10 Things to Do in Piazza del Duomo in Milan

Sights, historical sites, gastronomy... The Piazza del Duomo is a must-see destination. The Milanese cathedral is simply stunning and I recommend you take some time to enjoy its silhouette.

Our article tells you what to see and do in Milan and its most famous square.

The Milanese cathedral is the undisputed star of the square. It is impossible to visit Milan without crossing its threshold. Inside, what stands out most are the stained glass windows that tell the stories of the Holy Scriptures and the history of the city. Among the most beautiful windows, it is impossible not to mention the Stained Glass of the Apocalypse (in the right nave) or the one of St. Michael the Archangel, refiguring the saint in his fight with the devil (in the left nave).

The interior of the Duomo of Milan will leave you speechless. And, for a panoramic view, there is nothing better than taking a lift or the stairs to reach the roof of the cathedral. To admire everything inside you can book a guided tour of the Duomo.

Moreover, from here you can see some iconic buildings: the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, the skyscrapers of Porta Garibaldi, the Torre Velasca, the rooftops and the Alps in the distance. For more information, I recommend you read the post on how to climb to the roof of the Duomo. And if you also want to make the most of your stay, you can book a tour of the Duomo, the rooftops and the museum in the same tour.

This pedestrian passageway was built in the 20th century to donate an elegant hall to the city. From the outside, the most impressive detail is the roof formed by four barrel vaults and a huge dome. The building is dedicated to the first king of Italy: Vittorio Emanuele II.

The gallery is home to restaurants and luxury shops. If you look closely, you will see that all the commercial stalls have a sign with a black background and gold lettering. It's a communal rule that has persisted since the founding. If you want to go into a historic bar, I recommend Camparino, which has been serving drinks since 1915. I recommend ordering a Negroni (Campari, gin, red vermouth and half a slice of orange) or a Sbagliato (Campari, spumante, red vermouth and a slice of orange). They are very typical in Milan. As a bonus, you can enjoy them in an elegant Art Nouveau setting.

Just a few metres from the Duomo, tucked away in Via Santa Radegonda is the most famous bar in the old town: Luini. You'll hardly ever see its two shop windows as there are usually queues in front of the entrance. The reason? Its famous panzerotto with tomato and mozzarella, a typical Apulian pie.

If you're wondering why I'm suggesting a recipe typical of another region, the answer is simple: Milan is the economic capital of Italy and has been attracting people from all over the country for decades. Giuseppina Luini was one of the many people who left her village in Puglia after World War II to settle in the capital of Lombardy.

Luini started serving panzerotti in 1949 and has seen the city grow and change, from the wounds of the conflict through the sparkling 1980s to the present day. As well as their traditional panzerotto you'll find dumplings with aubergine, ricotta and spinach, spicy salami, mushrooms and other tasty ingredients. You can choose between two versions - fried or baked - or try other recipes from this historic establishment. It is located in Via Santa Radegonda 16 and is open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 20:00.

Since 2010, Piazza Duomo has a new tenant: the Museo del Novecento. As you can guess from the name, it focuses on the artistic production of the 20th century, which was very prolific in the transalpine country. This period saw the birth of Futurism, an artistic trend that extolled technology and modernity.

The permanent collection brings together masterpieces of Futurism - Umberto Boccioni's "Elasticità" and "Forme uniche della continuità nello spazio" are the most famous - and paintings by artists such as Mondrian ("Lighthouse in Westkapelle"), Amedeo Modigliani ("Béatrice Hastings") and Vasilij Kandinskij (Composition 1916).

The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 19:30. If you want to visit it in the evening (and it's worth it, as you can see the illuminated Duomo from its windows), you can opt for Thursday. On this day, the cultural institution closes at 22:30. I recommend booking in advance. For more plans after sunset, I recommend you read the post about the 10 things to do in Milan at night.

In the porticoes next to the cathedral is a historic department store: La Rinascente. It has more than ten floors and houses the most important brands of clothing and accessories, perfumes, beauty products, jewellery and household goods.

If you get hungry, you can satisfy your hunger in the Food Hall or in its restaurants. It is open daily from 10:00 to 20:00. Underneath the porticoes you will find other clothing shops of the most famous multinationals.

Next to the cathedral is the residence of the kings and rulers of Milan. It was the political centre of the city and inside it hides a splendid staircase and several elegantly decorated rooms. The current façade is due to the architect Giuseppe Piermarini who was in charge of renovating the residence in the 18th century.

Today, the Palazzo Reale hosts very successful art exhibitions. Thanks to the collaboration with Italian and international museums, the programme is always interesting. I recommend you take a look at the official website to see the full programme. It is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 19:30. On Thursdays the closing time is extended until 22:30.

Climbing up to the terrace of the Duomo is not the only way to enjoy a good view. The cathedral is surrounded by panoramic rooftop bars and restaurants that allow you to admire statues and spires from a privileged position. Read on to find out where they are hidden:

• Arengario, the restaurant of the Museo del Novecento. It was the last creation of Giacomo Bulleri, a restaurant entrepreneur who was a true legend in Italy. Famous people such as Michelle Obama, Woody Allen and Rania of Jordan, among others, have dined in his restaurants. Open daily from 12:00 to 00:00 (Via Guglielmo Marconi 1).
• Terrazza Duomo 21, a lounge bar where everything is taken care of down to the smallest detail. The aperitif is served from 18:00 to 21:30 and once finished, a dj set livens up the night until 2:00 (Piazza Duomo 21).
• Food Hall, the terrace of the department store "La Rinascente". Open daily from 10:00 to 23:00 (Corso Vittorio Emanuele II).
• The Dome, a rooftop restaurant a stone's throw from the Cathedral. I recommend booking in the morning; you'll enjoy a spectacular breakfast that includes both sweet (Black Forest cake, pancakes, croissants, etc) and savoury options (omelette, avocado toast, scrambled eggs). The rooftop is open from 8:30 to midnight. Reservations recommended (Via Giuseppe Mazzini 2).
• Il Mercato del Duomo, the space dedicated to Transalpine gastronomy. It is divided into four areas, each with its own peculiarities and an incomparable view of the church: ** Motta Milano 1928**(a historic bar), Terrazza Aperol (ideal for drinks), Saporè ( unfortunately the only one without windows but worth booking to try the signature pizza) and Spazio Niko Romito, a restaurant serving contemporary Italian cuisine (Piazza Duomo, accessed from the Spizzico restaurant chain under the porticoes).

If you visit the Lombard capital in spring or summer, a refreshing gelato is the ideal way to liven up a stroll. There are dozens of places around the Duomo, but not all of them are of the same quality.

Being in a busy tourist area, it is important to make the right choice. Fortunately, Milan's most central square has two highly recommended options:

• Venchi Cioccolato & Gelato, the ice cream parlour of a historic chocolate brand of the transalpine country: Venchi. Since 2007, their creations have been delighting the palates of Italians and tourists alike. They use quality ingredients with a particular focus on chocolate, Piedmont hazelnuts and Bronte pistachio (Via Mengoni 1 corner with Via Tommaso Grossi).
• Artico, a Milanese mini-franchise with four outlets in the city. Its ice cream has received recognition from the Gambero Rosso Guide, one of the most prestigious in the country (Via Dogana 1).
• Cioccolati Italiani, the Mecca of chocolatiers. They use only one variety of cocoa to make their ice cream: the "fino de aroma", which is distinguished by its fruity and floral flavours (Via San Raffaele 6).

Near via Dante, a few metres from Piazza Duomo, is Piazza dei Mercanti. This urban space was the centre of Milan during the Middle Ages and its importance is testified by the buildings that surround it: Palazzo della Ragione, Casa Panigarola, the Palatine Schools and the Loggia degli Osii.

Take the opportunity to discover a particular phenomenon: the echo of the loggia. Stand next to a pillar of the Loggia dei Mercanti while a second person stands on the pillar placed obliquely. If you speak next to the pillar, you will find that both you and the other can hear every word. It is believed that this system was used by merchants.

In the vicinity of the Cathedral is the temple of Milanese gastronomy: Peck. It owes its name to the Prague-born Francesco Peck who moved to Milan in 1883. He was a salumer and his shop specialised in cured and smoked meats. The shop is located at Via Spadari 9, just a few metres from the equestrian statue of Vittorio Emanuele II.

Today, Peck offers the best of made in Italy gastronomic products: cubes of pâté with "Peck" embossed on them, Russian salad, vitello tonnato (thin fillets of veal covered in a tuna and caper sauce), fresh and cured cheeses, prosciutto, boletus and hundreds of other treats for the palate. There is also an excellent wine cellar with red, white and sparkling wines.

Of course it is! Without a doubt, this square is the most iconic place in the city and there is nothing better than being able to see the silhouette of the cathedral from your room. Clearly, the prices are in keeping with the area.

Be aware that at night there is usually not much noise (except if there is a demonstration or event) as the nightlife is concentrated in other areas.

Not necessarily. A number of monuments and points of interest are within walking distance of the Duomo. Walking along Via Dante you can easily reach Milan's Sforzesco Castle, a fortress surrounded by the historic Sempione Park.

You can also visit the terrifying church of San Bernardino alle Ossa. Inside it hides an ossuary whose walls are decorated with thousands of human bones. It is located in Piazza Santo Stefano.

In the vicinity of the cathedral stands a world famous building: La Scala Theatre. It showcases the greatest exponents of opera and dance and is definitely worth a visit. For more information, I recommend you read the post about tickets and how to visit La Scala Theatre from the inside.