When you are thinking of romantic countries to visit, Italy is one of the first countries that comes to mind. I visited Milan with my boyfriend for a weekend trip, and we had an amazing time together. There are lots of romantic things to do in Milan. It’s the perfect destination for a short break from any place in Europe as there are plenty of flight connections from around the continent.
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Contents
- 13 Romantic Things to Do in Milan for Couples
- 1. Explore the city center
- 2. Sign up for a cooking class
- 3. Go on a bike tour
- 4. Do a romantic photoshoot
- 5. Go to the top of the Duomo Cathedral
- 6. Enjoy Italian pizza during a picnic in Parco Sempione
- 7. Enjoy as many Aperitivos as you can!
- 8. Explore the city’s museums
- 9. Take an evening walk along the Naviglio Grande canal
- 10. Go wine tasting
- 11. Do a food tour
- 12. Spend an evening bar hopping
- 13. Go shopping
- Romantic Trip to Milan
- Expert Tips for a Romantic Time in Milan
13 Romantic Things to Do in Milan for Couples
Many people choose Venice for a romantic trip in Italy, but that’s not the only option. Milan is definitely one of the most romantic cities I’ve visited, and there are plenty of great activities and sights to see as a couple.
1. Explore the city center
When you first arrive in Milan, I encourage you to spend some time simply strolling around and admiring this beautiful city. The Duomo di Milano is an incredible Cathedral, and no trip to Milan is complete without spending some time admiring its architecture.
The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is another major landmark in the city and is also the oldest shopping mall. It’s located right next to the Duomo Cathedral. Come in the evening, enjoy walking around the square around the Duomo, which is the perfect place for listening to the street musicians and people watching, holding hands with your partner. I don’t know what can be more romantic than that.
2. Sign up for a cooking class
The only thing that is better than sharing a meal together is cooking it together as well!
Italy is renowned for its pizza, pasta and desserts, so taking part in a cooking class while in Milan is a perfect place to do it. Learning how to make Italian dishes is something that is very interesting and is a new skill that you can take home to impress your friends with. You can find classes on how to make pasta, pizza, tiramisu, risotto and a lot more.
Of course, the best part of any class is getting to enjoy all the yummy food you’ve cooked afterwards! Check out some of the best cooking classes available in Milan here.
3. Go on a bike tour
When I first visit a new city, I always enjoy taking a tour to familiarize myself with the area. Taking a bike tour in Milan is a fun and easy way to explore the city. It’s a great way to combine fun, education, and exercise. Learning about the history and culture of the city while exploring it on two-wheels with your other half will truly be a lot of fun.
Bike tours always give you a sense of freedom, and you can see so much of the area in just a couple of hours. Check out this popular option that takes you to see some of the city’s main monuments including Sforza Castle, Arco della Pace, the skyscrapers district, old canal lock, St. Maria delle Grazie, Ambrose Church, La Scala, Galleria and Mercanti Square.
4. Do a romantic photoshoot
This was one of my favorite experiences from our trip to Milan and has left us with some incredible memories and photos.
We found and booked our photographer through Airbnb experiences. The woman that we found was very friendly and showed us some of the best spots. And don’t worry if you’ve never done a photoshoot before. You don’t have to be a model in order to have great photos. The photographer will let you know what to do and it is most important that you have fun!
By booking a local photographer, they can take you to some of the secret spots in the city that you wouldn’t find otherwise. We ended up with dozens of amazing shots that we would never have been able to take by ourselves.
It’s one of the best ways to share your trip with your friends and family back home. It’s a great thing to do especially, if you are celebrating a special occasion. You will have all your travel memories captured beautifully forever.
The photographer that I used while I was in Milan (Livia) doesn’t seem to be hosting experiences at the moment, but you can find other talented photographers through Flytographer. They will pair you up with a friendly local photographer to help you capture your vacation memories and show you around.
***If it’s your first time using Flytographer, use the code TTTPHOTO to get $25 off.
If you would like to learn more about amazing places that you need to visit in Milan, helpful tips and places where to eat an amazing meal, click here to read about my Milan travel guide.
5. Go to the top of the Duomo Cathedral
Once you’ve seen the Duomo from the outside and inside, why not head to the top of the Cathedral?
Enjoy the incredible views from the roof of the most iconic building in Milan. If you can, try to time your trip for sunset time to have an even more magical experience.
You will need to purchase a ticket to head to the top. You have two options to get to the top, either to take the stairs or to take a lift. Believe me all the steps you have to climb are definitely worth it.
This would be the perfect romantic surprise for your partner, and then you can head off for a lovely dinner afterwards.
6. Enjoy Italian pizza during a picnic in Parco Sempione
You can’t visit Italy without trying pizza, and one of the most fun ways to spend time together enjoying this deliciousness is on a picnic.
Parco Sempione is a large park within Milan, and was established back in 1888. Covering over 38 hectares, it’s within the historical center of the city, and so there are plenty of nearby pizza places to pick up your lunch.
Within the park, enjoy visiting the Castello Sforzesco, which was first built back in the 1300s. It’s open for tours and has previously held the Milan Fashion Week. Don’t forget to take a look at the Arco Della Pace, or Arch of Peace. It’s a tribute to Napoleon designed by architect Luigi Canonica.
7. Enjoy as many Aperitivos as you can!
An Aperitivo is a very important part of the Italian culture. It’s traditionally a pre-dinner drink, and they are also a great way to save money. These allow you to take your time in a restaurant and talk for hours while enjoying great drinks which are served with delicious snacks.
It’s the perfect way to start off a romantic evening together. Any trip as a couple is about quality time together, so what better way to enjoy each other’s company than with a relaxing drink or two.
8. Explore the city’s museums
Immerse yourself in Milan’s history with the city’s selection of museums and galleries. If you are lucky enough to be visiting on the first Sunday of the month, all of Milan’s municipal museums are free for the day.
Visit Pinacoteca di Brera, which is considered to be one of Italy’s best art galleries. The building itself is stunning from the outside, and the collection of paintings spans hundreds of years in history. The great thing about the museums and galleries here is that they are not as crowded as other cities in Italy, such as Florence. Ticket price is 12 euros.
For a more interactive experience, visit the Science Museum. It offers hands-on displays and has areas dedicated to arts and science and transport, to name a few. The arts and science section is particularly interesting as it showcases some of Leonardo Da Vinci’s work.
Don’t forget that Milan is the city where you can see the Last Supper painted by Leonardo da Vinci in real life. It’s one of the reasons you must visit Milan.
The Naviglio Grande is one of the most romantic areas in the city. Make sure you spend at least one evening strolling along the Naviglio Grande canal hand in hand. Following your walk, find a nearby restaurant alongside the canal, where you can enjoy the views and locals passing by. This would be the perfect way to spend your final night in the city, reminiscing on your trip together.
If you would like to learn more useful travel tips for your next trip, make sure to check out my page with all of them.
10. Go wine tasting
Even though if neither of you are big wine drinkers, this is one of the most fun things that you can do together on your trip. You can do a wine tasting in the city center (like this experience) or opt to go on a wine tasting tour in the countryside.
I personally don’t know a lot about wines but learning about them from someone who knows in such an interactive way is something truly great. It is a lovely way to learn more about traditional Italian food and drink while meeting other locals and visitors.
11. Do a food tour
If you don’t want to do a wine tasting, consider a food tour instead. These are the perfect combination of a city walking tour and a gastronomical experience. In a short time, you’ll be able to try many different Italian delicacies. Again, you can find lots of interesting options including this gourmet food tour that is limited to only 10 guests.
12. Spend an evening bar hopping
One of my other top ideas for couples is bar hopping. Milan is known for its nightlife. There are plenty of quaint Italian bars in the city, that you’ll have a great time spending a night traveling between then. If you are not sure where to go, you might like this bar hopping tour.
13. Go shopping
Of course, Milan is known for its famous fashion week and fashion houses. No trip to Milan is complete without spending some time shopping and admiring the Italian fashion scene. In addition to Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, there are countless boutiques and the Serravalle Outlets, the largest shopping mall in Europe, is only a bus ride away.
Romantic Trip to Milan
Whatever you choose to do, Milan is the perfect romantic place to visit as a couple. Whether you are a new couple or are looking to reignite your passion, it’s a city with incredible sites and romantic experiences for young and old. There are so many fantastic experiences available to visitors in Milan.
Are you planning a trip to Milan soon? Let me know in the comments below what you are most looking forward to experiencing together!
-Diana
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Expert Tips for a Romantic Time in Milan
- There are countless options of tours and experiences that are authentic, unique, and memorable.
- If you can time your visit for the Sunday of the month, you can visit many museums in Milan for free.
- Grab this free trip planning checklist to help you get organized.
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Last Updated on November 21, 2022