The 7 Best Free Things to Do in Milan for Budget Travelers

Liputan6.com, Jakarta Milan is Italy's fashion capital and a beautiful city full of amazing places to visit. Many people think Milan is expensive, but there are many wonderful things you can do without spending money. You can explore historic buildings, beautiful parks, and famous shopping areas completely for free.

The city offers many free activities that show its rich culture and history. From stunning churches to peaceful gardens, Milan has something special for every traveler. These free attractions let you experience the real spirit of this amazing Italian city without worrying about your budget.

Here are seven fantastic free places and activities in Milan that will make your trip memorable. Each location offers unique experiences and beautiful sights that cost nothing to enjoy.

The Duomo di Milano is Milan's most famous landmark built over six centuries, starting in the 14th century. This huge Gothic cathedral sits in the heart of the city center. Entry to the main cathedral is free for prayer and worship, allowing you to see the colorful stained glass windows and marble floors inside. You can admire thousands of statues on the outside walls and countless spires reaching toward the sky with intricate Gothic details.

The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II opened in 1877 and is one of the world's oldest shopping malls. This elegant glass-covered gallery has a beautiful iron and glass roof that creates natural light during the day. You can walk on the mosaic floor featuring emblems of Italian cities like Milan, Turin, Florence, and Rome. The gallery houses luxury brands like Prada, Louis Vuitton, Versace, and historic Caffè Biffi for window shopping and people-watching.

Castello Sforzesco was built in the 15th century by the Sforza family who ruled Milan. The castle grounds feature large free gardens with fountains, walking paths, and green lawns perfect for relaxing. You can explore the medieval walls, towers, and courtyards without paying entrance fees. While the castle houses several exciting museums that require tickets, the gardens include beautiful rose gardens, a peaceful pond, and comfortable benches where you can rest while watching ducks.

The Navigli district features historic canals that once carried marble for building the Duomo and were improved by Leonardo da Vinci in 1482. Today, you can stroll along Naviglio Grande and Naviglio Pavese to discover charming courtyards, vintage boutiques, and independent bookstores. Visit the weekly antique market on the last Sunday of each month or browse local artists selling handmade crafts and paintings. The colorful canal-side buildings create perfect photo opportunities, and you can watch street artists creating new murals throughout the area.

Parco Sempione is Milan's largest park behind Castello Sforzesco and was designed as an English-style garden in 1888. The park features the tall Torre Branca tower, a peaceful artificial lake called Laghetto, and the impressive Peace Arch monument. You can walk along tree-lined paths with beautiful plane trees, elms, and horse chestnuts providing shade. The park also offers free outdoor fitness equipment and hosts regular outdoor art exhibitions and cultural events during warm summer months.

The Cimitero Monumentale opened in 1866 and is a massive outdoor art museum with thousands of graves and elaborate monuments. This unique cemetery features sculptures by famous Italian artists including Medardo Rosso and Giò Pomodoro. You can follow the free map to find notable graves like composer Giuseppe Verdi's family tomb and writer Alessandro Manzoni's memorial. The cemetery has different sections including Jewish, Orthodox, and Catholic areas, each showcasing unique architectural styles and memorial traditions from various historical periods.

Piazza Gae Aulenti opened in 2012 and is named after Italian architect Gae Aulenti who designed this modern masterpiece. This circular pedestrian square sits elevated above street level and features the impressive Unicredit Tower, Milan's tallest building. The square has geometric water fountains that create beautiful light displays at night and offers free WiFi for visitors. You can sit on the wide stone steps and enjoy the spectacular LED light shows that illuminate the surrounding skyscrapers like Bosco Verticale every evening.