Milan has quietly become one of the most photogenic cities in Italy. Between Fashion Week, Design Week, and a skyline that mixes Gothic spires with glass towers, it's no surprise the city shows up everywhere on Instagram.
Below are the spots I found over the years that always deliver, even in foggy weather, from the obvious ones to a few most visitors walk right past.
1) VITTORIO EMANUELE II GALLERY – PHOTOGRAPHED FROM MARCHESI PASTRY SHOP
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is perhaps the most iconic sight in Milan after the Duomo Cathedral – and definitely one of the most photographed. Here you'll find aesthetic shots pretty much at every angle, but if you want to get a more interesting one head to Marchesi 1824 pastry shop. Located right inside the Galleria, this cute cafè has huge windows overlooking the stores, and its elevated position allows you to capture even more beauty. Besides, you're in Italy, which technically means it's always espresso o'clock.
2) DUOMO CATHEDRAL – PHOTOGRAPHED FROM THE ROOFTOP
Everyone knows the shot of the Duomo from the square in front of it, so I won't waste space on that one. Instead, go up. You can buy a combined ticket for the Cathedral and its rooftop terraces on the official Duomo website, and I'd recommend booking ahead to skip the line. Up close, the marble spires and statues are a completely different experience, and the view over Piazza Duomo from above is worth the climb on its own.
3) BRERA DISTRICT – PHOTOGRAPHED FROM NEARLY EVERY ANGLE
This is my favorite district in Milan, and the one I live in, so take that as full disclosure. Cobblestone streets, art galleries, small boutiques, and cafés that all look like they were art-directed: Brera has been the city's unofficial art district since the mid-20th century, when a wave of Italian painters and sculptors made their name here alongside the Pinacoteca. It's genuinely one of the most photogenic corners of Milan.
The photos above were shot on Via Fiori Chiari, Via Marco Formentini, Via Madonnina, and Piazza del Carmine.
4) PINACOTECA DI BRERA – PHOTOGRAPHED FROM THE ENTRANCE HALL
Pinacoteca di Brera is obviously a must-see when visiting Milan. Not only is the building itself beautiful, but the permanent exhibition shows off many masterpieces of Italian and foreign art from the 13th to the 20th century. Francesco Hayez's The Kiss is the painting most people come to see, and to photograph.
While you're at it, you may want to stop for another espresso at caffè Fernanda, the stylish cafè located near the entrance hall. It's named after Fernanda Wittgens, the woman who ran the Pinacoteca and rebuilt it after WWII bombing damage, and who was Italy's first female museum director.
5) BRAIDENSE NATIONAL LIBRARY
Inside Palazzo Brera, on the same floor as the Pinacoteca, is the Biblioteca Braidense, a working public library most tourists walk straight past. Empress Maria Theresa ordered it opened to the public in 1770, and it welcomed its first readers in 1786. Even a lot of Milanese don't know it's here.
It's a good stop for a quiet break after the museum, and the reading rooms themselves are beautiful to photograph.
6) SFORZESCO CASTLE – PHOTOGRAPHED FROM THE FOUNTAIN
Most people just pass through its beautiful courtyards on their way to Sempione Park, but did you know this 15th-century castle houses 9 museums? Masterpieces within the permanent collection include Michelangelo’s unfinished final marble work, Pietà Rondanini, and frescoes by Bramante and Da Vinci.
Sforza Castle's entrance is preceded by a vast pedestrian area and a magnificent fountain – people here call it the wedding cake, from the shape created by the jets of water. The main gate is also crowned by an elaborate multi-tiered tower that reaches almost 71 meters in height. The overall result is very photogenic, which is why this particular location is considered one of the best photo spots in Milan.
7) SEMPIONE PARK – PHOTOGRAPHED FROM THE POND OVERLOOKING THE CASTLE
Sempione Park is a large public park in Milan that sits right between the Sforza Castle and the Arch of Peace. The park features several permanent structures, including a small stadium, the Civic Aquarium, and the Triennale di Milano. The latter is a design and art museum with a beautiful rooftop bar which I highly recommend visiting for a drink.
Inside Sempione Park, visitors can admire a vast collection of vegetation, and cute ducks can be spotted in the fenced pond. This particular viewpoint is one of the most photogenic in the area: the trees reflected in the still water of the sunlit pond, the ducks and turtles swimming around, and finally, the Sforza Castle sitting in the background make for an extra Instagram-worthy photo.
8) ARCO DELLA PACE / ARCH OF PEACE – PHOTOGRAPHED FROM SEMPIONE SQUARE
Echoing Paris' Arc de Triomphe, the Arch of Peace in Milan marks the end of Sempione park and the start of Corso Sempione, a lively neighborhood known for its array of dining options. The Arco della Pace is one of the city's greatest examples of neoclassical architecture and features bas-reliefs, Corinthian columns, and statues made up of marble and bronze.
I believe this is one of the most beautiful, yet off-the-beaten-path, pieces of Milan's architecture. It certainly makes for a great photo backdrop!
9) PIAZZA AFFARI AND CATTELAN'S SCULPTURE L.O.V.E
Walk into Piazza Affari and you'll be met with an 11-meter marble sculpture of a hand giving the middle finger, right in front of Palazzo Mezzanotte, home of the Italian stock exchange.
The sculpture is called L.O.V.E., commissioned from artist Maurizio Cattelan in 2010, right as the financial crisis was hitting Italy hard. Cattelan has never explained what it actually means, but it's not hard to guess who the gesture is aimed at. It was meant to be temporary, but the city made it a permanent part of its public art collection in 2012. In March 2021, street artist Ivan Tresoldi painted the fingernail pink for International Women's Day.
It's a short walk from the city center and most tourists never make it here. Worth the detour, if only for the photo.
10) NAVIGLI CANALS - PHOTOGRAPHED DURING SUNSET
The Navigli – literally, “the canals” – are waterways that run through Milan and once connected the city to Lake Como, Lake Maggiore and even Switzerland. Today, the same name is used to refer to the district where Naviglio Grande and Naviglio Pavese are located, an area that is nowadays associated with nightlife.
The Naviglio Grande, the most scenic of all, runs for 50km, most of which are filled with cafés, restaurants, and pubs. To get that perfect Instagram shot, look for the Vicolo dei Lavandai (Laundrymen’s Alley), the Cortile degli Artisti (Artists’ Courtyard) and San Cristoforo Church. Afterwards, you can end your perfect day in Milan with an excellent aperitivo.
11) INSTAGRAMMABLE PLACES NEAR MILAN? VISIT LAKE COMO ON A DAY-TRIP
If you have an extra day to spend in Milan and you feel like you’ve covered all the basics, I highly suggest adding a day trip to lake Como to your itinerary. Varenna, a picturesque town located in a central and strategic position on the shores of Lake Como, is only a 1-hour train ride away from Milan Central station. This place is so incredibly charming and scenic you won’t be able to stop taking pictures at all!
Check out this article for tips on visiting lake Como from Milan.
