Edward Clayton 
Figure 1 The Duomo Dominates the Center of the City
Many of us will have enjoyed watching soccer’s European Championship this summer and possibly a whole host of European leagues throughout the year. The English Premier League is arguably the biggest soccer league in the world but the one with the most style has to be Italy’s Serie A.
In fact, Italy beats just about any other nation when it comes to style – and nowhere is that more true than in one of the fashion capitals of the world, Milan. If you like soccer you might use an odds calculator to reveal how much a bet on Inter to win the scudetto will pay out. But sports is just one of the reasons to visit this stunning city.
Any guide to visiting Milan could only ever skim the surface of what there is to see and do. But we have gotten together some of our own personal favorites from trips to the Italian city to whet the appetite and have you booking your trip online.
Duomo di Milano
No matter what your religion – or if you are religious or not at all – you absolutely need to pencil in some time to visit Milan’s most popular attraction and the spectacular structure that dominates the center of the city. The Duomo di Milano, or Milan Cathedral, is a stunning building around 600 years in the making.
With 135 spires and 3,400 statues, the cathedral is a marvel to take in. But a visit can offer so much more. There is a range of ticket options that include tours of the building and access to a number of museums. But climbing to the rooftop to take in stunning views of the city is a must.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Even if you are not incredibly into shopping, the high-end boutiques and retail culture of Milan are everywhere to be seen. You don’t have to necessarily break the budget to join in but the ornate and extravagant buildings some of the shops trade out of are worth a visit themselves.
Possibly the most interesting of them all is the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, just a short walk from the Duomo. This 19thcentury arcade is covered by a glass and iron dome and attracts millions of visitors a year. All the top brands can be found here – as well as a McDonalds, surprisingly.
Teatro Alla Scala
Let’s keep the culture vibe going, shall we? Another major attraction just minutes from the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is Teatro all Scala, probably better known the world over as La Scala. This is one of the most famous opera houses on the planet, whose simple exterior belies its ornate interior.
Tickets can be purchased to watch a performance but there is also a Theatre Museum, with paintings and costumes on show. A ticket here also gives visitors the chance to tour the building and check out some of the otherwise off-limit attractions, such as the private boxes.
The Last Supper
Art and culture can be found on every single street corner in Milan. But if you want to see one of the great paintings by one of the masters, you cannot do much better than The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci. It is now available to take in at the Basilica di Santa Maria della Grazie.
The masterpiece was created at the end of the 15th century and depicts the moment that Christ brought together his disciples to reveal that he was aware of a betrayer in their midst. You will need to book ahead to ensure a chance to gaze upon one of the most incredible pieces of art there has ever been.
Cimitero Monumentale
A trip to a cemetery might not be high on the list of many people on vacation. But the Cimetero Monumentale is no ordinary graveyard. Famous for its array of decorated tombs, it is more of an open-air museum. The grandeur of the place will take your breath away.
The final resting place for some of Milan’s most famous sons, visitors are encouraged to treat it as a museum, although in a reverential manner, and can follow maps highlighting the most interesting tombs. It may initially seem a little macabre but you will soon be won over by its sheer beauty.
Quadrilatero d’Oro
Back to the land of the living we thought we would mention another area of the city that exudes the style and money that, for many, encapsulates Milan. It only covers a small section of the center of the city but if your brand cannot be found here, you cannot seriously consider yourself part of the fashion world.
Unless you have a serious amount of disposable cash, it is unlikely that you will actually come away from a visit to the Quadrilatero d’Oro with a shopping bag or two. But you can always enjoy window-shopping and people-watching, as well as taking photos in front of the most expensive cars parked up outside the boutiques.
Figure 2 Modern Milan is well worth checking out, too
Eat and Drink in Navigli
No trip to Milan will escape the incredible art and culture of the city. But there is a modern side to the place that is welcoming to all and deserves to be discovered, too. As expected, there are excellent food and drink options all over Milan, but for a special treat, the Navigli district is well worth investigating.
Named after the two man-made canals that cross it, Navigli is home to a wide selection of eateries and bars offering small plates, natural wines and beers, as well as the ubiquitous Aperol spritz. This is a buzzing place full of young Milanese that also manages to exude old-school charm – and is the perfect place to round out a day in one of the most incredible cities on Earth.
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