If you’re visiting Milan during the winter time, or even on a rainy summer day – no worries! Like any European city, the rain compliments Milan… Showers are usually pretty light, and aren’t accompanied by strong winds, lightning or thunderstorms. It may rain for quite a while, but is usually quite nice, and all you may need are a few tips for a walk under roofed areas, or simply an umbrella. So here are a few options for a rainy day in Milan:
A tram ride through the city
It’s as simple as that! The tram in Milan delivers a time travel back in time, with its old, chic wagons. Spending some time in it will prove to be a pleasant, relaxing experience – while enjoying the city views through the windows. Hop on any tram line that crosses by your hotel, and ride along its full course. On the ride you can pick up some ideas as to where to come back to when the weather clears up, and may even decide to jump off to a perfect-looking café. One of the most recommended tram lines is number 16 that rides through many central spots in the city.
The Duomo and its surroundings
The most central part of the city center. The Duomo, Milan’s largest cathedral, is beautiful in any weather. The red Metro line M1 will get you straight into the heart of the Duomo square. Right next to it is the famous Gallery of Vittorio Emanuele, in which you can observe the luxurious shops under the impressive glass ceilings of the gallery, or perhaps visit the stylish Prada café, take a sit on the second floor and drink some coffee while looking down the windows at the beautiful gallery below. Do know that having your coffee standing next to the bar is significantly cheaper than having it while seated at a table.
Gallery of Italy (Galleria d’Italia)
At the end of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele lies the famous Piazza of the Scala theatre, La Scala. The La Scala opera house is at the left side of the piazza, and on the right is the Palazzo Marino, Milan’s city hall, that functions as a museum on its own and can be toured in, free of charge (tours must be booked in advance). The building at the center right in front of the exit from Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, between Palazzo Marino and the La Scala opera house, is Galleria d’Italia. It is one of a group of art galleries scattered around a few cities in Italy. The structure, designed during the late 18th century, is now owned by Intesa Sanpaolo bank, Italy’s largest bank. It presents both permanent and changing exhibitions of 19th century art, as well as modern art. The price is subsidized and visiting this gorgeous structure and its magical internal garden is worth every penny. In addition, right upon entering the gallery, to your left, you’ll find a wonderful and peaceful café. This place is a warm, quite little haven that will give you a true European experience at the heart of tumultuous Milan.
Visit the Galleria d’Italia website.
A stroll along the park with an umbrella
You may be surprised, but a walk in the rain can be quite magical. There’s no reason not to visit one of Milan’s city parks and soak in some nature. Sempione park (Parco Sempione) is the main park of the city. It can be reached from the Duomo with the red Metro line M1, stopping by Cairoli Castello station. You can walk around this wide park, filled with ancient tangled trees, lawns, a lake with ducks swimming around and much more. At the southern end of the park lies the Sforzesco fortress that’s worth a visit, but can also be admired from outside or, if you desire, enter and visit the many museums that are inside. Next to the fortress you’ll find a café in which you can sit and look at the rain.
Another large park is the one in front of Porta Venezia, called Giardini Pubblici Indro Montanelli – another option for experiencing some nature while saying in the city, at a European-styled park, with trees, lawns, pleasant walking trails, a fountain and a lake.
Shopping
Visiting a commercial shopping center isn’t very popular in Milan, since most of the stores are spread out along the streets of the city. However, there are some roofed shopping centers available. One of them is the Il Centro shopping mall, located outside the city. It is reachable via a special shuttle operated by the mall (for more details visit our “Outlets” section). In addition, a new shopping and recreation center, called City Life, has opened its gates as of late 2017. It is a large and pleasant site, with shops and restaurants. It is reachable by Metro from the city center.
Spa
Most travelers don’t know this, but Milan has a pampering spa site, that belongs to a chain of health and spa institutes in northern Italy. It is called QC Terme, is located at a magical ancient structure at the heart of the city, and offers thermal pools and a variety of different spa treatments. Inquiring about their special packages is recommended. Usually you’ll be able to arrive during the afternoon or evening hours, and spend some lovely time, including a treatment session and an Aperitivo (a drink).
Address: Piazzale Medaglie d”oro, 2 angolo Via Filippetti 20135 Milano
For more info visit the website
Museums
Of course, museums are the ultimate choice for a rainy day, and not just for the art experts. Milan offers a variety of wonderful museums, in every style and level. Below is a partial, but a sufficient list:
- Triennale Museum – A worldwide famous museum for design, art and architecture. Located at the city center, next to the Sempione park.
Address: Palazzo della Triennale Viale Alemagna, 6 – 20121 Milano
Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 10:30-20:30. Closed on Mondays.
website - Alfa Romeo Museum – This museum showcases the car’s different models from every year, and features a presentation of the newest models, a 4D cinema for a “live”
racing experience, activities for kids and an in-house café. Located in the suburbs of the city.
Address: Viale Alfa Romeo, 20020 Arese (MI) – Italy
Opening hours: Wednesdays-Mondays, 10:00-18:00. Closed on Tuesdays.
Website - Palazzo Reale – Presents the best exhibitions from all over the world. One of the top museums in Milan. Located right next to the Duomo in the city center.
Address: Piazza del Duomo 12, Milano
Opening hours: Monday – 14:30-19:30;
Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday – 09:30-19:30;
Thursday, Saturday – 09:30-22:30
Website
There are several municipal museums in Milan, and the entrance to some is subsidized:
- Natural History Museum (Museo Civico di Storia Naturale) – in front of Porta Venezia, inside the municipal park Giardini Pubblici Indro Montanelli.
Address: Vorso Venezia, 55 – 20121, Milano
Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday 09:00-17:30. Closed on Mondays.
Website (in Italian) - The 19th Century Museum (Museo del Novecento) – A huge museum with over 400 art pieces made by both Italian and international artists. It is housed in an impressive-looking building, right in front of the Duomo in the center of the city.
Address: Via Guglielmo Marconi, 1, Milano
Opening hours: Monday 14:30-19:30
Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday – 09:30-19:30
Thursday, Saturday 09:30-22:30
Website - The Civic Aquarium – A nice aquarium, that isn’t one of the largest, yet does exhibit over one hundred different kinds of fish and marine life. Located at the end of Sempione Park, pretty close to the fortress.
Address: Viale Gadio 2, Milan
Opening hours: Tuesday through Sunday, between 09:00-17:30
Website (in Italian) - Modern Art Gallery (Galleria d’Arte Moderna, GAM) – located at a beautiful villa surrounded by gardens, right next to the municipal park Giardini Pubblici Indro Montanelli, in front of Porta Venezia.
Address: Via Palestro 16, Milano
Opening hours: Tuesday through Sunday, between 09:00-17:30
Website - MUDEC – Museums of Cultures. A huge museum with over 7000 pieces, showcased in both permanent and changing exhibitions, all part of the same theme – the various cultures that previously existed or are still present in this area of Europe. The museum is housed in a modern structure that is quite unique architecturally, located about 3 kilometers from the Duomo, southwest of the city center.
Address: Via Tortona 56, Milano
Opening hours: Monday 14:30-19:30
Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 09:30-19:30
Thursday, Saturday 09:30-22:30
Website - Castello Sforzesco Museums – inside the Sforzesco fortress, located at the end of Sempione Park, there’s a cluster of museums. A ticket providing entrance to all of them is available for purchase. Among the various museums are: a prehistory museum, decorative art museum and antiquities museum.
Address: Castello Sforzesco, Milan
Opening hours: Sunday through Tuesday 09:00-17:30
Website
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