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15 Best Non-Touristy Things to do in Milan

Milan city is worldwide known as the fashion capital and is the second-most populous city in Italy after Rome. Milan has a lot to offer and is the wealthiest city in Italy. Read more on the city in 15 Amazing Facts about the city of Milan.

There are many tourists and non-touristy things to do in Milan. Many tourists from all over the world come to see the amazing things found in the city which are attractive and worth seeing. However, there are other non-touristy things to do in Milan. Here are the 15 best non-touristy things to do in Milan.

1. Crack Open a Cold One with the Locals at Birrificio Lambrate

 Visiting Birrificio Lambrate a traditional pub with English style is one of the things to do in Milan. You get to grab a drink here and experience Milan’s local culture. In Birrificio Lambrate you are spoiled with choices since you have a wide selection of beers which are not pricey.

The interesting part about this spot is that you don’t need to worry about drinking on an empty stomach since the bar has a delicious food menu. It is a favourable drinking spot for many locals since it is accepted the in home town it is a good location.

The city has a tantalizing food and wine scene, including rich Milanese cuisine and tasty Italian wines. Experience more of these by booking these food tours with us!

2. Marvel at Milan’s Very Own Church of Bones

Ossuary-chapel of San Bernardino alle ossa church in Milan photo by G.Dallorto by Wikimedia

San Bernardino alle Ossa is one of the most peaceful spots you will find in Milan. The church has a long history and it is worth visiting. The church is mostly known for its small side chapel (known as the ossuary) which was purposely built to collect human bones from the neighbouring hospital when the church’s cemetery had no more space.

The chapel is filled with skeletal remains from the rooftop to the ground. Even the pillars of the chapel are decorated with bones. The church has unique features and is worth visiting.

3. Dine on Horse Meat at Macellaria Equina ‘Da Vito’

One of the things to do in Milan is visiting Marcellaria Equina ‘Da Vito’ a butcher shop that has a wide selection of good meat and sausages. To all carnivores, this is the best spot for you in Milan.

This butcher shop deals with horse meats if you have never tried some horse meat and wish to try then visit Macellaria Equina. Once you reach here you are allowed to choose your cut to eat then it will be prepared for you. The butcher is a far distance from the city centre but it is worth visiting.

 Here are 15 Amazing Vegan Restaurants in Milan.

4. Dance the Night Away at Spirit De Milan

Photo by Nadim Merrikh on

If you love fun then the best thing for you to do in Milan is visit Spirit De Milan. Here you will find all things required to have fun, there is a restaurant, dance floor and pub.

They also host musical events often which are always fun. In this space, everybody gets to have fun and is worth visiting.

5. Explore the Hidden Network of Bomb Shelters Beneath the Bustle of the City

People love to know more about history (things that happened earlier before they were born or during their small ages). If possible, it is always good to visit historical sites and get to learn in detail what you can see.

One of the things to do in Milan is visit Bomb shelters to explore and learn more about the hidden network of Bomb shelters’ history. In Milan city, there are underground bomb shelters and tunnels which were purposely built to protect citizens from bombings in World War II.

Read more on 10 Brutal Facts about World War II.

6. Design Your Luxury Perfume

In the fashion capital of the world, you are given chance to learn and make your perfume. Before you start the journey of making your perfume this workshop takes time to educate you on the basic history of luxury perfumes. This is an interesting place to visit since you get to learn new things.

Still on fashion in the city, here are the 10 Things you need to know about Milan Fashion Week.

7. Go and Drive Ferrari

Ferrari photo by Unknown Photographer

To people who always wish to know on how to speed Ferrari then your need is catered in Milan. you can go and learn how to speed a Ferrari and be the next Michael Schumacher. The charges are affordable and they charge as low as $123.

Your safety is sorted since before you drive there will be a safety briefing and also an experienced instructor will be provided and will seat next to you during your ride. This is one of the interesting things to do in Milan.

8. Visit Royal Pavilion at Stazione Centrale

Stazione Centrale is Milan’s main railway station and approximately 300,000 people pass through it. However, many people just walk in front of many doors and don’t bother to know what is behind them.

Royal Pavilion is not known by many, an exclusive most luxurious waiting room reserved for the royal family. This room hidden in Milan central station was built in the back 1920s and is only open on special occasions.

9. Admire the Thousands of Statues at Milan’s Duomo

Duomo in Milan photo By Ank Kumar

Milan Duomo has one attractive structure in the city of Milan. It is the fourth-largest structure in the world. The city of Milan is widely known for gothic styles buildings and Duomo is one of them.

The rumours have it that more than 3,300 statues are found here which people go to admire. One of the curious statues of the Duomo is a carving of a dinosaur-like creature munching on a leaf and his existence has baffled historians.

Check out the 10 Best Things to do near Milano di Duomo Cathedral.

Book this tour with us: 2-HOUR MILAN DUOMO TOUR WITH A LOCAL GUIDE

10. Visit the Wall of the Dolls

Wall of Dolls photo By Pere López Brosa

If you are in Milan and wondering what to do then I got you. Get time and visit one of the most beautiful ‘Wall of Dolls’. It is simply a wall that has been drawn Dolls and is beautiful such that anybody passing through there can’t help but look at it.

It is located in the Ticinese district close to the Basilica of San Lorenzo. You can’t afford to miss this experience I recommend you visit this doll wall and get to enjoy the good view it portrays. The Wall of Doll can be visited anytime and the interesting part is that it is located on the main public road.

11. Visit the Rounds Homes, Case a Igloo

Architect Mario Cavalle back in the 1940s built a dozen round homes in northern Milan. These are one of the most impressive buildings to be built in Italy. Mario was the one behind the mushroom houses in the Maggiolina district as well which were demolished in the 1960s.

These Unique houses are worth seeing and if you are looking for things to do within Milan then visit northern Milan and get to Igloo houses.

12. Go to Bar Luce

Bar Luce is a café which was designed by the American director known as Wes Anderson using his unique ways and it was inspired by the Classic Bars of Milan.

The furniture and decor of the café are typically mid-century Milanese café designs which are attracting and welcoming while the ceiling is made of glass roof designed which was inspired by Galleria Vittoria Emmanuele II in Milan. This bar is worth visiting since it carries a lot of history with it and you will get to learn as you enjoy.

For more on bars, here are the 15 Cool Bars in Milan to drink the night Away.

13. Visit BackDoor 43

One of the non-tourist things to do in Milan is visiting Back Door 43 which is said to be the smallest bar in the world. Since the bar is small there is a limited time allowed for a guest to stay in the backdoor, you can only book the space for two hours at a time.

The bar is only 43 square feet bathroom inclusive; you can imagine how small it is. It is worth going here and getting to see the smallest bar and how people operate. Since it is small most of the customers purchase their drinks through the tiny slot window and what they can see is the seller’s hands nothing more. 

Have a look at 10 of the Best Wine Bars in Milan, Italy.

14. Visit Loggia dei Mercanti Whispering Gallery

Loggia dei Mercanti is an open-air space which hides secret communication systems beneath Milan’s Palazzo Della Ragione.

The whispering gallery which is circular allows even the softest sounds to travel to awaiting ears. According to local legends, it is said that medieval and renaissance merchants and spies took bad advantage of the communication system and started trading secrets. It is worth visiting this site to go and learn more about this unique communication system.

15. Get to See the Green Residentials

There are many things to do in Milan one being you can visit the Bosco vertical and get to see the green residential towers which clean the air in one of Europe’s most polluted cities.

The tower was opened back in 2014 and it has cantilevered balconies which are planted with about nine hundred trees and approximately more than two thousand shrubs and bushes. Architect Stefano Boeri was the one who proposed the project as part of his BioMilano.

Apart from cleaning the air, Bosco Verticale provides shade during the summer and filtered sunlight in the winter season to apartment dwellers since is evergreen.

We’ve barely scratched the surface on everything that Milan has to offer! The city is home to grand cathedrals, picturesque streets, historic neighborhoods, great wine and food, and so much more. To experience all these, why not book any of these tours with us when you’re in the city?  Whether you fancy a bike tour through the beautiful sights of Milan or a boat cruise on Lake Como, we’ve got it all. Happy travel!