Milan In Winter: 12 Inspirational Sights

Milan in Winter: 12 Inspirational Sights

By Anna Purpurpurpur

Milan is a popular tourist destination throughout the year, and it has its own charm in winter too, when the city is getting ready for the holidays!

You can revisit the most famous landmarks, pop inside to cafes and museums, eats lots of the most delicious Italian dishes, shop at the most prestigious shops, and just send your time here well, because this city is amazing.

See my selection of spots to visit when it’s cold outside – and you can also check out my other article about the must-see cultural and historical spots in Milan (some of which are not included here).

We visited Milan shortly before Milano Cortina 2026, winter Olympic Games taking place in March, and there were numerous locations getting ready for this huge sport event. The mascots were the cutest!

Christmas illumination in Milan is really pretty in winter but please note: Christmas markets open in this city pretty late compared to London: expect them to open fully during the first week of December.

1. Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II connects Piazza del Duomo and Piazza della Scala.

It was built around 1865-1877 and named after the first king of unified Italy, which existed from 1861 to 1946 when it was reborn as the Republic after all the tragedies of the Fascist regime.

It not only has impressive floors, a roof frame, and shop windows, high-end shops, bookstores, ice cream stalls, and cafes, and even a hotel! Besides that, the displays are getting an ultimate upgrade for Natale! For instance, what do you think about this wonderful gingerbread display featuring the main Milan landmarks from Marchesi 1824?

It also has a selection of restaurants including, for instance, Savini Milano and Café Biffi, founded in 1867.

Did you know that the Prada company was started in 1913 by Mario and Martino Prada, who initially sold English leather goods? Their shop was established here, in Milan, on this very spot!

2. Duomo di Milano

Duomo di Milano is one of the main symbols of Italy along the Coliseum!

Although the work on it started in 1386, the Duomo was completed only in 1965 (with the first basilica in this place – in Roman Mediolanum – dating to the 4th century).

Make sure you not only admire it from the outside, racing pretty Instagram-worthy shots but also visit it from the inside as well. The depiction of the zodiac signs on the floor tiles is one of the sights to see,

Don’t forget to book your tickets to the Duomo online in advance!

We opted for the combo tickets: Duomo + Museum of the Duomo + St. Gottardo Church + access to the terraces on the roof. Be ready to queue – you can easily spend half-an-hour waiting for your turn to get into the elevator!

There are two ways you can access the terraces: by stairs or by a lift. Just choose the ticket option that is more applicable to you, but keep in mind that the descent is always by staircase, and even if you choose the lift option, you have to climb some stairs on your way along the roof. If you ask me, this experience is very special because you can admire the smallest details of the outer architecture of the Duomo, and believe me, it deserves some admiration.

When we visited the terraces some years ago, we accessed them from the other lift on the north side (now only the southern one is open), and we explored only a stretch of the terraces, whereas now you can make a full circle around the Duomo’s roof.

3. Museum of the Duomo

The Museum of the Duomo is located right beside the Cathedral and is a must if you’re interested in European history and architecture.

Here you will find the cathedral’s religious treasures, including reliquaries and rare goblets, and learn about the six centuries of the cathedral’s history through tapestries, sculptures, paintings, stained glass, pinnacles, and other architectural pieces of the building, along with numerous plaster casts and models made from clay and other materials, which later became elements of the cathedral’s decoration.

The collection is really impressive, and you can also visit the Church of St. Gottardo in Corte while exploring the museum.

4. Church of St. Gottardo in Corte

The Church of St. Gottardo in Corte was erected in the 14th century and designed by Francesco Pecorari.

You can access it only if you’re visiting the museum of the Milan Cathedral – it’s part of the itinerary. The building is absolutely gorgeous from the outside with its tall tower and outer decorative elements, but it is also worth visiting inside.

5. Fashion Streets

There’s no surprise to anyone that Milan is the fashion capital of Italy. So let’s see how the best boutiques are decorated for the Christmas season this year!

The best spots for this kind of luxury window hunt are Monte Napoleone, Via della Spiga, Corso Venezia, and Via Manzoni. Just look at these displays by Dior, Prada, advent calendars by Gucci, and singing horses from Hermès!

The displays are probably not as lush as in London, but still, the festive vibe produced by the best Italian and French brands (mostly) is present. You can just walk around the area, but be ready for it to get crowded.

And don’t miss Corso Garibaldi and Via Pontaccio in Brera too, as these are other spots for authentic Milanese vibes.

6. Cenacolo Vinciano

The best-known art spot in Milan is probably the Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci, or Cenacolo Vinciano, in the Basilica di Santa Maria delle Grazie.

Did you know that Leonardo spent four long years, from 1494 to 1498, creating his emotional painting, but chose an innovative yet flawed technique for it, which made it quite unstable and fragile?

The mural painting was commissioned by Ludovico Sforza, the Duke of Milan, and is located inside the dining room of the monastery. During WWII, Milan was an important industrial center for Fascists and was bombed by the British and Americans – actually, one of the bombs fell on this Basilica, but the mural was left miraculously untouched! On the other side of the hall, there is another mural created at the same time: this is the Crucifixion by Giovanni Donato da Montorfano.

Remember to book the tickets weeks in advance; they get sold out quickly, and you can’t buy them on the spot. The only available booking system is on the official website, where you can reserve a guided tour in your preferred language with an allocated time slot for your visit. And don’t be late because the group you’re attending with is allowed to see this masterpiece for just 15 minutes – this is done for preservation.

7. San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore

You’ll never guess what’s hidden inside this humbly looking building – this is the Church of San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore, which in the past was part of the most important female Benedictine monastery of Milan, called Monastero Maggiore.

The monastery dates back to around the eighth century, and some of the Roman stones were used in its construction. However, the current church, with its amazing interior and mural paintings, dates to the early 16th century.

The hall and the nave are completely covered in frescoes by Antonio Campi, Bernardino and Aurelio Luini, and Simone Peterzano, all dedicated to various religious stories.

That’s a must-visit – and the entrance is free! But there’s more hidden here…

8. Archaeological Museum of Milan

The Archaeological Museum of Milan is located in the former Monastero Maggiore. To enter it, you’ll have to buy a ticket at the end of your visit to the church. Actually, the museum is quite large as it’s spread between a few buildings and a courtyard with Roman ruins and two towers.

You can learn about the ancient history of Mediolanum, Etruscan, Ancient Greek, and Roman exhibits, and even see some major architectural sights such as a medieval polygonal tower with frescoes inside.

Some exhibits occupy the cloisters of the monastery – a beautiful sight indeed!

9. Ancient History of Mediolanum: Palazzo Imperiale Romano di Massimiano

If you’re interested in ancient history, don’t miss the ruins of the Imperial Palace (Palazzo Imperiale Romano di Massimiano) nearby, just behind the Marchesi pastry shop. Emperor Diocletian made Milan the capital of the Western Roman Empire in the 3rd century AD, and Maximilian resided here in this palace.

Milan is also famous for being the place where tolerance towards Christianity was proclaimed in 313 by Emperor Constantine via the Edict of Milan.

10. Museo Novecento

Museo Novecento is located in a beautiful modern building on Piazza di Duomo and is dedicated to the art of the 20th century – the core of the collection originated from Alberto Della Ragione’s collection.

Come here for Modigliani, De Chirico, Severini, Picasso, and other famous – mostly Italian – artists!

Besides that, the building has incredible panoramic windows on the upper floors overlooking the Duomo – so even if you’re not a big art museum lover, you can come here just for the pictures because the view is just incredible!

11. Marchesi

Marchesi is a historical pastry shop founded in 1824.

You can find the oldest location at Via S. Maria alla Porta 11/a – the seating spots are very few there, but you can also opt for take away as we did.

but they also have patisseries at Monte Napoleone and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II – and even one in London! We ended up visiting all three locations in Milan, but we could find a seat only at Via Monte Napoleone as it’s very popular.

12. New Part of Milan: BAM and Piazza Gae Aulenti

Can you believe that these buildings are in Milan, not in some modern part of Asia, New York, or London?

Yes, this is actually in Milan, and it has a newly redeveloped area in the Porta Nuova district with a park, skyscrapers, and modern shopping malls and food courts. The Porta Nuova monument is located here too.

Head to Piazza Gae Aulenti for shops like Lego and Sephora, or cafes like EL&N and Venchi; you can also spot the golden trumpets installation there. Some of the most well-known modern buildings are situated here: Torre Cesar Pelli and Bosco Verticale, or Vertical Forest, a building nearby covered in potted plants, giving off Singapore vibes! Parco di Biblioteca Degli Alberi (BAM, for short) is the largest city park in Milan and a great spot for a stroll.

If you have pets or kids, there are playgrounds, green lawns, and paths that are very different from your usual Italian layout. Another skyscraper we spotted right outside our Excelsior Gallia hotel was the Palazzo Lombardia.

Looking for More Architectural Sights?

Go to the headquarters of the University of Milan: this place is located close to the Duomo and inside the Ca’ Granda, or the Great House. It was designed by the famous Renaissance architect Filarete in the 15th century and functioned as a hospital. Besides that, there are also other gorgeous buildings around the area – just take a stroll to explore more!

Besides that, you can undoubtedly visit the Sforza Castle, famous not only for its excellent collection of paintings, ceramics, and sculptures but also for its defensive elements added at various stages of its development.

A few courtyards and magnificent Ducal rooms now house the Museum of Ancient Art.

You can also walk around the castle in the park and see the magnificent Porta Sempione!

Where to stay in Milan: Hotel Excelsior Hotel Gallia

We stayed at the Excelsior Hotel Gallia, a historic building opposite Milano Centrale with a modern upgrade inside. Their festive decorations were amazing, made in collaboration with Franzi Milano.

We absolutely loved our room, overlooking the mighty train station, the Milano Centrale, and the service was excellent.

Did you know that Milano Centrale, operating since 1931, is one of the largest and busiest train stations in Europe?

I also must mention that they have one of the best breakfast selections I’ve ever had in Italy! They also have a Shiseido spa, but unfortunately, I didn’t have time to visit it.