When you think of Milan, the world-famous Duomo Cathedral or Leonardo's Last Supper Museum probably comes to mind. But if you dig deeper, you’ll find Milan’s humble streets and hidden corners that are packed with cool things to do beyond its famous landmarks!
Read on to see the top 10 things to do in Milan for a trip unlike any other!
1. Join a pizza & gelato-making class
Learn how to cook like a master Italian chef!
Test your culinary skills through a pizza and gelato making class! Learn from a master pizzaiolo using premium Italian ingredients to make each dish from start to finish. After your hard work, reward yourself by digging into your delicious creations!
This is definitely one of the best activities to do in Milan if you’re traveling with a group.
2. Tour the La Scala Theater and Museum
Teatro alla Scala opened its doors in August 1778.
If you’re a fan of the performance arts, you probably know about the La Scala Theater, the most famous opera house in the world. Learn about the rich history of Italian opera through a guided tour of Teatro alla Scala and its museum dedicated to related instruments, costumes, and artwork.
You can catch a live production on this world-renowned stage, with year-round opera, ballet, and orchestral shows to choose from!
3. Discover Milan’s art and culture at MUDEC
The futuristic central plaza of MUDEC / Photo by Francesco Ungaro via Unsplash
Looking for more artsy activities? A day trip to the Museum of Cultures (MUDEC) is a cool thing to do while you’re in Milan! This museum is dedicated to exhibiting diverse art and artifacts to encourage research on global cultures.
Marvel at the works of masters and rising creatives, explore interdisciplinary installations, browse through their library, and appreciate the museum’s futuristic architecture. You’ll definitely leave feeling inspired!
MUDEC offers free entrance for their permanent exhibits. For temporary exhibits, PWDs can avail of a discounted ticket with free entrance for their companion.
4. Wander around Cinque Terre National Park
The breathtaking Cinque Terre National Park is a must-visit!
It’s said that there’s beauty in small things, and this is definitely true of Cinque Terre National Park. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the smallest national park in Italy, but it’s packed with must-try activities across the five towns it’s comprised of!
Join a guided tour of three towns (Manarola, Monterosso al Mare, and Riomaggiore) with time for solo exploration! Hike cliffside trails, go for a swim, taste local seafood, and more. You definitely won’t run out of cool things to do in this corner of Milan!
5. Step into the trendy Isola District
Isola District has transformed itself into a hub for cool kids and creatives!
Once isolated from Milan, Isola is now an up-and-coming neighborhood gaining recognition as the hippest place to be! With a strong creative identity that values the old and new, Isola’s local culture is a reflection of modern Milan.
You can experience the eclectic atmosphere through activities like street art hunting, jazz club concerts, and visiting Fabbrica del Vapore, an innovative creative space for exhibits and performances!
6. Eat & drink your way through Navigli
Taste the best eats that Milan has to offer in Navigli!
Raise a glass for the tastiest tour in Milan! Explore the iconic Navigli neighborhood–known for its trendy eateries, hip markets, and artsy ambience–through a satisfying street food and drink tour.
Enjoy an afternoon of sipping and snacking on the best eats in the city while taking in the charming sights along the district’s historic canal. Cheers to that!
7. Go on a wine tasting tour at the Barolo Vineyards
The Barolo Vineyards have UNESCO World Heritage Site status
Take a break from cityscapes and make a detour to the Italian countryside! You can go on a guided wine-tasting tour of Cantine Morra Diego to see how wine is made, then visit the Wine Museum to learn about the impact of wine on society and culture.
Looking at Barolo’s breathtaking rolling hills with a glass of wine in hand, you’ll definitely see why this is one of the coolest things to do in Milan.
8. Explore the coastal towns Genoa and Portofino
Italy’s famous for their captivating coastal towns, which are considered to be among the best in the world!
Say ciao to the Italian coast! Start with a guided walking tour of Genoa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to appreciate historic monuments like the Piazza De Ferrari. From there, you can set sail on a private cruise to the beach town of Portofino!
Spend the day exploring La Piazzetta, the town square surrounded by cafes, restaurants, and boutique shops. For an extra thrill, take a 10-minute trek from there to Baia Cannone–an ethereal hidden beach perfect for a relaxing swim!
9. Journey through Milan on foot
Piazza del Duomo is the heart of Milan and a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Trade trains and boats for a walking tour through Milan’s city center! See the beauty of Milano up close, learning about the deep history of its people, architecture, and how the city came to be. As the sun sets, you’ll see iconic landmarks like Piazza del Duomo and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.
This is your chance to experience Milan when the sun is down and the nightlife is up!
10. Sail across two lakes & two countries!
A breathtaking view of Lake Maggiore
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be in two places at once? You’re in luck.
You can take a thrilling cruise from Milan to Lake Maggiore–a lake between Italy and Switzerland–all the way to the Swiss city of Lugano. Enjoy the sunny climate and alpine scenery, then return to Italy to traverse the Borromeo Islands and more!
This is definitely among the top things to do while you’re in Milan for an unforgettable trip!
FAQs
What not to miss in Milan, Italy?
Try to visit as many UNESCO World Heritage Sites as possible, especially the ones on this list!
What are some unusual things to do in Milan?
Expert-led cooking classes and local city-to-coast cruises are unique activities you can try in Milan.
What do people do for fun in Milan?
There’s a lot of fun stuff to do in Milan! You can view historical monuments, try unique Milanese cuisine, shop at high-end and local spots, and visit the diverse museums
What is Milan, Italy best known for?
Milan is famous for being one of the world’s premier fashion capitals!
There are endless cool things to do in Milan!
Take a chance on these hidden gems–you might just end up at your new fave travel spot.
What is Klook?
Klook is a leading pan-regional experiences platform in Asia Pacific, purpose built to digitalize experiences and make them accessible to every traveler.
Our mission is to build the digital infrastructure for the global experience economy — empowering merchants to share their passions and travelers to discover the heartbeat of each destination. We operate a mobile-first, curated platform featuring diverse experiences across global destinations.
✨ Follow us for more deals and inspiration for your upcoming travels
