00:10What's up guys? We're here in Milan and in this video we're going to show you our top
00:14things to do here. Let's hope you enjoy it.
00:23Milan is the vibrant capital of northern Italy's Lombardi region.
00:28The city is known for its unique blend of fashion, art, and history. And at its center
00:34stands the Duomo Cathedral, a grand masterpiece of Gothic architecture.
00:40But beyond its renowned sights, Milan offers a delicious culinary scene,
00:45trendy nightlife, and a glimpse into modern Italian life. In this video,
00:51we highlight 10 of the best things to do in and around Milan. Now let's dive in.
00:57We are Zach and Ina. We make helpful videos about destinations around the world,
01:01so you can easily plan your own adventures.
01:20While pizza and pasta are both national staples in Italy, Milan offers a unique food identity.
01:26The Lombard cuisine is specific to Milan and its surrounding region, featuring hearty dishes
01:33like risotto alla milanese and cotaletta, which is a fried veal cutlet on the bone.
01:40You should also try a dish with polenta, the famous cereal-based mush, which is the northern alternative
01:46to pasta. For some of the best food in Milan, explore the Navigli district with its trendy
01:52canal-side eateries. Milan is a global fashion capital, and a paradise for people who love shopping.
02:15Luxury is front and center in the famed Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a stunning glass-domed arcade
02:22housing high-end brands like Prada and Gucci. For a deeper dive into designer fashion, head to Via
02:30Monta Napoleone, Via Sant'Andrea, and Via Manzoni, where flagship stores line the streets.
02:37But Milan caters to all budgets. Corso Vittorio Emanuele II offers a pedestrian-friendly zone,
02:46with mainstream stores and trendy boutiques.
03:07Sipping Prosecco with the city sprawling beneath you is an unbeatable experience in Milan. Head to one
03:14of the many rooftop bars that you can find throughout the city, and soak in the panorama.
03:19We enjoyed our evening at the Roof Milano. The €20 cover charge included a drink from their
03:26extensive menu and a delicious operativo spread with small bites. It was a great way to end the day.
03:50Milan's monumental cemetery is located just outside the city center.
03:54This isn't your typical graveyard. It's more like an open-air museum. Founded in the 1800s,
04:02it's filled with elaborate sculptures, mausoleums, and artistic tombs. In fact, it's the final resting
04:10spot for many Milanese icons. You can find tombs of poets, musicians, heroes of the country, doctors,
04:18and politicians, among others. The cemetery is open from Tuesday to Sunday, and is free to enter.
04:26If you do go there, make sure to be quiet and respectful of the area.
04:40If you're visiting Milan as a city trip, we highly recommend escaping the hustle and bustle at least
04:46once. Both Verona and Lake Como are fantastic day trip options from Milan, each offering a distinct
04:54experience. Verona, which is known as Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet city, lies about an hour and 15
05:01minutes east of Milan by train. This city is known for its romantic atmosphere and rich history,
05:08with many Roman influences. You can wander the charming streets, visit Juliet's balcony,
05:14and see the Verona Arena, a Roman amphitheater that is still used for performances.
05:21Your other option for a day trip is Lake Como, and you can reach the old town of Como by
05:26train in about
05:2745 minutes from Milan. This lake has breathtaking scenery, and you'll be surprised at how tall the
05:34mountains are here. Cruise the pristine waters, explore charming lakeside towns like Bellagio,
05:40or visit one of the many opulent villas. Both destinations can be accessed by train,
05:46but if you'd like to do them as a guided day tour, we've left links to options in the description
05:52below the video.
06:02Standing tall in Milan's center, Sforzesko Castle is a grand 15th century fortress built by the Sforza dynasty.
06:11Over time, it transitioned from a grand fortress to a renowned cultural hub. Today, its courtyards and
06:19museum showcase everything from ancient artifacts to decorative arts and musical instruments. The
06:26instrument section was actually one of the most interesting areas to us, since there were hundreds
06:30of them that we've never heard of before. Stroll through the impressive halls inside the castle,
06:36and soak in the rich Milanese history. You can visit inside a museum like we did, which cost 5 euros,
06:43but if you don't want to pay, you can visit the castle grounds on the outside for free.
07:03Adjacent to the castle is Sempione Park, a green oasis offering an escape from the city's bus.
07:10Consisting of sprawling lawns, walking paths, and a serene lake, this is the perfect place for relaxation.
07:17Make sure to check out the Triumphal Arch at the park's far end, a war monument dedicated to peace
07:23between European nations. Another attraction you can find here is the Branca Tower,
07:29the highest point in Milan that can be reached with a one-minute elevator ride.
07:42Milan's trendy Navigli district is located to the southwest of the city center. Two picturesque
07:49canals form its heart, leading to its nickname as the Little Venice of the city. Naviglio Grande is our
07:56favorite canal, as it's lined with trendy bars, restaurants, and unique shops. Naviglio Pavese
08:03is the other cute canal where you can hop on a boat and enjoy the scenery from the water.
08:09Enjoy an operativo and soak up the atmosphere as the sun sets.
08:34Milan's historic center is nestled around the iconic Duomo Square.
08:39Stiped in Roman and medieval influences, it offers a delightful maze of cobbled streets,
08:45ground piazzas, and architectural gems. Highlights of the area include the University of Milan,
08:52the world-renowned theater, the former commercial heart of Mercantini Square, and the Bone Chapel.
08:59The best way to discover the center is on foot. And if you want to learn more about
09:04the history of the city, we recommend doing a free walking tour.
09:25The Duomo is Milan's star attraction, dominating the central square. This magnificent Gothic cathedral
09:33is the largest in Italy and is a true architectural masterpiece. Its facade is adorned with thousands
09:40of statues, while its interior is decorated with many sculptures and frescoes. In fact, you can find
09:48over 3,400 statues here when you combine the ones on the inside and the outside. What's unique about
09:55this cathedral is that you can actually take stairs or an elevator to the top of it. If you're visiting
10:02the cathedral, you should also make sure that you have a ticket that includes the rooftop terraces,
10:06because you have great views of the city and some closer looks at the statues on top.
10:28This was our list of best things to do in Milan, but of course there are a few other things
10:33to do
10:33in the city that we didn't mention. If you're planning your Italy trip, we recommend keeping
10:39things organized with our interactive travel planner. Find a discount code in the description below the
10:44video. We also included other important links in the description that will help you with your Milan
10:50experience, such as an interactive map so you can get to each place that we mentioned. We'll catch you on
10:56the next adventure.
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