If you haven’t yet had a chance to visit Milan, now is the time to go. Milan is a beautiful and busy city, with plenty to see and do, but it’s very different from other Italian cities that are tourist hotspots, such as Rome or Florence. This glamorous city has a style and atmosphere all its own. Milan is well known for buildings both historic and contemporary, and for housing some very famous works of art. If you’re planning on visiting Milan soon, here are the top few must see sites of the city that you’ll want to be sure that you don’t miss.
- The Duomo. (pictured below) One of Milan’s most visited sites, construction of this impressive historic cathedral was begun in the fourteenth century, but was only finally completed fifty years ago. One of the largest cathedrals in the world, it can hold more than 25,000 people at one time. In the Doumo’s treasury, you can see dazzling examples of silversmithing. If you take the elevator to the roof of the cathedral, you can see the gilded Madonna that tops the Duomo, as well as an excellent view of central Milan. When you visit the Duomo, be sure to dress appropriately. Visitors wearing shorts, sleeveless shirts and the like will be disallowed from entering. Modest clothing is required.
- The Last Supper. Milan is home to one of the world’s most famous works of art, Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper.” Plan ahead to visit this attraction. Entrance is strictly restricted to groups of 25 every 15 minutes, and tickets have been known to sell out far in advance. Buy yours online before you leave for Milan. The painting is located in the monastery attached to the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, and it covers an entire wall. Make sure to visit this unique and spectacular site.
- Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. The Galleria is the place to go if you want to do some shopping while in Milan. This building has the reputation of being one of the most excellent shopping malls in Italy. The building itself is extraordinary, a cross shaped glass and iron covered gallery that dates back to the 18th century. It has an impressive central dome and gorgeous mosaic floors. It is home to a variety of fine shops and restaurants, such as the famous Savini restaurant, and also provides shortcuts to the Duomo and La Scala.
As you can see, Milan is a city with many impressive sites available for visitors to explore. The bustling and vibrant Milan is an important tourist destination and one of Italy’s cultural centers. This small sampling of must-see locations is only the tip of the iceberg. Although many Italy tours focus on Rome, Florence and Venice, many are now offering Northern Italy trips that include the Swiss Alps, Milan and Cinque Terra.
