A sightseeing tour of Milan

Italy’s home of opera might not be as show-stopping as the Sydney Opera House from the outside. But inside? La Scala Opera House is a dazzling arc of Baroque detail, beautiful balconies and scarlet velvet seats. Milan’s opera house is a timeless classic and has been wowing the opera world with performances since 1778. Though the city’s opera history dates back a little further. The original opera house was destroyed by fire, but its replacement – La Scala is a triumph by Giuseppe Piermarini – the architect responsible for creating a world-leading performance art venue. Catch an opera – or a ballet to really see the opera house at its best.  

Fans of the beautiful game will make a beeline for the San Siro Stadium. Home to Milan’s two footballing rivals, Inter and AC Milan, this stadium has seen more than its fair share of victories. The stadium is electric on match day, but you don’t need a ticket to explore the stand and museum when there’s no fixtures in the calendar. Drop in to the museum to admire, or begrudgingly applaud, the silverware (depending on how your team fared last time they took on two of Italy’s biggest teams) take a tour of the stadium and appreciate Milan’s modern monuments to the sporting greats.  

Somehow, everything in Milan connects back to Leonardo da Vinci in some way, and the Naviglio Grande is no exception. This stretch of waterway comes in at just under 50kms in length and, today, it’s almost more notable for its dazzling restaurants than its history. Understandable. After all, it’s far easier to get on board with cocktails and lite bites along the banks, rather than an i– depth look at da Vinci’s lock system. Swing by, soak up the aperitivo atmosphere that lands between 6 and 8pm, but do give those locks a once over. An integral part of the city – it opened up trade between Milan and countries just over the Alps. 

If there’s a building in Milan that can rival the Duomo di Milan on sheer size, scale and sculptural adornments, it’s the Castello Sforzesco. Standing proudly in Sempione Park, the battlements, towers and turrets leave you in no doubt that this is a fort to be reckoned with. Built in the 14th century, the original castle couldn’t withstand the multiple attacks on Milan. Fortified in the 15th century, with a few adjustments over the centuries, it’s no longer fending off the hoards, but welcoming them with open coats of arms. Major events (think Fashion Week) and touring exhibits keep things fresh inside the castle grounds. Drop in for a tour – or time your trip to catch sight of the catwalks. 

How do you feel about controversial sculptures? If that’s just the kind of content you drop into your Insta – or Pinterest, add Piazza degli Affari to your Milan sightseeing agenda. You’ll be looking at the L.O.V.E. sculpture in the centre of Milan’s financial district. And, well, let’s just say this single finger statue doesn’t hold back on the statement front. Created by artist Maurizio Cattelan, the marble gesture appeared after the 2008 financial crisis – and the positioning in front of the Milan Stock Exchange speaks volumes. In the years since the 2010 installation, the piece has become iconic. Grab a selfie or just admire the audacity from a distance. 

Sempione Park should really have a listing here of its own. Home to the impressive Castello Sforzesco, it’s also got a few more monuments and landmarks tucked away in its green and gorgeous 95 acres. The pick of the bunch is Arco della Pace. The towering marble arch is likened to Paris’ L’Arc de Triomphe, but you’re likely to be more impressed by the Milanese version. The setting, for one, is rather more salubrious than the arc’s roundabout – and the sculptures, carvings and columns more ornate. Of course, it’s not about point scoring for this arch of peace, but if it were, Arco della Pace would romp home as the winner. No doubt adding a mini gilded trophy to its collection of adornments. 

You could visit every last museum in Milan and still not set eyes on the Last Supper. Not because it’s hidden away in a vault, but because it’s not exactly a movable feast. Da Vinci painted his most famous work directly onto the wall of the Santa Maria delle Grazie convent. And, that’s where it’s stayed since 1495. Mostly. A misguided attempt at restoration meant that Jesus was missing some feet for a while, but the professionals have stepped in and an ongoing preservation task force keeps the painting from deteriorating further. This does make it a little more tricky to see. Visits are timed – and numbers are limited. So buy tickets for this one well in advance.