11 Things to Do in Milan in December

Milan in December offers a magical atmosphere. Christmas markets, traditional sweets, must-see exhibitions and many other things to discover.

At this time of year, the city prepares to welcome the festive season with its illuminated boulevards and the large Christmas tree in Piazza del Duomo, which becomes the symbol par excellence of the city in December. But there's more than just Christmas activities... there are many other things to do in Milan this month!

The Village of Wonders, or Il Villaggio delle Meraviglie, is a large space dedicated to Christmas that occupies more than 1,000 square metres within the Indro Montanelli Gardens in Porta Venezia. Among its many attractions are:

• Santa's house, where children can deliver their Christmas letters.
• The House of Decorations, with numerous stalls where you can buy gifts to put under the tree.
• A spectacular ice rink that you will love, even if you don't know how to skate.

This will be a walk that will leave a positive mark on your memories, because there are so many attractions available to you. You'll find them so much fun that you won't want to miss a single one.

Practical information

• Location: The Village of Wonders is located in the centre of Milan, in the Porta Venezia area in the Indro Montanelli Public Gardens.
• Opening hours: the park is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Price: Admission to the park is free.
• Please note: Activities are planned with different schedules each year, so it is advisable to confirm according to your travel itinerary.

What you can't miss

• The crazy flying sleds: This is one of the most fun attractions in the Village, and you have to ride it to get your adrenaline pumping. Let yourself be carried away by the daring movements of this fun ride: up, down, forward and then backward. Are you ready to experience a unique thrill?
• The magical Christmas tree: In this Village of Wonders, you will find a very special 15-metre-high tree that you can literally climb and experience the Christmas atmosphere up close.
• Santa's sleighs: Rudolf and Comet are ready to take young and old on a truly sensational ride on Santa's sleighs, full of lights, sounds and colours.
• Penguin fishing: Catch as many penguins as you can and discover fabulous prizes in this fun game. There is so much to do with children in Milan!
• Glacier climbing: This attraction is for the intrepid, equipped with a harness and helmet, to tackle a real obstacle course among snow-covered trees, Tibetan bridges, ropes and nets.
• The journey to the North Pole: Climb aboard the Polar Express and begin your journey to the kingdom of ice, where you'll see characters along the way, such as bears, penguins and yetis. This is a fabulous journey through ice and snowy caves.

This fabulous market features a variety of Christmas stalls. More than 300! With food products, antiques, home décor, toys and clothing. It is set up every year in a location that you may have come across during your stay, as Castillo Sforzesco in Milan Tickets and Toursit is a must for any traveller.

The origins of this fair date back to the 13th century, and the reason it takes place on 7 December is because it is the day on which the Milanese celebrate Saint Ambrose.

It was on this date that he entered the city and, to endear himself to the Milanese, began distributing packages of sweets and toys.

Practical Information

• Location: around the Sforzesco Castle.
• Hours: From 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Price: Admission is free, but keep in mind that once inside, you will want to buy some souvenirs and sample some of the delicacies sold there.

Walk through fresh snow, admire the mountain ranges and enjoy excellent local food. If you are a fan of snowshoeing or simply want to spend a different kind of day, there are several itineraries less than two hours from Milan suitable for all fitness levels.

Bormio and Livigno are two of the closest ski resorts to Milan. They also offer a good variety of places to stay and spend a few days enjoying the snow.

The slopes are quite long, with many kilometres to cover. Definitely a great choice. If you're up for it, you can even head to the Swiss Alps and discover this magical and enchanting place.

And what better plan for December than to book a shopping trip to the Serravalle outlet. Located approximately 100 kilometres from Milan, it is considered the fashion capital, so much so that it is home to more than two hundred top brand stores such as Dolce & Gabbana, Timberland, Prada and Jimmy Choo. An ideal place to start shopping for those long-awaited Christmas gifts.

On this approximately 11-hour excursion, you will have the opportunity to purchase items at discounts of up to 70%. It also includes round-trip transportation, so you won't have to worry about how to get there, and if you go overboard with your shopping, you can return comfortably.

You will also receive an optional 10% discount shopping card. Don't wait any longer!

On your trip to Milan in December, don't miss the guided tour of Milan Cathedral, an ideal way to discover the city's most emblematic monument, as you will have priority access and avoid the long queues that are typical of this site. You will be accompanied by a professional guide who will tell you all about the architecture and history of one of the world's most representative icons of Gothic style.

The tour of this 11,000-square-metre building, which took more than six centuries to build, lasts approximately one hour and takes place both in the morning, around 10:30, and in the afternoon, around 15:30.

I recommend choosing a sunny day so you can enjoy spectacular views of the Italian Alps from the roof, a truly spectacular sight. Don't forget your camera!

Milan has an impressive list of museums for all tastes where you can shelter from the winter cold. Here are a few suggestions:

• Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology, from AED 43: Without a doubt, this is my favourite museum, ideal for discovering the figure of Leonardo da Vinci and delving into thousands of experiments and historical objects belonging to this Renaissance genius. A must-see!
• Casa Milan Museum, from AED 73: If you are a football fan, you cannot miss this museum, where you can learn more about one of Italy's most historic football teams. Don't hesitate to take home an official team shirt as a souvenir.
• Bagatti Valsecchi Museum, from AED 52: A historic 19th-century mansion housing a collection of Renaissance decorative arts, from paintings and sculptures to tapestries and furniture.

What better way to get to know the city than by booking the Milan tourist bus. Choose the ticket that best suits your interests based on your stay (24, 48 or 72 hours) and get ready to discover Milan with the freedom to hop on and off whenever you want at the 40 available stops.

In addition, you will have an audio guide in several languages at your disposal so that you can learn all the details about the places and monuments that appear along the way: Piazza di Duomo, Teatro alla Scala, Galleria Vittorio Manuelle II, among many others.

Would you like to enjoy a breathtaking view of the beautiful city of Milan? One of the most exciting things to do at this time of year is the walkway suspended above the rooftops of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. A 250-metre walkway that allows you to touch the dome and admire the city from a different perspective.

At this time of year, the view is especially magical, thanks to all the Christmas decorations and coloured lights. If the sky is clear, you can see the Alps, making the experience even more enchanting. An image to remember forever!

Of course, once you are in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, it would be unforgivable not to take a tour and enjoy this architectural marvel, which was the first of its kind. There you can enjoy a delicious meal in any of the restaurants or cafés. And speaking of tours, how about one of those tourist buses to enjoy the city's Christmas decorations?

The legend of the bull's balls: make sure you come back to Milan!

If you take one of the side paths located in the centre of the gallery, you will find a mosaic of the Bull of Turin on the floor. Many people gather around it and wait patiently for their turn to perform the ritual that every visitor should do without fail.

It involves turning around three times, with your eyes closed, on the bull's testicles. After doing so, according to legend, good luck will smile on you from then on, and best of all, you will ensure your return to Milan soon!

Practical Information

• Location: Piazza del Duomo, 20123 Milan, Italy.
• Opening hours: Open 24 hours a day.
• Please note: The gallery has shops, restaurants and cafés, so don't forget to come prepared.

Other ski slopes near Milan

There are many ski resorts near Milan. Before deciding on one, we recommend considering the distance and deciding whether you will stay for a couple of days or make a day trip.

• Piani di Bobbio - Valtorta is one of the closest, just an hour away. It has 35 km of slopes and a park for other snow sports.
• Monte Pora and Presolana are an hour and a half away by car. Together, the two resorts offer 30 km of fun, suitable for all levels of experience.
• Mottarone has a wonderful view of Lake Maggiore, which adds a magnificent touch to the enjoyment of this activity, making it highly recommended. In addition, it is also possible to practise other snow sports.

You will realise that there is a lot to see and do in Milan. Another must-see is the Christmas Markets, perfect for both an afternoon and evening stroll. There are many in Milan, and they are all filled with that magical Christmas spirit. It will be practically impossible to go home without buying something! In Piazza Duomo, for example, you will find 65 charming wooden chalets selling ceramics, handicrafts and original accessories.

This market also offers a wide range of food and wine, from nougat to Piedmontese gianduiotti and local cold meats and cheeses. And while you're there, why not enjoy a visit to Milan Cathedral.

If you love Christmas, don't miss the most beautiful Christmas markets in Piedmont and Lombardy. Another must-see, where you can stroll among thousands of coloured lights, listen to carols and eat traditional seasonal sweets.

With the Milan skyline and the Biblioteca degli Alberi (Library of Trees ) as a backdrop, you'll have the opportunity to get excited and have fun at the coolest ice rink in Milan.

The organisation collaborates with the Italian Ice Sports Federation, which organises classes for adults and children. What are you waiting for?

In fact, Milan has several rinks where you can enjoy this winter sport, with a variety of sizes, shapes and attractions. Some of them are even specially designed for children.

• Wonderland Village has a special area for children and, for adults, the attraction of being the largest skating rink in the city.
• Piazza Gramsci, where in addition to the rink, you will find a carousel for the enjoyment of the little ones, completing the dreamlike landscape.
• Ai Bagni Misteriosi, where you can skate while imagining that you are floating directly on the water.

Practical Information

• Location: Piazza Gae Aulenti, Milan, Italy
• Opening hours: Monday to Thursday from 10:00 to 00:00, Friday and Saturday from 10:00 to 1:00 and Sunday from 10:00 to 23:00.

On short late autumn afternoons, there is nothing more pleasant than going out for a plate of roasted chestnuts. That said, traditional Italian chocolates and sweets at this time of year are something you cannot miss, especially the handmade ones.

There are many bakeries in Milan that prepare these delicate and delicious treats, which are even perfect as Christmas gifts.

Enjoy a delicious hot chocolate

Unlike spring and summer, when everyone is encouraging you to go running, cycling, swimming and doing other outdoor activities, the advice in the colder months is much more lazy and affordable.

For example, take a break from the Milanese humidity and sit in a nice café chatting over a hot chocolate with cream. Smiles and good humour are enough.