7 Unique Things to Add to Your Milan Itinerary (That Most Travelers Miss) -

7 Unique Things You Need to Add to Your
Milan Itinerary

A large majority of the Italy travel guides talk about Rome, Florence, Venice, etc., and they all leave out the unique beauty of Milan Italy. Milan, most notable for fashion and art, offers so much but many just scratch the surface of all the city has to offer.

I spent over a month visiting and aupairing in Milan Italy, and I was fortunate enough to experience a lot more of Milan than the average tourist gets to. I experienced sightseeing musts including the Duomo, shopping in Milan, and consuming an absurd amount of pasta, and I also went to local events and venues.

Milan was my first taste of Italian culture, it was where I connected with locals, made new friends, and it was the very first country I solo traveled through. Milan, for countless reasons, is a place that will always have a very special nook in my heart.

The list below includes my favorite outings and experiences that led me to create many special memories–and I know they will do the same for you too.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you book through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend experiences I genuinely love or would book myself.

1. Walk through the Sforza Castle

The Medieval Landmark of Milan

Photo by Federico Di Dio photography on Unsplash

location: 45°28′12″N 9°10′43″E | Website | Entrance: free ticket – with options to purchase a guided tour

The Sforza Castle is a medieval Milan landmark that will genuinely make you question whether you’re still in Milan, Italy, because it is vastly different from the rest of Milan’s architecture. Sforza Castle was built in the 1300’s and is wedged right in the heart of Milan. Its Renaissance architecture holds history from the French and Spanish domination, as well as the later Italian reclamation. You can freely enter through the gates, walk along the perimeter of the Ward or courtyard, and read more about its history. It’s the perfect budget-friendly excursion to add to your list; there is no fee to enter, and you get to experience its exceptional craftsmanship while learning a little more about the castle’s history.

For travelers seeking a deeper look and understanding of the castle, you can book a guided experience and receive an in-depth, informative tour on the medieval structure, along with famous works by artists like Michelangelo that the castle houses. Most of the tours are intimate, so that gives you a better one-on-one experience with the tour guide and the information given.

Book the Sforza Castle + Michelangelo Guided Experience here

There are various Sforza Castle tours that also include visiting the sought-out viewing along with a self-guided audio tour if you prefer a tour that is at your own pace and at your own time.

Book the Sforza Castle + Last Supper Tour here

Book the Sforza Castle Audio Guide here

I’d recommend booking these, especially the tour with a viewing of the Last Supper, at least a month prior to your visit because they do sell out quickly!

2. Book a Pasta Making Class

Learn How to Make Authentic Italian Dishes

Photo by Ronit Shaked on Unsplash

📍Milan, Italy (location’s typically disclosed after booking) | Cost per ticket: $75.34 (they offer discounted rates for children) | Link to Book

One of the most meaningful experiences I had while visiting Milan was booking a pasta-making class. It was quite literally a dream to recreate savory pasta recipes that few ever get to taste, let alone make themselves! You get to use all the right tools to carve authentic Italian Ravioli along withTagliatelle, learn how to make savory Italian dishes and desserts, and you even get a copy of every recipe made so you can share a piece of Italy with yourself or loved ones at home.

If you are a foodie like me and want to experience Italy’s culture through cooking, then you should try a pasta-making class. The pasta-making class I booked taught us how to cook three different pasta recipes, a delicious, authentic dessert, and provided us with glasses (yes, more than just one glass) of wine to complement our masterpieces once they were finished. The following link has the same delicious food-making line-up and offers an even better price than what I paid for my pasta class.

Book the Pasta and Gelato or Tiramisù Making Class here

If you are Celiac or just eat gluten-free, it can be challenging to find a gluten-free pasta-making class in Milan. The class that I purchased was through Pietro Pasta and the chef was able to accommodate my dietary restrictions and didn’t upcharge for the gluten-free items. The chef gave me clean, designated tools, a work space, and the ingredients necessary to recreate the recipes. I will say that this is not the common experience with more affordable pasta classes in Milan, so I was truly appreciative of the care I’d received. I found this class through the family that I aupaired for, who had a connection to the chef, if you’d like to book this class with the same restrictions, you can request so through the website here.

3. Visit the Navigli Antique Market on the Navigli

The Italian Vintage Market You've Been Dreaming Of

📍Via Pasquale Paoli 1 20143 Milan Italy |8:30 am – 6:30 pm | The last Sunday of every Month | Entrance fee: free

If you are someone who loves thrifting, vintage clothes, antiques, and authentic Italian pieces–you seriously need to visit the (Mercatonne dell’Antiquariato sul Naviglio Grande) Antique Market on the Navigli. This vintage market on the Navigli is a hidden gem so good that I almost want to keep it a secret. The market happens on the last Sunday of every month and has countless vendors selling authentic Italian vintage clothing, art, clothing, bronze pieces, watches, trinkets, and so much more. I loved this market so much that I made sure to make it back a second time before I left Milan.

You can genuinely spend half of your day looking through all of the vendor booths because the market stretches out all around the canal and down nearby streets. The prices for vintage pieces are much more affordable since you’re buying them right from the source, and there’s a wide range of items for purchase from different periods in the 1900’s and earlier.

Even if you decide you don’t want to buy anything, it’s incredible to see such a wide range of Italian cultural material in one place. This is an experience you have to add to your list of Milan activities, if you’re interested in looking at and bringing home authentic Italian vintage momentos.

4) Visit a Local Book Store

Experience More of the Italian Culture Through Their Literature

Photo by Zhifei Zhou on Unsplash

📍Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana Piazza Pio, Xl, 20123 Milano MI, Italy | Website | Monday – Sunday 10am- 6pm | Entrance fee: $20 USD (includes access to the library and museum)

Of course, we know that Italy is the place for all things fashion, vespas, and pasta, but it’s also home to some of the prettiest and oldest book shops and libraries in the world. One of the most unique experiences you can have is to visit a book store in another country. I am no big bookworm, but seeing beautiful old and modern foreign literature lined wall to wall, along with many English classics, left even me wanting to dive into a good book. Additionally, book stores always have creative and unique gifts and trinkets that you can’t find elsewhere. I bought the coolest Milan journal there that had a cover designed by a local Milanese artist; it’s my favorite journal, and I absolutely love it.

Upon my research, I found another library stop that you need to add to your book tour. The iconic Ambrosian Library is one of the oldest libraries in Milan, dating back to the 1600’s. This library holds thousands of old literature ranging from theology to philosophy, and the library even houses more modern pieces. The Ambrosian Library is part of a cultural hub that also has an art museum with works from Leonardo Da Vinci, Caravaggio, and so many other notable artists on the same grounds. There is an entrance fee, but the admission allows you to visit both the library and museum, where you get to see so much, including an intimate look at not only Leonardo Da Vinci’s work but also his sketches and notes. If you have a love for art and history, this is the intersection of both, and a must see.

Book the Ambrosian Library + Museum Admission Ticket here

5. See Bosco Verticale (the Vertical Garden) + the Nearby Park

Visit the Milan Urban Garden Landmark

📍Via Gaetano de Castillia 16 20124 Milan Italy| Entrance: Free

Bosco Verticale (Vertical Forest) is a complex of two residential sky scrapers that overflows with greenery. The sky scrapers are 381 feet in length, home to over 90 different plant species, and have been called “a house of trees inhabited by humans” . The Bosco Verticale is a beautiful example of modern Italian architecture and an effort towards metropolitan reforestation.

This was one of my favorite spots when I was visiting Milan, the complex towers over a large grassy park where locals and tourists alike come to take a break from the concrete jungle that is Milan. This park has a large play area for your kiddos, a workout area to get cardio in, and an abundance of green space to do yoga, play sports, or simply just sit and enjoy the park’s refreshing ambiance. If you’re looking for the perfect spot to relax, read, have a picnic, and experience an urban garden—this is the place for you.

6. Eat a Traditional Italian Meal (No Not Pasta)

Wander to Find Local Dining Territory

During your trip to Italy, I know you’ll enjoy so much authentic Italian pasta (as did I on my trip), the pounds of gluten-free pasta I consumed during my trip were nothing short of fabulous. Rather than share more on Milan’s pasta, I suggest you experience more of the culture through trying other staple dishes to truly explore the variety of Italian cuisine throughout the various regions. A local friend I’d made cooked one of the most unique dishes I’ve tried, called Risotto Ai Mirtilli, which is a vibrant colored dish that has risotto, garlic, and blueberries.

Numerous Milan restaurants serve various regional Italian food in addition to pasta. One of my favorites while I was visiting is called. I had the Pomodori ripieni di riso con patate al forno (rice stuffed tomatoes with roast potatoes), and it was delicious. The prices vary from $14 USD to $21 USD. However, my favorite rule of thumb is to wander deep into side streets and pop into a restaurant where the menus aren’t translated, the venue is half full with some occupants appearing to be around 50, those are all good indicators that you might’ve stumbled upon the jackpot.

7. Have a Celebratory Cocktail or Aperitivo on Terrazza Aperol by the Duomo

The Best Vantage Point of the Duomo and the Piazza Square in Milan

📍Piazza del Duomo 21, 20122 Milano MI, Italy | Website |+39 02 4775 5459 | 11 am- 11 pm | Cost: $24 per drink (21 Euro not including cover charge)

Terrazza Aperol is an elevated experience, envision yourself sipping on a Aperol Spritz or drink of your choice in good company on a high terrace while getting an incredible vantage point of Milan’s most iconic symbol. If you’re already planning to visit the Duomo or just visit the Piazza del Duomo area, this is an activity you need to add to your list.

I will share that in comparison to other restaurants and cocktail bars in Milan, this spot in particular is a bit expensive and averages around $24 USD per drink. Though I value saving money, if you are kicking off or ending your visit in Milan, it’s definitely worth splurging for a special experience.

Keep that this place does get very crowded, though I haven’t seen many sources talk about it; it’s easy to come across because it is in a touristy area of Milan. With that in mind, be sure to book your table ahead of time or risk waiting in line with a slim chance of getting seated.

Thank you so much for reading “7 Unique Things You Need to Add to Your Milan Itinerary (That Most Travelers Miss)” and let me know in the comments if you’ve been or plan to visit or try any of these out. As always, happy traveling.

Your friend,

Trin🌴🌍

7 Unique Things to Add to Your Milan Itinerary (That Most Travelers Miss)