Italy’s fashion and design capital is also home to one of the world’s largest cathedrals and one of the most famous meals ever painted. Milan moves at a faster pace than most Italian cities, but its historic centre is dense with things worth slowing down for.
Why visit Milan
The Duomo di Milano, a Gothic cathedral that took nearly six centuries to complete, dominates the city centre and can be climbed for rooftop views among its forest of spires. Next door, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II – one of the world’s oldest shopping arcades – opens onto Milan’s fashion quarter, the Quadrilatero della Moda, home to the flagship stores of Italy’s biggest design houses. Just outside the centre, the Santa Maria delle Grazie convent holds Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper, viewable by timed, reservation-only entry.
Getting to Milan by train
Milano Centrale is a major hub for Italy’s high-speed Frecciarossa network, with direct connections to Rome, Venice, and Florence, plus international services toward Switzerland and France.
Top things to do in Milan
- Climb to the rooftop of the Duomo among its spires and statues
- Shop or people-watch inside the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
- Book ahead to see The Last Supper at Santa Maria delle Grazie
- Browse the boutiques of the Quadrilatero della Moda fashion district
- Catch a performance or tour at Teatro alla Scala, one of the world’s leading opera houses