23 ultimate Instagrammable places in Milan your teen or tween will absolutely love

I’m showing my age: Do teenagers use Instagram anymore?

Whether it is Instagram, TikTok, bragging rights, or just practicing their photography skills, your tween or teen will probably want photos of their time in Milan to impress their friends, teachers, and followers. And they will absolutely love this list of the 23 amazing Instagrammable places in Milan.

The ultimate list of Instagrammable places in Milan

Before we get to the ultimate list of Instagrammable places in Milan, a confession: I have not seen all 23 sites (or have not seen them since I was a student).

The list stemmed from our post of 14 things to do and see in Milan with kids, aimed primarily at families with kids aged 6 to 11. We added a few activities to interest younger children, and some for tweens and teens, including this ultimate list of Instagrammable Milan.

The list was so long that it deserved a separate post. But if you want more details about some of these places, check out the original post.

23 amazing Instagrammable places in Milan your teen or tween will love

1. The Duomo.

For me, you must see the Duomo when you visit Milan. And the best way to see the Duomo is from the roof.

The unique experience is also one of the most Instagrammable places in Milan: you can’t walk on the roof of any other Gothic cathedral in the world. The spires, gargoyles, and distant views make for some fascinating photos. Also: make sure you photograph the piazza from above.

Trust me, you will have abundant photo options.

Terrazza Aperol, a bar opposite the cathedral, is a great angle for Instagrammable photos of the Duomo.

2. Victor Emanuel Passage

We strolled through this gorgeous covered passage early in the morning and saw a (wannabe) influencer and her posse taking photos while the passage was relatively empty. They even had a portable changing room and a variety of outfits. Miss M was transfixed but did not see the point (she knows what an influencer is from Barbie).

(We saw the same group later on the roof of the Duomo, tottering in very high heels after changing into a very revealing number. Another outfit change would be needed before they left (you exit through the church where a dress code applies).

There are many photo-worthy spots in the Galleria Vittoria Emanuele II, but the most enjoyable is the bull. In the middle of the passages on the floor are some impressive mosaics, including a large 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. Can you catch the spin on film?

And while you are there, get some Instagrammable gelati.

3. Naviglio Grande

Skip the boat trip (it’s hard to take a social media-worthy photo from a moving vehicle) and take some photos looking down the canal. If you like, stop at one of the many bars for apperitivo and photograph your drinks and snacks with the canal in the background.

4. Bosco Verticale

A photo-worthy architectural marvel your environmental avenger will love: two skyscrapers with a “vertical forest” growing all over them, creating a green lung in the city.

5. Torre Velasca

This Instagrammable tower is well-known in architectural circles: it is much wider at the top than at the bottom.

6. Sforzesco castle

Many places around the impressive Sforzesco castle are among the most Instagrammable places in Milan – take your pick! The ramparts, the tower, the fascinating artwork, the secret underground paths and tunnels (Strada Coperta della Ghirlanda), the frescoed courtyard…

It is worth taking a tour to access some of these fascinating places. Luckily, your teen or tween is old enough – you must be at least 8 to go on some of these tours.

7. Torre Branca

The 108-metre-high structure in the Parco Sempione behind the castle is one of the stranger Instagrammable places in Milan. Photograph it from the bottom, or pay EUR 6 to photograph Milan from above.

8. Arco della Pace

At the opposite end of Parco Sempione is the Arco della Pace or Arch of Peace, like a mini Arch d’Triomphe. Fun fact: it was built on the direct road from Paris to herald Napoleon’s triumphant return to Italy.

Can you find a way to frame your photo, like with some leaves? Will you or someone else be in the photo? Will you take some close-up shots of the panels?

9. Santa Maria delle Grazie

Santa Maria delle Grazie houses Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper (entry only with a ticket – make sure you prebook). Of course, the masterpiece is one of the most Instagrammable places in Milan, but don’t neglect other spots around the church. Try the view of the church from the cloisters, for example.

10. Casa Rossi

From Santa Maria delle Grazie, walk for about 10 minutes until you reach Casa Rossi at Corso Magenta 12. The outside is not noteworthy. Stand in the centre of the internal courtyard and look up, you’ll see a perfect (Instagrammable) octagon.

11. Fondazione Prada

In a former gin distillery from 1910 in the south of Milan, Fondazione Prada has created a unique exhibition space for permanent and temporary art exhibitions. The buildings are Instagrammable – such as the new, transparent Podium or the Haunted House, a tower from 1910 covered entirely in gold leaf.

The art installations are impressive. Try Atlas (permanent exhibition), with its giant red and white polka-dotted mushrooms hanging from the ceiling and huge metallic tulips.

While you are there, visit Bar Luce, which looks like a typical Milanese café in the 1950s and 60s pop culture, reminiscent of a Wes Anderson film. And he DID design it. Make sure you try the food, too (for the gram, of course).

Please note: both Bar Luce and the exhibition halls of the Fondazione Prada are closed on Tuesdays.

12. Pirelli HangarBicocca

The Pirelli Foundation has converted a gigantic former train factory into an arts space. The art installation “The Seven Heavenly Palaces” by Anselm Kiefer has seven structures made of reinforced concrete and shipping containers, rising 13 to 19 metres high and weighing 90 tonnes. These towering palaces are worth a photo, or 10.

Please note: The space is only open from Thursday to Sunday. Admission is free.

13. Dinosaurs

Visit the Natural History Museum (Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Milano) to photograph the dinosaurs, or at least take photos of the life-sized Saltriovenator out the front.

Check out the post on our sister site for a review of the museum.

14. 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).

15. Milanese Burano

The rainbow district on Via (Abraham) Lincoln and via Franklin is nicknamed the Milanese Burano for its colourful houses.

In the 1880s, the area was a housing cooperative for workers employed in the area. The houses are all essentially the same – except in colour. Today, the homes are some of the most expensive in Milan due to their central position, large size, and private gardens.

While you are there, check out Casa 770 (at Via Carlo Poerio 35). It seems familiar, like you could find it in any city. The original house is the world headquarters of the Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic Movement in East Brooklyn. But the house has been copied in 12 different cities, including Montreal, San Paolo, and Melbourne. The Milan house is the only replica in Europe.

16. The fashion quadrilateral

The high-end boutiques in the quadrilatero della moda, or fashion quadrilateral (especially Via Montenapoleone and Via della Spiga), are known for the finest Italian fashion. Your budget might not stretch to shopping, but it shouldn’t stop you from strolling through the quadrilateral, photographing window displays.

17. Gucci wall

The Murale Artistico di Gucci (at Corso Garibaldi, 111) is a regularly changing wall mural, which often includes images of stars, like Harry Styles or the members of the band Måneskin (any Eurovision fans out there?), wearing Gucci clothing. What will it look like today?

Tip: Milan has quite a vibrant street art culture. Wander the streets to see what other Instagrammable sites you can find (this site might help).

18. Art at the Pinacoteca

The Pinacoteca di Brera is one of the most important art museums in Italy. It has nearly 40 halls of works from the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Explore the art and photograph the courtyard (closed on Mondays).

And take some time to explore the many Instragrammable places in the Brera neighbourhood, too. On the third Sunday (except July and August), Brera’s flea market graces Via Fiori Chiari. The narrow streets are lined with stylish cafes and shops, making it a great place to stroll – and photograph – in the evening.

19. Creepy bones

This one is for fans of the creepy – any Wednesday Adams or Stranger Things fans around?

You can find the Ossuary at San Bernardino alle Ossa on Piazza Santo Stefano and Stretta dei morti or Street of the Dead (now called Vicolo di San Bernardino). In 1210, when an adjacent cemetery ran out of space, a room – the Ossuary – was built to hold bones. A church was attached in 1269. After a fire destroyed the church in the early 1700s, a new, bigger church was built (San Bernadino).

The walls of bones and skulls covering the Ossuary make it one of the most Instagrammable places in Milan – especially for fans of the creepy.

According to legend, the little girl whose bones are on the altar returns from the dead on 2 November each year to dance a macabre dance with the other skeletons. Will you see her?

20. Teatro alla Scala

The Milanese music temple is considered one of the world’s leading opera and ballet theatres. Built over 240 years ago, many great artists have performed at Teatro alla Scala, including Verdi, Toscanini, Maria Callas, and Luciano Pavarotti.

You can visit the amazing interior (the outside is boring) on a tour or by seeing a performance. Tours – only open to those 12 years or older – will take you to see the impressive heavily gilded theatre with its red velvet drapes from the third-level boxes (of four levels).

For the best prices, book your tour tickets directly from the theatre.

21. Barbajada

Do you like coffee? Then you need to try Barbajada.

The Barbajada was invented at Cafe Cambiasi near Teatro alla Scala and it’s still the best place to try it. The mixture of milk, coffee, chocolate, and whipped cream tastes similar to a mocha. And it is very Instagrammable and delicious.

22. Biblioteca Braidense

One for bibliophiles: The Biblioteca Braidense at Via Brera 28 will make you swoon.

23. L.O.V.E.

In Piazza Affari is the L.O.V.E. sculpture, which stands for Libertà, Odio, Vendetta, Eternità (freedom, hate, vengeance, and eternity). It gives everyone the finger. What’s not to love?

Instagrammable Milan: Capture Milan’s charm!

Instagram. TikTok. Bragging rights. Practicing photography skills. Impressing friends, teachers, and followers.

Milan’s picture-perfect spots are a teen or tween’s dream come true. With stunning architecture, colourful streets, amazing art, iconic landmarks, cheeky or creepy installations, and hidden gems, this list of 23 amazing Instagrammable places in Milan is all you need. Grab the list and focus on getting the best angle for your shot.

Have you got any other places to add to our Instagrammable Milan list?

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