Milan is a popular location for international students in Italy. This city has a lot to offer visitors aside from some of the greatest institutions in the world. While many people believe that Milan is all about business, students may enjoy a wide range of activities, from sightseeing to engaging in the city's vibrant nightlife.

So, if you're a student visiting Milan, be ready to learn about the top ten activities to do once you arrive. Be careful, we are only scraping the surface here; there is much more to Milan than what’s listed here, nonetheless, this is a fantastic starting place.

Top 10 things to do in Milan

Today, Milan provides a beautiful blend of ancient buildings, contemporary skyscrapers, and a spice of Italian culture. The city is notably well-known for the stunning Duomo Cathedral and its profusion of upscale clothing stores.

Let's explore the top activities that you can do in Milan:

1. Visit the Duomo

The Duomo is often included as one of the top Milan attractions to see for a reason. With a capacity of up to 40,000 people, the magnificent Duomo di Milano is one of the biggest churches in the world. Its Gothic architecture is both fascinating and unsettling. The church is free to enter, however, if you want to climb to the roof, there is a modest cost (which admittedly is worth it). The majority of tourists to Milan will want to cross this attraction off their lists first, so be prepared to wait in line. Since this is Mario Delpini's formal seat, the present Archbishop of Milan, you could even get a chance to see him.

2. Eat at Fonderie Milanesi

No trip to Milan would be complete without engaging in the aperitivo, which is regarded as an institution there. The best place to appreciate the Italian trend is at Fonderie Milanesi, which is close to Porta Ticinese. Sit outside and eat small nibbles with your beverage. When Gaspare Campari began serving his eponymous bitter aperitif in the late 19th century, the tradition was born. Campari was determined to serve a beverage that encouraged rather than ruined the appetite. More snacks were added to the menu as more were created, and now it's usual to see bars with extensive buffet dishes. It's not unusual for the better locations to be absolutely packed, but that sense of community is what makes aperitivos so special.

3. Window shop at the Golden Triangle

Visits to the heart of the global fashion industry are incomplete without window shopping. The "Golden Triangle," which is comprised of Via Della Spiga, Via Sant'Andrea, and Via Montenapoleone, is the ideal location to carry out this activity. All of the top luxury labels, including international and Italian ones like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Yves Saint Laurent, are represented here, including Prada, Versace, Armani, and Dolce & Gabbana.

4. Go to Navigli at Night

They claim there is no such thing as a free lunch, but it is obvious they haven't been to Milan. One of Milan's most well-known neighborhoods is Navigli, which is renowned for its charming canals, trendy clubs, eateries, and the aperitivo craze. Aperitivo is Italian meaning pre-meal drink, but around here in Navigli, it also refers to a "free supper." Around sundown, purchase any beverage at one of the numerous canal-side bars (look for the buffet table inside to know you've arrived), and you'll be rewarded with an unlimited-calorie feast. Cold cuts, bruschetta, bread, cheeses, and salads are often available, however, each bar has its own specialties. You may spend a delightful evening eating away for nothing while you see the world go by if you sip your drink as leisurely as you can.

5. Take a street art tour

Given that Milan is regarded as the home of fascism, it is not unexpected that the anarchist underground movement has a strong presence there as well. Graffiti has a long history in Milan and is one of the first types of street art. It is a naturally anti-establishment form of expression. There are both noticeable and covert artistic projects all across the city, ranging from enormous building-side paintings to little, elaborate manhole covers. Visit the Leoncavallo region for a concentrated blast of creative statements. You may see wall murals by some well-known artists, like MR BLOB, in this public area, which has hosted anything from music concerts to rallies and neighborhood meetings. Then, take a tram or bus to the Isola area to see more understated yet eye-catching sculptures.

6. Check out the Dance Clubs

Milan is the ideal location if you enjoy dancing. Dance clubs abound in the city center, making it possible to stay out all night. You may visit one of the several clubs in the Milan area if you want to dance all night long or just listen to international DJs. You can easily locate the ideal one for you, and if you'd prefer, there are other options, even if many of them may be rather rare and pricey.

7. Look for Dance Parties on the Streets

Some evenings, you may discover covert dance parties on the streets of Milan if going to clubs is not your thing but you still want to dance. You merely need to locate the dancing gatherings that two dance enthusiast organizations, Tango Illegal and Mazurka Klandestina, frequently host throughout the city.

You can get information on their Facebook groups as the locations are not published (they speak Italian, however, if you ask, someone will probably respond in English).

If you're curious, you may visit some well-liked spots around the Palazzo della Regione or Piazza Affari.

8. Visit Orto Botanico di Brera

Visit the neighborhood botanical garden for a peaceful escape from Milan's busy throng. The Orto Botanico of Brera is a lush paradise that was formerly a scientific institution, tucked away up a quiet lane not far from the Duomo or Parco Sempione. The 18th-century garden was intended to cultivate medicinal plants while also serving as a teaching tool for medical and pharmacy students. Today, it serves as a nicely kept tourist destination for those who enjoy plants and who want to unwind. Once you're ready to deal with the outer world again, choose one of the numerous benches scattered across the area and unwind.

9. Picnic at Parco Sempione

There are areas of lush flora scattered throughout Milan, despite the city being largely made of grey stone and marble. The vast Parco Sempione is located in the exact center of the city. It is the biggest park in Milan, covering 96 acres and measuring around 39 hectares. On nice days, join a lot of the locals for a picnic on the property or wander the walkways to see the Napoleonic Arco della Pace (Arch of Peace), the lovely center lake, a few museums, and more. Bring your most comfy walking shoes because it's pretty simple to spend a whole day roaming about this location.

10. Watch some football at the San Siro

A visit to the San Siro is indispensable if football is a bit of a personal passion or if you simply want to experience some classic Italian tribalism. This venue, which is home to two of the top clubs in the nation (AC Milan and Inter), is arguably more suited to somewhat older kids, but the atmosphere and intensity are definitely worth taking in. The cost of tickets varies based on the competition, so budget a little bit extra if one of Italy's other footballing behemoths, like Juventus or Napoli, are visiting. However, one thing remains constant regardless of the competition, and that is the roar made by the 80,000 supporters who regularly pack the stadium.

An extra edition, because why not!
Enjoy the theater

Some of the world's top operas and theatres may be found in Milan. It holds a variety of festivals and exhibitions every year that are sure to please any art enthusiast. Even if you're not a major theatre enthusiast, you'll value the chance to watch some top-notch performances.

You won't have any problem selecting a theatre in the city that suits your preferences.

The most renowned theatre in Italy is Teatro alla Scala, the opera theatre in Milan. Some of the top singers and dancers in the world perform there.

La ribalta di San Babila is an open-air theatre with 1,200 seats that regularly presents plays, musicals, dance acts, and even concerts if you're searching for something more contemporary.

Some budgeting tips for international students

Fashion and money are usually the first two things that come to mind when you think about Milan. Nevertheless, whether you're a fashionista or an investment banker, this northern Italian city has a tonne of free things to do and see. It's simple to explore Milan on even the tightest of budgets, from booking accommodations at the city's lowest rates to discovering free activities.

Buy a “blocchetto”

It is a good idea to get a ten-pack, which costs 13,80 euros and can be used on all modes of transportation, as tram, metro, and bus tickets typically cost approximately 2 euros for a single journey. Another excellent method of getting about the city is BikeMi. The Milan bike-sharing program has an affordable daily membership and provides thousands of stations in the heart of the city.

Visit some adorable flea markets

Milan has a tonne of them. The most well-known is the Fiera di Senigaglia, where you may get inexpensive jewelry, leather products, books, clothing, and other items.

Stock up on stuzzichini

Aperitivo, the Italian (and very Milanese) equivalent of "happy hour," includes a significant amount of delectable food. On most nights, if you order a drink at a pub at about 6 or 7 p.m., you will receive a tonne of complimentary stuzzichini, including pizza, frittatas, pasta dishes, cheese, olives, and much more. These quick dinners are not only excellent but also reasonably priced. There are several possibilities for aperitivo, popular advice is to go to the Brera neighborhood instead because it is a very student-friendly, artistic, and bohemian area.