Meazza (San Siro) Stadium

Via Piccolomini 5, Milan, Italy Tel: +39 02 404 2432 Milan's Meazza Stadium was named after Giuseppe Meazza, a famous footballer who played for both the Inter and Milan city teams. It was originally built in 1926 and has since been rebuilt and renovated. It now has a capacity of around 85,000 and is Italy's number one stadium. It is also often referred to as San Siro, after the surrounding district. An enormous sculpture of a horse was created in 1999 and sited between the Meazza Stadium and the nearby San Siro racetrack. It was actually designed by the famous artist Leonardo da Vinci, who never found the time to construct it himself. Palazzo Marino

Piazza della Scala, Milan, Italy Designed in 1558 by Galeazzo Alessi for the banker Tommaso Marino, construction started shortly afterwards. It was not completed until 1892, when the facade was finally finished. It has been Milan's town hall since 1860 and was the birthplace of Marianna de Leyva, the famous nun of Monza. Palazzo Reale

Piazza del Duomo Tel: +39 02 8646 1394

Sunday to Wednesday - 09:30 to 20:00 (14:00 on Monday) Thursday to Saturday - 09:30 to 23:00 The Palazzo Reale is located in central Milan and was the seat of the commune administration in the 11th century. It was completely rebuilt in the 1330s and became the headquarters of the lords of Milan. In 1598 it housed the first permanent theatre in Milan and Mozart actually played here when has was a child. The city purchased this grand building in 1965 and converted it into offices and museums, including the Civico Museo d'Arte Contemporanea (CIMAC), containing the futuristic art collection.   Palazzo della Ragione

Piazza Mercanti, Milan, Italy Built in 1233 by the chief magistrate Oldrado da Tresseno, this courthouse is also often referred to as 'Broletto Nuovo'.   The first floor was used as the law court. Underneath, busy markets were held and in 1773, another story was added, to house the notorial archive. Cimitero Monumentale (Cemetery)

Piazzale Cimitero Monumentale, Milan, Italy Tel: +39 02 8846 5600

Tuesday to Sunday - 08:30 to 17:15 The Cimitero Monumentale contains many tombs and shrines, produced by famous sculptors. It was created in 1866 and is simply vast, covering an area more than 250,000 square metres. Highlights include the Famedio (House of Fame), a pantheon-style building where many well-known and highly regarded people are buried and numerous tombs and shrines, many of which are works of art in their own right. The Cimitero Monumentale is situated in north-east Milan and there is a free map of the cemetery available at the entrance.   Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Piazza della Scala

Milan, Italy The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele is a large and elegant arcade, lined with shops, bookstores, cafes and a famous restaurant, Savini. Designed to join the Piazza della Scala and Piazza del Duomo, construction started in 1865. The gallery was opened just two years later by the king, Vittorio Emanuele II, its namesake. It features a 155 foot high glass dome, standing above the central octagonal area and also some beautiful mosaics on the floor. Palazzo Borromeo

Piazza Borromea

Milan, Italy Situated in central Milan, this grand 15th-century palace was badly damaged by bombing in 1943 and much of it has since been rebuilt and restored. There are courtyards, many frescoes and in one room, Sala dei Giochi, there is a large, well-known painting of the aristocracy playing games, where the original blue of the sky has undergone a chemical reaction which has changed its color to red. Palazzo Cusani

Via Brera, Milan, Italy This palace, situated in north-east Milan, was originally built around 500 years ago and in 1797 it was completely rebuilt by Giovanni Ruggeri, who was responsible for designing the late Brocade facade, ornate windows and balconies. It is widely thought that twin entrances were built for the Cusani brothers, so that they could both have separate access. In the 19th century, the palazzo was the seat of the Ministry of War. Palazzo Litta

Corso Magenta 24, Milan, Italy Tel: 02 8846 5720

Daily The Palazzo Litta was built in 1648 for Count Bartolomeo Arese by Francesco Maria Richini. Around 100 years later the interior was updated and also the pink facade was added by the heirs, the Litta Visconti Arese. The palace is highly regarded and widely believed to be one of the most beautiful examples of 18th-century architecture in the region. Highlights include many stunning rooms, a typical 17th-century courtyard, a grand staircase decorated with marble and also a room that still has original 18th-century wallpaper. Since 1905, the palace has housed the State Railways offices. Fiera di Milano (Trade Fair)

Largo Domodossola 1, Milan, Italy Tel: +39 02 499 71 Founded in 1920, the Trade Fair was set up in Milan to help boost the domestic market in postwar Italy. Originally there were a number of pavilions and buildings, many of which were destroyed in the second world war, although some Art Nouveau buildings are still standing and in good condition. Since 1985, the Milan Trade Fair has become an important exhibition centre, one of the leading facilities in Europe, and now hosts a large number of specialist international shows. Each year the Fiera di Milano attracts almost 3 million visitors and over 30,000 exhibitors. Conservatorio di Musica Giuseppe Verdi

Via Conservatorio 12, Milan, Italy The Giuseppe Verdi Music Conservatory in south-east Milan was founded in 1808 and over the years many important musicians and composers have studied here, although Verdi himself was actually refused admission when he was young. It also houses an interesting collection of musical instruments, an impressive library with over 30,000 books and almost 500,000 pieces of music. Palazzo di Guistizia

Corsa di Porta Vittoria, Milan, Italy The Palazzo di Guistizia was built between 1932 to 1940 in south-east Milan and is home to the Milan Law Courts, notorial Acts Archive, 1,200 rooms, 65 law courts and also some contemporary works of art. In the early 1990s the building was very much in the headlines because of the Mani Pulite (clean hands) corruption inquests, which actually had a great influence on the face of Italian politics. Palazzo Isimbardi

Corso Monforte 35, Milan, Italy Tel: +39 02 7740 2973 Dating back to the 15th-century, Milan's Palazzo Isimbardi has been enlarged over the years by the many noble families who lived there. It 1775 is was purchased by Isimbardi who soon made many alterations of his own. It has been the seat of the Milan Provincial Government since 1935 and was only recently opened to the general public. It is situated in south-east Milan and highlights include original herringbone pattern paving, many interesting and highly decorated rooms, works of art, frescoes, glass chandeliers and a landscaped garden. Rotonda della Besana –

Via San Barnaba, Milan, Italy The Rotonda della Besana in Milan has had a colourful past, with the building having many uses. It was designed in 1695 by Francesco Raffagno and was the cemetery of the nearby Ca' Granda Hospital. In 1783 it was closed and an estimated 150,000 people were buried in the crypts under the arcades. It has since housed patients with infectious diseases, become the hospital laundry and is now used for many important, temporary exhibitions. Also, in the summer, there is an outdoor cinema where a number of different films are shown. Palazzo Sormani Andreani

Corsa di Porta Vittoria 6, Milan, Italy Tel: +39 02 782 219

Monday to Saturday – 09:00 to 19:30 Constructed in the 18th century, Milan's Palazzo Sormani Andreani was enlarged shortly after and quickly became one of the most extravagant residences in Milan. After the end of the second world war, the palace became the home of the Municipal Library and now houses Stendhal's private library. With over 600,000 works, including over a newspaper library with more than 20,000 Italian and foreign papers, a record / CD collection and much more, this is the largest library in Milan.   Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio

Piazza Sant'Ambrogio 15 MM2 Sant'Ambrogio), Milan.

Phone 02-8645-0895.

The basilica is open Monday-Saturday 7 am-noon and 2:30-7 pm, Sunday 7 am-7:45 pm. The museum is open Tuesday-Saturday 10 am-noon and 3-5 pm, Sunday 3-5 pm. Entrance to the basilica is free, Small museum - admission is charged. No credit cards.

This church was built in the fourth century by St. Ambrose, bishop of Milan and Milan's patron saint. It has been enlarged and rebuilt over the centuries, but the stunning fourth-century chapel with its fifth-century gold mosaic dome is still standing and was recently restored. The museum houses beautiful frescoes, Flemish tapestries and paintings, sculpture, liturgical objects and illuminated manuscripts. Self-guided audio tours are available in English

Basilica San Lorenzo

Corso di Porta Ticinese 39 (bus 94; tram 3), Milan

Phone 02-8940-4129 Daily 7:30 am-6:30 pm. 2 euros. No credit cards.

One of the oldest central-plan churches in the world (from the fifth century), this impressive site reused 16 second-century Roman columns in the church's portico. The central plan also has many eastern, Byzantine elements. Though heavily renovated in the 16th century, much of the early structure is visible, including some of the finest early frescoes and mosaics in northern Italy. Next to the basilica are the fifth-century chapels of Saint Aquilinus (with its original mosaics) and Saint Hippolitus, and the sixth-century mausoleum of Saint Sixtus.. Castello Sforzesco

Inside Parco Sempione on Piazza Cairoli

MM1 Cairoli or Cadorna, MM2 Cadorna or Lanza), Milan.

Phone 02-8846-3700. The castle is open daily 9:30 am-5:30 pm; the museums are open Tuesday-Sunday 9:30 am-5:30 pm. Admission to the castle and its museums is free

Admission is charged for the weekend castle tour.  

Built at the end of the 14th century, this red brick castle is one of the city's most imposing landmarks.  It was been destroyed, rebuilt and altered many times over the centuries. When Milan was under French rule, the castle was used as a military barracks. It now houses several museums: Museo d'Arte Antica, whose most notable piece is the Rondanini Pieta by Michelangelo, which was left unfinished at his death; the Pinacoteca, a collection of paintings and frescoes; and Egyptian and prehistoric collections. Tour offered Saturday and Sunday at 3 pm, through the castle. Bring a flashlight and good walking shoes. Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Grazie

Piazza Santa Maria delle Grazie MM1/MM2 Cadorna or Conciliazone), Milan.

Monday-Saturday 7:30 am-noon and 3-7 pm, Sunday 3:30-6:30 pm. Free

Phone 02-4801-4248. This church's big claim to fame is The Last Supper in its refectory next door, but it merits a visit in its own right. The church of Milan's ruling classes, it was begun in late-Gothic style in 1465. At the end of the century, Ludovico Sforza, the Duke of Milan, commissioned the architect Bramante to complete the dome and apse in the Renaissance style. (Ludovico was later ousted from Milan by the French and died in exile.) The church also has elaborate frescoes and carved wooden paneling.

The Duomo

Piazza del Duomo MM1/MM3 Duomo), Milan.

Phone 02-8646-3456.

Daily 7 am-7 pm. The rooftop is open March-October daily 9 am-5:45 pm, November-February daily 9 am-4:15 pm. There is a charge go up on the roof:  the stairs cost a little less than the elevator.  Almost five centuries in the making, the Duomo is the most recognizable symbol of Milan. Begun in the 14th century, the cathedral is a combination of Gothic and baroque styles. More than 2,000 statues and 135 marble spires stand on its exterior, and almost 500 more statues adorn the interior. Inside, visitors can view the splendidly attired remains of St. Charles Borromeo, a cardinal known as an advocate for the poor in the 1500s, and the tomb of Gian Giacomo Medici. A climb to the rooftop provides one of the finest views of the city and a closer look at the statue of the Virgin Mary atop the Duomo's spire, whom locals affectionately call La Madonnina. (This statue commands such reverence that until recently, laws prohibited the construction of buildings higher than its height at 354 feet.)

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II Built in 1865, this beaux-arts architectural beauty was the precursor to today's shopping mall. The cruciform gallery, with its soaring glass-and-steel roof and mosaic floors, has many small shops.

The Last Supper

Piazza Santa Maria delle Grazie 2), Milan.

Phone 02-8942-1146 for reservations.

Tuesday-Sunday 8:15 am-7 pm (last entrance is at 6:45 pm). Guided tours in English are offered Tuesday-Sunday at 9:30 am and 3:30 pm Leonardo da Vinci painted this famous fresco, known in Italy as the Cenacolo Vinciano, between 1495 and 1498 on the wall of the monastery refectory, or dining hall, attached to the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie. As familiar as the Mona Lisa, the picture shows Christ celebrating a last meal with his disciples before his arrest and crucifixion.

During the bombing of Milan in World War II, the refectory was almost completely destroyed. One of the few parts left intact was the wall with the fresco, which had been covered from floor to ceiling with sandbags. The fresco has had five restorations

Torre Branca

Via Camoens, Parco Sempione, Milan.

Phone 02-331-4120

April-October daily 10:30 am-noon, 2:30-8:30 pm, 9:30 pm-12:30 am; November-March daily 9 am-1 pm.

This 1933 landmark, Milan's answer to the Eiffel Tower, reopened in 2003 after being closed for years. Ascend 590 feet to the top for a bird's-eye view of the city.

Fondazione Antonio Mazzotta

MM1 Cairoli or MM2 Lanza), Milan.

Phone 02-878-197. This foundation, established in a 19th-century textile factory in 1988, presents three exhibits of contemporary art per year. It also has a permanent collection of works on paper by such artists as Goya, Modigliani, Boccioni, Kandinsky, Matisse, Warhol and others. Tuesday-Sunday 10 am-7:30 pm. 6.20 euros adults. Foro Bonoparte 50, between Castello Sforzesco and the Piccolo Teatro  

Museo Bagatti Valsecchi

Via Gesu 5; there's another entrance on Via Santo Spirito 10 (

MM1 San Babila, MM3 Montenapoleone, Milan.

Phone 02-7600-6132.

Tuesday-Sunday 1-5:45 pm. This strikingly beautiful house was owned by two brothers, Fausto and Guiseppe Bagatti Valsecchi, who were lawyers in late-19th-century Milan. Intrigued by the Renaissance, they turned their home into a showplace of that era, with furnishings and art they collected throughout their lives. English-language placards in each room explain the contents.

Museo Civico Archeologico

Corso Magenta 15

MM1/MM2 Cadorna, Milan.

Phone 02-8645-0011. Tuesday-Sunday 9 am-5:30 pm. Free. Purchase a pamphlet in English for a very low cost. A former monastery filled with everyday objects, some dating back to Etruscan times.

Museo del Duomo

Piazza del Duomo 14

MM1/MM3 Duomo, Milan.

Phone 02-860-358.

Daily 10 am-1:15 and 3-6. admission plus charge for the elevator to the rooftop. No credit cards. The Duomo Museum contains exhibits relating to the building of the cathedral. You probably never gave the gargoyles and statues on the Duomo's facade much thought, but here you can see the casts that made them, as well as scale models of the church during various phases of its construction. Church vestments from over the centuries are also on display

Museo Diocesano

Corso di Porta Ticinese 95

MM1/3 Duomo, MM2 Sant' Ambrogio), Milan.

Tuesday-Sunday 10 -6, Thursday till 10 pm.

Entrance to the basilica is free, admission charge for the chapel and museum After the cloisters of the fourth-century Basilica of Sant' Eustorgio were restored, this museum found a home within. The beauty of the cloisters is worth a visit in itself, and the bell tower dates to the 13th century. Temporary exhibits satisfy those with an eye for the fine arts. Don't miss the frescoed walls of the Portinari Chapel, which houses the tomb of St. Peter

Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnica

Via San Vittore 21

MM2 Sant' Agostino, Milan.

Phone 02-485-551.

Tuesday-Friday 9:30 am-5 pm; Saturday and Sunday 9:30 am-6:30 pm. Admission charged; No credit cards. Both children and adults enjoy the National Museum of Science and Technology, a homage to Leonardo da Vinci: It is very crowded on school days. Although it highlights da Vinci's scientific work with models and plans of his many inventions, it covers a wide span of modern technology, including trains, cars, airplanes and even an Italian submarine. Hands-on displays let you experiment with how things work. Most of the exhibit descriptions are in Italian, but the spacious Renaissance monastery setting adds to the experience.

Museo Poldi Pezzoli

Via Manzoni

12 MM1 San Bablio, Duomo or Cordusio, MM3 Montenapoleone,  Milan.

Phone 02-794-889.

Tuesday-Sunday 10 am-6 pm..  Free audio guides in Italian, English and Japanese available. Strolling through these rooms, you can appreciate the refined tastes of a Milanese aristocrat in the late 1800s. Count Gian Giacomo Poldi Pezzoli dedicated his life to acquiring Italian art and creating a beautiful setting to display his collection. Contains works of art by Vincenzo Foppa, Bernardino Luini, Botticelli and Tiepolo.  Antonio Pollaiolo's Portrait of a Lady is deemed one of Milan's most beloved treasures and the inspiration for the museum's logo.

Museo Teatra alla Scala

While the historic opera house undergoes restoration, the museum is in a temporary location in the Palazzo Busca, overlooking the Piazza Santa Marie delle Grazie. Daily 9 am-6 pm.

Palazzo Busca, Collegio San Carlo, Corso Magenta 71 MM1 Conciliazione or MM2/FNME Cadorna, Milan.

Phone 02-469-1249.

The La Scala Museum contains a collection of items having to do with opera, including theater costumes and stage sets, puppets and instruments. One of the most fascinating items is the composer Verdi's death mask.

Osservatorio Astronomico

Via Brera 28 MM2 Lanza), Milan.

Phone 02-7232-0301.

The observatory itself is open two days a month, though sometimes there are night sessions for viewing the stars.

Monday-Friday 9 am-12:30 pm, 1:30-4 pm. Museum, free; observatory charge.

The observatory, one of 12 in all of Italy, has been located in the Palazzo Brera since 1765. There you can visit the museum of antique astronomical instruments, the observatory where the canals on Mars were first charted and the rooftop where meteorological measurements have been made for 200 years. Guided tour times vary by season

Palazzo Reale

Piazza Duomo 12 MM1/3, Milan.

Phone 02-3932-2737 for information; 02-875-672 to reserve tickets. Hours and ticket prices vary according to individual exhibits. Credit card payment accepted only by telephone This beautiful 18th-century palazzo houses the CIMAC, the city museum of contemporary art, which has an important permanent collection of 20th-century art as well as changing exhibits. Milan's first theater company played there, and Mozart also performed there as a child. Most of the original interiors were bombed in World War II, but the spectacular Sala delle Cariatidi survived.

Pinacoteca Ambrosiana

Piazza Pio XI 2 MM1/MM3 Duomo or Cordusio, Milan.

Phone 02-806-921.

Tuesday-Sunday 10-5:30 Established in the early 1600s by Cardinal Federico Borromeo, this collection of paintings is in a 17th-century palazzo that is superb in itself. The impressive collection of mostly Italian art is grouped in rooms by century, providing an intimate viewing experience. Caravaggio's The Fruit Basket, Italy's first still-life painting, is probably the most important work in the collection. Another rare treasure is a series of small paintings by Jan Bruegel.

Pinacoteca di Brera

Via Brera 28 MM3 Montenapoleone, MM2 Lanza, Milan.

Phone 02-722-631.

Tuesday-Sunday 10:30 am-8:30 pm. An audio guide is available at a small charge. Considered one of the finest galleries in Italy, it contains works by such luminaries as Raphael, Bellini and Tiepolo. Andrea Mantegna's Cristo Morto (Dead Christ), an eerie exercise in perspective, is a major attraction.

Triennale di Milano

Viale Alemagna 6

MM1/MM2 FNME Cadorna, Milan.

Phone 02-724-341

Tuesday-Sunday 10 am-8:30 pm. La Triennale was renowned for its art and design exhibitions held there once every three years (hence the name), but now it features rotating shows relating to industrial design, photography and architecture, among other things. Its home is the Palazzo dell'Arte, built between 1931 and 1933, which is a prime example of early modern architecture and a true tribute to Milan's commitment to cutting-edge design.

Giardini Pubblici

Corso Venezia

MM1 Porta Venezia or Palestro, MM3 Turati, Milan. Daily 6:30 am-sunset. Free. The oldest (from 1786) and largest park in Milan, it was originally planned by the architect who designed the La Scala opera house. It's a great spot for children, with a merry-go-round, go-karts and three lakes.

Giardino della Guastalla

Via Guastalla MM1 San Babila), Milan. The gardens in this park were laid out nearly 500 years ago. Visit the 17th-century shrine to Mary Magdalene, as well as a beautiful neoclassical temple and a large synagogue

Orto Botanico

Via Brera 28

MM3 Montenapoleone, MM2 Lanza, Milan.

Phone 02-5031-4696. Monday-Friday 9:30 -4:30. Free. These lovely gardens are in the heart of the chic Brera neighborhood, on the grounds of the Palazzo Brera itself. You can combine a visit there with stops at the observatory and the Brera art gallery for a culturally enlightening day.

Parco Sempione

Starts at Piazza Cairoli and stretches about 1 mile 

MM1 Cairoli, Milan.