How to avoid crowds in Milan during high season

A major hub for fashion and finance, Milan is one of Italy’s busiest cities. A visit to the style capital doesn’t have to be hectic, though. With some know-how, you can avoid crowds in Milan, even at its most popular attractions.

Experience La Scala’s magnificent shows during the day. Explore cooler, quieter neighborhoods in Milan, like the colorful Rainbow Quarter and artsy Isola. Take the express route to the top of the Duomo. And visit hidden gems that most tourists miss. Here’s how to get ahead of the crowds in Milan.

1. Escape the crowds at the Duomo terrace

It’s hard to find a time when Milan’s Duomo isn’t bustling with tourists. The massive Gothic cathedral is Italy’s largest church and Milan’s biggest attraction. For a quieter experience and shorter line, visit later in the day with a ticket that includes access to the terraces. Head to the top for a close-up look at the Duomo’s 135 spires, intricate gargoyles, and the golden Madonnina (the “little” Virgin Mary on the tallest spire). On a clear day, you can even see the Alps in the distance.

Insider tip

You can also skip the inside just to visit the terraces for a more intimate experience. In the summer, musicians perform among the spires every Thursday at sunset.

Address

Piazza del Duomo, 20122 Milan

Opening hours

9:00 AM-7:00 PM every day

2. Explore Navigli’s canals in the morning

Navigli is one of Milan’s most beautiful neighborhoods. It’s known for its picturesque canals that were built in the 12th century for trade and the movement of goods, such as the marble used to build the Duomo. Today, it’s a popular area for nightlife with its variety of trendy bars and restaurants. For a more laid-back experience, head to this lively neighborhood on a weekday morning. You’ll find it’s just as charming, but without the crowds.

Insider tip

If you visit later in the day, consider booking a boat trip and exploring Navigli from a different perspective. You’ll learn about the history of the neighborhood and soak up the views without navigating the busy canalsides on foot.

3. Escape to Milan’s Monumental Cemetery

The Monumental Cemetery isn’t your ordinary cemetery — it’s also an open-air museum of extraordinary funerary art and architecture, featuring an array of sculptures, mausoleums, and tombs. If you’re planning an afternoon walk, it offers a tranquil setting away from Milan’s busy streets.

Insider tip

Join a guided tour of the cemetery to gain a deeper appreciation of its history and art. You’ll also learn about the notable figures buried here.

Address

Piazzale Cimitero Monumentale, 20154 Milan

Opening hours

Tuesday-Sunday, 8:00 AM-5:30 PM
Closed Monday

4. Book a daytime tour of La Scala

No visit to Milan is complete without a visit to Teatro alla Scala, one of the world’s most prestigious opera houses. Since 1778, La Scala has been stunning guests with its jaw-dropping architecture and magnificent acoustics. Its fame on the world stage means it’s not uncommon for shows to be packed out. Go behind the scenes on a daytime tour and experience the magnificence of La Scala before 1,800 people squeeze in to watch the evening performance. Opt for a matinee performance for your best chance of securing a seat.

Insider tip

Don’t overlook the museum dedicated to the opera house, located right next door. It showcases past costumes, set designs, and memorabilia.

Address

V. Filodrammatici, 2, 20121 Milan

Opening hours

Museum: 9:30 AM-5:30 PM, every day
Performance start times: 6:00 PM or 8:00 PM

5. Skip the lines at Da Vinci’s “The Last Supper”

Da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” is one of the most renowned artworks in the world. It occupies the whole north wall of the refectory of the stunning Renaissance church Santa Maria delle Grazie, also one of Milan’s UNESCO World Heritage sites. For the best chance at avoiding long wait times, grab a time slot just before closing or book a “Last Supper” guided tour and skip the line altogether.

Insider tip

Time slots to view the painting are limited to 15 minutes, and you must arrive 30 minutes before your slot.

Address

Via Giuseppe Antonio Sassi, 3, 20123 Milan

Opening hours

Tuesday-Sunday, 8:15 AM-7:00 PM
Closed Monday

6. Retreat to the Villa Necchi Campiglio

Villa Necchi Campiglio is a hidden architectural gem in the heart of Milan. Built in the 1930s and designed by Italian architect Piero Portaluppi, the elegant villa gives a glimpse into the luxurious lifestyle of Milan’s elite during the interwar period. Visit mid-morning, just before the afternoon crowds begin to arrive, to explore its perfectly preserved rooms with elaborate furnishings and lush gardens in peace.

Insider tip

Before leaving, enjoy a coffee at the villa’s café. It’s an ideal spot to relax before heading back into Milan’s main tourist areas.

Address

Via Mozart, 14, 20122 Milan

Opening hours

Wednesday-Sunday, 10:00 AM-6:00 PM (last entry 5:00 PM)
Closed Monday and Tuesday

7. Take a stroll through Brera Botanical Garden

A hidden oasis right in the heart of Brera, one of Milan’s liveliest districts, Brera Botanical Garden is the perfect spot for a peaceful walk. Here, you’ll find a wide variety of plants, including medicinal herbs and ancient trees, geometric flowerbeds bursting with color, and lush pathways to distract from the chaos outside. Take a break from the crowds at the busy boutiques and must-see galleries like Pinacoteca di Brera nearby.

Insider tip

The Pinacoteca di Brera, Milan’s most-visited art museum, is closed on Mondays, meaning fewer visitors in the area overall. This makes it a great day to visit the garden without spillover crowds from the museum.

Address

Via Fiori Oscuri, 4, 20121 Milan

Opening hours

April-October: Monday-Saturday, 10:00 AM-6:00 PM
November-March: Monday-Saturday, 9:30 AM-4:30 PM
Closed Sunday

8. Swap Centro Storico for Quartiere Isola

Quartiere Isola, a district known for its street art, trendy cafes, and eclectic boutiques just north of the city center, is the perfect place to beat the typical crowds in Centro Storico, Navigli, and Brera. The variety of independent art galleries and studios also provides a quieter alternative to Milan’s larger museums.

Insider tip

If you’re a fan of street art, check out Via Carmagnola, a hidden gem that boasts vibrant murals and graffiti you won’t find anywhere else in Milan.

9. Discover Milan’s Rainbow Quarter

Via Lincoln is a little corner of Milan known as the Quartiere Arcobaleno, or Rainbow Quarter, due to its pastel-hued homes. What started as affordable housing for railway workers in the 19th century became a community project when residents began painting their homes in vibrant colors. Its unique atmosphere makes it one of the best streets in Milan, comparable to Burano in Venice and Notting Hill in London.

Insider tip

Combine your visit with a walk around Piazza Cinque Giornate, a lively area with a unique obelisk monument at its center.

10. Discover San Bernardino alle Ossa’s secrets

A visit to San Bernardino alle Ossa, one of Milan’s most unique and overlooked attractions, should be top of the list for fans of the macabre. Built in the 13th century, this church’s ossuary was created to accommodate remains from the nearby hospital cemetery. Here, bones have become an art form, covering the ossuary chapel’s walls in patterns that reflect the Baroque style. An evening tour is the most atmospheric, but visit on a weekday morning and you might just have its haunting beauty all to yourself.

Insider tip

Pair your visit with a trip to the nearby Basilica of San Stefano Maggiore, a beautiful 5th-century church that most tourists miss.

Address

Piazza Santo Stefano, 20122 Milan

Opening hours

Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-6:00 PM
Saturday, 9:30 AM-6:00 PM
Sunday, 9:30 AM-noon (The ossuary is closed on Sunday)