Things to do in  Lombardy

More than 500 years in the making, Milan Duomo is the city’s grand cathedral that’s resplendent with its Gothic gargoyles, spires, statues, and pinnacles. Many visit it to discover its wow factor rather than its religious significance, soaking up the views that sweep from its rooftop terraces over Milan. A museum and small archaeological area are also on-site.

Each day, Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper (Il Cenacolo) draws hundreds of art-loving visitors to the unassuming refectory of the Basilica of Santa Maria delle Grazie for just 15 minutes with the painting. Arguably Milan’s most famous masterpiece, this 15th-century wall mural can only be seen by booking entrance tickets in advance or signing up for a guided visit.

Sforza Castle (Castello Sforzesco) is a medieval fortress built by the Visconti dynasty that became home to Milan’s ruling Sforza family in 1450. Stark and domineering, the historic brick castle has massive round battlements, an imposing tower overlooking the central courtyard and surrounding Parco Sempione gardens, and defensive walls designed by Leonardo da Vinci. Today the castle houses a number of world-class museums and galleries.

In the fashion capital of Italy, the glass-domed Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping arcade—one of the oldest in Europe—never goes out of style. Sandwiched by the Milan Duomo on one side and the Piazza di Marino on the other, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is a bright and airy 4-story center full of restaurants and shops. Come for the neoclassical architecture; stay for the brands and fresh baked panzerotti.

La Scala (Teatro alla Scala), one of the world’s greatest opera houses, has hosted some of Italy’s most famous opera and other performances. Located in downtown Milan, this 18th-century theater and cultural landmark—magnificently restored in 2004—seats many of its 2,000 spectators in elegant boxes adorned with gold leaf and red velvet.

The high green mountains rise around Villa del Balbianello, reflected in the deep, sky-blue waters of Lake Como. This elegant property is quintessential Italian luxury—its manicured gardens, ivy-twined balustrades, and well-preserved interior speak to its history as a retreat for nobility, politicians, and artists. If its distinctive red-tiled roofs and waterview patios look familiar, it's because it’s been used as a location in several major films since the National Trust of Italy took it over.

Built by Duke Francesco I Sforza and later reworked by Bramante, the modest 15th-century Basilica di Santa Maria delle Grazie is known for housing one of Italy’s most celebrated works of Renaissance art—Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper, which decorates the refectory wall of the adjoining Dominican convent.

Milan boasts a number of trendy neighborhoods thick with hip bars, restaurants, and clubs. Of these, the Brera district—a maze of narrow, cobblestone streets lined with boutiques and cafés near the Duomo in the city center—is perhaps the most beautiful thanks to its laid-back pace and old-world charm.

One of a clutch of historic villas that ring Lake Como, the 19th-century Villa Melzi d’Eril is surrounded by lush greenery, the Villa Melzi Gardens (Giardini di Villa Melzi). While the villa is closed to the public, the botanical gardens offer walking paths directly along the lakeshore that make for a peaceful respite from the crowds of Bellagio.

Milan hosts two top-division soccer (football) teams at San Siro Stadium, the largest in Italy. Also known as Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, the stadium was built in 1925 for the AC Milan team, and in 1947, the rival FC Internazionale team, known as Inter, also moved in. Today, up to 80,000 fans of Milanese football fill the stadium to watch live games.

Set on the tip of a promontory jutting out into the waters of Lake Garda, and guarded by the fairy-tale-like Scaliger Castle, Sirmione is one of the most picturesque villages in Italy’s northern lake district. Explore the town’s postcard-perfect center and sights such as the nearby Roman Grottoes of Catullus.

Centuries before Piazza del Duomo became Milan’s main square, medieval Piazza Mercanti was the heart of the city. Marking the center of Milan’s historic center, this charming space is lined by porticoed palaces dating from the Middle Ages and offers a picturesque counterpoint to the rest of the city’s stately majesty.

Milan’s best-preserved 16th-century church, the Church of San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore (Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore) features frescoes by Bernardino Luini as well as the oldest pipe organ in the city. It is also home to the Archaeological Museum of Milan (Museo Archeologico di Milano), which displays artifacts from the Etruscans, Greeks, and Romans.

Chic Milan is known for its contemporary elegance and relentless pace, so it may come as a surprise to learn that one of Italy’s loveliest city parks sits at its heart. Sempione Park (Parco Sempione) covers 116 acres (47 hectares) of central Milan, offering a welcome respite from the surrounding urban hustle and bustle.

The Brera Art Gallery (Pinacoteca di Brera), one of Italy’s most important museums, is a highlight of Milan’s fashionable Brera neighborhood. This impressive collection of medieval and Renaissance paintings includes masterpieces by Botticelli, Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio, Tintoretto, Piero della Francesca, and Andrea Mantegna.