10 Things to Do in Milan in January

The thought of travelling to Milan in January might make you uneasy because the weather is wintry in January. However, the city's tourist activity will not limit you only to visit indoor places. On the contrary, you will have several outdoor options to enjoy the natural and architectural beauty that characterises this historic city.

You can hop on Milan's best tourist buses, cycle through the streets or board an emblematic train to the Swiss Alps. During your trip to this ancient Italian city, you can also sample the local cuisine and attend important fashion events. Read on!

The Bernina Express or "little red train" was specially designed to run from Milan to the Swiss Alps, making the journey from Milan to Tirano. It is popular with tourists and locals alike in January for the breathtaking alpine views.

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

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

• Excursion to the Swiss Alps, Lake Como and Lugano, from RM639.
• Excursion to Interlaken on the Green Train in the Swiss Alps, from RM649.
• Excursionto the Swiss Alps, from RM695.

Practical details

• Address: Tirano train station.
• Duration: The tour on board the Bernina Express lasts approximately 4 hours.
• Price: The average price of the Bernina Express ticket is 40 euros, but you can also book an excursion that includes the ticket.

Among the must-do tourist activities is a visit to the enormous terrace of Milan's Duomo. Climb this ancient building, which is over 100 metres high, and admire the Italian city, which in January is covered in a beautiful blanket of snow.

Once you are on the terrace you will be able to see 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 characteristic cold winter draught caresses your face. You have several options:

• Guided tour of the Duomo and its rooftops in Milan, from RM195
• Guided tour of the Duomo and its rooftops in Milan for small groups, from RM296
• Private tour of the Duomo and its rooftops in Milan, from RM778.

Also, you should know that to go up to the Milan Duomo Terrace you can use the stairs or, for more comfort, use the lift. However, the latter option is usually a bit more expensive.

Practical details

• Address: Piazza del Duomo in Milan.
• Duration: There is no minimum time to be in the tower. However, one hour is enough to admire the scenery and take pictures.
• Price: The entrance fee starts at around €20.

Exploring Milan from the comfort of a bus is a great sightseeing activity to do during the month of January, as you'll be protected from the season's characteristic cold. In the meantime, you will see the streets of the Italian city and all the points of interest.

The best thing about this guided tour is that you do it at your own pace, meaning you can get off the bus to do an activity independently. For example, buy a souvenir, have a snack, visit Milan Castle, a museum or a square. Afterwards, you can wait for the bus route you have booked and get back on.

You can buy tickets for 24 or 48 hours and they usually pass by Milan's Duomo, Scala Opera House, Sforzesco Castle, the skyscrapers of Palazzo Lombardia, Santa Maria delle Grazie Church, Porta Venezia, the Monumental Cemetery, among other attractive places. You can book a seat on the Milan City Sightseeing sightseeing bus from RM128

Among the things to do in Milan in winter you should not forget to taste the local gastronomy, wine tasting and savour a delicious cup of coffee. As far as the gastronomic tour is concerned, you can start in the Porta Ticinese and Navigli district. In these areas you will find a number of restaurants and bars with different snacks. However, if you are interested in trying Italian-made cured meats, your obligatory destination is Via Vigevano, where you will find a series of establishments with these products.

You should also stop off at Naviglio Grande and try some stuffed potatoes steeped in tradition. Meanwhile, on your way along the well-known Via Corsico, you will find wine cellars and tasting rooms. Finally, if you head to Viale Coni Zugna street, you will discover some patisseries and cafés with a delicious espresso to warm you up during these cold days.

Alternatively, you can book a food tour of Milan or a food and wine tour in Milan.

Lake Como tours from Milan are a popular sightseeing activity that you should visit in January. You'll find the combination of the cold, the blanket of snow on the ground, and the tranquillity characteristic of this period, when the days are shorter, appealing.

Upon arrival at Lake Como you'll see a pleasant alpine landscape, which you can detail as you walk along the shores of the lake. The mountains are large and, due to their irregularity, give the impression that they blend in with the water. This particularity gives rise to small populated areas on the banks.

You can make 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). This way, you will enjoy the Renaissance architecture of the region, the warmth of its inhabitants, a delicious traditional gastronomy and the best panoramic view of the Lake. Here are some of the possibilities available to you:

• Excursion to the Swiss Alps, Lake Como and Lugano, from 639.
• Excursion to Lake Como and vineyards, from RM577.
• Excursion toLake Como, Bellagio and Varenna, from RM365.
• Excursion toLake Como, Lugano and Bellagio, from RM445.
• Excursion toLake Como, Varenna and Bellagio, from RM1,221.

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

On this tour inside La Scala Theatre you will see the exterior and interior of the theatre, sit in the boxes and walk around the stage. You will also have access to the museum and library area. You will also be able to see some manuscripts of plays, Beethoven's compositions, musical instruments, paintings, costumes used in the plays, sketches, statues, among other curiosities that will transmit the history of this legendary theatre.

Practical details

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

The winter sales in Milan take place in the first two months of the year. But January is the most recommended period to book a shopping trip, as you'll get a wider choice of clothes, shoes, bags and accessories.

So if you're planning your trip to the Italian fashion capital, you should take advantage of the winter sales offered in the city's shops, boutiques and shopping centres. This way, you will renew your wardrobe with clothes from world-renowned designers: Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Armani, Valentino, among others.

Start your tour in the so-called "Fashion Quarter", walk along the streets of Corso Buenos Aires and Corso Vittorio Emanuele. Also, if you want to find more bargains you have the option of visiting the shopping centres located on the outskirts of the city. You'll be able to shop on the cheap while walking around the city and admiring the facades of the buildings.

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

You will be amused by the participants, whose historical costumes will capture your attention. This is thanks to the delicate tailoring of the garments and the colourful fabrics. Undoubtedly, a visual spectacle you will not forget.

Also, if you are travelling with the little ones at home, they will enjoy this colourful procession, the traditional music in the streets and the treats they will be given. So join this national celebration and put it on your top 10 list of things to do in Milan with kids.

Practical details

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

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

Visit the O'Bej O'Bej near the Sforzesco Castle. This is one of the most traditional Christmas fairs in the city and brings together more than 400 artisans. Another market that will surprise you in January is the Banco di Garabombo in Pagano, whose exhibition has many eco-sustainable products.

Also, if you are travelling with your children and you want to give them a fun time, you should go to the Villaggio delle Meraviglie market in Porta Venezie. There, you will find an indoor skating rink, an elves' circus and Santa Claus' House. You can also shop for souvenirs, desserts and local foods.

Every January, emerging Italian fashion houses and couturiers present their autumn-winter collections at the renowned Milan Fashion Week. However, entrance to the more than 100 professional fashion shows is usually by invitation or by paying a high amount of euros for each ticket.

In case you do not 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. There are also some events open to the public, which vary from year to year:

• Exhibitions of jewellery and embroidered silks.
• Sustainable fashion events.
• Exhibitions of the work of famous stylists, and much more.

In fact, for more information before your trip, you can visit the official website of the National Chamber of Italian Fashion.

Practical information

• Where they are held: In various places in the city. The best known are the Spazio Cavallirizze in 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, depending on the designers presenting their collections that day. For the more exclusive shows, be prepared to shell out several hundred euros. Luckily, you can also attend a considerable number of events that are free and open to the public.

January is a time of low prices in Milan. The Italian capital offers a range of discounts of between 70% and 90% on famous designer clothes. You can also find sales on accessories and shoes. It's a shopper's paradise.

Tourist crowds are low during this season, so you can walk freely through the streets in search of the products you want. Also, you will get good prices for transfers between the airport and Milan, some cultural sightseeing activities, tours, excursions, accommodation and the best sightseeing buses in Milan.

Before embarking on a trip to Milan it is necessary to know the weather conditions to which we will be exposed. In this way, we will be able to wear the right clothes and organise the itinerary we want to follow during our stay in the city, without the 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. Winter also means shorter days than usual in January. Still, it won't stop you from enjoying all there is to see and do in Milan during your stay.