Top 5 Things to Do in Milan, Italy

CEA has just launched a brand-new summer internship abroad destination in Milan, Italy. Below, you'll find top tips for making the most of your time interning in Milan!

Shopping

Milan is one of the fashion capitals of the world! Celebrities from all around the world come to Milan once a year to show off and view some of the newest trends in fashion. With all the trendy designs on display in Milan shops, it's worth packing a light suitcase so that you can fill it with all of your new purchases. In the center of Milan, you will find the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping mall. Not only is it the biggest mall I have ever seen, but the architecture and artwork make it unique. I had the pleasure of being in some of the most famous designers' stores: Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, and Versace. In their stores and others, you can find some of the fine and famous Italian leather if you are looking for a new wallet or purse. Growing up in a small town where you would never find these kinds of stores, it was really exciting to be a part of an extravagant lifestyle.

Pizza

We all know that pizza originated in Italy, which means that when you go to Italy you have to eat and try all the different kinds of pizza. Not only is it hand-tossed and the base sauce is something you’ve never had before, but the cheese is something that they make there daily. What makes Italian pizza unique, especially in Milan, is how they treat pizza as a lifestyle in Milan. You won’t find a lot of places where you can grab a slice and go; Italians believe that pizza is an art where you should be sitting down to eat it. And their pizza is not served sliced -- you cut it up on your own. At first I was confused, but when surrounded by other locals, it was something I easily picked up. While you are waiting for your pizza, the majority of restaurants will have tapas for free! I was prepared to eat a whole pizza but was not prepared to eat all the amazing olives, cheeses, meats, crackers, and more. I did, though, and it was totally worth it!

Visit the Castle

What I love about the Sforza Castle in Milan is that it is in the city center and it’s free! Milan is a smaller city compared to some others in Europe, which makes everything walking distance. The castle is located in the heart of the city. It is free admission to walk around the castle grounds and gardens, inside the different courtyards and climb some of the towers. Throughout your stroll through this majestic castle, you will find different posts describing to you the history that lies within the walls.

Sights

Two things that you HAVE to see while you are in Milan: the Duomo and the painting of the Last Supper.

The Duomo (cathedral) in the heart of the city is located right next to the main shopping Galleria. This cathedral took about six centuries to build and the architecture of it is one-of-a-kind. Not only is it one of the largest cathedrals that I have ever seen but when the sun hits it in the afternoon, its white exterior nearly sparkles. It is impossible for you to get a bad photo angle with the large courtyard out front. If you have some time, I definitely recommend touring the inside and climbing up to the top of the tower for a great view of Milan.

Something that I never thought of when heading to Milan? Finding where the Last Supper painting is located. This famous and history-rich painting is worth seeing, especially since researchers have found in recent years that the painting is starting to decay, and future generations may not get the chance to see it.

Gelato

Eat. All. The. Gelato. There is gelato on every street corner and you could walk to the next one within a matter of two minutes. Italy praises itself on this dessert, and many travelers who have experienced real, authentic Italian gelato will choose it over ice cream. The flavors of it are unique and incredibly delicious, and I couldn’t get enough of it. Imagine an ice cream that is smooth and packed with so much flavor; no wonder it has made its way into shops around the world.



Ashley Gordon is a CEA Admissions Counselor. She lived in Prague for two and a half years teaching people how to teach English. Every chance she got, she took weekend trips to explore more of Europe. 

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