1. Visit the Duomo di Milano
The Duomo di Milano is a stunning cathedral located in the heart of Milan. Construction of the cathedral started in 1386 and took nearly 500 years to complete! It is also the third largest cathedral in the world and is a must-see attraction for anyone visiting the city. There are various ticket types available so you can tailor your experience. You can visit the cathedral, the archaeological area, the museum and the cathedral rooftop terrace which is accessible by stairs or lift for an extra cost.
2. Explore the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is a beautiful shopping arcade located next to the Duomo. It is home to some of the most luxurious brands in the world such as Prada Milano making it a great place to shop. You'll also find various high end restaurants so you can spend your evenings dining and chatting. Another thing not to miss here, is the The Bull of the Galleria which is said to bring good luck to those who spin on the floor tiles where you can find the bull. In fact so many people have done so over the years, you can actually see that the tiles have been worn down!
3. Da Vinci's Last Supper
Whilst in Milan, you can visit one of the most well known paintings in the world - 'The Last Supper' by Leonardo Da Vinci which depicts Jesus and his disciples having their final meal. The painting can be found in the Santa Maria delle Grazie church and convent and was believed to be completed between 1495-1498. You do have to book to visit The Last Supper, and as you can imagine tickets sell out very quickly. Tickets are usually released up to 4 months in advance, so be sure to book as early as possible to avoid missing out.
4. Explore the Navigli District
The Navigli District is a trendy neighbourhood located in the south of Milan. It is known for its picturesque canals, trendy bars, and restaurants. It is a great place to spend an evening and soak up the local atmosphere whilst grabbing a bite to eat, and snapping some great photos of the canals.
5. Explore the City Life District
City Life is one of the most modern and innovative districts in Milan. Here you'll find the amazing skylines of the Nuova Skyscrapers and the luxury apartments that make up the 'Vertical Forest' towers - a new format of architectural biodiversity. Residents are surrounded by a large, well kept public park which overlooks Palazzo delle Scintille. Next to this gorgeous park, you can also visit the open air shopping centre for some gifts, or a bite to eat.
6. Visit the Sforzesco Castle
The Sforzesco Castle is another iconic monument of Milan located in the city centre. It was built as a defence against Venice in 1358 by the the famous Visconzi family. There are various museums inside the castle which you have to purchase a ticket for. However, the castles large courtyard is free to the public to visit.
7. Drink Coffee at the Starbucks Roastery Reserve
For the coffee lovers, the Starbucks Roastery Reserve is a must visit! The Roastery is located in a beautiful old historic building which was once the home of the Italian Stock Exchange. The Milan Roastery is one of only six in the world, and the only one located in Europe. The epicentre of the roastery, is the giant 22ft cask which rotated and unfold to give customers a glimpse of part of the coffee bean roasting process. Inside the roastery you will also find various bars serving limited edition drinks, pastries and sweet treats. It truly is a great experience to witness the 'behind the scenes' of coffee roasting, whilst enjoying some one of a kind beverages.
8. Visit San Siro Stadium
For the football fans, I'd highly recommend a trip to San Siro Stadium. It is located a little bit out of the centre of Milan, but there are various transport links such as metros and buses that will take your directly there. Once there you can wander around the dug outs, see where the teams prepare before a match, and familiarise yourself with their top players in the changing rooms, then upstairs you'll learn all about the achievements and history of football in Milan in the Stadiums Museum. Not only that but you'll gain a unique insight into the construction of the stadium, and some of the events that have taken place there over the years such as the very first artist to perform there - Bob Marley!
9. Relax at QC Termemilano Spa
After a hectic few days exploring Milan, why not take day off and recharge at QC Termemilano at Porta Romana. The wellness centre is built amongst Roman ruins so makes for a unique spa day. Once inside the spa, you'll find various facilities such as two large outdoor pools, footbaths, saunas, and steam rooms. There are also some one of a kind experiences here such as the outdoor sauna which is actually a converted old Milan tram which lights up at night. You can also visit the Cinema pool which projects various scenery surrounding the pool to add to the atmosphere. Of course, you can also enjoy a variety of treatments and massages here too.
10. Explore all the Museums
Milan is a city full of art, fashion and culture. So it only makes sense to visit a few of the fantastic museums there. For the art lovers, the Pinacoteca di Brera is a must see. It hosts one of the largest collections of paintings in the country. If you're interested in all things Science, then the Milan Science Museum - which is dedicated to Leonardo Da Vinci, is a great place to visit. A couple of other mentions are the Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Milano (also known as the Natural History Museum), and the Armani Silos Museum.
Which sight would you most like to visit in Milan?