Discover the top sights of Milan with this city tour

Duomo, one of the largest churches in the world

Start your day with a visit to Milan's magnificent cathedral, the Duomo. The construction of this masterpiece of Gothic art was completed in 1965, more than 600 years after the first foundations were laid. At 158 meters long and 108 meters high, the Duomo is one of the largest churches in the world.

A full visit of the cathedral takes quite some time. The exterior facade is a gem all by itself. Besides the many art treasures and sarcophagi inside the Duomo, there are also the crypts and the museum. Not to be missed is a visit to the roof terrace. A walk among the tall spires is guaranteed to give you beautiful pictures of Milan.

It's best to arrive early to avoid long queues. Buy your entrance ticket online. Furthermore, it's best to watch out for pickpockets, especially when viewing the facade from the piazza in front of the monument.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, oldest shopping arcade in the world

After your visit to the Duomo, walk straight into one of the highlights of luxury and gastronomy: the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. This gallery with its impressive architecture is the oldest shopping center in the world. The large glass domes bathe the mosaic floor in bright light.

The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele is always crowded. Indeed, the gallery is the connection between the Duomo and the piazza of the Scala. In the Galleria you find the biggest fashion names in the world. Visit the magnificent stores of Prada, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Chanel, Gucci, Versace and many others.

After all this beauty, you surely must be in the mood for a coffee!

Coffee at Camperino

Step inside Camperino and enjoy an espresso or cappuccino, standing at the bar like a true Milanese. You must observe a few rules, though. First, you pay at the cash register which is prominently displayed at the entrance. Then you take your receipt to the bartender. Securing a spot at a crowded bar in Italy is an art. You don't take up too much space but stay in position, without pushing. Do you crave something sweet? Then have "una brioche con la crema" with your coffee, a croissant stuffed with pastry cream. A true feast.

Indulgence at Marchesi 1824

If you want to enjoy your coffee more quietly at a table, I highly recommend a visit to Marchesi 1824. This is one of the oldest and most prestigious patisseries in Milan. The salon is located on the second floor of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, above the Prada store.

A staircase in black marble leads you into a world of exclusive patisserie. The decor is in art deco style with shades of soft green. The magnificent view of the gallery's glass domes transport you to an enchanted winter garden.

Enjoy yourself to the fullest here. The coffee is fantastic and the pastries exquisite. The impeccable and friendly service complete the picture. A visit to Marchesi is truly unforgettable.

You can also come here for a delicious lunch. The cuisine is pure Italian and only the best products are used.

Piazza della Scala

After coffee, leave the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele on the opposite side of the Duomo and you will enter the Piazza della Scala. The first thing you see is the statue of Leonardo Da Vinci that is at the center of the square. The shady area is free of traffic and Milanese and tourists enjoy resting here on the numerous benches.

The large square takes its name from the Teatro della Scala, the world-famous opera house. La Scala opened at the end of the 18^de century and many famous operas have premiered here ever since. Pieces by the greatest Italian composers, such as Rossini, Bellini, Donizetti, Verdi and Puccini have gone on stage numerous times before an audience of more than 3,000 spectators.

La Scala, home to a world-famous soprano  

Do you know which world-famous soprano made her debut here in 1951? Maria Callas. She remained affiliated with the opera house for a very long time. La Scala is famous for its unique acoustics and the world's greatest singers dream of performing here.

In addition to the opera house, the Teatro della Scala also has a museum. You can visit both but buy your tickets beforehand and online.

Furthermore, Piazza della Scala is surrounded by several stately palaces, including the Palazzo Marino that houses Milan's City Hall.

Castello Sforzesco and the Parco Sempione

A brisk walk will take you to one of Europe's largest citadels, the Castello Sforzesco. The Castello Sforzesco borders Milan's largest park, Parco Sempione.

If you love art, don't miss a visit to this ancient fortress. Lose yourself in the various museums and behold masterpieces by Italian masters. At the Museo Pietà Rondanini, you can admire this marble sculpture by Michelangelo. It was his last masterpiece and remained unfinished.

Have you seen enough art for the day? Then enjoy a relaxing walk in the Parco Sempione.

Quadrilatero della moda - high fashion in Milan  

Are you ready to go shopping? Then head to the Quadrilatero, the Golden Quadrangle, where flagship stores of the most famous fashion brands await you.

This shopping area in the heart of Milan is located between Via Montenapoleone, Via della Spiga, Corso Venezia and Via Manzoni. Here you will find the glamour of Made in Italy. It is the favorite destination of fashionistas from all over the world and the beating heart of events during Fashion Week.

Besides the luxurious clothing and jewelry stores with their beautiful window displays, you will also find some exclusive restaurants here. Elegant Milanese and celebrities love to come here for lunch and dinner. The Quadrilatero is therefore the ideal place for celebrity spotting. Sometimes you might bump into Giorgio Armani or see world stars like Jennifer Lopez exploring the latest collections.

Milano Fashion Week

Participating in Milano Fashion Week is an unforgettable experience. You feel like a star for a day. So getting an invitation to attend the fashion show of one of the fashion houses is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Not a fashion addict but prefer to stick to arts and culture? Then there are still some must do's on the list.

Santa Maria delle Grazie and Leonardo Da Vinci

Not far from the Castello Sforzesco is one of the pearls of the Italian Renaissance and Unesco World Heritage Site: the basilica Santa Maria delle Grazie. The magnificent terracotta church with Gothic interior is worth a visit by itself, but It is Da Vinci's masterpiece that draws spectators from all over the world.

Adjacent to the church is the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie. On a wall in the refectory, Da Vinci painted The Last Supper at the end of the 15^de century. It seemed as if the friars were literally sitting next to the apostles and sharing meals with them and Christ.

The technique Da Vinci used for his work was very fragile and non-resistant to the ravages of time. The Last Supper underwent frequent restorations over the centuries. The last restoration took 20 years and was completed in 1999.

The refectory is now the Museo del Cenacolo Vinciano and you can view The Last Supper daily. To keep the painting intact, admission is strictly regulated. No more than 25 people are allowed 15-minute blocks. Again, I highly recommend that you book online early.

Pinacoteca di Brera  

On the other side of the Castello Sforzesco is the Pinacoteca di Brera, one of Italy's busiest art galleries.

In addition to works of art by masters such as Caravaggio and Tintoretto, the museum also houses a library, an astronomical observatory and a botanical garden.

The artistic Brera is an upscale neighborhood with modern galleries, quaint restaurants and attractive delicatessen stores.

Fondazione Prada: contemporary art 

In the south of Milan lies a historic building from 1900 that underwent a stunning restoration. The unique complex, formerly a distillery, bears the name Fondazione Prada. It is the brainchild of world-renowned architect Rem Koolhaas. In this cross-functional structure, contemporary art and architecture blend seamlessly.

La Torre

The heart of the Fondazione Prada is La Torre, a 6-story modern tower-like structure. In La Torre you observe important art collections. You can see Jef Koons' colorful balloons and Damien Hirst's complex works. In my opinion, the highlight of the permanent collection is Carsten Holler's Upside Down Mushroom Room.

As you ascend La Torre, you get an increasingly spectacular view of the metropolis of Milan. On the sixth floor lies the Torre restaurant and the Luce bar with a spectacular triangular terrace. Have a cocktail on the patio and enjoy the sunset over the city. Inside, the many works of art and designer furniture create a unique atmosphere.

The cuisine is authentically Italian. I will never forget the dish of porcini with slices of culatello, served with olive oil from the house of Sant'Andrea from Sinalunga.