Top Rated Attracties in Milaan

Watched over by the Madonnina, the cathedral's high marble spires represent the city's most famous artistic and religious monument. The dimensions of Christendom's third-biggest church are still awe-inspiring, spanning 108 meters (354.3 feet) high and 158 meters (518.3 feet) long. A range of architectural styles feature the doorways of the 17th Century, the central balcony from the late 18th Century and the three main upper windows which are early 19th Century pieces by Carlo Amati. The Gothic cathedral's vast interior is grand with its impressive pillars, vaults, streamlined arches and wonderful statuary surrounding the nave. Light filters in through a crevice in the wall, positioning itself on the sundial that frames its main entrance. Gleaming statues carved out of Condoglian marble are perched atop its spires. Whether one is seeking religious fulfillment or is simply sightseeing, the Duomo leaves one spellbound.

Beautiful sculptures adorn the graves of those interred at the Monumental Cemetery. Originally laid out in the 19th Century, the cemetery encompasses a staggering collection of sculptural and architectural gems, each gracing the burial site of some of the country's most prominent families and individuals. The Famedio, or Temple of Fame, is one of its most distinctive features. Originally designed to serve as a church, the neo-Medieval structure now has the sarcophagus of the novelist, Alessandro Manzoni. The tomb of the Campari family is adorned by a large, bronze version of the Last Supper, while that of Arturo Toscanini is a masterpiece fashioned by the sculptor, Leonardo Bistolfi. Marvelous funerary art and ornamentation abound at the Monumental Cemetery, a favorite among art lovers.

Once the palatial symbol of Visconti nobility, the Sforzesco Castle was reconstructed by Francesco Sforza, the duke of Milan in the 15th Century. He rebuilt parts of the original fortification, including the Torre del Filarete that towered 70 meters (230 feet) above other small towers. Deemed to be one of the largest bastions in Europe, this monumental citadel underwent several expansions and changes in the years that followed. When under Spanish rule, it was largely used as a barrack, before parts of it were demolished by Napoleon's troops. In the 19th Century, it was salvaged by architect Luca Beltrami. He rebuilt several parts of the castle, including the towers, the moat and even restored the historic Torre del Filarete to its former glory. The castle's archways give way to the regal courtyards of Rocchetta and Ducal, which house several archaeological and art museums.

Located right behind the Brera Art Gallery, in the Brera Place complex, Orto Botanico di Brera dates back to the late 18th Century. An Italian monk and botanist, Fulgezio Vitman, worked for the establishment of this botanical garden in 1774. It was created with the aim of providing an educational platform for students of botany and pharmacy. Giuseppe Piermarini, of the Scala Theatre fame, assisted Vitman in designing the garden. Orto Botanico di Brera, today, is home to a vast collection of medicinal plants, ornamental plants and vegetables. A restored greenhouse, located at the northern end, is used as a teaching center by the Academy of Fine Arts.

A holiday in Milan would be incomplete if you do not take the food tours available here. These tours take you to places where you can savor some of the most delicious cuisines of Italy. The best way to go on such a tour is to take a trip to Brera — one of the oldest places in Milan with history and glories of the Old World. This is a guided tour, where you get to taste delectable Italian foods like Italian cold cuts, Italian cream rolls, risottos, special meat-balls, a traditional Italian dish called Melanzane alla Parmigiana and many other traditional foods. The tour also helps you explore a little bit of the wonderful history of the land created over centuries.

Inspired by English gardens, the Gardens of Villa Reale was planned together with the late neo-classical main villa between 1790 and 1793 by the architect Leopoldo Pollack for Count Barbiano di Belgioioso. Created like a cloistered oasis, it features a small internal lake, wooden bridges, a waterfall and beautiful blooms. Though it creates an atmosphere of romance, this lovely garden is primarily for kids and adults can only enter with a child and that too one who is below 12 years old.