My name is Yulia. By education, I am a medical professional; by profession, a children’s writer and editor; by calling, a passionate traveler. I love cycling and skiing—there’s no better way to clear my mind and feel the fullness of life. I enjoy traveling because it allows me to experience a full range of diverse emotions and sensations. I love photography—it’s one way to share emotions and showcase the beauty of the world. I also enjoy sharing impressions and helping people plan their trips—this makes me feel needed.
My main motto is: “We travel not to escape life, but so life doesn’t escape us.” With a great love for wandering and experience in organizing trips for myself and friends, I offer assistance in planning budget travel across Europe. You can learn more on my website greenvaliza.co.ua.
I want to share a mini-guide to Milan with you. It’s quite subjective, as it only includes the places we visited. In reality, there are many more interesting spots in Milan. But even this list, I hope, will help you see Milan not just as the “city of one cathedral,” but as a place worth a thorough exploration. So, let’s go!
DUOMO DI MILANO
Duomo Di Milano. Undoubtedly, one of the most beautiful cathedrals not only in Italy but also in the world. It is stunning both inside and out.
Address: P.za del Duomo, 20122 Milano MI, Italy
Website: duomomilano.it
The cathedral’s roof. Don’t hesitate to spend the money and go up to the roof. It offers a completely new perspective on the city and the cathedral itself.
GALLERIA VITTORIO EMANUELE II
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. A gallery filled with the most expensive branded stores. The architecture of the gallery is stunning! The main quest is to find the mosaic of the bull. For 12 euros, you can go up to the roof.
Address: 20123 Milan, Metropolitan City of Milan, Italy
Website: yesmilano.it
SFORZESCO CASTLE
Sforzesco Castle. The historic residence of the Milanese Dukes of the Sforza dynasty. A magnificent medieval castle where, with a single ticket costing 10 euros, you can visit several museums— the Museum of Ancient Art, the Pinacoteca, the Museum of Decorative Arts, the Museum of Furniture and Wooden Sculptures, and the Archaeological Museum. On the first and third Tuesdays of the month, you can enter the museum for free from 2:00 PM.
Address: Piazza Castello, 20121 Milano MI, Italy
Website: milanocastello.it
INDRO MONTANELLI GARDENS
Indro Montanelli Gardens — the main historic park in Milan, founded in 1784. A charming old park that holds a piece of our heart.
Address: Via Palestro, 20121 Milano MI, Italy
BASILICA OF SANT’AMBROGIO
Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio. An atmospheric old church from the 11th century, featuring frescoes, mosaics, and beautiful capitals on the columns. Entrance is free.
Address: Piazza Sant’Ambrogio, 15, 20123 Milano MI, Italy
Website: basilicasantambrogio.it
BOSCO VERTICALE
Bosco Verticale — a residential complex consisting of two towers, 110 and 76 meters tall. The main feature of the buildings is that plants are arranged on terraces around each floor. There are about 900 trees, 5,000 shrubs, and 11,000 plants in total. If you’re lucky, you might get a chance to go inside.
Address: Via Gaetano de Castillia, 11, 20124 Milano MI, Italy
Website: residenzeportanuova.com
MONUMENTAL CEMETERY
Monumental Cemetery. A historic cemetery with some of the most elaborate tombstones and mausoleums in Europe. It’s a real open-air museum!
Address: Piazzale Cimitero Monumentale, 20154 Milano MI, Italy
Website: comune.milano.it
MILANO CENTRALE RAILWAY STATION
Milano Centrale Railway Station. One of the largest train stations in Europe in Art Deco style. It’s huge, monumental, and very interesting.
Address: Piazza Duca d’Aosta, 1, 20124 Milano MI, Italy
Website: milanocentrale.it
SANTA MARIA DELLE GRAZIE
Santa Maria delle Grazie. A church that houses Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper. The cathedral itself is interesting due to its unusual column paintings. If you want to see the fresco, you need to book tickets well in advance.
Address: Piazza di Santa Maria delle Grazie, 20123 Milano MI, Italy
Website: legraziemilano.it
PINACOTECA DI BRERA
Pinacoteca di Brera. A very impressive art gallery with works by outstanding masters.
Address: Via Brera, 28, 20121 Milano MI, Italy
Website: pinacotecabrera.org
PINACOTECA AMBROSIANA
Pinacoteca Ambrosiana. Less well-known than the Pinacoteca di Brera, but just as good. It’s an interesting, well-curated gallery located in an old palace.
Address: Piazza Pio XI, 2, 20123 Milano MI, Italy
Website: https://www.ambrosiana.it/
BASILICA SAN LORENZO MAGGIORE
Basilica San Lorenzo Maggiore. A 4th-century church with remnants of ancient frescoes. Entrance is free.
Address: Corso di Porta Ticinese, 35, 20123 Milano MI, Italy
Website: sanlorenzomaggiore.com
BASILICA DI SANT’EUSTORGIO
Basilica di Sant’Eustorgio. A Romanesque church from the 11th-12th centuries. Entrance is free.
Address: Piazza Sant’Eustorgio, 1, 20122 Milano MI, Italy
Website: santeustorgio.it
MILANESE COURTYARDS
Milanese courtyards. Places you definitely need to visit in Milan. Unremarkable from the outside, but they amaze with their beauty and elegance inside.
CHINATOWN
The Chinatown. A place where you can enjoy tasty and affordable food. The area itself is quite colorful and vibrant.
Address: 20154 Milan, Metropolitan City of Milan
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