When you visit a city for the first time, it’s always difficult to choose where to start exploring. For those who are planning to visit Milan for the first time, an avid traveler and MeetnGreetMe contributor Dakota Murphey made a list of top-10 places to see in Milan.

And in case you want a personalized tour or need an assistant during your trip to Milan, feel free to contact our MeetnGreeters or leave your request here.

Milan is renowned for being one of the Big Four for Fashion Week. It is home to some of the biggest and most well-known fashion designers in the world, and the city itself is full of incredible design, luxurious shopping, and beautiful architecture. Milan is known as one of the most stylish cities out there, making it a popular destination for fashionistas and cultural travelers alike.

There is a lot to see and do in this fashion capital, whether you wish to experience fashion-related sights or not. It is useful to have an itinerary, know the best airport to fly in and out from, but also leave room for spontaneity.

There are three airports serving this incredible city, including the beautiful Malpensa International Airport. Decide on the airport best for your holiday, and consider the following list of must-sees. Milan is one of the finest cities around, be sure to do it justice.

1. Duomo di Milano

Start your trip off right with a visit to the Duomo di Milano, which is an incredible destination in and of itself. This stunning cathedral took over 600 years to complete and is one of the largest of its kind in the entire world. Visit the plaza in front of it, or go inside for the full experience. Whatever you do, you absolutely must see it on your first (or any trip) to Milan. By going inside, you could even go up to the roof, and get a unique and captivating look of Milan on the flipside.

2. Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Right next to the Duomo di Milano is the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, which is a stunning 19^th-century arcade that houses some of the most prominent and most influential brands in the fashion industry. If fashion isn’t your thing, it also has some incredible restaurants and café’s to enjoy to your heart’s content. Either way, be sure to visit.

3. Museo del Novecento

On the other side of the plaza is the Museo del Novecento, which houses over 400 incredible works of art and is a great destination for art lovers. A highlight for all, however, is definitely the fact that it is one of the best views of the cathedral. Go for the photos, go for the art, and have a great afternoon in the plaza.

4. Prada Foundation (Fondazione Prada)

The Fondazione Prada is a modern art museum that is perfect for those who love exhibition spaces that they can enjoy and even interact with. Go for a room full of toadstools hanging from the ceiling, or for modern architecture. Whatever you do, however, don’t miss Bar Luce, which was created by Wes Anderson in the style of his infamous movies, making it the perfect destination to get your fix of the Grand Budapest Hotel.

5. Enjoy a Night Along the Canals

The Canals are certainly a great experience to enjoy when in Milan. They were designed with the help of Leonardo Da Vinci, and today are a highlight of the city that should never be missed, especially considering Milan itself is landlocked. Go for great food, great drinks, or even just a pitstop in a café. It is full of life and a treat to go to in the evenings.

6. Visit the Theatre

La Scala Opera is one of the most beautiful opera houses in the entire world. It is to date still one of the most sought after and looked to houses in opera, despite it being hundreds of years old. If you can, try to book a few tickets to see an opera live, but if you can’t do this, make time to visit the museum, which will allow you to at least see the interior of this stunning building.

7. Get Ahead of the Fashion Curve and Visit Rossana Orlandi

Rossana Orlandi is a big name in fashion, especially in Milan. It is no mistake that this city is one of the fashion capitals of the world, and the sheer number of talented, up-and-coming designers that inhabit this city is one of them.

Roassana Orlandi has made it her mission to find the best of these up-and-coming designers and gives them a platform to introduce themselves to the world. Her gallery, which is a repurposed tie factory and massive as well, makes for the perfect shopping experience for any fashionista. Stay one step ahead of the rest by visiting her store.

8.Peruse Through the Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology

See cars that were modelled after Da Vinci’s work, reconstructions of his flying machines, drawings, blueprints, and sketches. There is also a collection of tech and inventions that completely changed the world, making it ideal for those who have an interest in machines.

9. Enjoy the Milan Archaeology Museum

The Milan Archaeology museum is beautiful and is the perfect place to learn about ancient Mediolanum design, as well as see a great selection of artwork and sculptures.

10. Wander Through the Brera District

The Brera District is a beautiful little section of Milan that is Bohemian in the atmosphere. It is absolutely charming and is full of art academies, galleries, restaurants, bars, and so much more. It is here that you can eat a delicious meal while shopping for one-of-a-kind art and even clothing that will help make you the most fashionable and stylish person in your friend group back home. With its cute cobblestone streets and high-end destinations, it is sure to be a hit with everyone.

Milan is so much more than just Fashion Week. It is a design and history haven and has something for everyone to enjoy. Just remember to give yourself time to see all the incredible things there are, and to give yourself some space to slowly wander through the streets of this fabulous city. You definitely don’t want to rush it – the gems of Milan are found by truly digging into the city and exploring it, not by getting on a bus tour.