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Whether you love traveling on your own or feel ready to start doing it, Italy’s largest city will welcome you with open arms. So tag along to find out the most exciting things to do alone in Milan.
When I lived in Milan back in my college years, I was lucky to be in great company most of the time. Yet when I went out to explore the city by myself, it felt almost like I was creating my own private version of it.
Then, a couple of years later, I visited again for a few days, this time as a solo traveler — and it was just amazing!
Table of Contents
The best things to do alone in Milan
1. View Milan from above
Since Milan’s skyline is nothing but homogeneous, admiring the city from its tallest buildings is always a marvelous experience.
The terraces of the Cathedral are the ultimate spot for that. From up there, you’ll see the high-rises of the Porta Nuova district on one side, the domes and bell towers of the downtown churches on the other, and, on a clear day, the Alps’ snow-capped peaks at a distance.
For a different view, you can head to Parco Sempione and climb the Branca Tower or pick your favorite rooftop bar. Alternatively, Palazzo Lombardia, the seat of the region’s government, welcomes visitors to its 39th-floor overlook for free a few times a year.
2. Walk around the city center
Although Milan is not as monumental as Rome or Venice, it does have its fair share of medieval cathedrals, Baroque palaces, and — unlike any other city in the country — bold skyscrapers.
So an aimless stroll around town is guaranteed to be full of nice surprises, or serendipity if you will. You might stumble upon lovely squares like Piazza Sant’Alessandro or unusual landmarks like L.O.V.E., the middle finger statue outside the stock exchange building.
While you’re at, don’t forget to grab gelato or a slice of pizza to refuel and keep on exploring the city on foot.
3. Take a themed tour
There’s nothing like counting on a local to discover a city’s hidden gems. Luckily, Milan is filled with highly rated agencies offering a wide range of tours that will give you a glimpse into all aspects of life in the city.
You can start with a historic walk to check off the main sights in town like the Sforza Castle, The Last Supper, and La Scala. Because Milan is one Italy’s food capitals, a street food tour is also quite a great activity.
For tons of fun on two wheels, book a bike tour instead. Finally, art lovers will relish the Brera district tour, which introduces travelers to this bohemian neighborhood and to the masterpieces on display at the Pinacoteca di Brera.
Also read: 10 Best Food Tours in Milan You Should Book
4. Indulge in a shopping spree
Milan is one of the world’s fashion capitals; I’m sure you’ve got that memo. The fanciest brands you can think of (both Italian and foreign) have flagship stores in the ritzy Quadrilatero della Moda district — and some have more than one location in town.
Shopping for high-end clothes and handmade accessories is a favorite pastime for well-off locals and visitors alike, but Milan is actually a shopping haven for all tastes and pockets.
You can load up on good ole’ souvenirs, hunt for antiques at one of the city’s flea markets, or fill up your suitcase with delicacies like gorgonzola, panettone, and Franciacorta wine.
5. Visit an art museum
Milan is home to several world-class museums showcasing some of the most influential artworks in art history. At the Sforza Castle, you’ll find pieces ranging from Antiquity to the early modern age.
The Modern Art Gallery, in turn, houses an impressive 19th-century collection. And the Museo del Novecento, located right at Piazza Duomo, specializes in 20th-century art.
In addition to those, check out Pinacoteca di Brera (pictured above) and the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana painting galleries, as well as the temporary exhibits of the Royal Palace and the Museum of Cultures (MUDEC).
In case you’re more of a science buff instead, don’t miss out on the sprawling National Museum of Science and Technology, which features all sorts of machines and inventions and even a 1:1 rocket model.
6. Watch a soccer match
Milan is the home ground of two of the most legendary soccer teams in Europe, and probably the planet: AC Milan and Internazionale.
The two teams face off at the equally iconic San Siro Stadium twice to four times every year, so if you happen to be in town on such a special occasion absolutely get a ticket for the local derby.
Otherwise, San Siro hosts up to three matches a week throughout the year (except for July) — meaning you can go support either AC Milan or Inter whenever you visit.
7. Take a cooking class
Now, what’s coolest than flying back home and impressing your family and friends with newly acquired cooking skills? And how cooler does that get when you’re learning Italian recipes from a native chef?
That one-of-a-kind experience is at hand in Milan, where some of the most skillful chefs in the country live and work. Among the countless available options, you can learn how to make pasta from scratch, for instance, or get an insider’s look into the decadent world of pizza and gelato.
8. Relax in the park
All in all, Milan is home to 76 parks and gardens totaling around 3,500 acres of green area. The largest ones, like Parco Nord Milano and Parco Forlanini, are outside the urban core, but downtown Milan boasts two lovely historic parks: Parco Sempione and the Giardini Pubblici Indro Montanelli.
Apart from being safe and beautifully landscaped, each of them features several attractions that you should explore after strolling around or sunbathing on the grass.
At Parco Sempione, for example, you can visit the Sforza Castle and the Triennale Design Museum or climb up Branca Tower, while at the Giardini Pubblici you can tour the Civic Museum of Natural History or catch a show at the Planetarium.
9. Ride the quaint trams
With its 17 lines covering about 110 miles of tracks, Milan has one of the most comprehensive streetcar networks on Earth.
Though the best deal of cars are relatively new, the almost one-hundred-year-old yellow trams of the 1500 series keep running through lines 1, 5, 10, and 33 (for the most part).
Riding one of these charming streetcars, which boast shiny wooden interiors, is like stepping back in time.
Plus, it’ll allow for the perfect people-watching occasion and introduce you to the city’s main sights in an entirely different way.
And if you’re feeling particularly fancy, you can have lunch or dinner aboard a repurposed tram as you meander through Milan’s historic core.
10. Grab a cocktail for aperitivo
The Milanese have the one obsession that unites all workaholic cities around the globe: aperitivo aka happy hour. Here, however, what’s typically a casual affair throughout Italy becomes a lavish ritual.
Instead of comping a plate of peanuts and crackers, many bars set up full-on buffets where you can help yourself by simply paying for one drink.That’s the so-called apericena (i.e. aperitivo + cena, meaning dinner).
So settle down at a table with a good view of the crowd, order a Negroni or an Aperol Spritz, and kick off the evening like a local.
11. Treat yourself to a fine dinner
The Michelin Guide currently lists an astonishing 94 restaurants worth trying in Milan, 16 of which have earned at least one star. At one of them, three-starred Enrico Bartolini al MUDEC, the chef crafts nothing short of edible art.
If a three-digit check isn’t exactly what you’re after, though, you can try local specialties like saffron risotto and veal Milanese at the Antica Osteria il Ronchettino. I’m sure one dinner slightly on the expensive side won’t really break the bank.
12. Catch an opera at La Scala
La Scala is by far the most prestigious opera house on Earth. No wonder: the sumptuous neoclassical building has, from its opening in 1778, one of the finest acoustics of all.
Lots of locals and travelers who are passionate about opera or classical music choose to watch a performance on their own. Should you do too, you’ll notice how much deeper you’ll dive into the show.
Alternatively, you can take a guided tour of the theater and see both the ornate balconies and costumes from classic operas.
13. People-watch along the Naviglio Grande
The Naviglio Grande is one of a few surviving canals from a network that once encircled the whole city center. The once seedy riverfront which connected Milan’s cargo port to major rivers in northern Italy is now lined with inviting restaurants, bars, and shops.
Alongside Brera, the Navigli area is the busiest district in the city after dark. Locals flock to the cobbled riverfront to hang out over a drink — and you should as well! Hardly anything feels more typically Milanese as a night out by the Naviglio Grande.
14. Hit the club with the locals
Milan’s nightlife is hands down the liveliest nationwide, so don’t miss the chance of dancing the night away when you visit — you’ll definitely find a throng of other solo travelers on the dance floor.
The best thing is it’s never a bad day for a night out in the city — a few clubs are open even on Mondays, and all keep the stereo blasting till 4 or 5 in the morning.
You can rub shoulders with a glamorous crowd at the exclusive Armani/Prive or watch an intimate concert at the underground Peacock Lounge. Regardless of your vibe, Milan has got you covered.
15. Go on a day trip within greater Milan
In case you’re planning to spend more than three days in Milan, you might as well think about leaving the city for a day. You’ll notice there’s no shortage of fantastic day trip itineraries from Milan.
A few highlights include the evocative Lake Como, where you can take a boat tour to view the Alps as you spot majestic villas on its shores, quaint towns like Bergamo and Mantua, and other large cities in north Italy like Turin and Genoa.
Still better, all these gorgeous destinations are a single train ride away from the city. In most cases, it’ll take you between an hour and 90 minutes to reach them.
Wrap-up
If you’ve yet to travel alone, I suggest you try it out as soon as you have the chance. You’ll get to pay closer attention to everything you’ll encounter along the road and maybe make new friends too.
And while the countryside can be a stunning and peaceful environment for a solo trip, a big city like Milan is always a lot of fun to discover on your own — on top of also being safer for solo travelers.
Besides, now that you know all the coolest things to do alone in Milan, you’re ready to enjoy this fascinating city in a unique and truly badass way!
