Italy: short break in Milan | Art, architecture and fashion

Tourist activities

Duomo Cathedral

It is impossible to pass through Milan without visiting the iconic Duomo, an architectural work of art in the form of a Gothic cathedral.

This cathedral is a masterpiece to be admired from the outside, but a ticket to visit it inside will also give you access to its roof, as well as to the archaeological zone, for a completely different perspective on Milan.

Don’t hesitate to book a visit to the terraces of the Duomo and the Cathedral.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

On the other side of Piazza Duomo is the famous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a luxurious shopping arcade dating back to the 19th century. Here you’ll find high-end restaurants and boutiques from luxury designers such as Prada, Dior and Gucci.

With its glass ceilings and opulent facades, the architecture of this gallery is a wonder to behold; even the floors were worth taking pictures of.

Shopping

Milan is a dream place for shopping. If you appreciate luxury items, you’ll be spoilt for choice (whether to buy or just to look). Stroll through the Fashion Quadrilateral, including Via Montenapoleone and Via della Spiga, for some luxury window shopping: Prada, Hermès, Cartier, Gucci, Armani, Dolce Gabanna, all the big designer brands are here.

Corso Buenos Aires and Via Torino offer all the major European and international clothing stores such as H&M, Zara, Pull and Bear, and others. There’s no shortage of choice, so good luck if you’re travelling as carry-on only!

Art Museums

Art lovers will find much to enjoy in Milan, a city overflowing with museums displaying the works of some of the most famous artists of their time.

Just as you go to the Louvre to see Mona Lisa, in Milan you go to the Basilica di Santa Maria delle Grazie to admire the famous masterpiece The Last Supper. Be sure to buy your tickets in advance with this guided discovery of Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper.

Here are other museums to add to your list:

Pinacoteca di Brera
Pinacoteca Ambrosiana
Fondazione Prada
Museo del Novecento
MUDEC
Leonardo Museum3
Science Museum of Milan (Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnologia ‘Leonardo da Vinci’)
Armani/Silos

Since my time in Milan was limited, I chose to visit the Pinacoteca di Brera museum, which features the works of famous Italian artists through different eras. I am not an expert or particularly passionate about art, but I did love my experience at this museum.

As well as admiring the works of art, I found the restoration process fascinating. At the end of the visit, you can enjoy an espresso in the luxurious café, which is just as magnificent as the museum itself.

Architecture

In Milan and in Italy in general, strolling through the streets without a specific destination, marveling at the different neighborhoods and architecture is an activity in itself.

Milan becomes an open-air museum when you explore it; you can easily enjoy it without having to buy tickets for every place of interest.

If you visit the Pinacoteca di Brera, take the opportunity to stroll through the Brera district, and more specifically along Via Fiori Chiari. This area is one of the most picturesque spots in the city’s historic center. You’ll find little gems along the way, from local clothing and interior design boutiques to welcoming restaurants with a charming atmosphere.

If you’d like a guided tour of the city, you could book this free tour of Milan.

Facing the Duomo Cathedral and opposite the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is the Palazzo Reale, the royal palace of Milan. Inside you’ll find a museum on the history of the building, the Duomo and other temporary exhibitions of contemporary art featuring works by famous artists.

Fans of the medieval period will love Castello Sforzesco. You can admire it for free from the outside, or visit its current exhibitions inside.

Those who prefer the Roman era should stop to see the ruins of the Roman era Colonne di San Lorenzo, located in front of the basilica of San Lorenzo.

A well-hidden little treasure that I recommend you visit: the church of San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore. From the outside, it’s not particularly eye-catching, but it’s quite the opposite when you visit the inside. You will find beautiful frescoes by 16th century painters. Plus, access is free!

There are, of course, many other attractions to see in Milan, and it’s up to you to decide what you’d like to see, depending on your tastes and the artistic and cultural period that most fascinates you.

You could explore Milan’s hidden gems on this guided bike tour.

Navigli canals

Walking through the city and visiting museums can quickly become exhausting. Head to the Navigli district for an aperitivo, the local tradition of having a cocktail served with some food. Take a seat along the canals and observe Milanese life.

It’s a pleasant neighborhood to explore at sunset and in the evening, with its restaurants serving local cuisine, art galleries and nightlife.

Milan Opera House

Inaugurated in 1778, La Scala in Milan is one of the world’s most prestigious opera houses, and has been the venue for many major musical performances. A performance at La Scala is the crowning achievement of an opera singer’s career. You can also attend classical ballet performances, such as The Nutcracker in December.

Nearby excursions

Lombardy

We often talk about southern Italy, but the Lombardy region is just as rich in natural wonders and authentic towns to visit. From Milan, this boat trip to Como and Bellagio is a must. These are two of the most beautiful towns in northern Italy.

You can also opt for a full trip managed by Wingbuddy. The “Italy North to South” tour allows you to discover several of the country’s highlights, including Rome, Florence, Venice, Tuscany, and the Amalfi Coast, with flights, accommodation, transportation, and guided tours included. This is an ideal option for exploring Italy without worrying about the logistics.

For hiking and mountain enthusiasts, the Dolomites are just as spectacular.

Cinque Terre

Milan also offers direct rail access to Cinque Terre from La Spezia. Since the trip takes about 3 hours, it is best to plan more than one day to visit these five idyllic villages.

Book your train journeys online on the Trenitalia website , or opt for a guided boat trip to Cinque Terre.

Europe et Maroc : deux mois de voyage en télétravail à petit prix - Intro Europe Maroc 090

Milan – Saving with points

On the flight

Air Canada offers direct flights from Montreal to Milan. For a one-way economy flight, you’ll need 35,000 Aeroplan points.

Would you like to find out more about this loyalty program? Here is our Aeroplan beginner’s guide .

Another strategy is to use ultra-affordable airlines. For example, French Bee offers a direct Montreal-Paris connection at a low price. It is then easy to take a second very affordable flight from Orly Airport to Milan, notably with easyJet.

The cost of flights can be paid or reimbursed using travel points on credit cards such as the CIBC Aventura^MD Visa Infinite* Card or the TD First Class Travel^® Visa Infinite* Card. Check out our guide to everything you need to know about saving on airline tickets.

Our credit card selection
Credit card	Annual fee	Welcome offer
SponsoredTD First Class Travel^® Visa Infinite* Card Apply NowCompare	Annual fee$139 $0	Welcome offer Up to 160,000 points	Apply NowCompare
CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card Apply NowCompare	Annual fee$139 $0	Welcome offer Up to 60,000 points	Apply NowCompare

If you are flying with Air Canada and passing through Malpensa Airport, you’ll have access to the Lufthansa lounge since your flight is part of the Star Alliance network. To get free access, use the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card, which gives you six complimentary airport lounge passes with DragonPass.

Compare

Scotiabank Passport^® Visa Infinite +* Card

Scotiabank Scene+

Annual fee: $150
Our valuation: $350Milesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$350Total$350Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.; Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$350Total$350Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer: Up to 35,000 points; Ends Nov 1, 2026

With this welcome offer for the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card ^+* Card^MC, you’ll earn 25,000 welcome bonus Scene+ points after charging $2,000 in purchases to your account within the first three months.

Plus, every year, earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 Scene+ points when you charge at least $40,000 in purchases to your account. In total, the offer represents up to 35,000 Scene+ points and a value of up to $1,250 in the first year, including rewards, savings on foreign transaction fees and airport lounge access.

With the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card, you earn 3 points per $1 spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland and participating Co-ops, and 2 points per $1 spent at other grocery stores, restaurants, eligible entertainment and eligible daily transit. You earn 1 point per $1 on all your other everyday purchases.

These points can be redeemed against any travel purchase at a rate of 1,000 points = $10 (flights, hotels, all-inclusives and even Airbnb), or as cash back with Scene+ at the same rate.

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card also offers:

No fees for foreign currency transactions
6 complimentary airport VIP lounge passes
Excellent insurance for your travels and purchases
Visa Infinite* Concierge Services

We have named this credit card the Best Credit Card with No Foreign Transaction Fees in 2024, 2025, and 2026.

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* The potential value of savings and rewards during the first 12 months includes the value of the welcome offer, the potential value of points earned in the first year, the value of savings on foreign currency transaction fees and the cost of airport lounge access as of May 22, 2026:

$250 in travel rewards (25,000 bonus Scene+ points) for new Scotiabank Passport^® Visa Infinite +* Cardholders who charge $2,000 in purchases to their account within the first three (3) months;

$100 in travel rewards (10,000 bonus Scene+ points) for cardholders who charge $40,000 in purchases to their account;

$50 in savings from the annual fee waiver on the first additional card for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit card account holders;

$132 in savings on foreign currency transaction fees based on the average amount of foreign currency purchases made per active account over the past 24 months (by saving on the 2.5% foreign currency transaction fees typically charged by other credit card issuers);

$364 representing the potential value of points earned in the first year (36,400 Scene+ points) based on the average amount of purchases made per active account over the past 24 months, assuming an average spend of 21% of purchases in categories eligible for accelerated earn rates of 2X and 3X points;

$358 representing the value of complimentary membership in the Visa Airport Companion program which includes 6 airport lounge passes (based on « Preferred » membership valued at approximately $357 CAD/$259 USD). Based on the exchange rate in effect on May 22, 2026.

Maximum potential value after the first year = $1,254 (rounded to $1,250)

The actual value of offers, savings realized and points earned will vary depending on card usage and eligibility for applicable offers. Conditions apply.

1 Offer description and conditions: The 25,000 Scene+ points offer (the « offer ») applies only to new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit card accounts (the « accounts ») opened between August 4, 2026 and November 1, 2026 (regardless of the date you apply for the account) subject to the conditions below. The offer may be modified, cancelled or extended at any time without notice, and it cannot be combined with any other offer.

In addition, as a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Cardholder, you are eligible for an annual bonus of 10,000 Scene+ points if you charge at least $40,000 in eligible everyday purchases to your Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card account over the course of one year. Conditions apply; see below for more details.

Description and conditions of the 25,000 bonus Scene+ points offer: To be eligible for the 25,000 bonus Scene+ points offer (« 25,000 bonus points »), you must charge at least $2,000 in total eligible purchases to your account within the first three months following the account opening date.

Conditions for the annual 10,000 Scene+ points bonus:
As a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit cardholder, you can earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 Scene+ points (the « annual points bonus ») if you charge at least $40,000 in eligible purchases to your account over the course of one year (12-month period). The annual period begins on the account opening date; a new period starts again every twelve months thereafter. If you replace another Scene+-eligible credit card with the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card (i.e., it is not a new card or an additional card), the opening date of your original account will be carried over to your new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card account and your annual period under this offer will begin on the next anniversary date of your original account opening. For example, if you originally opened a Scotiabank Gold American Express^® Card account on January 15, 2022 and you switch to the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card on July 15, 2025, your annual period under the 10,000 Scene+ points annual bonus offer will begin on January 15, 2026 (your next anniversary date) and a new period will start again on January 15 each year thereafter. You will earn 2,000 bonus Scene+ points for each additional $10,000 in purchases made during the same year once you have reached the $40,000 annual purchase threshold.

Eligible purchases means purchases, less refunds, returns and any other similar credits, and excludes payments, cash advances (including balance transfers and quasi-cash transactions), interest charges, as well as card fees and other fees.

Fulfillment of the annual points bonus: Bonus points will be credited within approximately eight weeks after you become eligible for a bonus, provided the account is open and in good standing. In the case of a joint account with a primary borrower and a co-borrower, bonus points will be credited as follows: (i) the 25,000 bonus points and the annual points bonus will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the account of the borrower who made the transaction that reached the eligible purchase threshold ($2,000, or $40,000) within the appropriate timeframe (the first three months, or the first 12 months). If an additional cardholder makes the transaction that reaches the eligible purchase threshold for the 25,000 bonus points, or the annual points bonus, the bonus points will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the primary borrower’s account. It is possible to transfer points between the Scene+ accounts of a primary borrower, a co-borrower or an additional cardholder by contacting Scene+. An account is in good standing if it is not past due, there is no over-limit, and the cardholder(s) have complied with the terms of the Revolving Credit Agreement that applies to the account. All other program conditions continue to apply during the offer period.

Offer eligibility and exclusions: You cannot take advantage of the offer if you are currently a primary or secondary cardholder of a Scotiabank personal credit card or have been one in the past two years, including if you transfer your balance from an existing Scotiabank personal credit card account, and if you are a Scotiabank employee. Subject to the exclusions mentioned above, small business credit cardholders are eligible for this offer.

Rates and fees: The annual fees are $150 for the primary card, $0 for the first additional card and $50 for each additional card thereafter (including those issued to joint account holders and additional cardholders). The preferred annual interest rates applicable to the account are as follows: 20.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances (including balance transfers and quasi-cash transactions). The rates, fees, and features and benefits, which are described in the disclosure statement accompanying the application, may be changed.

Annual fee

Primary card$150

Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$60,000

Household$100,000

Conversion fees

Earning rate

2xGroceries
2xRestaurants
2xTransit
2xEntertainment
1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$650

2nd Year Value$397

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7

Airport lounge access$240

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $1,000,000 / 25 days

Travel medical (55-64)Up to $1,000,000 / 25 days

Travel medical (65+)Up to $1,000,000 / 3 days

Trip CancellationUp to $1,500

Trip InterruptionUp to $2,500

Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000

Lost BaggageUp to $1,000

Flight DelayUp to $500

Hotel BurglaryUp to $1,000

Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded

Extended Warranty+1 years

Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

Hotel in Milan

As in any major European city, hotel prices in Milan are not cheap. Personally, I had a very pleasant stay at the AC Hotel Milan Sesto, easily accessible by metro. Discover it here:

Here are some other suggestions for Marriott Bonvoy hotels :

There are several ways to earn Marriott Bonvoy points. The easiest way is via credit card. American Express offers two credit cards linked to this loyalty program:

Our credit card selection
Credit card	Annual fee	Welcome offer
FeaturedMarriott Bonvoy^® American Express^®* Card Apply NowCompare	Annual fee$120	Welcome offer Up to 110,000 pointsEnds Sep 22, 2026	Apply NowCompare
FeaturedMarriott Bonvoy^® Business American Express^®* Card Apply NowCompare	Annual fee$150	Welcome offer Up to 110,000 pointsEnds Sep 22, 2026	Apply NowCompare

Travel rewards are also a great way to save on Airbnb rentals or independent hotels.

Our guides will help you determine the best strategy for your trip:

On Foreign Currency Transactions

It’s a good idea to slip a credit card with no conversion fees into your wallet. That’s a 2.5% savings per transaction!

In fact, I used the Scotiabank Passport^™ Visa Infinite +* Card to pay for the majority of my expenses. The Wealthsimple Visa Infinite Card is also an excellent option, offering 2% cashback on all transactions, even abroad.

Discover our tips in our guide to saving on foreign currency transactions

Milan – Useful information for this trip

Here is some useful information for your visit to Milan:

Milan has an excellent public transportation system and a large train station, making it easy to get around.
You can also ride BikeMi, Bixi’s cousin.
Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere, but it is always advisable to carry some change.
Although Italian restaurants reign supreme in Milan, you’ll find all sorts of alternative ways to eat here, including Asian, vegetarian and gluten-free restaurants. This is the advantage of being in a big city.

2026 Winter Olympic Games – Milan & Cortina

In February 2026, Milan will be at the center of global attention as it hosts, along with Cortina d’Ampezzo, the Winter Olympic Games. The event will take place from February 6 to 22, 2026, transforming the Lombard capital into a true Olympic hub and attracting visitors, sports enthusiasts, and curious individuals from around the world.

Even though several mountain sports events will take place in the Italian Alps, Milan will play a central role in the Games. The city will notably host the opening ceremony at the legendary San Siro stadium, as well as competitions such as ice hockey, figure skating, and short-track. The result will be a unique festive atmosphere, with celebration zones, cultural events, and a palpable buzz throughout the city.

The hosting of the Games will obviously impact hotel demand and prices, especially near competition venues and in the city center. It is therefore highly recommended to book flights and accommodation in advance, particularly if you plan a short stay during the first or last week of the Games. However, there is good news: Milan’s transport network is well-developed and will allow you to stay a little further away while remaining mobile.

Milan – Conclusion

In general, Milan is not the first choice of destination for those who wish to discover Italy. However, it can be the starting or ending point of a superb trip. You could even book an excursion to Venice.

Milan is a city well worth visiting, if only to do a little shopping or to marvel at the Duomo cathedral.

Whether you’re there for an afternoon or a few days, take the time to explore it if you find yourself there.