Things to do in Milan

Leading off to the north of Piazza del Duomo is the opulent Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a glass-domed galleria designed in the 19th century as a covered walkway. Today, top designer stores occupy most of the gallery - including the 80-year-old Prada shop - as well as expensive cafes and elegant boutiques. The galleria still manages to retain most of its original charm and dignity, thankfully.

Looking for greener things to do in Milan? You can’t go wrong with Parco Sempione, the city centre’s largest area of greenery. It’s laid out in the old hunting grounds of Castello Sforzesco, which is also worth a visit. It makes for a refreshing break from the city’s traffic-choked roads, with a playground for younger kids, grass to kick a football on and a couple of cafes to sip an espresso in.

In 1498, Leonardo di Vinci painted The Last Supper in Milan, housed in the refectory building adjacent to the terracotta-and-brick church of Santa Maria delle Grazie. It’s famed for being incredibly naturalistic for its time, not only realistically depicting the characters in the story, but also actually telling the story. If you’re wondering what to do in Milan that will leave a lasting impression, this iconic mural should fit the bill.

The southern end of Corso di Porta Ticinese is guarded by the 19th-century Arco di Porta Ticinese, marking the beginning of Milan’s canal – or Navigli – neighbourhood, once a bustling industrial area and these days a focus for the city’s nightlife. It’s pretty scruffy and slightly disappointing in the harsh light of day, so best to visit in the evening when the quarter’s many restaurants and bars come alive.

Whether you’re looking for a neighbourhood trattoria, want to watch models pick at their salads or crave a bit of well-priced ethnic food, Milan has it all – usually within easy reach of wherever you’re staying. If you don’t fancy a sit-down meal, make the most of the Milanese custom of aperitivo to curb your hunger. Milan has honed the aperitivo - a quick drink before dinner - to a fine art, where between 6-9pm, the city unwinds over a drink and bite to eat. Here’s how to join in: buy a drink (somewhere between €5 and €10, depending on the establishment), take a plate and help yourself, although if you’re really planning to fill up, it’ll go down better if you go back several times rather than piling your plate high.