Holidays to Milan
Buongiorno, Milano! With boujee designer shops, legendary artworks, classic Italian food and a double helping of world-class football, you’ll never have a dull moment on a Milan holiday.
Stylish city breaks
There are city breaks, and then there are Milan city breaks. Italy’s second city promises a weekend of jaw-dropping sightseeing – Duomo di Milano (Milan’s cathedral) and Da Vinci’s The Last Supper painting are serious highlights – and evenings spent sipping chilled wine in the Navigli canal district. Once you’ve done the highlights, day two is all about shopping in the ultra-lush Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II – or window-shopping, at least!
Drip check
Big names, big looks and big spending, Milan very much lives up to its reputation as a fashion capital with designer names everywhere you go. Destroy your credit card at luxury department store La Rinascente and then catch your breath with a double espresso near the Piazza Duomo as you enjoy a free catwalk show (the Milanese don’t mess about when it comes to day-to-day threads).
Striker pose: Football fan-tastic
With both AC Milan and Inter Milan playing at the San Siro Stadium, fans of the beautiful game can catch 90 glorious minutes of footballing gold on a Milan holiday. Visiting the city outside of the football season? You can still enjoy a guided tour of the ‘Most Titled Stadium in the World’, so it’s a win-win.
Tuck in to The Last Supper
Keen to view one of the most famous artworks in the world? Or secretly want to uncover a Da Vinci Code-esque secret? Either way, Leonardo Da Vinci’s The Last Supper is just one of those ‘absolute must-sees’ in Milan. If you want to see the masterpiece hanging in the Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Grazie, it’s vital to book in advance, because you sure won’t get in on a whim!
Northern highlights
Visiting Milan for a week or longer? Why not explore further with a mini tour of northern Italy. Hop on a train at the magnificent Milano Centrale station and you can soon be exploring charming Bergamo, playing Romeo and Juliet in Verona or cruising past George Clooney’s mansion on Lake Como.
Sneak Peek
Best for... Big sunglass-wearing shopaholics, foodies and serial city breakers 😎
Go... In June or September for temperate weather and fewer fellow tourists ☀️
You have to... See the view of the city from the Duomo’s rooftop 🇮🇹
Milan holiday deals
Plus Welcome Milano
4.3
Excellent
- 30 Dec 2025
- 4 nights
- Room only
- From Manchester
Prices from
ibis Milano Centro
4.1
Very Good
- 30 Dec 2025
- 4 nights
- Room only
- From Manchester
Prices from
Belstay Milano Assago
4.2
Very Good
- 30 Dec 2025
- 4 nights
- Bed & breakfast
- From Manchester
Prices from
Best Western Hotel Blaise & Francis Milano
3.9
Good
- 30 Dec 2025
- 4 nights
- Room only
- From Manchester
Prices from
Details
Currency
Euro
Language
Italian
Time difference
GMT +1
Cost of a beer
€5
3-course meal
€30
Flight time
2 hours
Culture and history: Mutant turtles
You can see a work of art by almost every Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle in one weekend in Milan (true story!). There’s Leonardo’s The Last Supper, Michelangelo’s Pieta Rondanini and Raphael’s Marriage of the Virgin. Donatello, alas, apparently didn’t get the memo.
If history is more your thing, highlights here include the medieval-era Castello Sforzesco, the iconic Duomo di Milano (a gothic cathedral that took six centuries to complete) and the Natural History Museum, where you can get close to dinosaurs, shiny rocks and more.
Food and drink: Penne party
Eating out is always one of the best parts of an Italian holiday, and Milan doesn’t let the side down. To go all out, book a table at a Michelin-starred restaurant. From Andrea Aprea to Verso Capitaneo, there’s plenty of them.
For cheap, eat-on-the-go bites that are no less tasty, grab a panzerotti (deep-fried dough with mozzarella and tomato) or two from Luinis – a bakery dating back to 1888. Then, continue the traditional theme by booking a table at Silvano Vini e Cibi al Banco, where the homemade lasagne comes highly recommended.
Shopping: Designer windows and vintage wonders
From the original Prada store to the fancy Ferrari shop, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II (Italy’s oldest shopping centre) is a must-see. And with marble floors and a grand dome, it’s a breathtaking space for a spot of retail therapy.
Away from the swish brands, Milan also has its pick of markets and indie shops for vintage finds and souvenirs. Head to the Brera district for boutiques and the Via San Marco Market. The oldest flea market in the city, the Fiera di Sinigaglia, is near the Navigli.
When to go to Milan
The thing about a city break in Milan is that there isn’t ever a bad time to go – it’s a year-round destination. That said, each season has its own charms.
June is best for mild, sunny temperatures (crowds to be expected), while September brings Milan Fashion Week and the start of football season. Then it’s on to autumn, which is perfect for exploring the city’s art galleries and museums. Christmas in Milan, of course, is a twinkling wonderland that’s perfect for families and couples.
For cheap Milan holidays, head to the city in January and hit the winter sales. Anytime from then until April is quieter and better for your budget (apart from February’s fashion week. Yep, another one!).
