Here’s our Milan Anti-Tourist Guide to make sure you take the best of it while feeling like a local
Whatever your reason for being in Milan, this vibrant and always on-the-move city offers a lot! Milan is rich in culture, well known for its fashion scene, and the right place to meet from all corners of the globe. To help you take the most of it, we invite you to check out our Milan Anti-Tourist Guide to ensure you experience the city from the inside out.
First questions first:
How many days should I save to visit Milan?
As everything it really depends on your interests as well as your availability. If you are looking at a quick getaway, it is we would say two days would be enough to see the main sites of Milan. Whenever is possible though, we highly recommend adding an extra one or two days to start seeing at the city with the eyes of a local.
Plan your schedule well!
What are the main highlights of Milan?
1. Milan’s Cultural Scene
a) Main museums in Milan
The city is rich in museums, so keep in mind to choose quality over quantity. Once the museums are chosen, keep track of time because here – it just flies away.
- Pinacoteca Ambrosiana: is a gallery built in one of Europe’s earliest public libraries. Full of breathtaking Italian art from the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Be sure to see the library, full of more than 20.000 manuscripts, which is the essence of the gallery.
- Museo del Novecento: full of 20th century art. Even though it may be a little bit packed with tourists because of such a central location and the good quality of the art, it is worth a visit. Give it a try and dive into modern art.
b) Music in Milan
Milan is a treat for different music tastes, starting from opera and classical music performances and ending with concerts and festivals for some wilder party lovers. We have something for both:
- Teatro alla Scala: For classical music enthusiasts, Milan is home to one of the world’s famous opera houses, which won’t be the cheapest option, but the most impressive for sure!
- Auditorium di Milano: this will be a more budget-friendly option to choose from. Milan Auditorium offers a wide range of classical as well as modern music performances.
- Magazzini Generali: a dance club and concert venue well-known to everyone in Milan. The club blends international visitors with local ones. Here are multiple dance floors, a variety of music, and even themed parties.
- Tunnel and Tempio del Futuro Perduto: head to one of these (or why not both?) if you prefer techno and house music instead of classical and pop. These two clubs know which DJs should be invited, so keep an eye on what gigs are planned to be, and if you get lucky, maybe will see one of your favorite DJs right here.
2. Where to eat in Milan
- Risolatte: miss homemade cuisine? While it may sound challenging when on the road, there are places that completely change your mind and this place is one of them! Warm and welcoming atmosphere with mouthwatering Italian cuisine. You must try their authentic milk risotto as well as their delicious desserts. Risolatte is based in two locations, choose which one suits you best.
- Pizzeria Woodstock 3: located in a vibrant area, this place serves the best traditional pizzas in Milan. If not so much of a pizza lover, try anything else that you crave from the varied selection of real Italian cuisine or just enjoy the atmosphere while sipping a beer.
- Take an Italian coffee break while sitting in any appealing cafe you come across. This is a great way to get to know hidden gems by accident and who knows – maybe next time this will be the first stop.
3. What to see in Milan
Wandering around the streets is a pleasure on itself while in Milan. If you are looking and to avoid the touristy look with a map or your phone in your had, we suggest joining a walking tour – click here to find out the meeting point and more specific details– not only you will be able to get a good grasp on the city highlights, but also meet some friends along the way.
The walking tour will be passing by the main sights, including :
- Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
- Sforzesco Castle
- Teatro Alla Scala
- Navigli.
If you happen to be in Milan during autumn, we got you covered with some ideas for Milan in autumn. If you are looking giving your feed an upgrade take a look at our list with the Top 10 Most Instagrammable Spots in Milan.
4. Alternative places in Milan
- Cascina Cuccagna: is a public and very cozy farmhouse situated in Milan, yes that’s right! Here you can feel the countryside charm just one step away from the city center. If you get lucky with the weather, take a coffee break from sightseeing and come here to sit in the garden while eating your lunch or getting lost in your book.
- Frida Bar: cheap drinks, a grungy vibe, and an alternative atmosphere are a perfect match for your afternoon or evening get-together. The bar is a beloved place for the locals, but undiscovered by tourists. Frida will stay in your heart!
- Frizzi & Lazzi: another authentic place where to escape the city rush and enjoy a vibrant atmosphere. The bar has a courtyard with a beer garden which creates a perfect atmosphere for chilling and hanging out with some friends.
5. Bonus tip:
Milan is situated in a very beneficial location for exploring other cities within Italy or other neighboring countries. The city offers one of the best interrail routes. For example, heading from Milan to Rome you can cross many beautiful cities and sights to see. Click here and find out the 10 best day trips from Milan.
Whether you are planning your trip, or where to go next, we have a gift for you. Famous Hostels is on a journey to promote sustainable tourism, pushing train and bus travel as opposed to flying.
For that, we partnered with Flixbus & Eurail and created a calculator that compares your carbon emissions if you are traveling by train or bus versus planes, and convert it into a direct discount at over 45 hostels in Europe.
Discounts go from 5% to 20% based on the distance you go, and we are now offering 10% discount vouchers for newbies at our Eco-Wanderer platform. Sign up now, and start saving while jumping into the community of the best hostels in Europe.
Like this article? Check out our Instagram and TikTok page to see more of these!
