Milan with kids

As soon as we arrived for our first family weekend in Milan, I fell under the spell of this city, a mix of tradition and modernity that you discover as you walk around. We promised ourselves that we’d return to Italy’s 2nd largest city, the capital of Lombardy, and now we have! This northern Italian city is packed with activities for children of all ages. From the magnificent Duomo to interactive museums and leafy parks, our guide shows you how to make the most of Milan with your children. Discover our best addresses and tips for a successful stay in the capital of Lombardy.

>> Back to our guide Lombardie with kids

-> Contents +

With the affiliate links I carefully select, planning your trip becomes easier and faster. By clicking on these links (highlighted in yellow), you allow me to earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. A great way to support my blog’s free content and help me maintain my editorial independence.
Thank you in advance and happy reading!

Our 2-day family programme in Milan

On Saturday, we visited the World Expo from 9am until 7pm! It was a long day that left Mr Dad and me with very different opinions!

On Sunday, we strolled around Milan with our noses in the air, particularly in the Navigli district and a little walk around the Duomo!

Marvel at Milan’s cathedral, the famous Duomo

It’s impossible not to at least see the famous Milan cathedral or Duomo di Milano, this impressive Gothic church located in the heart of the city on the large square of the same name. Construction began in 1386 and took almost six centuries to complete. It is one of the largest cathedrals in Europe, with a white marble façade adorned with detailed carvings and spires rising to a height of 108 metres. The interior boasts magnificent stained glass windows and works of art, numerous columns and statues, and grandiose organs.

Climb to the top and count the gargoyles on the roof of the Duomo

The roof terrace offers a panoramic view of Milan and, on a clear day, the Alps. It is reached either by a staircase or a lift. It can be visited on its own. You can admire the splendid curves of Gothic architecture with arches, and look for the most extravagant gargoyles with your children.

Scare yourself in the crypt

The full tour continues in the cathedral museum and in the 150m-long undercroft of the cathedral. In the museum, numerous liturgical objects, models and paintings are on display. Under the cathedral are the crypt and the archaeological area, where remains of the Roman civilisation that founded Milan can be found.

• Address: Plaza di Duomo – Milan
• Price: from €19 to €37 – please note that the cathedral is open to all free of charge, but there is a queue and you cannot see all the remarkable sights during your visit.
• Opening times: 9am to 6pm
• Duration: 1 to 3 hours, depending on the tour chosen
• Baby equipment recommended: baby carrier
• Booking is compulsory to secure a place on the day. In autumn, for example, there are no places available on D& Sundays.
• Book your audioguided
• Bon Plan Voyages et Enfants : Access to the Duomo roofs only (by lift or stairs)

>> You might also like: Turin with kids

Looking up in the Galleria Vitorio Emanuelle II

Free family visits to Milan

To visit Milan and not blow your budget, we discovered the fabulous Emmanuelle Vittorio Gallery, on foot quietly having stumbled across it by chance on our way to La Scala from the Duomo. This magnificent 19ᵉ century shopping arcade delighted us with elegant arcades housing luxury boutiques, historic cafés and restaurants and above all by its glass and iron roofs magnificent 19ᵉ century shopping arcade.

Astuces Voyages et Enfants:
Think about taking a family free tour! It allows you to visit the city with a guide that you pay according to your means!
>> You free family tour in Milan

———————-

Plan your trip in Italy

————————–

La Scala in Milan: its theatre and museum for budding tenors

Milan’s famous Scala, Europe’s most famous opera house and theatre, is a must-see in Milan. Guided tours are available only on days when there are no performances. A visit to the museum can be added to the tour.
The decorations are sublime, with an abundance of gold and red. It creates a magical whole!

Attending a performance at La Scala with your family

Tickets for the most famous operas can be booked several months in advance. However, there are often family-friendly performances on Sundays. Here too, you need to book well in advance.

• Address: Plazza Scala, Milan
• Price: around €37 for a guided tour / adult – from €30 to €150 for an opera ticket
• Times: 9am to 6pm, depending on the show
• Duration: 1 hour guided tour
• Baby equipment recommended
• Tickets here

Playing knight in the Sforza castle

The Sforza Castle, or Castello Sforzesco, is an imposing fortress in the heart of Milan, built in the 15ᵉ century by the Sforza family. Today it houses several museums and art collections, including works by Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. Its vast courtyards and gardens make it a pleasant place to explore with the whole family. Inside, there are exhibitions on the history of Milan, sculptures and historical objects. The castle, with its impressive architecture and green spaces, is a must for lovers of culture and history.

Admission is free, but you can’t visit everything, and you can’t visit all the museums on site.

• Address
• Price: free – €5 to enter the museums
• Tickets and guided tours can be booked here

Discover Milan through Leonardo da Vinci

Become a genius at the Museum of Science and Technology

Located near the Church of San Ambrogio, this museum will delight young and old alike. This interactive science museum can keep children occupied from a few hours to a whole day. Workshops in Italian allow you to experiment. The section on Leonardo da Vinci is very well developed, but perhaps less fun than in other museums already visited on this genius.

The special feature of the museum is the presence of a former Italian military submarine. And the best part is that you can go inside it on a guided tour (booking required). But very few places are available.

• Address :
• Price: €10 / adult
• Schedule :
• Duration on site: from a few hours to one day
• Baby equipment recommended
• Tickets here

Leonardo3

A museum dedicated to Leonardo da Vinci, very interactive, with life-size models like the one we visited in Venice.

• Billets à réserver ici [/su_service]

Tour the city in Leonardo’s footsteps

A number of statues and other places are reminders that Leonardo spent many years in Milan. You can see a copy of Leonardo’s horse (which could not withstand the weight) in front of the Milan Hippodrome. A statue commemorating Leonardo also stands in Piazza della Scalla. For those particularly interested in these works, the Last Supper can be seen in Milan (see below). One of Leonardo da Vinci’s Codexes can also be admired at the Pinacoteca Ambrosioni.

Enjoy Milan’s parks with kids

Milan isn’t all cathedrals and luxury boutiques! With our Mini Travellers, aged 4 and 10, on our first family trip to Milan, we discovered some green spaces that were perfect for taking a breather between two cultural visits.

Sempione Park

After visiting the Sforza castle, what better way to unwind or relax than in the Parc Sempione. For those who want to stroll around, there are several places of interest dotted around the area: the Triennale, Roman remains, the Arena, the Acquario Civico, Milan’s aquarium with around a hundred different species, the Arco della Pace, Milan’s triumphal arch and the Mermaids’ Bridge with its statues. Children will also love the playgrounds and merry-go-rounds! Our family loved it!

• Address: Via Brera, 28, Milano
• Open all day depending on the season
• Free

Brera Botanical Garden

A lovely free spot in Milan to rest your legs after a visit to the Pinacoteca, for example.

• Address: Via Brera, 28, Milan
• Open from 10am to 4pm depending on the season
• Free

Indro Montanelli Public Gardens

For a more bucolic atmosphere, the Indro Montanelli Public Gardens are a good alternative, with their little train, vintage merry-go-rounds and Natural History Museum.

The Biblioteca degli Alberi park is less well-known but ultra-modern, with its designer play structures and themed trails. Ideal for Instagram-friendly photos while letting the kids have fun between the skyscrapers of the Porta Nuova district!

And don’t miss the Basilicas park, which is smaller but perfect for a picnic break after visiting the impressive San Lorenzo basilica. Children will love running between the Roman remains, and it’s a lovely walk all the way to the Basilica of Sant’Eustorgio.

>> You might also like : our guide Rome with kids

Riding an old tramway with the little ones

As in many Italian cities, the trams have retained their old-fashioned charm. Far from our almost futuristic trams in France, here the trams are vintage. It’s a great way for families to get around Milan.
It’s perfect for walking around with babies: they can rest, you can see the city and cross it for the next visit!

Milan for art lovers

Milan may not have the reputation of Florence for its cultural wealth, but the city is nevertheless home to some very fine museums where you can admire the works of the most talented Italian painters.

The Cenacolo museum to admire the Last Supper

The only museum in the world where you can see the original! And with good reason: Leonardo painted his fresco directly on the wall. Using the tempera technique, Leonardo more or less fixed his 4.6m x 8m work for eternity on the walls of the convent. This fresco depicts the Last Supper of Jesus Christ and his 12 apostles. The monks of the convent didn’t like it at all, and for a long time refused to pay for it!

Now one of the most famous works in the world, it attracts huge crowds. Reservations are therefore highly recommended.

Our opinion: Our family isn’t really into painting, so seeing the originals didn’t really appeal to us. In Venice, we had already had a very good explanation of this painting. So we decided not to go.

• Address: Piazza Santa Maria delle Grazie, 2 – Milan
• Opening hours
• Timetable: Tuesday to Saturday from 9.00 am to 7.00 pm, Sunday from 9.00 am to 1.45 pm – closed on Mondays
• Duration on site:
• Baby equipment recommended
• Tickets here

The Pinacoteca di Brera

This splendid museum, located in the Palazzo di Brera, which also houses the Botanical Gardens, the Astronomical Observatory and the National Library, brings together some of the finest masterpieces of Italian painting.
The area is a great place to take a family stroll and enjoy the surrounding gardens.

• Adresse: Via Brera, 28 – 20121 Milano
• Price: €20 / family
• Official website

Other visits to Milan with teenagers

There are several other museums in Milan. Everyone will find museums to suit their interests.

Wow Spazio Fumetto

For our Mini Voyageur, a visit to the Wow Spazio Fumetto is undoubtedly a must. This unique museum in Milan is dedicated to comics, illustration and animation. Located in a former industrial building, it features interactive exhibitions tracing the history of 9ᵉ art, with iconic characters and original works. Creative workshops for children, themed events and a varied collection make it an original day out for pop culture fans. Temporary exhibitions take place here throughout the year

• Address: viale Campania 12, 20133 MILANO (MI)
• Price: €8 for children aged 11 and over – €5 for children aged 3 to 10 – free for the youngest children
• Times: Open afternoons only until 7pm, except Mondays when it is closed.
• Duration on site: from 1 to 3 hours
• Official website

Reconnecting and relaxing with the family at QC Terms

This renowned wellness centre, located in a historic building in the heart of Milan, offers a relaxing experience with thermal baths, saunas, steam rooms and relaxation areas, all in an elegant and soothing atmosphere. What makes this place unique is its outdoor garden with a heated swimming pool overlooking Roman remains.
A moment to recharge your batteries as a family, to be shared only with teenagers over the age of 14. It can also be a much-appreciated mother/daughter outing to renew the ever-fragile bonds with our beloved rebels!

Our verdict: we didn’t try it out, but one of my Instagram followers recommended it. But with my Miss Voyageuse, we’re more into special moments around the 7th art.

• Address: Piazzale Medaglie d’Oro, 2 angolo Viale Filippetti – 20135 Milano
• Times: open all day and evenings
• Official website

The Navigli district

Milan off the beaten track

On our first visit to Milan as a family, we decided to get off the beaten track and visit the Navigli district, i.e. the canal district: canals used in the Middle Ages for Milanese commerce and food! A 15-minute ride on the M2 metro from the Sant’Ambrogio district.

Our verdict: A walk just the way I like them! No must-sees, just enjoy the good times and meet the Italians. You can also take a little cruise on the canals! The banks of some of the canals are very well laid out, making for lovely walks. The Second Canal was very lively because there was a huge flea market! The children loved discovering the very old machines. We were the only tourists.

Where to eat in the Navigli district: the Mercato Metropolitano

Attracted by a ‘Mercato Metropolitano’ sign, we decided to see the Italians shopping! And what a pleasant surprise! It’s not a market at all, but a completely atypical place to eat and have a good time with the family! It’s my real favourite! The decor is very contemporary, made from recycled materials and full of great ideas! You choose what you want to eat, whether it’s a street-food burger, or the most beautiful plates with grilled prawns, or prosciutto with parmesan cheese to die for! Everyone had a great time!

 What to see around Milan

As the capital of Lombardy, Milan may seem like a northern city to the Italians. However, it’s well worth a visit, and even further north is the Italian Lake District.

We also love visiting Turin, a lesser-known but perhaps friendlier city.

Where to stay in Milan ?

B&B Hotels Sant Ambrogio

Thanks to B&B Hotel, we discovered the B&B hotel Sant Ambrogio. I wanted a hotel close to the centre, so that I would only have to use public transport on Sundays! So this hotel was well located: 20 minutes to go to the Duomo, 10 minutes to go to the Navigli district!

But in order to have this advantage, I had to give up the family room: only double rooms in this hotel! As a result, the children were delighted: Miss Voyageuse slept with her mum and the boys slept together! Not ideal, but you have to make concessions.

The decor was modern and pleasant! The rooms were large, stylish and very clean! And as far as I was concerned, the Wi-Fi was working, unlike the one at the Milan Expo, which I couldn’t connect to all day! That’s why you only got a few photos late at night!

And the terrace made me fall in love!

A pleasant and copious buffet breakfast, even if the room is a little drab because it’s in the basement!

A good address if you don’t need family rooms (with your teenagers for example!). In February we stayed at another B&B hotel near Malpensa airport and this one had 2 double beds per room, I assure you!

How do I get to Milan?

For travellers from the south-east of France, the car is undoubtedly the easiest way. As far as we’re concerned, we alternate between car and train from Oulx, allowing us to arrive directly in the city centre without worrying about parking problems. From Lyon or Paris, this solution is also possible with the new rail lines that have been created.

When is the best time to travel?

Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) offer ideal weather and fewer tourists.

How many days should I allow?

At least 2 days for the essentials, 3-4 days for a more relaxed pace.

Is Milan suitable for pushchairs?

Yes, most sites are accessible and transport is well equipped.

Des idées de circuits famille en Italie