15 FREE things to do in Milan that your kids and budget will love
We’ve unearthed the 15 most amazing FREE activities to do with kids in this vibrant Italian city. Enjoy eye-opening art work, lively markets, insider tips and more, all while staying within your budget. Grab the list!
Milan is expensive. Exorbitant.
As the business hub and fashion capital of Italy, it is perhaps not surprising. It ranks with Hong Kong, Shanghai, London, and New York as one of the top 10 most expensive places to live on the planet (UBS Bank). It is the most expensive place to live in Italy (Codacons Food and Services Study, 2022) and had the second-highest level of inflation in 2022 (Istat).
Milan’s four-star hotels also have the fourth-highest rates in Italy. Then there are the day-to-day experiences when you are travelling: entry to the must-see sites like the Duomo or Last Supper, spritzes and gelati on the piazza, and the gorgeous designer handbag AKA souvenir from Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.
Day trips are unlikely to be cheap, either. Lake Como is also one of the ten most expensive places for tourists in Italy, and Genoa topped the list for inflation in costs of goods and services in 2023.
We’ve put together a list of 15 FREE things to do in Milan that kids will love to help you save money. Adding some of these to your itinerary will keep your kids happy and be kind to your budget.
Saving money while travelling with a family
Travelling can be incredibly rewarding for families, but costly too. Booking accommodation and transport far in advance can save money, but costs increase with the number of family members – try finding a reasonably priced family room in one of the large European capitals… Other costs are at best an estimate.
One way to save money is to avoid cities which you know are expensive. But if you visit Europe for the first time and don’t go to London or Paris, would you feel something was missing?
Another way to save money in expensive cities is to find cheap activities to do. This list of free things to do in Milan with kids can help take some of the pressure off your budget when you’re visiting the most expensive city in Italy.
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Without further ado: 15 FREE things to do in Milan with kids
1. People watch in Piazza del Duomo
Unless you’re attending a service, you have to buy a ticket to enter the Duomo (entering under the guise of attending a service is severely frowned upon). But you can still admire the impressive silhouette of the Duomo and its external decorations from the Piazza.
As one of the gathering places in Milan, it is also a great place to people-watch. Because the area is a car-free zone, it is a relatively safe place for kids to run around and burn off some energy.
2. Window shop in Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Next to the Duomo is the start (or end) of the gorgeous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a historic, exquisite shopping arcade. Marvel at the beautiful glass dome, shops, and mosaic floor. And window shopping is free, right?
In the middle of the Galleria is a mosaic bull with a hole where its testicles should be. According to a local legend, if you put your heel in the hole and spin around three times, you will be blessed with good luck and return to Milan one day. Let your kids try and spin around without falling over.
3. Be a princess or knight at Castello Sforzesco
Exploring the beautiful courtyards and gardens of the historic castle is another one of our free things to do in Milan. Your kids will love exploring the vast grounds as they pretend to be princesses or knights. Make sure you check out the bronze statue of Leonardo da Vinci’s Horse in the courtyard of the Stable.
While you can enter the castle grounds for free, it normally costs for adults to enter the castle itself and visit the museums (children under 18 are free). However, entry is free on the first and third Tuesday of the month from 2 p.m. and the first Sunday of the month.
4. Picnic in Parco Sempione
Behind Castello Sforzesco is a fun park with playgrounds, green spaces, and a picturesque lake. Let your children run around, have a picnic, and walk down to the Arco della Pace (Arch of Peace) at the other end of the park.
The park is also home to the civic aquarium, Acquario Civico di Milano, in art nouveau style(!). As with the castle (and most of the municipal museums), entry is free on the first and third Tuesday of the month after 2 p.m. and the first Sunday of the month.
As, most of the museums run by the city are free on Tuesday afternoon, visiting is one of our favourite free things to do in Milan.
5. Have an adventure on public transport
Ride one of the wonderful, historic trams around the city and see some different parts of Milan without tiring little legs too much. The tram network is 180 km long, and most trams pass or terminate near Piazza del Duomo, making it easy to plan your route.
Tickets cost just EUR 2.20 for a 90-minute ride, even if you combine routes and modes of transport. Children under 14 travel for free on all public transport. All you need is a photo ID with proof of age (like a passport).
6. Enjoy the view from Palazzo Lombardia
One of the modern architectural highlights of Milan is Palazzo Lombardia. Built in 2010, the 161-metre-tall building was once the tallest in Italy (the Unicredit Tower, also in Milan, now wears the crown).
Sounds interesting, but not if you are a child. Why is it on a list of free things to do in Milan that kids will love?
On Sundays, you can take an elevator up to the 39th floor for wonderful views across Milan for free. Decals on the windows help you identify what you are seeing.
The building is open on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (except on public holidays).
7. Browse one of Milan’s street markets
Browsing is free, even in Milan. Visit one of Milan’s street markets, such as Mercato di Via Fauche, to experience the lively atmosphere, learn about local products, and perhaps pick up some tasty treats for a picnic.
There are numerous flea markets too. At the via Fauche markets, try shoes, clothes, and cashmere jumpers at stalls near Piazza Caneva, while you are more likely to spot designer trainers near Piazza Gerusalemme. Go on Saturday for the most stalls.
Try the Via Papiniano market or Isola market for bargains, too. Both have fresh food and clothing on offer.
For an experience reminiscent of Portabello Road in London, try East Market. Set in a former aircraft factory, the market has more than 250 exhibitors selling all things vintage – clothing, collectables, posters, designer goods, video games, vinyl, jewellery, and furniture – with various food trucks with wonderful things to eat, too. You can find the market on Sundays (closed in Summer – check the website for dates) at Mecenate 88/A.
8. Stroll along the canals
The vibrant Navigli district or canal district is filled with street art, shops, and bars. Kids and adults will love the atmosphere, especially at sunset.
While you’re there, check out Chiesa die San Cristoforo sul Naviglio. From the outside, the church does not look very impressive, but the inside is surprisingly intimate, despite the grandeur.
On Saturdays, check out the Fiera di Sinigaglia, the oldest flea market in Milan, dating back to the 19th century. It’s a great place to find a unique souvenir.
Please note: there are no barriers between the footpaths and the canals. Make sure your children know to hold hands, especially if they are small.
9. Play in the park with some prehistoric beasts
Miss M loved the Giardini Pubblici Indro Montanelli. It has great picnic spots and a lovely playground with areas for children of various ages. While Miss M (aged 8) was not interested for long, the playground is great for younger kids.
The park also houses the Museo di Storia Naturale di Milano, or Natural History Museum. Out the front is a life-sized Saltriovenator, which was found by amateur palaeontologist Angelo Zanella, working with the museum. Make sure you grab a photo! (And check out our post about the Museum).
Children under 18 can visit the museum for free, while adults normally pay EUR 5. However, as a civic museum, entry is free on the first and third Tuesday afternoons (from 2 p.m.) and the first Sunday of the month.
10. Check out the flamingos
Behind the fences of the Villa Invernizzi (Via Cappuccini 7, just around the corner from the Natural History Museum) is something you might not expect in a large city: flamingos (and you know we like Flamingos). You can’t enter the grounds, but you can check out what they are doing. And it’s free, so why not?
11. Admire some contemporary art
The Pirelli Foundation (of tyre fame) has converted a gigantic former train factory into an art space, with permanent and temporary installations. The art installation “The Seven Heavenly Palaces” by Anselm Kiefer has seven impressive structures made of reinforced concrete and shipping containers, rising 13 to 19 metres high and weighing 90 tonnes.
And it’s one of the wonderful new free things to do in Milan with kids! But only open from Thursday to Sunday.
12. Discover Medieval Milan for free
The next free thing to do in Milan with kids? Discover what Medieval Milan was like. And the best place to do so is at Piazza Mercanti.
Today, Piazza del Duomo is the centre of the city. During the Middle Ages, this honour was reserved for Piazza Mercanti, known at the time as Piazza del Broletto after the palace which dominated the square. During the 13th century, the square bustled with merchants, traders, bankers, and lawyers, and was home to market stalls, the council, and the prison.
Five historic buildings shape the square:
- Palazzo della Ragione – The red brick building, is the oldest on the square and was built at the same time the square was established. Broletto Nuovo as it was first called, served as the court of justice and hosted citizens’ assemblies. The portico allowed the public to hear. Bankers would converse in the porches – apparently, the acoustics were perfect for sharing secrets – where markets were also held.
- Loggia degli Osii – Judges would announce ordinances and sentences from the balcony of this intricate black and white marble building.
- Palazzo dei Giureconsulti – Also known as Palazzo Affari, it was completed in 1652 when the city was under Spanish rule. The building housed an institution that trained politicians and lawyers, and was later used for the stock exchange, the telegraph company, a bank, and, since 1911, the Milan Chamber of Commerce. The chimes would also announce executions.
- Palazzo delle Scuole Palatine – Home to the prestigious higher school of Milan
- Casa dei Panagirola, or the Palazzo dei Notari for the notaries who used to transcribe the ducal decrees under the Gothic arches.
13. View some Roman ruins
If you are visiting Rome or even Verona, you might not see the point in viewing some Roman ruins in Milan. Even if they’re free.
Milan, or Mediolaunum as it was known, became the capital of the Western Roman Empire in 286 AD when Emperor Diocletian divided the imperial territories into two large empires. Mediolanum was a “wealthy and exquisite city” according to the poet Ausonius. It had a theatre, an arena, some baths, an imperial palace, a forum with temples, and mighty walls.
Few Roman ruins remain in Milan – various battles, wars, and civic planning have destroyed many ruins. Touring the ruins is therefore one of the top free things to do in Milan with kids.
You can see the remains of the Roman forum under San Sepolcro church. The unique 16 Colonne di San Lorenzo or Columns of San Lorenzo (near the canals) are thought to be the remains of a Roman temple or bath.
Apparently, the Duomo subway station also houses some surprising Roman ruins, but I have not seen them to confirm.
14. Visit Milan’s Sistine Chapel
Apart from the Duomo, Milan has several churches that deserve a visit. They also deserve inclusion in this list of free things to do in Milan.
Topping the list is San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore. Beautiful frescoes cover the walls and ceiling of this Renaissance church, winning it the title of Milan’s Sistine Chapel.
The church is divided into two. You enter the regular church through the front door and the Hall of Nuns, behind the altar, which was reserved for nuns and belonged to the monastery behind the church. Both areas are amazing.
Make sure your children have a good look at some of the biblical scenes in the side chapels. The Noah’s Ark scene even has unicorns!
15. Get lost in the Library of Trees
The Biblioteca degli Alberi or Library of Trees is a wonderful park and botanical garden. It boasts over 100 plant species, more than 500 trees forming 22 circular forests, and 135,000 aromatic plants, hedges, shrubs, bulbs, creepers, herbaceous plants, and a pond.
This relatively new park needs to be on your list of free things to do in Milan, especially if you have kids who need to burn off energy.
Entry is free, as are the activities you can do there. In Spring, the park is full of wildflowers in bloom. In Summer, the park becomes an urban beach, with deck chairs and umbrellas (rent a chair for EUR 2). There are open yoga and fitness classes in the mornings, and poetry readings and open-air concerts in the evening. This culminates in the “Back to the City” concert in September, which combines operas and arias with the open air.
Check out the website for the program of activities.
How many of these budget-friendly things will you do in Milan with your kids?
Exploring exorbitantly expensive Milan with kids doesn’t have to break the bank. These 15 free things to do in Milan will provide you with a diverse range of experiences, from history and culture to nature and art, ensuring your family’s trip to Milan is not only memorable but budget-friendly, too. So, pack your bags and get ready for an unforgettable adventure!
Do you have any family-friendly free things to do in Milan to add?
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