Get us in your inbox

Search
We've found the ten best tours to book on your next trip to Milan.

The 10 best tours in Milan

From culinary extravaganzas and walking tours of the Duomo to jaunts out to gorgeous Lake Como

Alex Floyd-Douglass
Edited by
Alex Floyd-Douglass
Advertising

Stunning cathedrals, snazzy boutiques, must-see attractions, and canalside restaurants: there’s a tremendous breadth of things to do, see and sample in Milan. But if you’re struggling to work out where to start with this jewel of northern Italy (and, honestly, we wouldn’t blame you for feeling a little over-faced), we’d suggest joining one of the best Milan tours, as curated by in-the-know locals.

Whether you’re looking to dive deep into the crypt of the city’s cathedral, jet across the waters of beautiful lakes or get up to speed in the home kitchen of a genuine Italian cook, there are plenty of ways that the best tours in Milan can give you a fascinating insight into this remarkable city. Here are the best ways to get an insider’s take on marvellous Milan.

RECOMMENDED:
📍 The best things to do in Milan
🛍 The best places for shopping in Milan
🍴 The best restaurants in Milan
🚃 The best day trips from Milan

This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

Best Milan tours

Milan hop-on hop-off bus tour

1. Milan hop-on hop-off bus tour

For those who want to explore Milan at their own pace, and with an element of flexibility, the Hop-On Hop-Off approach is a great choice. The company’s open-top double-decker takes you past sights including the Duomo, the La Scala opera house and Il Cenacolo Vinciano. Simply climb on and alight as you wish.

Skip-the-line Duomo and rooftop guided tour

2. Skip-the-line Duomo and rooftop guided tour

Not one for queuing? This two-part guided tour takes you to around Milan’s magnificent cathedral, up to its summit, and down into its subterranean crypt – without having to wait in line with all the other sightseers. Great for the impatient.

Advertising
Skip-the-line Leonardo da Vinci walking tour

3. Skip-the-line Leonardo da Vinci walking tour

Another queue-jumper tour, this one takes you into the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, a Unesco-listed site that contains the ‘Last Supper’ mural by Leonardo da Vinci, who lived in Milan for some time. There’s also his ‘Atlantic Codex’ to see: a frankly mind-boggling compedium of some of the Renaissance man’s scientific drawings and writings. Disclaimer: you’ll probably come out feeling like a real under-achiever.

La Scala theatre and museum tour

4. La Scala theatre and museum tour

This tour takes you around one of the most famous opera houses in the world, the Teatro alla Scala, and its adjoining museum. This is a chance to wander around a sumptuous eighteenth-century institution, and look over a rich collection of costumes, painted portraits and musical instruments. 

Advertising
Lake Como day trip

5. Lake Como day trip

Beautiful, sweeping and set against a backdrop of mountains, Lake Como is one of the true great natural wonders of Italy, and a popular tourist area. This tour takes you through the streets of Como city, out on the waters over to Bellagio Island and up the funicular to the town of Brunate.

Walking tour of Brera

6. Walking tour of Brera

An essential tour if you’ve got Italian cucina on your mind. This one sends you on a journey through the district of Brera and to six different locations where you can sample traditional Milanese dishes, artisanal beer and other delicious victuals. Best loosen your belt before you embark!

Advertising
Evening cooking lesson with dinner

7. Evening cooking lesson with dinner

Or maybe you want to have a crack at making your own Italian grub? This tour takes you into a genuine Milanese home – in her kitchen, Aurora will teach you how to make handmade pasta, regional meat dishes and desserts including canoli, tiramisu and pannacotta. Naturally, you get to try your efforts. 

Lake Maggiore day trip

8. Lake Maggiore day trip

Another water-based tour, this time out to the beautiful Maggiore, in what the organisers describe as ‘Italy’s Lake District’. (We can’t help thinking the weather will be a lot more hospitable here.) You’ll also get the chance to explore the quaint lakeside village of Stresa and the Borromean Islands. 

Advertising
Skyscrapers guided walking tour

9. Skyscrapers guided walking tour

Not just a centre of gorgeous Renaissance buildings, Milan is also home to some astounding contemporary architecture. This three-hour tour focuses on the city’s dazzling skyscrapers, from the award-winning twin Bosco Verticale buildings to the UniCredit Tower in Piazza Gae Aulenti.

Milan in one day: Last Supper, Milan Duomo and walking tour

10. Milan in one day: Last Supper, Milan Duomo and walking tour

If you’re only in the city for a short while, then this tour is a good choice – it sends you on a whistlestop route through various key sites including the cathedral, Leonardo’s masterpiece in the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie and popular shopping destination Galleria Vittorio Emanuele.

Check out Milan’s best attractions

Recommended
    You may also like
    You may also like
    Advertising