If you’re in Milan with your family and want to make the most out of your vacation, take a look at this list we’ve put together for you! You will discover 30 activities or interesting places that can accommodate you and your little ones, such as museums, workshops, theme parks and more.
1 MUBA: the motto of the Children’s Museum of Milan is “play, do, think, grow”. Here, children can learn through play and take part in many activities with a limited number of visitors. Remember to book in advance!
If you’re in Milan with your family and want to make the most out of your vacation, take a look at this list we’ve put together for you!
2. Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery: take a leisurely walk through the most famous shopping gallery in Italy, where you will find historical stores immersed in an elegant Neo-Classical atmosphere. According to a legend, if you reach the mosaic of a bull at the center of the Gallery and spin three times on it, you will obtain good luck!
3. Duomo: this majestic religious building is undoubtedly the most well known symbol of Milan. If you’re planning a vacation here, you simply can’t miss it! We recommend you book a tour and climb to the top after visiting the interior. You and your kids will enjoy a stunning panoramic view of this beautiful city.
4. Poldi Pezzoli Museum: this is one of the most refined house-museums in the world and it’s home to various interesting collections related to Oriental art, arms and armours, archaeology, jewelry, sculptures and much more. The ticket is reduced for children.
5. Natural History Museum: this fascinating museum features various permanent exhibitions on themes such as dinosaurs, vertebrate and invertebrate animals, as well as the history of man. One of its main goals is education, this is why if you check their calendar you’ll find a number of guided tours for families and educational workshops in the Paleolab.
6. Brera Botanical Garden: this garden houses around 1000 species of plants and secular trees, including medicinal herbs. You and your family will learn curiosities and scientific information about them as you take a stroll in this beautiful garden, which is located in the heart of the city.
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7. WOW Spazio Fumetto: this is the unique Comics Museum of Milan, home to a permanent exhibition, cultural events, workshops and more. Sunday afternoons are dedicated to guided tours and drawing and comics workshops for families and children: a once-in-a-lifetime occasion to stimulate the creativity of your little ones!
8. The Aquarium of Milan: this important center of marine biology is located in the Sempione Park and its mission is to promote the education related to aquatic environments and the effects of global warming. Visitors can observe over 50 species from different habitats in many freshwater and saltwater tanks. You can even book a guided tour dedicated to families with children.
9. Perego Garden: this beautiful historic garden is located in the heart of the city and offers the possibility of a leisure walk in the nature. Follow the pathways and don’t forget to admire the 18th century statue of Vertumno, the god of gardens and fruits.
10. Cineteca Milano MIC: visit this interactive museum and explore the history of cinema from its birth thanks to the Lumière Brothers. The exhibitions include tablets and interactive tables, apps for dubbing and editing, VR terminals and much more: a new and thrilling experience for kids and adults!
11. Volandia: if you need a thrilling last-minute experience before departing at the Malpensa Airport, visit this Museum of Flight. You will learn about the history of aviation, flight techniques and space travel. Your children will be thrilled by the indoor play area and the over 1000 plane models.
12. Take the historical tram of Milan: some of the trams in circulation in the city today date back to the early 20th century and are considered masterpieces of engineering with great historical value. The lines that feature these vintage streetcars are n.1, 5 and 10. You only need to purchase a regular ticket and get ready to explore the city!
13. Navigli: take a stroll along the system of interconnected canals of Milan. This part of the city is bustling with bars and cafes where you can relax and try some local food and drinks. You can even go for a boat ride on the Naviglio Grande!
14. Città del Sole: this important toy chain has various shops located in Milan. As you explore the historical center it’s worth stopping by and let your children be dazzled by the incredible variety of traditional and modern toys, books, board games, dolls and accessories. This isn’t a common toy store, but rather a magic land!
15. Find some good gelato: Milan is filled with great ice cream shops that use high quality ingredients and authentic traditional recipes. Stop at the most high ranking ones and enjoy this symbol of Italian cuisine!
16. Castello Sforzesco: this 14th century fortress is one of the main highlights of Milan and a must-see for tourists. As of today, it houses the Civic Museums, the Egyptian Museum, the Pinacoteca and the Museum of Ancient Art. There’s plenty to see for families with children, including the three beautiful internal courtyards.
17. Ulrico Hoepli Civic Planetarium: this is a place where people can learn about astronomy and science thanks to a calendar filled with activities and workshops. Gaze at the sky in Italy’s biggest planetarium!
18. Cioccolatitaliani: this shop was founded in 2009 and it’s key concept is “Chocology”: the art of mixing chocolate with pastries, ice cream and coffee. If you have a sweet tooth you’ll fall in love with the quality and taste of the delicious ingredients used here!.
19. Selfie Room: this unique attraction is located a bit outside of the city center, but it’s worth a visit, especially if your children are pre-teens or teenagers. Here you will find interactive installations designed to stimulate your creativity and help you create unforgettable pictures and video. Get your camera ready!
20. Leolandia: at around 40 km from the city you will find Leolandia, a theme park dedicated to your little ones. Here there are over 50 attractions for children of various ages, not to mention the chance for a picture with your kids’ favourite characters! We recommend this destination for a day trip with your family.
21. Check for kid-friendly operas and concerts at the Teatro alla Scala: you can visit the museum and this important opera house, which dates back to the 18th century. Thanks to the “Great Performances for Children” projects, you and your little ones can assist to kid-friendly reductions of great titles from the repertoire of the Theater.
22. Chinese New Year in Chinatown: if you’re visiting Milan in January or February, we recommend you take a stroll through Via Paolo Sarpi, the heart of the Chinese quarter of the city. You will admire the colorful decorations and bustling atmosphere of the Chinese New Year, which culminates in the vibrant parade with the giant dragon.
23. Museum of Illusions: visit this fascinating museum located right next to the train station. The exhibitions include the Upside Down Room, the Infinity room, the Vortex Tunnel, the Holograms and much more!
24. Try the local specialties: Milan boasts an old culinary tradition that we’re sure can satisfy the old and the young. The signature dishes of the city include the “cotoletta alla milanese”, a breaded veal cutlet fried in butter, the typical risotto with saffron and bone marrow and, of course, the Panettone. If you’re visiting Milan around Christmas make sure to try this delicious cake full of candied citrus and raisins.
25. Como Lake: this is a great destination for a day trip that blends the beauty of nature with the elegance and authenticity of this lakefront town. Take the cable car and admire the view of the lake, try your hand at different water sports or take a hike on the nearby hills.
26. Intercultural Museum of the City of Milan: the Mudec is home to a permanent collection with thousands of items consisting of works of art, objects, textiles and much more. The mission of the museum is the preservation of this cultural heritage through education, as a result, it’s now a must see for tourists interested in these fields.
27. City Life: want to see the most glamorous and modern side of the city? Well, come to the City Life district and admire the elegant skyline while you take a stroll through the park. Don’t forget to look up: you will see the highest building of Milan, the Allianz Tower.
28. Museo Nazionale Scienza e Tecnologia Leonardo da Vinci: this is one of the most important technical and scientific museums in Europe. As you admire its collections, you will see the dynamo invented by Edison, a furnace, a thermoelectric plant, and a real piece of rock collected from the moon. Visit this museum and introduce your little ones to STEM learning in an engaging way.
29. Indro Montanelli Gardens: this elegant garden is the oldest public park in Milan, created in the 18th century. You and your family will relax and admire this classic French-style garden and feel the authentic European atmosphere.
30. Mysterious Baths: spend an afternoon at the Bagni Misteriosi, Milan's unique open-air pool theater. Have a drink and swim in the pools (which turn into an ice-skating rink in winter) or, if you prefer to go in the evening, join in a show on the floating stage.
