Is Milan Worth Visiting? 11 Reasons Your Italian Vacation Should Include This City

While Rome or Sicily might be some of the most popular destinations in the country, Milan is a city that you won’t want to miss if you love world-class dining, art, fashion and history. 

So, is Milan worth visiting? Absolutely! In this guide, we’ll cover 11 reasons that make a trip to Milan one you should start planning sooner rather than later! We will even include what you need to know before you go and some of the most frequently asked questions people considering visiting Milan tend to ask. We can even help you find the perfect Italian vacation packages that will take you across the country, including stops in Milan. 

Milan is packed with bucket-list experiences that make it a worthy stop on any Italian or European vacation. From world-famous paintings like "The Last Supper" to local gems, we start with our top reasons why Milan deserves a spot on your itinerary. 

The Milan Cathedral, or the Duomo di Milano if you parli Italiano, is a breathtaking Catholic Church in the heart of Milan. Construction began in 1386 and continued for six centuries until the 1960s. It features different architectural styles that evolved as tastes changed over the centuries, making it a striking and almost unworldly sight. 

Before you travel to Italy, read up on packing tips and bring appropriate clothes. Many of the churches in Italy have strict dress codes. 

Da Vinci’s "The Last Supper" is one of the world’s most famous paintings, and you can find it at the Basilica di Santa Maria delle Grazie monastery in Milan. The monastery, built in the fifteenth century, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Along with "The Last Supper," the monastery is decorated with frescoes and was the original home to an altarpiece painted by Titian that depicts Christ receiving his crown of thorns. The altarpiece is now in the Louvre in Paris. 

Founded in 1899, AC Milan is one of Italy’s oldest professional football clubs. Their Serie A matches are always exciting, and being amongst the passionate fans at San Siro Stadium is enough to make anyone a devotee. 

Whether you’re a newcomer to The Red and Blacks or a lifetime follower of Il Diavolo, one of the best ways to see a game for the first time is to go to a match with a local. They’ll teach you about the club and Italy’s football culture, and they’ll make sure you’re in your seat before the match kicks off. 

Along with its famous buildings, Milan is perhaps most famous for the designers and brands that call Italy home. 

The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is a landmark of Milan because of its beauty and because it’s the center of high fashion in the city. There are ways to get great Italian clothing for mid-range prices. Check out the shops on Corso Buenos Aires for a wide range of fashions at all price ranges. 

For even more savings, visit Italy’s first outlet mall, the Serravalle Designer Outlet. With hundreds of designers and labels offering their wares at shockingly low prices, it’s a haven for stylish but budget-conscious shoppers. 

Milan has many museums celebrating the art and artists that have helped define the city. From Renaissance titans to modern painters, sculptors and ceramicists, here are museums that cater to every taste and will leave you feeling inspired: 

Italian operas have long set the standard for the form. The Teatro alla Scala is one of Italy’s oldest opera houses. Opened in 1778, its hallowed space has seen the premieres of many famous operas and hosted some of the best singers and dancers across the world. Even if you're not an opera fan, the grandeur of La Scala’s interior alone is worth a visit. 

But if you love being swept away by the grandiosity of operatic form, make sure you take in a show at the La Scala Theatre (or at least visit the attached museum to see costumes, set designs and other artifacts from the theater’s history).  

While the Duomo is Milan’s most iconic landmark, there are plenty of other sights to see. Here are a few that you may have heard of and a few that might be new to you: 

While Milan isn’t quite the nightlife hub that other European cities are, it’s known for having a quirky, lively charm that makes it unique and a lot of fun. 

The Navigli District is arguably Milan’s coolest district. Its streets are full of small, hip cafes, and the Quadrilatero della Moda area is home to high-end shops and boutiques. At night, the district is the best place to go if you want to club and see the city. 

Milan’s culinary scene is a delightful blend of longstanding regional traditions and modern dishes. 

If you want to dive mouth-first into Milan’s unmatched food scene, tour Milan's most famous foods to get an idea of the variety of dishes and flavors. While eating at historic trattorias and bustling markets is an experience you won’t want to pass up, don’t be afraid of taking a street food walking tour to get a taste of local favorites like panzerotti and arancini. 

Become your neighborhood’s favorite dinner party destination after you learn to make fresh pasta. Wow your family and friends by taking a class where you learn how to make authentic pizza and gelato using fresh, local ingredients. 

Originally the seat of power for several ruling families, including the Visconti and Sforza, the Royal Palace of Milan now serves as a prominent cultural center. The palace hosts exhibitions covering various artistic periods and styles, from ancient art to contemporary installations. 

The palace itself is a beautiful historical building filled with opulent staterooms, frescoes, tapestries and other examples of the Italian ruling class’ power. The palace is next to the Duomo, making it easy to get to if you’re already in the area. 

While you might not be able to pull yourself away from the incredible art, food and shopping in Milan, if you want to see other parts of Italy (and other European countries), you don’t have to settle for taking a car or buying a plane ticket. Here are a few different ways you can get around: 

Before you plan a trip to Milan, you might be wondering how to plan on getting around. Thankfully, Milan has a very efficient public transportation system that makes traversing through the city accessible for even the wariest travelers.  

The best time to visit Italy, including Milan, is usually in the spring (April to June) and the fall (September to October). These off-seasons mean cheaper accommodations and smaller crowds. Most popular attractions are still open during these months, and the weather is usually pleasant, too. 

If you are planning to visit Milan during the world-famous Milan Fashion Week, held annually in September, you may expect to see higher prices on accommodations and larger crowds. However, this is the premier event in the city and while many of the fashion week events are not open to the public, it could be a great way to experience Milan.  

Have more questions about a Milan vacation? AAA has answers! 

Milan is generally a safe city for visitors and residents. Take the same precautions as you would in any city, and you should be fine. 

International travel is different from domestic travel in a few important ways: 

These aren’t the only differences, so read up on international travel tips to give you peace of mind and help you prepare for your next trip. 

Milan is known for its religious landmarks, like the Duomo, which is home to some of the biggest fashion brands in the world and is a center for art. Like many cities in Italy, it also has a rich history that can be seen in its architecture, food and culture. 

New rules in the form of ETIAS travel authorizations are changing the requirements for visitors traveling to Europe and the United Kingdom on a visa. Make sure you know the latest rules to ensure your trip goes smoothly. The ETIAS authorizations require you to fill out an application and pay a small fee, so ensure you handle that before leaving. 

Milan can be an expensive city, especially if you’re visiting during peak tourist seasons, staying in some of the area’s most luxurious lodgings and looking for high-end fashion. But you can take a trip to Milan that doesn’t break the bank by staying in cheaper hotels, visiting in the off-season and limiting your shopping budget. 

Milan has accommodations for every type of traveler, from high-end globe trotters to shoestring travelers. There are some great places to stay at nearly every price point. If you want to make sure you’re booking a room in a nice place, we recommend checking out hotels in Milan that are available via Trip Canvas. Here are a few standouts we recommend: 

Milan has all of the classic Italian foods you’d expect to find on a trip to Italy, including all of the pizzas, pasta and gelato to fill your heart’s desires. Valentino Legend is a fine stop near the Duomo if you are looking for a true Italian feast in an intimate environment with antipasti, fine Italian wines and tiramisu. Crazy Pizza is a great option if you are looking for a memorable experience while you dine! This restaurant does nightly live shows with the staff dancing while spinning pizza doughs, a live DJ and sing-alongs. There are plenty of other great restaurants in Milan to discover via Trip Canvas, as well.  

Now that you’ve seen how rich the art, history and culture of Italy’s second-largest city is, when someone asks you “is Milan worth visiting?” you’ll know exactly how to answer. 

If you’re inspired to start planning an Italian vacation, make sure you talk to the AAA Travel experts. They can help you find the accommodations you want, plan an itinerary and much more. 

Whether you’re traveling halfway around the world or just down the road, if you’re a AAA member, you can get exclusive discounts on lodging, rental cars and a whole lot more.