Milan is beautiful all the time, in sunshine, in rain, in wind, in summer and in winter. Of course it is that in good weather it is pleasant just to get out of the house for a walk, but when bad weather rages outside it is a whole different situation! Surely, especially in the autumn period (but not only), when outside the window we see the rain coming down incessantly, it comes naturally to ask: what can you do in Milan when it rains?
Well, if you are always faced with this dilemma without a real solution at hand, don’t worry, we will help you with some suggestions and ideas that will surely come in handy as soon as the weather is not the best and you feel like leaving the house, having already finished your favorite TV series! Below are some ideasfor enjoying Milan in the name of culture and fun even in the rain.
What to do in Milan when it rains: visits to monuments, exhibitions and museums
The Duomo of Milan
Of course, one of the first places to visit in Milan, regardless of the weather, is the Duomo! The symbol of the city, the Milanese monument par excellence, it has represented the Lombard capital since its construction began in the late 1300s. Little does it matter if you have already had the chance to enter it, a guided tour is always a perfect opportunity to rediscover this incredible place in all its Archaeological Areas, the Cathedral and (if it doesn’t rain too much!) its Terraces!
The Sforza Castle
A symbol of Milan‘s ducal past, the Castello Sforzesco, a veritable fortification in the heart of the city, tells the story of the city and the great lords who ruled the city over the centuries, starting with the Visconti and Sforza lineages. This place, from which today’s Sempione Park, the city’s main park, is home to the Musei Civici di Milano, a complex of collections and collections of artifacts that more than any other hand down to us theidentity of the Lombard capital, including some real Renaissance masterpieces, such as the Pietà Rondanini by master Michelangelo, or the extraordinary Sala delle Asse by Leonardo da Vinci… In short, a real Renaissance castle in the center of Milan full of treasures, to be discovered not only if you don’t know what to do when it rains!
The great museums of Milan
Not only the Musei Civici at the Castello Sforzesco, Milan is home to some of the most important collections and some of the most dynamic exhibition spaces in the boot, which are a must-visit on a dreary day. Among the many small and large museums, one cannot fail to mention the Pinacoteca di Brera, in the complex of the Palace of the same name, a historic building that also houses theAcademy of Fine Arts and the Braidense Library. The Pinacoteca is one of the largest museum complexes in Milan, a true treasure chest that houses priceless works by Mantegna, Raphael, Caravaggio, Hayez and more! Another great secular institution in Milan is definitely theAmbrosiana. desired as a place of research by Federico Borromeo in the 17th century, houses, in addition to one of the richest libraries in Italy, artifacts and masterpieces of exceptional value, such as Leonardo da Vinci ‘s Atlantic Codex or the preparatory cartoon of Raphael‘s School of Athens. Finally, we cannot fail to suggest a visit to Royal Palace, where some of Italy’s most visited exhibitions and temporary displays are periodically organized in collaboration with museums from all over the world!
Foundations and contemporary art centers
Milan has great secular institutions that represent its long history, but it is also the city that more than any other is open toinnovation and contemporaneity, even in art. If you don’t know what to do when it rains, why not take advantage of it and therefore go to discover the centers and exhibition hubs that best tell the spirit of artistic research in Milan? You can therefore rediscover the art, mainly Italian, of the last century at the Museum of the Twentieth Century, just a few steps from the Duomo, lose yourself among the rooms of the Mudec in one of the many immersive exhibitions it offers, or project yourself into the future with the refined and innovative exhibitions of the Prada Foundation. If you still do not want to give up taking a stroll around the city, you can find shelter from the rain in the many contemporary art galleries that populate some of Milan’s neighborhoods, such as Lambrate or Cinque Vie!
What to do in Milan when it rains: historic clubs and markets
Places and historic stores to visit when it rains in Milan
Milan is also discovered through its many clubs, bars and stores . Known the world over for high fashion, however, the city has much to offer beyond the great shop windows of the world’s most elegant and sought-after brands. In fact, there are many historic stores that populate the center of Milan and beyond and tell the story of Milanese life in past centuries.
Food markets and restaurants
The Lombard capital is also well known for its cuisine, which mixes ancient and traditional dishes with the most varied international influences, resulting in the great creativity of its countless restaurants, so much so that it is one of the cities with the most starred restaurants in Italy! However, in the city you can also discover some real food markets, which mix a quality food and wine proposal with the promotion of local products. So take advantage of this to visit places like Eataly, a real market of Italian products from the Slow Food presidium or the recent Mercato Centrale, where several stands offer the most varied Italian and non-Italian cuisines under the guidance of great chefs!
What to do in Milan when it rains: unusual activities
The Civic Aquarium
Located within Sempione Park and inaugurated on the occasion of the 1906 World’s Fair, theCivic Aquarium of Milan is one of the oldest aquariums in Europe, and it is definitely worth a visit to this unexpected place! It is often said that Milan lacks only the sea, and one way to be able to fill this lack is of course to visit this particular aquarium, located inside a beautiful Art Nouveau building. It is a place suitable for everyone, especially for groups and families with children, who here can get closer and learn more about some aquatic species and particular marine habitats .
The Civic Planetarium Ulrico Hoepli
Another particularly interesting and unusual place is definitely the Civico Planetario Ulrico Hoepli, located inside the Indro Montanelli Gardens in the Liberty district of Porta Venezia. Here guided observations of space and celestial bodies, dedicated events and lectures , workshops for adults and children are organized every week… In short, if the day does not allow you to walk freely in the park, the planetarium is definitely a place where you can take refuge and travel far away, at least with your imagination!
The House Museums
Discover the house museums of Milan, small gems hidden in the fabric of Milan’s historic center and part of a museum circuit unique in Italy. In the company of our guides, anecdotes and secrets of the first owners of these historic homes come to life again and the many historical and artistic masterpieces preserved inside become even more beautiful to admire, enveloped in theintimate atmosphere that only a private home could possess.
Each mansion reveals in filigree personalities and passions of the people who inhabited them, in a journey through different eras and styles that satisfies all tastes: from the fabulous 19th-century collection of the Poldi Pezzoli museum to the austerity of Manzoni House; from the neo-Renaissance flair of the palazzo Bagatti Valsecchi to the multifaceted 20th-century collection of Casa Boschi Di Stefano, ending in the innovative and relaxing spaces of Villa Necchi Campiglio, Portaluppi’s masterpiece in the greenery of Porta Venezia.
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