What’s happening in 2025? As it gears up for the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, Milan’s cultural and social calendar – as well as its urban infrastructure, currently in the midst of a big revamp – is getting better and busier than ever. From now through Christmas, it’s a festival-packed ride: ‘Estate al Castello’ brings concerts and shows to Sforza Castle through September, Milan Fashion Week lands September 23-29, ‘JazzMi’ sets the city swinging in October, and ‘BookCity’ takes over in November with hundreds of literary happenings across libraries, museums, bookshops, and beyond.
After two years living in Milan, I couldn’t see myself living anywhere else. Milan might not be as visually stunning as other Italian cities, but it has a quiet, elegant allure. You’ll see it in the hidden courtyards of its early 20th century buildings; the stylish shops that dot the city; the sophisticated architecture of its prettiest neighbourhoods; the slow pace of its old-fashioned streetcars. Italy’s most European city, Milan is a little secretive, very cool, and a joy to discover. Trust me on that one. Here are its best things to do. –Marianna Cerini
📍 Discover our ultimate guide to what to do in Milan
How expensive is Milan?
The short answer? Pretty expensive. Over the last few years prices have increased everywhere in the city (and not just food, the real estate market has skyrocketed too), almost reaching London or Paris levels – but not quite. In short, a glass of wine might set you back €10, and a meal for two in a good restaurant can easily cost €40-50 per person with drinks. Entrances to museums aren’t cheap either: expect to spend around €20 for most tickets. Luckily, there are still plenty of places charging €5-7 for a wine or a Spritz, and you’ll always have the humble espresso, which remains cheap across Milan.
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Marianna Cerini is a writer based in Milan. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.
