Milan
Milan is well known for its reputation as a fashion capital, however there’s more to the city than that. It’s also a city rich with history, art and culture and sport. Milan was the host of the 2026 Winter Olympics with the incredible opening ceremony taking place in the San Siro Stadium.
The Renaissance
Milan flourished during the 15th century Italian Renaissance thanks in part to the powerful Visconti and Sforza families, who transformed the city into a centre of learning, architecture, and the arts. It was under their patronage that the genius Leonardo da Vinci left his everlasting mark on the city.
Art and Religion
The most famous Renaissance treasure in Milan is Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper”, housed on the refectory wall of the Santa Maria delle Grazie convent. Painted between 1495 and 1498, the artwork captures the moment when Christ reveals his betrayal by one of the apostles. Tickets are limited and sell out quickly, so you need to book months in advance if you want to see it.
Construction on Milan’s famous Duomo di Milano began in the late 14th century and was completed centuries later.
Before going inside the cathedral take some time to look more closely at the exterior. Intricate carvings adorn the walls and if you can zoom your camera up to the top you’ll see The Gold Madonna at the top of the spire.
The cathedral’s evolution reflects a blend of Gothic and Renaissance architecture and walking into the cool interior you’ll find soaring columns, intricate stained glass, and elaborate sculptures which demonstrate the incredible artistry that helped shape Milan.
La Scala
For opera lovers a trip to Milan wouldn’t be complete without a visit to La Scala. Opened in 1778, it’s one of the world’s greatest theatres. The new season starts every year on 7th December with a prestigious event.
However you don’t need a show ticket to visit the Opera house as guided tours are available on non-performance days.
You’ll find the Opera house on Piazza della Scala.
Check the website for the programme details and tour information.
Fashion
There’s no getting away from Milan’s reputation for fashion. The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, one of the world’s oldest shopping arcades, is itself a 19th-century architectural wonder capped by a large glass dome on the ceiling which lets the light flood in.
The arcade links the Duomo with La Scala and is a popular walkway with locals and tourists. We strolled through the arcade admiring the mosaics on the walls in between checking out the latest fashions from designers such as Versace and Prada.
Food and Entertainment
Milan is also a gastronomic destination. Its signature dish is risotto alla Milanese a rich creamy dish with the added ingredient of saffron which gives the dish a unique flavour and colour.
I also enjoyed Mondeghili which are traditional Milanese meatballs as well as refreshing mango gelato. Choose your flavour of ice cream from one of the many gelato shops dotted around the city.
Café culture thrives throughout Milan and as well as sightseeing we enjoyed just sitting with a coffee watching the world go by in the bustling centre of Milan.
The Navigli district, originally designed with canals that Leonardo da Vinci helped engineer, is a popular area for nightlife, dining, art galleries and trendy boutiques.
Finally
Milan is a city of contrasts where old meets new. An economic powerhouse where wealth and grandeur permeates throughout the city. Where business deals are done over cups of espresso in traditional old cafes while well-heeled Italians frequent the modern designer stores. It’s a city proud of its history and culture and with a reputation for fashion which has remained true to itself for decades.
