Aviation with Krish's Top Three Picks on the Best Sites in Milan
by Krish Patel
As a global capital of fashion and history, Milan has a lot to offer its tourists. I visited for the first time in the middle of August and instantly fell in love with the city. From its diverse architecture to its historical landmarks, Italy’s second largest city should be one on your European bucket list. Many of the attractions on this list are within walking distance of each other and public transport, such as buses, taxis, and a metro line, are easily accessible within the city.
Duomo di Milano
Milan’s Duomo Cathedral is the city’s symbol, with a magnificent design that’s breathtaking from every angle. It’s one of Europe’s most beautiful churches adorned with 3,400 statues and 55 stained-glass windows. The design takes inspiration from a mix of gothic and neogothic architecture. Construction for Milan’s Duomo began in 1386 and was completed centuries later in 1965.
You can purchase a ticket to visit the Duomo and take the elevator to the top, where you’ll have an incredible view overlooking the city. Adult tickets cost 26 Euros, while you’ll have to pay 32 Euros for included elevator access. It’s also possible to take the staircase to the rooftop, but there are over 250 stairs, making the walk quite long.
Sforza Castle
The castle is a three-minute walk from the city center and also one of Milan’s most popular attractions. Entering the castle’s courtyard is free for tourists, however, visiting the museums (open from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM every day but Monday) requires a ticket, which costs 8 to 10 Euros.
Sforza Castle has ten museums, including an art gallery that has over 1,500 paintings spanning from the Middle Ages to the 18th century. The castle’s complex features several fortified towers, with the first one having been built in the mid-15th century. It served as the residence for the Duke of Milan, Francesco Sforza, during the Renaissance.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Built between 1865 and 1877, the Galleria is in the heart of Milan’s iconic shopping district. It’s packed with several high-end shops, boutique stores, cafés, and restaurants. The shopping arcade houses flagship stores of several designer brands such as Prada and Gucci. You’ll find the Galleria right adjacent to the Duomo di Milano.
The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is topped with a glass and iron dome and has such incredible details on the wall that make you feel like you’re in a movie. Whether you’re here for shopping or to simply enjoy the design and architecture of this space, you’ll truly find the Galleria magnificent.
Conclusion
Milan is one of Europe’s largest cities that deserves a high spot on your travel list thanks to its numerous historical and shopping attractions. If you love history and breathtaking architecture, then the Fashion Capital is a city you won’t be disappointed by. Milan’s Duomo is the city’s most iconic landmark, which is near the Galleria, where you can do some shopping and grab a bite at the same time. Not too far from the Fashion District and Duomo is the Sforza Castle, where you can easily spend several hours exploring the various courtyards and museums.