Visiting Milan? Here Are A Few Of The Best Places To Go On Your First Trip

Milan is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy and has been named one of the most influential global cities. The city is an important business and fashion hub and also has a rich history. You can’t fail to notice this city’s presence when you are in Italy, it is like the heart of the county!

Many tourists visit Milan for different reasons every year. Knowing the finest places to visit and attractions is crucial because the city can appear extremely large and crowded to a first-time visitor. Whether you live in Milan or are on a short visit, here is a list of the best places to go in Milan:

Duomo di Milano

Address: P.za del Duomo 20122 Milano MI Italy

Milan’s cathedral, also known as the Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica of the Nativity of Saint Mary, is located in the Italian region of Lombardy. It is the residence of the Milanese Archbishop, now Archbishop Mario Delphin, and is dedicated to the Nativity of St. Mary.

The Duomo, one of Europe’s most exquisite Gothic churches, is the most well-known sight in Milan. It was built between 1386 and 1650, but its foundations date back to before Christ. The cathedral’s façade is decorated with statues depicting saints and angels; inside, there are frescoes from the 15th century depicting scenes from the Old Testament.

The cathedral also contains two tombs: King Victor Emmanuel II (who ruled Italy from 1861-1878), who lies alongside his wife Queen Adelaide; and Gian Giacomo Medici (1595-1637), who served as archbishop of Milan between 1627 and 1637.

The Sforzesco Castle

Address: Piazza Castello, 20121 Milano MI, Italy

Northern Italy’s Milan is home to the Castello Sforzesco, a medieval stronghold. On the remains of a 14th-century stronghold, Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan, constructed it in the 15th century. It was later expanded upon and repaired, becoming one of the biggest citadels in Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries.

The Sforza Castle is a must-see attraction in Milan. This castle is one of the most well-preserved fortresses in Europe, and it was initially built for the Sforza family. The castle was built in 1450, and it has been expanded over the years.

There are several different things that you can do while visiting this castle. You can either roam around at your leisure without being harassed by other people or take an audio tour through its several rooms and passageways to learn about its history.

It’s also possible to rent out one of the rooms inside the castle for your private event or gathering if you want something more intimate than what’s offered by most other castles in Europe today.

Piazza Mercanti

Address:Piazza dei Mercanti, 20123 Milano MI, Italy

Milan, Italy’s Piazza Mercanti is the main city square. It was the core of the community in the Middle Ages and is situated between Piazza del Duomo, the location of the contemporary city of Milan, and Piazza Cordusio.

The square was named after the merchants who sold their goods there, but today it’s home to an open-air market that sells everything from food to clothing and souvenirs.

The market is especially lively on Saturdays when people flock here to buy fresh fruit, vegetables, cheese, and other delicacies. There are also several eateries where you may try regional delicacies such as cotoletta alla Milanese and risotto alla Milanese (risotto with saffron) (breaded veal cutlet).

The square has been around since Roman times, though its current layout dates back only to the late 19th century when it was rebuilt following a fire that destroyed much of old Milan.

Pinacoteca di Brera

Address: Via Brera, 28, 20121 Milano MI, Italy

Pinacoteca di Brera is among the important museums in Milan.  This museum has a stunning collection of fine arts and is considered one of the best museums in Europe.

Pinacoteca di Brera was established in 1776 by Maria Theresa of Austria. This museum is dedicated to painting from the 14th century up until today. It has numerous masterpieces from famous artists such as Raphael, Rubens, and Van Dyck. The museum also contains many works by Italian masters such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Titian.

The Pinacoteca di Brera is a must-see when visiting Milan because it will give you an insight into how Italian people have viewed art throughout history. It’s also great because it shows how Italian art has influenced other countries worldwide, such as Germany, France, and Spain.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Address: P.za del Duomo, 20123 Milano MI, Italy

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is a great place to start your trip to Milan. The Galleria is one of the most magnificent and oldest shopping centers in the world. The Galleria was built in 1867 by Giuseppe Mengoni, an Italian architect who was also responsible for designing the La Scala opera house, Piazza del Liberty, and many other landmarks in Milan. The building’s design was inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s sketches for a never-built circular cathedral.

The Galleria features two glass domes supported by white marble columns and statues representing industry, agriculture, and commerce. The central dome is topped with a statue called Il Gigante (the Giant), representing Milan as a city of trade and commerce.

Teatro Alla Scala

Address:Via Filodrammatici, 2, 20121 Milano MI, Italy

If you want to witness something genuinely amazing, make your way to Teatro Alla Scala. Since 1778, performances have been held in one of Europe’s most prominent opera houses.

The building itself is beautiful, with its lavish decor and ornate architecture. It’s also worth seeing the auditorium’s interior: it has three tiers of boxes with balconies and gilded columns supporting them, all done in different colors so that each box matches its occupant’s clothes.

The ideal way to see Teatro Alla Scala is to catch a performance of an opera or ballet. There are many performances each year, so check out their website ahead of time to find out what’s on when you’re visiting Milan. It is still worthwhile to go even if you can’t see a performance because there are stunning vistas right outside the theater.

Santa Maria Delle Grazie

Address: Piazza di Santa Maria Delle Grazie, 20123 Milano, MI, Italy

If you are going to be in Milan for the first time, you don’t have to worry about where to go.  Santa Maria Delle Grazie is among the most desirable destinations. This church can be constructed in the 1500s and is still in use. The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci is one of the church’s iconic frescoes.

The history of Santa Maria Delle Grazie goes back to 1518 when it was built by Bramante and Raphael as a Dominican monastery. In 1525, Michelangelo painted The Last Judgement on the altar wall for over two years. However, he stopped halfway through due to his dissatisfaction with the results. He never finished this masterpiece because he died before doing so. 

The painting was left unfinished until 1535 when Leonardo da Vinci took over from him and completed it with help from other artists such as Giampietrino, who helped him paint some figures and details like faces in the crowd at Jesus’ feet.

San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore

Address: Corso Magenta, 15, 20123 Milano MI, Italy

Francesco di Giorgio Martini constructed one of Milan’s most significant cathedrals in the 15th century. It was declared a historical monument by UNESCO in 2004. The church is known for its frescoes and paintings by Bernardino Luini, Giovanni Battista Crespi, Giulio Campi, and Giuseppe Meda, among others. Important religious personalities like Saint Charles Borromeo, who served as Milan’s Archbishop from 1564 until he died in 1584, also called it home.

Whatever you’re looking for on your first vacation, Milan has a lot for you to read, see, and do. So whether you want to spend a night seeing the city’s great nightlife or if you prefer to stay there relaxing and seeing the beautiful art the city has on offer, a trip to Milan is always one of the best choices.