Milan is often overlooked by competing for Italian cities like Rome and Florence, but Milan is the backbone of Italian history and economics, earning its spot on any traveler’s bucket list. It’s the most industrialized city in the country, giving it a reputation for being innovative, and being a fashion hub for photographers, artists, and designers keeping it on the trendy side. If you are planning a trip to the elegant and iconic city, Milan is sure to top your expectations.

Whether you are a first-time visitor, or returning traveler who loves Italy, this beginner’s guide to visiting Milan is full of tips, advice, and the best destination highlights to make any trip to Milan memorable.

Milan is a fantastic city to explore, full of hidden corners, an elegant vibe, and beauty in every direction. There is an array of different architectural styles buildings, impressive cathedrals, and art galleries, an dis the best place in Italy to learn about modern-day Italian history. Milan is a paradise for fashion lovers and shoppers as well, being the fashion capital of Italy and featuring some of the most high-class brands and designers in the fashion world. Whether you are interested in history, fashion, culture, cuisine, or nightlife, Milan has something to suit everyone’s preferences.

If it’s your first time visiting this gorgeous Italian city, it’s a good idea to do some research ahead of time. Get the best out of your time in Milan by eliminating stress, avoiding high crowds, and staying safe throughout your stay by keeping the following tips in mind when planning your trip.

• Best time to visit: The best time to visit Milan is in the springtime from March-May. Not only are the crowds much lower compared to the summer season, but the weather is cool and comfortable. While there is the occasional rainshower, spring also features the iconic Milan Fashion week; it’s hard to beat fashion week in Milan due to the importance of the fashion industry.

• Weather: Milan is a city that experiences 4 distinct seasons throughout the year and maintains a humid, subtropical climate. Temperatures can reach up to 90 degrees in the summer but significantly decreases in the winter months, with fog snow in place of the humidity. Spring and fall have comfortable temperatures but tend to be the rainiest times of the year as well.

• Safety: Milan is relatively crime-free and an overall safe city for tourists. While it has its troubles just like any other metropolitan city, as long as you pay attention to your surroundings there shouldn’t be any issues. Avoid walking around alone at night, and be more cautious of pickpocketers around touristic landmarks.

• Getting around: The easiest and most convenient way to get around the city is to use the ATM. Milan’s ATM public transportation system features 4 metro lines, historic trams, and a bus line, that reaches every part of the city.

• Where to stay: The overall best area to stay in Milan are Navigli for nightlife, Porta Venezia for those interested in art and culture, Porta Nuova for shopping, and Centro Storico for easy access to tourist attractions and popular sites.

While the Duomo is by far the most well-known landmark in all of Milan, there are a lot of other great highlights about this fabulous city. From high-class shopping, beautiful canals, and delicious Italian food around every corner, here are some of the best destination highlights and must-see attractions while in Milan.

• Duomo di Milano is the main attraction to the city and one of the most popular landmarks in all of Italy. Sitting in Piazza del Duomo, it’s the one place you don’t want to miss on any visit to Milan. It features more than 135 towers on its terraces, and has a gorgeous interior; visit in the morning to beat the crowds and get the best photos.

• Leonardo da Vinci’s painting of The Last Supper is without a doubt one of the most famous works of art worldwide. This is one of the top places in Milan any visitor must see, especially since the original masterpiece is starting to deteriorate. If you want to see more of his artwork, buy a dual ticket for The Last Supper and Biblioteca Ambosiana.

• Thanks to Da Vinci, Milan was connected to the outside world by a series of canals, otherwise known as the Navigli Lombardi. The canals remaining downtown are some of the only ones left after the canal system was no longer useful, but now feature an array of bars, cafes, a whole lot of excitement, and a bit of Italian charm.

• The oldest and most iconic shopping mall in Italy is no other than the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele in Milan. The gallery features a beautiful glass top and features some of the most exquisite brands in the fashion world, such as Prada, Louis Vuitton, and Dior, all uniformed with black and golden standard designs. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes in the Galleria, a favorite spot of the famous Puccini, some of them being more than 150 years old.

• Otherwise known as the Temple of Opera, the La Scala Opera Theater is one of the most famous theaters in the world. Whether you opt to get tickets to a live performance or a tour, its definitely a place not to miss while in Milan. It is linked to various artists and composers within the opera world, such as Rossini and Giuseppe Verdi.

Whether you are a fashionista coming to explore the fashion capital of Italy, a history buff looking to indulge in museums and historical landmarks, or just an adventurous tourist who loves everything about Italy, Milan is the place to be. We hope you have enjoyed this beginner’s guide to visiting Milan, and that you remember to refer back to this post before planning your next trip! Arrivederci!