Getting a nice ice cream cone in the city
Among the things to do as a tourist in Milan in summer, you cannot miss a nice ice cream in the city. Milan has some ice cream parlors sublime places to go to enjoy fantastic delicacies.
Walk around the city, camera in one hand or cell phone and a nice ice cream cone in the other!
Diving into natural pools
If you arrive in Milan by car, you may consider taking a trip to visit the natural pools propping up Lombardy. Real oases where you can find peace, nature and relaxation, as well as crystal clear water in which to cool off. They are absolutely worth a ride.
Attending the performances of “Milan is alive”
And if in the evenings you don’t know how to pass the time, among the things to do as a tourist in Milan this summer is the incredible opportunity to attend shows at the Sforza Castle as part of the “Milano è Viva – Summer at the Castle.” Throughout July and August, as every year, the Castle hosts concerts, dances, theatrical shows, for all tastes. What better opportunity to spend an evening in the name of culture and beauty?
Attending a Candlelight Concert
Among the must-do things are the Candlelight Candlelight concerts. These are classical music concerts with a sometimes pop or rock feel. In fact, in addition to paying tribute to music greats such as Mozart or Beethoven, Candlelight also offers tributes to personalities such as Vasco Rossi, rock bands such as Queen or Nirvana, musicians such as Coldplay, and then Jovanotti, Cremonini, Pino Daniele, composers of the caliber of Morricone or Einaudi. In short, the choice is very wide and finds everyone agreeing a little bit. Their special feature? Of taking place in beautiful locations lit by thousands of candles for indescribable magic. Find the one that suits you best and enjoy a different evening than usual.
Discovering Leonardo da Vinci’s trail through the city
Leonardo da Vinci was an important presence in Milan, and there are numerous places to discover his traces: museums dedicated to him, places where it is said he used to laze around and be inspired, or works of his own, such as the Last Supper or the Atlantic Codex. In short, there are many places in Milan to learn the story of a genius, not only a painter but also a sculptor, engineer, scientist and inventor. A truly brilliant character, Italian pride. Following his trail will also allow you to walk around Milan and see the city.
Attending an art exhibition in the city
Any self-respecting tourist makes a trip to the museum, always. Milan is dotted with excellent realities all waiting to be discovered. Among the Gallery of Modern Art, the MUDEC, Royal Palace, the Sforza Castle, the Museum of the Twentieth Century, the Poldi Pezzoli Museum. And then that of Natural History, the Triennial dedicated to contemporary art, the house museum of Alda Merini, the Bagatti-Valsecchi Museum, the famous Brera Picture Gallery, the Museum of Science and Technology, the Galleries of Italy… and many more. There is no shortage of choice, and between permanent installations or temporary exhibitions in Milan every day there is something to get lost in. Your choice.
Making a aperitif in the “living room of Milan”
The Salotto di Milano is none other than the beautiful Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, considered the salon of Milan because Milan’s high society, artists, intellectuals, and philosophers used to gather there to discuss a variety of topics. In fact, with all the historical cafes present, it really feels like being in a large living room at home. Opulence, luxury and elegance, the Gallery never leaves one indifferent. Having a drink in one of these establishments is an activity to include among the things to do in Milan as a tourist to savor the Milanese way of life. At Camparino, Savini or Marchesi ‘s to feel like a true Milanese.
Strolling through the Navigli
You cannot fail to include a tour of the Navigli if you do any tourism in Milan. The Navigli are the heart of Milan’s nightlife. With waterways running through the streets, it doesn’t even feel like Milan. Bars, restaurants, pubs, but also small stores very particular where to find perfect gifts or alternative souvenirs, the Navigli are versatile and offer everything. You can also take the boat and take a mini boat trip.
Visiting the churches of Milan
Milan’s religious heritage is something unique. Some of its churches are absolutely must-see destinations. The Duomo in primis, a masterpiece on a European level, the largest church in Italy and 4th in the world, but also the Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio, Santa Maria delle Grazie, San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore which is nicknamed the Sistine Chapel of Milan, and then the Certosa di Garegnano (a little less central but sublime), Santa Maria presso San Satiro with Bramante’s play of perspective in the apse. Then again, the twin churches namely the Church of Santa Maria Incoronata, the Basilica of Sant’Eustorgio, Santa Maria alla Fontana with its legend of the miraculous spring, the Basilica of San Lorenzo Maggiore, the Church of San Fedele, the Shrine of Santa Maria dei Miracoli near San Celso, the list would be endless. Each building has its own beauty and history that deserves to be known and discovered. Whether you are a believer or not does not matter. These are historic monuments of great artistic, cultural and historical value that should be visited as World Heritage Sites, regardless of creed.
Crossing Chinatown on foot
If we have recommended the Navigli for a pleasant stroll, also unavoidable is Chinatown, the city’s eastern district. Here you will feel as if you are entering another hemisphere where dumplings, synograms and chymos rule the day. If you are looking for something special you can find it here. Supermarkets with only Chinese products, malls with anything inside, Chinese restaurants. Raviolerie that made history and much more. Chinatown will bewitch you.
Discovering modern Milan
Milan is not only historical monuments but also the city of the future. Among the various areas to discover is Citylife with its towers: Hadid tower, Isozaki tower and Libeskind tower also known as the crooked, the straight and the curved respectively. Porta Nuova and the Isola neighborhood are also worth a tour. Between the Vertical Forest, Gae Aulenti Square with the skyscraper highest in Italy and so many other goodies to discover, the day will really pass you by in the blink of an eye. Among the things to do as a tourist in Milan is a visit to Isola, a neighborhood where time seems to stand still. Despite the advancing progress here you can still find the old-fashioned stores that are slowly disappearing elsewhere: the haberdashery, the hardware store that sells everything, the shoemaker, the neighborhood baker, there is the twice-weekly local market. Although it is one of the areas most frequented by young people for the sizzling nightlife, it still retains its neighborhood feel asit once was.
Take a selfie at the Peace Arch
One of the places to see if you are a tourist in Milan is the Sempione area and its Arco della Pace. An example of some of the most beautiful architecture in the city. A triumphal arch somewhat like the one in Paris located in one of the nice and characteristic areas of Milan. It is dedicated to the peace among European nations achieved in 1815 with the Congress of Vienna. The foundation stone was laid in 1807. The entire structure is marble in full neoclassical style. Its grandeur and elegance will amaze you. From the central arch you can enjoy a sensational view directly over Castello Sforzesco and all around Simplon Park. Is it worth a ride or not?
Visiting the Monumental Cemetery
Among the symbols of Milaneseness is the Monumental Cemetery. A fascinating place rich in history. It deserves to be included among the things to do as a tourist in Milan not only because there are buried there personalities who have made the history of Italy (Alessandro Manzoni, Filippo Turati, Salvatore Quasimodo, Arturo Toscanini, Giorgio Gaber and Franca Rame, just to name a few) but also because this huge space of more than 250,000 square meters, offers multiple architectural insights. The statues in certain tombs are splendid, almost Louvre-like.
Don’t think of the cemetery as something macabre; the Monumental is an open-air museum.
Taste traditional dishes
Among the things to do in Milan as a tourist, but also as a local actually, is to taste the delights of Milanese cuisine. Forget McDonald’s or those somewhat cheesy tourist places. Make an effort to find less central, but excellent venues that will give your taste buds some excitement. Among the schnitzel alla milanese, saffron risotto with ossobuco, mondeghili and other delicacies, you won’t be able to do without them anymore. Perhaps dishes not exactly suited for summer, but the offerings are very wide-ranging all the same, and you will find what suits you even if the sun is setting the city on fire outside. Between typical eateries such as Mirta, Al Matarel or the Casottel, somewhat peculiar restaurants such as Immoral o Superficial or elegant and chic venues from the likes of James, Aalto o Joy along with many other praise-worthy places, Milan offers a respectable gastronomic variety.