Top Things To Do In Milan

Tailoring each experience to your wishes by locals who love their city

Tourist feeding pigeons in front of Duomo di Milano

Top things to do in Milan

From exploring cool neighborhoods to eating with the locals to seeing iconic sites, these are some of our favorite experiences

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Wondering what to do in Milan?

A global capital of fashion and design, Milan is a city that shows off without even trying. Although the things to do in Milan include exploring centuries-old architecture, ancient art, and even Italy’s oldest mall, Milan simultaneously manages to be a modern marvel of steel and glass skyscrapers and hi-tech hubs. When the sun sets, the list of things to do in Milan gets even longer. Indulge in late-night dinners at cozy restaurants, dance in neon-lit clubs, or simply walk along the cobbled streets between jazz bars blasting live music – but before any of that, be sure to settle in for the Italian tradition of aperitivo right here in the city that invented it.

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Marco Michele

Milan

Vibrant Milan host with a passion for uncovering secret gems, revealing lesser-known facts, and guiding you to the city's most vibrant and locally owned restaurants and cafès.

History and heritage

Many of the things to do in Milan reveal a city where old and new exist together peacefully. Milan’s sense of style is decidedly modern, but it’s not all sleek angles and futuristic skylines – the city center is its own visual feast of medieval palaces, ancient ruins, and monuments like the iconic Milan Cathedral. The things to do in Milan span centuries of attractions – you could drink in 600-year-old architecture in the morning, muse over da Vinci’s The Last Supper in the afternoon, and end your day with aperitivo at an ultra-modern restaurant set along a centuries-old waterway.

Tourists and locals admiring art at a gallery in Milan

Best foot forward

Few metropolises in the world are as attractive as Milan – this is, after all, the heartland of world-renowned Italian design, so beauty is a big part of its appeal. Many of the places to visit and things to do in Milan celebrate the city’s reputation for fashion and design. Milan’s stylish soul can be seen everywhere: in its stunning Art Deco architecture, opulent malls, iconic shopping streets lined with designer boutiques, and locals that look like they’ve stepped from the pages of a high-fashion magazine. If you’re looking for your fashion fix, you’ve come to the right place.

Milan by night

The things to do in Milan at night range from glamour to grit. There’s grungy, graffiti-plastered Isola, a trendy enclave of thrift stores, cool cafes, and well-worn dive bars, and bohemian Brera, home to high society and some of the city’s sleekest bars. Maybe you’ll get all dressed up for a night at the prestigious Teatro alla Scala opera house, or keep things more low-key in a dimly lit local pub or traditional trattoria. Whatever you decide, canalside aperitivo – drinks and snacks – in the ultra-trendy Navigli neighborhood is one of the unmissable things to do in Milan after dark.

Milan travel tips and inspiration from our Travel Magazine

Find essential city info, travel tips and the best things to do in Milan and around the world recommended by our local hosts

Latest reviews from our guests

Lisa was very knowledgeable & speaks excellent English. Very patient & understanding.

Oct 2025

Emilie R
Ask for Connie! She made Milan come alive for us. Our 4 hour tour flew by with Connie’s lead. She’s part teacher, part historian and part storyteller.

Oct 2025

Kathy O
Connie is the best! Her knowledge coupled with her great people skills makes her a perfect tour guide. Highly recommend her!

Oct 2025

Kathy O
Andrea was a phenomenal guide for our tour in Milan. He took us to all of the major cites in the city as well as some lesser known areas that were beautiful. He was very knowledgeable and answered all of the questions we had with additional information that was relevant but we didn't think to ask.

Oct 2025

Grace V