Milan is one of Italy’s most expensive cities with less affordable and delicious food but it doesn’t mean that you won’t have fun in this beautiful city. Here, we’ve gathered the best free things Milan has to offer, perfect for budget travelling!
1. Drop by the Acquario
Check out the facade of Milan’s aquarium. Although there’s a charge and there are not even sharks, penguins, or even dolphins around, the architecture of the Acquario is stunning. Also look out for the hippo fountain!
2. Walk around Parco Sempione
Milan has a number of awesome parks like Parco Sempione which is an open air museum of Milan’s architectural history. Go here for a run, a picnic or just laze around.
3. Visit the Duomo and other churches
Worshippers can enter Milan’s iconic cathedral for free, except for the terrace and the museum. The Duomo is one of the most magnificent churches in the entire world. Some other churches that are free to enter are Sant’Ambrogio, a Romanesque church built in honor to Milan’s patron saint, Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore, and the San Bernardino alle Ossa that has an eerie bone chapel.
4. Marvel at some street art
In case you didn’t know, you can find a lot of street art around Milan. The street art hotspots include the Isola District, Corso di Porta Ticinese and the Colonne di San Lorenzo.
5. Cycle along the Navigli
Biking around Milan is so easy. True, bike lanes are still few but you have two great options which both involved Milan’s artificial canals, the Navigli. First is the famous bike path along the Naviglo Grande which runs from the Porta Genova in the city center to the villages of Gaggiano and Abbiategrasso. Second is the Naviglio Martesana path starting from the Gioia area towards the Adda River.
6. Get entertained in the streets of Milan
Tango Illegal and Mazurka Klandestina, two groups of tango and folk dance experts, have organized spontaneous dance parties in the streets and squares of Milan during the night. Two popular venues include Piazza Affari and Palazzo della Regione courtyard.
7. Visit the Cimitero Monumentale
Just like any other city, Milan has an awesome cemetery. The Cimitero Monumentale is where Milan’s prominent locals are buried. Check out the more than 15,000 statues and three popular buildings like the Famedio or Pantheon, the Ossario and the neoclassical former Crematorium.
8. Explore Milan’s Chinatown
Best time to visit is during Chinese New Year when the streets are lit with lanterns and filled with lion and dragon parade dances.
9. Check out the Porta Nuova skyscrapers
Chill in this new steel-and-glass district in the bright late afternoon and marvel at the spire of the Unicredit building, Milan’s tallest building.
