1. Duomo di Milano

Located in the historic center of Milan on the famous Piazza del Duomo, the Duomo di Milano is the 3rd largest cathedral in the world after Rome's St. Peter's Basilica and the Seville Cathedral in Spain. It's also the symbol of the city.

Also known as the Milan Cathedral, this marvel of Gothic architecture is grandiose: its magnificent façade is composed of 136 spires and 2,000 white marble statues! And the interior of the cathedral is just as spectacular. When visiting, you can understand why it took so long to be completed (nearly 500 years!).

If you're visiting the cathedral, you have to climb up to the Duomo terrace, on the roof: you'll have the best panoramic view of Milan from there!

2. Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Right in front of the cathedral on the Piazza del Duomo, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is one of the most famous Milan landmarks, and for good reason!

Also called “Milan's drawing room”, this aesthetic Galleria, with its 19th century baroque and neoclassical architecture, is home to the oldest shopping center in Italy. Its wonderful glass dome and arcades make it a must-see in the city.

Inside, you'll find mainly luxury and high fashion boutiques, and nearby, there are plenty of luxury hotels. No need to say that if you want to shop there, you're going to break the bank! But the place itself is really worth a look.

3. Royal Palace of Milan

Also located on the Piazza del Duomo, the Royal Palace of Milan is the 3rd monument you can't miss in this square.

Guilhem Vellut / CC BY

Built in 1778, this palace was the seat of the Milanese government for a long time. Stretching over 7,000 square meters, it has become an important cultural center and many international exhibitions are held there every year.

It's a must-do visit in Milan for history lovers. The palace is divided in 4 main parts, each one being dedicated to a specific period of its own history: the Neoclassical era, Napoleon's period, the Restoration and the Unification of Italy.

4. Teatro alla Scala

Just a few steps from the Duomo, La Scala is one of the most prestigious opera houses in Italy, along with La Fenice in Venice and the San Carlo Theatre in Naples.

George M. Groutas / CC BY

Built in the 18th century, the Teatro alla Scala has hosted the greatest works of Italian opera, including Bellini's and Verdi's. Some have even been created inside of its walls.

Although the exterior of the building looks a bit austere, the interior is gorgeous. There's a museum right next to the Teatro where visitors can see opera costumes and music instruments.

6. Santa Maria delle Grazie

Located in Milan historic center, the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie is famous for housing one of the most exceptional artworks in the world: Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper, depicting the last meal Jesus Christ had with the 12 apostles on the evening of Holy Thursday.

Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site, this painting made this church the most famous of Milan and visitors flock from all around the world to see it.

Visiting the Santa Maria delle Grazie is a must-do in Milan, but don't forget to book your tickets in advance otherwise you won't be able to enter the church.

5. Sforzesco Castle

Located in the Parco Sempione about 10min walk from the Piazza del Duomo, the Sforzesco Castle is another iconic monument of Milan.

Built in the 14th century by the Visconzi family, it was built to defend the city against its enemy, Venice. Known to have hosted the workshops of Leonardo da Vinci during the Renaissance, this castle has suffered several destructions and reconstructions throughout history.

Nowadays, the castle houses several museums including the Museum of Ancient Art, the Archaeological Museum and the Egyptian Museum.

7. Sant'Ambrogio

Completed in the 11th century on the ruins of a 14th-century church, the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio is one of the oldest churches in Milan.

The church is an excellent example of Romanesque architecture. Inside, visitors can see interesting remains, sculptures, mosaics and 2 martyrs of the 3rd century in the crypt.

With its brick color and its 2 towers of different heights, photographers will love taking photos there.

8. San Maurizio

Located halfway between the Piazza del Duomo and the Parco Sempione, the interior of the church of San Maurizio Maggiore is considered as the most beautiful in Milan.

Slices of Light ✴ / CC BY NC-ND

Completed in the beginning of the 16th century as a convent for Benedictine nuns, the church stands out thanks to its paintings and murals depicting biblical scenes covering the entire interior.

Made by some of the best artists of the 16th century such as Bernardino Luini, the paintings are greatly preserved and the colors have kept all their brightness.

9. Basilica di San Lorenzo

Located at the entrance of the Parco Giovanni Paolo II, the Basilica of San Lorenzo was built between 364 and 402, in early Christian period. It's the oldest church in Milan.

During the 18th century, modifications have been made in a Renaissance-style and the dome was added. Dedicated to San Lorenzo, its interior is full of mosaics and marble.

Right in front of the church, you can see Roman ruins dating from the 3rd century.

10. Monumental Cemetery

Visiting the Monumental Cemetery is one of the best quirky things to do in Milan. Housing the burials of the most important people of Italy, it's definitely a must-see in Milan.

Like an open air museum, visitors can see beautiful artistic tombs, Greek temples, obelisks, a pyramid and even a mini-Trajan's Column.

The Cemetery also houses a memorial mausoleum for the Milanese executed in Nazi camps.

Other Famous Landmarks Milan Has to Offer

Milan is a very diverse city marked by its history but also perfectly anchored in the 21th century. It's a cultural hub where you'll be able to visit incredible museums and modern landmarks that make Milan shine throughout the world.

11. Museo del Novecento

Dedicated to 20th century art, the Museo del Novecento is a must-see museum when visiting Milan. Located on the Piazza del Duomo, this museum mainly exhibits works by Italian artists.

As it's devoted to a century and not to a precise artistic movement, you can see paintings, sculptures and other artworks of various artistic movements.

From the top floor, you'll have a wonderful view of the Duomo and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, but with a hundred times less people than on the piazza or the Duomo's terrace.

12. Pinacoteca di Brera

The Pinacoteca di Brera offers visitors the opportunity to admire one of Italy's most important art collections.

Located inside the Palazzo Brera, a 17th-century Baroque palace built on a former monastery. It was the monks who made it a cultural hub with a school, a library and even an astronomical observation center.

Now, the collections to be discovered there are classified in chronological order and mainly include paintings of various Italian schools (Lombard, Venetian, Bolognese, etc.). You'll be able to admire the works of big names there, including Raphael, Bellini or Rubens.

13. Museo Nazionale Scienza e Tecnologia Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci is definitely very present in Milan. A museum is even dedicated to him! The Museo Nazionale Scienza e Tecnologia Leonardo da Vinci is the largest science and technology museum in the country.

Ben Zibble / CC BY NC-ND

Located inside a monastery of the 16th century, the museum houses models showing all the ingenuity of the great Italian master, from impressive military machines to measuring instruments.

In this huge museum that extends over several levels, visitors will also be able to discover other works of aeronautical science, railway, naval or automotive engineering.

14. Parco Sempione

Located in the historic center, the Parco Sempione is the largest park in Milan and the best place to enjoy a nice stroll or a break to escape the crowds.

In addition to its large green spaces, the park offers some monuments that are worth seeing, including the Arco della Pace, the Milan triumphal arch or the Acquario Civico, the aquarium of Milan.

15. Navigli

The Navigli district is the most picturesque in Milan, and has to be in any traveler's bucket list!

In the past, the Navigli was a network of canals, in part designed by Leonardo da Vinci, that stretched across Milan and were used for the transport of goods. Nowadays, the Navigli are limited to 2 long canals: the Naviglio Grande and the Naviglio Pavese.

Contrasting with the historic center, the canals have a more bohemian style and are lined with cafes, bars, vintage shops and pop up galleries. The perfect place to have a drink at the end of the day!

16. Piazza Affari

The Piazza Affari is the business area in which sits the Milan Stock Exchange headquarters.

In this square, you can see a monument that you won't see anywhere else: an 11-meter marble statue of a giant middle finger.

Established since 2010, this statue designed by Maurizio Cattelan is clearly intended to mock the financial institution. Named “LOVE”, the statue is the subject of strong criticism from locals and may come to be removed one day.

17. Torre Velasca

Located in the heart of Milan not far from the Duomo, the Torre Velasca, with its mushroom shape, is one of the most famous symbols of the Lombard capital.

Built in 1958, the building of 106 meters and 27 floors has 20,000 meter squares of offices, shops and apartments on the 8 upper floors. Its architecture is inspired by the medieval times and is viewable from the Duomo's terrace.

In 2012, the Torre Velasca was listed among the ugliest buildings in the world.

18. Bosco Verticale

The Bosco Vertical or Vertical Forest is an architectural complex made up of 2 residential buildings of 76 meters and 110 meters that define Milan's skyline.

Built in 2014 by architect Stefano Boeri with the help of botanists and horticulturalists, the facades of these 2 towers are made up of 20,000 trees, bushes and perennial plants, the equivalent to about 2 hectares of forest.

This innovative urban redevelopment project has influenced many cities and has been exported all over the world, particularly to Singapore and Paris.

19. San Siro Stadium

The Giuseppe Meazza Stadium is the largest and most iconic stadium in Italy. It' the equivalent of Barcelona's Camp Nou, but in Milan.

Of course, you can visit the San Siro stadium during the day, but the ideal is to be in Milan during a game of the AC Milan, the local soccer team and one of the most legendary teams of Europe.

So if you're lucky enough to be in town when the AC Milan is playing at home, don't hesitate to get your tickets, the atmosphere is incredible!

20. Quadrilatero della Moda

The Quadrilatero della Moda brings together the 4 streets where the boutiques of the most famous fashion houses are located: Via Montenapoleone, Via della Spiga, Via Manzoni and Via Sant'Andrea.

Located in Milan's historic center, these streets host luxury jewelry stores as well as the biggest names in fashion such as Louis Vuitton, Valentino, Versace, Hermès, Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent.

Even if you don't have the budget to go shopping there, you can still enjoy a stroll through this mythical place that has made Milan famous as one of the fashion capitals.

21. Fondazione Prada

Dedicated to contemporary art and culture, the Fondazione Prada is housed in an astonishing building, part of which is covered with gold leaf. It opened its doors at the 2015 Universal Exhibition.

Built in a disused distillery in the south of the city, visiting the Fondazione Prada is definitely a quirky thing to do in Milan as it is in an industrial area where you can't even imagine there's such a museum.

If you're visiting, the Luce bar is a must: with pinball machines and jukeboxes playing old Italian songs, the decor will take you to the atmosphere of a 1950s Milan bar.