Milan is the financial and fashion capital of Italy, so finding free, or even cheap, things to do here can be a challenge. Like our suggestions for free activities in Rome and free activities in Florence, this list of free activities in Milan focuses on the city’s fantastic churches and spacious parks. But one of the best free activities in Milan is browsing the shop windows of the fashion district and watching the endless parade of elegant Milanese as they go about their day.
Shop windows in the Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery
Direction
Piazza del Duomo , 20123 Milan MI , ItalyGet directions
Telephone
+39 02 8845 5555
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Historical attractions
4.6
You will also find many high-end shops, such as Prada and Gucci, in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II , the spectacular 19th-century shopping arcade near the Duomo. Known in Milan as “Il Salotto” (the “living room”), the Gallery connects Piazza del Duomo with Piazza della Scala, thus inviting Milanese to walk on its beautiful tile floor and under its glass and steel ceiling . If your budget doesn’t allow for shopping or a coffee stop, you can still admire the Gallery’s many colorful mosaics, including one of a bull (‘bull’), which locals and tourists like to spin around for good lucky.
El duomo
Direction
Piazza del Duomo , 20122 Milan MI , ItalyGet directions
Telephone
+39 02 7202 3375
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A trip to Milan is not complete without a visit to the Milan Cathedral (Duomo), one of the largest churches in the world. The interior of the Duomo is vast, supported by 52 pillars and large enough to house 40,000 worshipers, but it is not filled with art. However, there are some works of interest here, including the 18th-century sundial, a hideously detailed statue of the flayed Saint Bartholomew, and beautiful examples of stained glass. While entry to the Duomo is free, there is a small entrance fee to visit the roof, where you can inspect the cathedral’s many towers, statues, and gargoyles and admire the tremendous views of Milan.
Sforzesco Castle
Direction
Piazza Castello , 20121 Milan MI , ItalyGet directions
Telephone
+39 02 8846 3700
Web
Visit the website
Historical attractions
4.8
The Castello Sforzesco, named for Francesco Sforza, the Duke of Milan, is a sprawling castle complex just minutes northwest of the Duomo and is one of Milan’s most visited attractions. In the mid-15th century, Sforza built his castle residence on the foundations of a medieval fortress that had been erected by the ruling 14th-century Visconti family. Among the features Sforza commissioned were the castle courtyard, fountains, bridge (over a pre-existing moat), tower, and interior frescoes. Today, the castle houses several small museums, including the Archaeological Museum and the Natural History Museum, and also hosts concerts and special exhibitions throughout the year. Touring the grounds of Castello Sforzesco, including its peaceful courtyard (Il Cortile), is free,
Milan parks
Direction
Piazza Sempione , 20154 Milan MI , ItalyGet directions
Telephone
+39 02 8846 7383
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Escaping the hustle and bustle of modern Milan is free and easy in the city’s parks. Two of the best and most accessible parks are Parco Sempione and Giardini Pubblici . Between the Castello Sforzesco and the Arco della Pace (a triumphal arch reminiscent of the Arch of Constantine in Rome) is Parco Sempione, which is dotted with monuments and fountains and also includes a small lake and winding paths ideal for running or walking. Closer to the Quadrilatero d’Oro is the Giardini Pubblici (Public Gardens). The Giardini Pubblici occupies a wide strip of green space of approximately 40 acres, in which there are three small lakes and the Center of Natural Sciences of Milan.
Showcases in the Quadrilatero d’Oro
The Quadrilatero d’Oro (Golden Rectangle), an area bounded by four main streets: Via Montenapoleone, Via Manzoni, Via del Corso and Via Senato, and crossed by some more boutique-filled streets, including Via della Spiga and Via Sant ‘Andrea It is the haute couture center of Italy. This is where you will find many iconic stores from the big names in Italian fashion, including Dolce e Gabbana, Roberto Cavalli, Versace and Giorgio Armani. Browsing the latest runway fashions that grace the Quadrilatero d’Oro shop windows, as well as the clientele in the shops, is a thoroughly enjoyable spectator sport and will cost you nothing but time (unless, of course, you’re tempted). to buy something).
