Free things to do · Milan · Italy
8 free things to do in Milan
Milan without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Marco Pagani, CC BY 3.0
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Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in Milan without paying an entry fee: Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Navigli canals, Parco Sempione and Arco della Pace and Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio are all free. Aperitivo with a generous buffet can replace dinner at a fraction of the cost.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 8
- Low-cost extras
- 4
- Cost level
- Expensive
- Lowest hotel prices
- August
Free sights and experiences
Architecture · Centro Storico
1.Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Walk through after dark, when the arcade is lit and much quieter than in the daytime.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Architecture
- Shopping
- Rainy day
Waterfront · Navigli
2.Navigli canals
Arrive around 7pm for aperitivo, then walk the Naviglio Grande towards the Vicolo dei Lavandai as the lights come on.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- After dark
- Food
- Couples
- Photo spot
Park · Brera
3.Parco Sempione and Arco della Pace
Combine a castle visit with a picnic in the park and a look at the Triennale's design collection.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Views
Religious site · Magenta and Sant'Ambrogio
4.Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio
Visit on 7 December, the feast of Sant'Ambrogio, when a traditional Christmas market fills the surrounding streets.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
Religious site · Magenta and Sant'Ambrogio
5.San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore
Combine it with The Last Supper, a five-minute walk away; entry is free.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Off the beaten path
- Rainy day
Architecture · Isola and Porta Nuova
6.Porta Nuova and the Bosco Verticale
See the Bosco Verticale from the Biblioteca degli Alberi park, then walk to Corso Como for a drink.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
Historic site · Isola and Porta Nuova
7.Monumental Cemetery
Pick up a map at the entrance to find the most significant tombs.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Art
- Off the beaten path
Religious site · Centro Storico
8.San Bernardino alle Ossa
It is small and quick to visit; combine it with a walk to the Università Statale's Renaissance courtyards nearby.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Off the beaten path
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Centro Storico | Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and San Bernardino alle Ossa | 30 minutes + 20 minutes |
| Navigli | Navigli canals | 2–3 hours |
| Brera | Parco Sempione and Arco della Pace | 1–2 hours |
| Magenta and Sant'Ambrogio | Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio and San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore | 45 minutes + 30 minutes |
| Isola and Porta Nuova | Porta Nuova and the Bosco Verticale and Monumental Cemetery | 1–1.5 hours + 1–1.5 hours |
Worth a small ticket
Castle · Brera
Sforza Castle
If time is short, buy a ticket just for the Rondanini Pietà museum and walk the free courtyards.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Art
- Kids
- Architecture
Architecture · Centro Storico
Teatro alla Scala
For a performance on a budget, look for gallery seats or same-day tickets sold at the box office.
- Time needed
- 1 hour for the museum
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- After dark
- Couples
- Rainy day
Religious site · Centro Storico
Santa Maria presso San Satiro
Look at the apse from the entrance first, then walk to the side to see how the illusion works.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- Art
- Off the beaten path
Gallery · Centro Storico
Museo del Novecento
Finish at the top floor, where floor-to-ceiling windows look straight onto the Duomo.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Views
- Rainy day
More ways to save
- Aperitivo with a generous buffet can replace dinner at a fraction of the cost.
- Drink coffee standing at the bar, as locals do, to avoid table-service surcharges.
- Avoid trade-fair, Design Week and Fashion Week dates, when hotel prices can triple.
- State museums including the Pinacoteca di Brera offer free entry on the first Sunday of the month; arrive early.
- Use metro line M4 from Linate or the Malpensa Express rather than taxis, which are expensive from the airports.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Milan expensive to visit?
Milan is expensive for most visitors, but 8 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Milan?
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II: Walk through after dark, when the arcade is lit and much quieter than in the daytime.