11 Things to Do in Milan in December

Milan in December offers a magical atmosphere. Christmas markets, typical sweets, must-see exhibitions and many other plans to discover.

At this time of year, the city prepares to welcome the arrival of the festive season with its illuminated boulevards and the great Christmas tree in Piazza del Duomo, which becomes the symbol par excellence of the city in December. But there are not only Christmas plans... there are many other things to do in Milan this month!

The Village of Wonders, or Il Villaggio delle Meraviglie, is a large space dedicated to Christmas that occupies more than 1,000 square metres inside the Indro Montanelli Gardens of Porta Venezia. Among its various attractions are:

• Father Christmas' House, where the little ones can hand in their Christmas letters.
• The House of Decorations, with numerous stalls where you can buy presents to put under the tree.
• A spectacular ice rink that you will love, even if you don't know how to skate.

This will be a ride that will leave a positive mark on your memories, because there are so many attractions at your disposal. They are so much fun that you won't want to miss a single one.

Practical information

• Location: The Village of Wonders is located in the centre of Milan, in the Porta Venezia area in the Indro Montanelli Public Gardens.
• Opening hours: The park is open from 10 am to 8 pm.
• Price: Admission to the park is free.
• Please note: Activities are planned at different times each year, so it is advisable to confirm according to your travel itinerary.

Not to be missed

• The crazy flying sleds: This is one of the most fun rides in the Village that you must go on to get your adrenaline pumping. Let yourself be carried away by the daredevil movements of this fun ride: up, down, forwards and then backwards. Are you ready to experience a unique thrill?
• The Magic Christmas Tree: In this Village of Wonders you will find a very special tree, 15 metres high, which you can literally climb and feel the Christmas atmosphere up close.
• Santa's sleighs: Rudolf and Cometa are ready to take young and old on a truly sensational ride on Santa's sleighs, full of lights, sounds and colours.
• Penguin fishing: Catch as many penguins as you can and discover fabulous prizes in this fun game - there's so much to do with kids in Milan!
• Glacier Climbing: This attraction is for the intrepid, prepared with harness and helmet, to face a real obstacle course between snow-covered trees, Tibetan bridge, ropes and nets.
• The Journey to the North Pole: Climb aboard the Polar Express and begin the journey to the realm of ice, where you will see characters along the way, such as bears, penguins and yetis. This is a fabulous journey through the ice and snowy caves.

This fabulous market showcases a variety of Christmas stalls- over 300! with food, antiques, home decor, toys and clothes. It is set up every year in a place you may have known during your stay, as it is a must for any traveller. Milan Castle: opening times, guided visits, tickets, etc.. it is a must for any traveller.

The origins of this fair date back to the 13th century and the reason why it takes place on 7 December is because it is the day on which the Milanese celebrate Saint Ambrose.

It was on this date that he entered the city and, in order to endear himself to the Milanese, he began to distribute packages of sweets and toys.

Practical Information

• Location: around the Sforzesco Castle.
• Opening hours: from 8.30 am to 9 pm.
• Price: Admission is free, but bear in mind that once inside you will want to buy some souvenirs and sample some of the delicacies on sale.

Walk in the fresh snow, admire the mountain ranges and enjoy excellent local food. If you are a snowshoeing enthusiast or just want to spend a different kind of day, there are several itineraries within two hours of Milan suitable for all levels of fitness.

Bormio and Livigno are two of the closest ski resorts to Milan. They also offer a good variety of places to stay and spend about three days enjoying the snow.

The slopes are quite long, with many kilometres to cover. Definitely a great choice. If you're up for it, you can even head to the Swiss Alps and discover this magical and enchanting spot.

And what better plan for December than to book a shopping trip to the Serravalle outlet. Located about 100 kilometres from Milan, it is considered the capital of fashion, so much so that it is home to more than two hundred shops of top brands such as Dolce & Gabbana, Timberland, Prada and Jimmy Choo. An ideal place to start shopping for the long-awaited Christmas presents.

On this tour, which lasts approximately 11 hours, you will have the opportunity to get items with discounts of up to 70%. Plus, it includes a return transfer, so you won't have to worry about how to get there and if you've over-shopped, you'll be able to get back in comfort.

And you'll also get an optional 10% discount shopping card - don't wait any longer!

On your trip to Milan in December you can't miss the guided tour of the Duomo of Milan, an ideal way to get to know the most emblematic of the city's monuments, as you will have priority access and you will avoid the queues that characterise it. You will be accompanied by a professional guide who will tell you all about the architecture and history of one of the most representative icons of the Gothic style in the world.

The visit to this 11,000 square metre building, which took more than six centuries to build, lasts approximately one hour and takes place both in the morning, at around 10:30 am, and in the afternoon, at around 3:30 pm.

I recommend you choose a sunny day because you may have the opportunity to see the Italian Alps from the rooftop, a spectacular postcard view. Don't forget your camera!

Milan has an important list of museums for all tastes where you can take shelter from the winter cold. Here are a few suggestions:

• National Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo da Vinci, from £10: Without a doubt, this is my favourite museum, ideal for discovering the figure of Leonardo da Vinci and delving into thousands of experiments and historical objects of this Renaissance genius. A must-see!
• Casa Milan Museum, from £15: If you are a football lover you can't miss this museum where you will learn more about one of the most historic football teams in Italy. Don't hesitate to take a shirt from the official kit as a souvenir.
• Bagatti Valsecchi Museum, from £11: A historic 19th-century mansion that houses a collection of Renaissance decorative arts, from paintings and sculptures to tapestries and furniture.

What better way to get to know the city than by booking the Milan sightseeing bus. Choose the ticket that best suits your interests depending on your stay**(24, 48 or 72 hours**) and get ready to discover Milan with the freedom to hop on and off whenever you want at the 40 stops available.

Moreover, you will have at your disposal an audio guide in several languages so that you can know all the details of the places and monuments that appear on your way: the Piazza di Duomo, the Teatro alla Scala or the Galleria Vittorio Manuelle II, among many others.

Would you like to enjoy a breathtaking view of the beautiful city of Milan? One of the most exciting things to do this time of year is the suspended walkway along the rooftops of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. A 250-metre walkway that allows you to touch the dome and admire the city from another point of view.

At this time of year, the view is especially magical, thanks to all the Christmas decorations and coloured lights. If the skies are clear, you can catch a glimpse of the Alps and then the enchantment is complete, an image to remember forever!

Of course, once you are at the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, it would be unforgivable not to take a tour and enjoy this architectural marvel, which was the first of its kind. There you can enjoy a delicious meal in any of the restaurants or cafés. And speaking of tours, how about one of those tourist buses to enjoy the city's Christmas decorations.

The legend of the bull's balls, be sure to come back to Milan!

If you take one of the side paths located in the centre of the gallery, you will find a mosaic of the Turin Bull on the floor. Many people crowd around it and wait patiently for their turn to perform the ritual that every visitor should do without fail.

It consists of doing three turns, with your eyes closed, on the testicles of the bull. After doing so, according to legend, good luck will smile on you from then on, and best of all, you are assured of an early return to Milan!

Practical Information

• Location: Piazza del Duomo, 20123 Milan, Italy.
• Opening hours: Open 24 hours.
• Please note: The gallery has shops, restaurants and cafes, so don't forget to go prepared.

Other ski slopes near Milan

There are many ski resorts near Milan. Before deciding on one, we recommend you consider the distance, deciding if you're staying for a couple of days or if it's a round trip.

• Piani di Bobbio - Valtorta, is one of the closest, just an hour's drive away. It has 35 km of piste and a park for other snow sports.
• Monte Pora and Presolana are an hour and a half drive away. The two resorts together have 30 km of fun, suitable for all levels of experience.
• Mottarone, with its wonderful view of Lake Maggiore, adds a magnificent touch to the enjoyment of this activity and is highly recommended. In addition, it is also possible to practice other snow sports.

You'll realise that there is a lot to see and do in Milan. Another must-do is to visit the Christmas Markets, perfect for both an afternoon and evening stroll. There are many in Milan, and all of them are full of that magical Christmas atmosphere - you'll find it almost impossible to go home without a purchase! In Piazza Duomo, for example, you'll find great charm in its 65 wooden chalets selling ceramics, handicrafts and original accessories.

This market also offers a wide range of food and wine, from nougat to Piedmontese gianduiotti and local cured meats and cheeses. And while you're at it, why not enjoy a visit to Milan's Duomo.

If you love Christmas, don't miss the most beautiful Christmas markets in Piedmont and Lombardy. Another must-visit to stroll among the thousands of coloured lights, listen to Christmas carols or eat typical Christmas sweets.

With the skyline of Milan and the Library of Trees as a backdrop, you will have the opportunity to get excited and have fun on the coolest ice rink in Milan.

The organisation collaborates with the Italian Ice Sports Federation, which organises classes for adults and children. What are you waiting for to try it out?

In fact, Milan has several rinks to enjoy this winter sport, with a variety of sizes, shapes and attractions. Some of them are even specially designed for children.

• Wonderland Village has a special area for the little ones, and for the older ones, the attraction of being the largest skating rink in the city.
• Piazza Gramsci, where in addition to the rink you will find a carousel for the little ones to enjoy and complete the dreamlike scenery.
• Ai Bagni Misteriosi, where you can skate, imagining that you are floating on the water.

Practical Information

• Location: Piazza Gae Aulenti, Milan, Italy
• Opening hours: Monday to Thursday from 10:00 to 00:00, Friday and Saturday from 10:00 to 1:00 and Sunday from 10:00 to 23:00.

In the short late autumn afternoons, there is nothing more pleasant than eating a plate of roasted chestnuts. Now, the traditional Italian chocolates and sweets of this time of year are a must try, especially the artisanal ones.

There are many bakeries in Milan that prepare these delicate and delicious treats, which are even perfect as Christmas gifts.

Enjoy a delicious hot chocolate

Unlike spring and summer, when it's all about tips for running, cycling, swimming and any other outdoor activities, tips in the colder months are much lazier and more affordable.

For example, take a break from the Milanese humidity and sit down in a nice café for a chat over a hot chocolate and cream. Smiles and good humour are enough.