Milan

Which sights are actually worth your time and money?

Milan has a few world class attractions but many tourist traps. Here are the ones I recommend after living here for years. Each entry includes a direct opinion and real prices for 2026.

1. Duomo di Milano & Rooftop

This is the city’s soul. The cathedral itself is free to enter (lines move fast, 10 15 minutes). The rooftop costs €16 if you take the lift, €12 if you walk the 250 stairs. Do the stairs, the view is the same and you skip the lift queue. Allow 1 hour total. Go at 8 AM to avoid crowds. Warning: the "free" entry line sometimes gets scammed by people selling fake fast track tickets. Ignore them and join the official line at the left side of the church.

2. Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper (Santa Maria delle Grazie)

The most overbooked mural in Italy. Price is €15 (plus €2 booking fee). The visit lasts exactly 15 minutes with a maximum 25 people per slot. If you don’t book 2 3 months ahead, you won’t get a ticket. My honest verdict: it is stunning but brief. If you cannot get a ticket, skip the overpriced resellers (€80+) and go see the Sforza Castle instead.

3. Navigli District (canals)

Free. Best time is 6 PM to 9 PM for aperitivo. A typical spritz costs €8 12 with snacks. Avoid the main canal (Naviglio Grande) directly under the bridge, too touristy. Walk 200 meters south to the quieter Darsena docks. Warning: pickpockets work the crowds at night. Keep your phone in a front pocket.

4. Sforza Castle (Castello Sforzesco)

Free to enter the grounds and courtyards. The museums inside cost €10 for a combined ticket (includes Michelangelo’s unfinished Rondanini Pietà, worthy). Allow 2 hours. Skip the tacky souvenir stalls outside. Go in the late afternoon when the sun hits the courtyard walls.

5. Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

It is a beautiful 19th century shopping arcade. Entry is free. Do not eat at the expensive cafés inside (€15 for a coffee). Walk through, admire the mosaic floor, then leave. The best photo spot is the central octagon looking up. Duration: 15 minutes max.

6. Brera District & Pinacoteca di Brera

The art gallery costs €12, open 8:30 AM to 7:15 PM (closed Monday). It has Raphael’s "The Marriage of the Virgin" and Caravaggio’s "Supper at Emmaus." Allow 90 minutes. The neighborhood itself has narrow streets and good bars. Try the bakery at Via Fiori Chiari 8 for €2 pastries.

7. Leonardo da Vinci’s Horse (at the Hippodrome)

Skip. The original model never existed and the modern bronze replica is a 20 minute walk from the center. Only go if you are a die hard Leonardo fan.

8. San Siro Stadium Tour

€23 for the museum and locker room tour. Duration 1.5 hours. I only recommend this for football fans. The stadium is 20 minutes by metro (line M5, San Siro stop). Check if there is a match on your dates, because the tour closes on game days.

Comparison table: Top 5 attractions

Practical warning from experience

Never take a taxi from Milano Centrale station to the center. The fixed fare is €25 but drivers often add extras. Use metro line M3 or M2, a 2.20 EUR ticket works for 90 minutes. Also, the main tourist info point at the Duomo sells tickets at face value. Do not buy from street vendors offering "skip the line" passes. They are scams.

Is the Duomo free to enter?

Yes. Entry to the cathedral itself is free. The queue is usually 10 20 minutes. You walk through a metal detector. Dress code: no bare shoulders or shorts above the knee. They enforce it strictly. If you want to skip the line for the rooftop, buy the combined ticket online for €16 (lift) or €12 (stairs). That ticket also gets you into the cathedral.

How do I get Last Supper tickets in 2026?

The official price is €15 + €2 booking fee. They release tickets exactly 90 days in advance at 9 AM Italian time (7 AM GMT). You must book on the official website (cenacolo.vivaticket.it). The website often crashes. Use a desktop, not a phone. If you fail, try third party operators like Tiqets or GetYourGuide at €75, but check reviews. I saw many cancelled tours in June 2026.

What is free in Milan?

Several things: the Duomo interior, Sforza Castle grounds, Navigli canals, Brera streets, and the cemetery (Cimitero Monumentale, open 8 AM to 6 PM). The last one is a quiet place with beautiful sculptures, few tourists visit. It is 15 minutes from the center on tram 10.

Is the Galleria worth it for photos?

Yes for the architecture, no for shopping. The mosaic bull under the dome has a tradition: spin your heel on its testicles for good luck. It is a silly tourist ritual but harmless. Go at 8 AM to get a shot without crowds. By 10 AM it is packed.

Should I buy a Milano Card?

No. The card costs €9 per day and gives minor discounts on a few museums. But it does not include The Last Supper or the Duomo rooftop. You still need separate tickets. The free public transport is for 24 hours only. A regular metro ticket is €2.20. Do the math, it rarely pays off.

Best time of year to visit

April to June and September to October. July (now) is hot and humid, 32 to 35°C. August is worse because half the restaurants close for Ferragosto (August 15). In summer 2026, book everything early and drink water from the free public fountains (fontanelle). They are safe.