Milan Tourist Attractions

Known mostly for fashion, opera and design, Milan in northern Italy boasts many fantastic tourist attractions, among them the Duomo di Milano, La Scala Opera House, shopping center Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and Sforzesco Castle. But the real star among all these attractions are the city tours you can join, either for a day, half-day or just a couple of hours. Good value for money, they give a first taste of this fascinating city that has more art and culture than most cities could dream of, and a cuisine and wine to die for.

Milan Cathedral and Rooftop Tour

Milan's Duomo, the city's stunning cathedral, was built in 1386, using pinkish white marble quarried near Lake Maggiore. It is Italy's largest Gothic building and took some 6 centuries to complete. There are fast ticket tours available that not only skip the queues, but also allow you to travel up to the rooftop of the Duomo, where stunning views across Milan await you. A fast track entrance ticket also gives you access to the Cathedral's terraces and the Grande Museo del Duomo di Milano as well as the Church of San Gottardo in Corte.

Sforzesco Castle and Da Vinci's Last Supper Tour

Sforzesco Castle was built by Francesco Sforza, Milan's first Duke, who ordered its construction in the 15th century. Since then, the fortress has undergone many changes – it's now a home to several museums and galleries. Just seeing the artworks at the Pinacoteca, which houses paintings by Bellini, Canaletto, Tintoretto and Titian, takes ages. The tour also includes a visit to Chiesa Santa Maria delle Grazie, which is home to Leonardo da Vinci's painting, The Last Supper (1495 – 1498). Only 30 people at a time are permitted to enter the room where the church's almost equally famous false apse by Renaissance artist Donato Bramente is kept. The 3-hour walking tour passes by Milan's opera house, La Scala, and the elegant Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping mall.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II Shopping Centre & Food Tour of Milan

Opulent doesn't even begin to describe this stunning shopping centre between Piazza Duomo and Piazza della Scala. As one of Europe's finest examples of iron architecture, the shopping centre was built in the 19th century and is now home to some of the world's most famous designer outlets and fashion houses, from Gucci and Prada to Versace. It also boasts many cafes and restaurants. When you've had your fill of shops, join a 3-hour walking tour designed to put some of Milan's finest food on your plate. Meeting point is at Panificio Pattini, Via Solferino 5 , and the tour takes in 6 foodie stops and Milan's historic Brera district.

Teatro alla Scala Guided Tour

It's one of the world's best places to enjoy ballet, opera and classical music. The Scala's lavish interior in red and gold, the world-famous artistic companies that perform here and the history behind the theatre are explored in this 1.5- hour tour. Composers Verdi and Rossini first showed their works here, opera greats like Maria Callas and Luciano Pavarotti sang here. The tour includes a visit to La Scala Museum, which houses one of the world's most important collections of musical instruments, set designs and theatrical costumes.

Enjoy a Ferrari Test Drive Experience

The best 30 minutes a petrol-head could spend! The tour lets you get behind the wheel of a Ferrari supercar and drive along the beautiful route that links Milan to the Swiss Alps. You get picked up at your hotel, later you can enjoy a 16-km test drive along a route that includes the late F1 star driver Ayrton Senna's favourite tunnel and some of northern Italy's finest views. The test drive includes a briefing about acceleration, breaking points and correct driving lines.

Bernina Express Train & St. Moritz Full–Day Tour

Let somebody else take the driving strain for a change: this 13- hour train ride through the spectacular landscapes of the Swiss Alps on board the Bernina Express red train is a real hit with tourists, so don't delay booking the trip! The day tour includes a visit to luxury ski resort St Moritz, where you can go celebrity spotting for a while or just enjoy the amazing mountain views. The red Bernina Express travels along one of the highest rail networks in the Alps, past glaciers that peak at 2,256 meters above sea level.

Navigli Canal Tour

Located in the southwest of Milan, the Navigli are a series of canals, including the Navigli Grande, that date back to as early as 1179. Used historically more for trade than leisure, the canals today are a vibrant place, lined with cafes, bars and restaurants, antique shops and galleries. Houses overlooking the canals are painted differently to the rest of Milan, gleaming in yellow, pink and orange instead of grey or white. Every first Sunday of the month the Navigli Grande hosts an antique market, which sells pretty much every kind of bric-a-brac you can imagine alongside real treasures. The 2-hour tour begins at Via Rovello 1/ n02 (off Via Dante) 20121, near Cordusio Metro station (Red Line).

And if you've had enough of historic buildings and elegant piazzas, head to Milan's largest green space, Parco Sempione, for a little peace and quiet and lots of relaxation. Castello Sforzesco is at the heart of this park, as is contemporary art centre La Triennale di Milano, so there's something to do, when you've had a sufficient rest.