Duomo di Milano is perhaps Milan’s most important landmark: a magnificent Gothic cathedral set in Piazza del Duomo which took 500 years to build. Head to the roof for close-ups of its 135 spires and breathtaking panoramas of the city. Another historic church is the Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio, full of artistic masterpieces. Last, but certainly not least, Santa Maria delle Grazie is home to Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper.

There’s no shortage of art galleries to visit, and Pinacoteca di Brera is among Italy’s finest. Housing masterpieces dating back to the Middle Ages and 20th century, it’s also part of a prestigious academy for emerging artists. Contemporary art lovers should head to Fondazione Prada, spanning 205,000 square feet with an open-air cinema and Wes Anderson-designed bar, while another place worth visiting in Milan is Triennale di Milano: Italy’s first permanent design museum.

You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to shopping in Milan, known for designers including Gianni Versace, Giorgio Armani and Miuccia Prada. One of the world’s oldest malls, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, is both an architectural landmark and major luxury brand destination. Quadrilatero d’Oro della moda (nicknamed the Golden Rectangle) is home to Via Monte Napoleone – one of the world’s most expensive shopping streets.

Built over seven centuries with the input of Leonardo da Vinci, Milan’s web of navigli (canals) formerly served as the city’s main trade route to the countryside. While most of Milan’s canals have sadly disappeared, its remaining banks join to form Darsena basin: the city’s liveliest area for drinking, dining and strolling. With waterfronts famed for alfresco bars offering canal views, the pedestrianised streets make this area ideal for a bar crawl.

Expect hearty, delicious food focused on taste – not trends. Polenta, boiled cornmeal, is a Milanese staple – often served with meat dishes such as cotoletta (breaded veal cutlets) or ossobuco (veal shank served with braised vegetables). The rich, buttery risotto alla Milanese is an absolute must-try and for lunch, a piadina (a grilled tortilla filled with meats, cheese and vegetables). Cheese fans will find no shortage of gorgonzola and panettone will sate a sweet tooth.

Built by the Visconti family, the 14th century Castello Sforzesco has since been converted into a cultural site filled with art and historical archives. Nearby, the former medieval centre of the city Piazza dei Mercanti houses Loggia degli Osii, an ancient administrative building, and Palazza della Ragione (the Palace of Reason), which once served as a judicial seat. Music lovers can join guided tours of the opulent Teatro alla Scala, known as ‘the home of opera’.

Public transport is rarely as much fun as it is in Milan. Navigate the city in comfort onboard its vintage yellow trams dating back to 1927– especially the unmodernised lines of 1 and 5 which trundle through the historical city centre. Two trams have even been turned into restaurants. Buy an open ticket called biglietto giornaliero at any metro station newsagent, which covers one day’s unlimited travel on buses, trams and the metro.

Take a break from the history and culture by heading to Milan’s local neighbourhoods. Porta Romana is an immaculately kept area filled with fine-dining and fashion showrooms, however it’s also a leading contemporary art destination boasting boutiques and up-and-coming bars and restaurants. Another place to visit in Milan is red lantern-dotted Paolo Sarpi, otherwise known as Chinatown. And lastly, there’s the eclectic dining and drinking scene at NoLo: Milan’s first and only social district.

There of plenty of things to do in Milan but for those wanting to travel further afield, take a 30–minute train ride to Como: the home of beautiful Lake Como. Hemmed by the snow-capped Alps, it’s the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Each lakeside town is more idyllic than the last (such as Bellagio) and Lake Como offers endless hiking opportunities - but to fully enjoy the lake, explore it by boat.

Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet puts Verona at the top of everyone’s list when visiting Milan. A two-hour train ride from the city, many come for Juliet’s famous balcony but stay for the romantic town’s pretty piazzas, winding lanes, churches, and Roman amphitheatre. The stunning shores and crystal-waters of Lake Garda, the largest lake in Italy, are only a short drive away and is set against a backdrop of snowcapped mountains.