10 Things to Do in Milan in January

Thinking about traveling to Milan in January might make you feel uneasy because of the winter weather. However, tourist activities in the city are not limited to indoor attractions. On the contrary, there are several outdoor options for enjoying the natural and architectural beauty that characterizes this historic city.

You can hop on Milan's best tourist buses, explore the streets by bike, or board an iconic train to the Swiss Alps. In addition, during your trip to this ancient Italian city, you can sample the local cuisine and attend important fashion events. Keep reading!

The Bernina Express or "little red train" was specially designed to make the trip from Milan to the Swiss Alps, covering the route from Milan to Tirano. It is a popular route among tourists and locals in January, as it allows them to enjoy breathtaking alpine views.

Once you board the train and it starts moving, you can begin to appreciate all the natural beauty of the region through its windows. You will be amazed by the imposing snow-capped mountains and the majesty of the glacial lakes, formed by the winter.

In addition, when you arrive in St. Moritz, you will have the opportunity to get off the train to explore this elegant town and its tourist attractions. All this while sipping a delicious cup of Swiss chocolate. There are several options for excursions to the Swiss Alps, which one will you choose?

• Excursion to the Swiss Alps, Lake Como, and Lugano, from $132
• Excursion to Interlaken on the Swiss Alps Green Train, from $131
• Excursion to the Swiss Alps, from $173

Practical details

• Address: Tirano train station.
• Duration: The journey on board the Bernina Express takes approximately 4 hours.
• Price: A ticket for the Bernina Express costs an average of €40, although you can also choose to book an excursion that includes the ticket.

One of the tourist activities you can't miss is a visit to the huge terrace of Milan Cathedral. Climb this ancient building, which is over 100 meters high, and admire the Italian city, which in January is covered in a beautiful blanket of snow.

Once you are on the terrace, you can observe the majesty of the Piazza del Duomo. You will also enjoy a panoramic view of the 135 spires crowned with statues of saints. All this while the cold winter breeze caresses your face. You have several options:

• Guided tour of the Duomo and its rooftops in Milan, from $33
• Guided tour of the Duomo and its rooftops in Milan for small groups, from $77
• Private tour of the Duomo and its rooftops in Milan, from $58

You should also know that to climb to the terrace of the Duomo in Milan, you can use the stairs or, for greater comfort, take the elevator. However, the latter option is usually a little more expensive.

Practical details

• Address: Piazza del Duomo, Milan.
• Duration: There is no minimum time to spend in the tower. However, one hour is enough to admire the view and take photographs.
• Price: Admission costs approximately €20.

Exploring Milan from the comfort of a bus is a great tourist activity to do in January, as it protects you from the characteristic cold of this season. Meanwhile, you can observe the streets of the Italian city and all its points of interest.

The best thing about this guided tour is that you can do it at your own pace, meaning you can get off the bus to do something on your own. For example, you can buy a souvenir, grab a bite to eat, visit Milan Castle, a museum, or a square. Afterwards, you can wait for the bus route you've booked and hop back on.

You can buy 24- or 48-hour tickets, and the buses usually pass by Milan Cathedral, La Scala Opera House, Sforzesco Castle, the skyscrapers of Palazzo Lombardia, Santa Maria delle Grazie Church, Porta Venezia, and the Monumental Cemetery, among other attractions. You can reserve a seat on the City Sightseeing Milan tourist bus from $30

Among the things to do in Milan in winter, don't forget to sample the local cuisine, taste wine, and enjoy a delicious cup of coffee. When it comes to the gastronomic tour, you can start in the Porta Ticinese and Navigli districts. In these areas, you will find a number of restaurants and bars offering different appetizers. But if you're interested in trying Italian-made cold cuts, your must-visit destination is Via Vigevano, where you'll find a number of establishments offering these products.

You should also stop by Naviglio Grande and try some traditional stuffed potatoes. Meanwhile, as you walk along the well-known Via Corsico, you'll find wine cellars and tasting rooms. Finally, if you head to Viale Coni Zugna, you'll discover some pastry shops and cafes serving delicious espresso to warm you up on these cold days.

Another option is to book a food tour of Milan or a food and wine tour of Milan.

Excursions to Lake Como from Milan are a very popular tourist activity, which you should visit in January. You will find the combination of cold weather, snow on the ground, and the tranquility characteristic of this period, when the days are shorter, appealing.

Upon arrival at Lake Como, you will see a pleasant alpine landscape, which you can explore in detail as you walk along its shores. The mountains are large and, due to their irregularity, give the impression of blending in with the water. This peculiarity gives rise to small populated areas on the banks.

You can take a short one-day tour, but it is recommended that you extend your visit a little longer. This way, you can stay in the surrounding villages (Bellagio and Como). You will enjoy the Renaissance architecture of the region, the warmth of its inhabitants, delicious traditional cuisine, and the best panoramic view of the lake. Here are some of the options available to you:

• Excursion to the Swiss Alps, Lake Como, and Lugano, from 132
• Excursion to Lake Como and vineyards, from $143
• Excursion to Lake Como, Bellagio, and Varenna, from $171
• Excursion to Lake Como, Lugano, and Bellagio, from $134
• Excursion to Lake Como, Varenna, and Bellagio, from $335

La Scala Theater usually offers fewer concerts in January than during the rest of the year, so you'll find several timeslots available throughout the day to book a guided tour of the Museum and La Scala Theater. Join this activity and enjoy the architectural beauty of one of the most famous opera houses in the world.

On this tour of the interior of La Scala Theater , you will see the exterior and interior of the theater, sit in the boxes, and walk on the stage. You will also have access to the museum and library areas. You will also be able to see some manuscripts of works, compositions by Beethoven, musical instruments, paintings, costumes used in plays, sketches, statues, and other curiosities that will convey the history of this legendary theater.

Practical details

• Address: Via Filodrammatici, 2.
• Duration: The guided tour lasts approximately 1 hour. Please note that these tours are suspended when rehearsals are taking place.
• Price: Approximately €32.

The winter sales in Milan take place in the first two months of the year. However, January is the best time to book a shopping trip, as you will find a wider variety of clothing, shoes, bags, and accessories.

So, if you are planning a trip to the fashion capital of Italy, take advantage of the winter sales in the city's stores, boutiques, and shopping centers. This way, you can renew your wardrobe with garments from world-renowned designers such as Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Armani, Valentino, among others.

Start your tour in the so-called "Fashion District," walking along the streets of Corso Buenos Aires and Corso Vittorio Emanuele. If you want to find more deals, you can also visit the shopping malls located on the outskirts of the city. You can shop for bargains while walking around the city and admiring the facades of the buildings.

On January 6, Milan welcomes the Befana, who, according to Italian folklore, is a good witch who brings gifts to children. This is an ancient procession that runs from the Duomo to the church of Sant'Eustorgio.

You'll enjoy watching the participants, whose historical costumes will capture your attention. This is thanks to the delicate craftsmanship of the garments and the colorful fabrics. Without a doubt, it's a visual spectacle you won't forget.

What's more, if you're traveling with children, they'll enjoy this colorful procession, the traditional music in the streets, and the sweets they'll be given. So join in this national celebration and add it to your list of 10 things to do in Milan with children.

Practical details

• Address: From the Duomo to the church of Sant'Eustorgio.
• Duration: Approximately 3 hours.
• Price: Free.

Milan's Christmas markets are usually open until January 6. So, if you're in the Italian city during the first week of the year, you can visit these magical places.

Visit O'Bej O'Bej near Sforzesco Castle. This is one of the city's most traditional Christmas fairs, bringing together more than 400 artisans. Another market that will surprise you in January is the Banco di Garabombo in Pagano, which features numerous eco-friendly products.

Also, if you are traveling with your children and want to give them some fun, you should go to the Villaggio delle Meraviglie market in Porta Venezie. There, you will find an indoor skating rink, an elf circus, and Santa's House. You can also buy souvenirs, desserts, and local foods.

Every year in January, Italian fashion houses and emerging designers present their fall-winter collections at the famous Milan Fashion Week. However, admission to the more than 100 professional fashion shows is usually by invitation only or by paying a high price per ticket.

If you don't have that kind of privilege and your visit to Milan coincides with the date of the fashion shows, you can go to Piazza San Babila in Corso Venezia, 2/A. There, you will find a giant screen where you can watch the live broadcast of the fashion shows. Similarly, there are some events open to the public, which tend to vary from year to year:

• Jewelry and embroidered silk exhibitions.
• Sustainable fashion events.
• Exhibitions of the work of famous designers, and much more.

For more information before your trip, visit the official website of the National Chamber of Italian Fashion.

Practical information

• Where they are held: In various locations throughout the city. The best known are the Spazio Cavallirizze at the Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology, the Quadrilatero della Moda, the Palazzo Barozzi, and the Duomo itself.
• Price: Prices vary greatly, as they depend on the designers presenting their collections on that day. For the most exclusive shows, be prepared to pay several hundred euros. Fortunately, you can also attend a considerable number of free events that are open to the general public.

January is the time for low prices in Milan. The Italian capital offers a series of discounts of between 70% and 90% on famous designer clothing. You can also find sales on accessories and shoes. A true paradise for shopping lovers.

The influx of tourists is low during this season, so you can walk freely through the streets in search of the products you want. You'll also get good prices for transfers between the airport and Milan, some cultural tourist activities, tours, excursions, accommodation, and the best tourist buses in Milan.

Before embarking on a trip to Milan, it is necessary to know the weather conditions we will be exposed to. This way, we can bring the appropriate clothing and organize the itinerary we want to follow during our stay in the city, without bad weather getting in the way.

Therefore, you should know that January is one of the coldest months in Milan. The temperature in the Italian city usually ranges between -5 °C and 7 °C, so it is not surprising to see snow, fog, and rain. In addition, due to winter, the days are shorter than usual in January. Even so, this will not prevent you from enjoying everything there is to see and do in Milan during your stay.