- Tours›
- Highlights
From the Sforza Castle to Milan canals
Hello,
welcome to Milan, a cosmopolitan city of art, culture and history.
The itinerary starts from the Sforza Castle and threads its way through streets and squares among ancient churches and buildings from various epochs,
through the Porta Ticinese district and the bustling area of the canals.
Meeting Point
Sforza Castle (Castello Sforzesco), in front of the Filarete tower (main entrance to the Castle)
Sforza Castle (Castello Sforzesco)
We will visit the courtyards of this fascinating castle with its glorious history: from a 14th century fortress to a splendid residence of the Sforza dukes, from a fortified citadel of foreign rulers of Milan and the Napoleonic era to the perfectly restored architectural monument.
Situated just behind the Castle is the Sempione park laid out in the English style. We will admire the majestic Neoclassical Arch of Peace that marks the beginning of the first stretch of the Napoleonic highway to France.
Dante street, Cordusio square, Mercanti square
Via Dante is a pedestrian street known for its shops, bars and cafés, the Piccolo theater and palazzi, elegant city residences of nobles and wealthy citizens of the 19th century.
We will stop at the Cordisio square, center of the business district of Milan, once occupied by the Roman imperial palace and the location of the ducal court in the Longobard era.
We will also stop at the medieval Mercanti square, that once housed the chief magistrate of the city-state, the municipal authorities and the corporations of merchants.
Duomo (Cathedral) and Duomo square, Vittorio Emanuele gallery, La Scala square
The Duomo square is the universally known center of Milan, lined with elegant buildings designed in various architectural styles.
The Cathedral surprises by the stupendous blossoming of flying buttresses, wealth of sculptural ornamentation, stained-glass windows. It boasts a rich profusion of statues and spires, including the main spire with the gilded statue of Our Lady.
Situated nearby, the Vittorio Emanuele gallery is one of Milan’s highlights with its fashionable boutiques, historic bookshops, restaurants and bars. The gallery features an octagonal space being topped with an imposing glass dome, lavish decoration and marvellous mosaics.
A monumental arch provides access to the La Scala square where the world-known theater is situated.
Piazza (square) San Sepolcro, Piazza degli Affari, Brisa street
We will visit several squares and locations once occupied by a Roman forum when Milan was the capital of the Western Roman Empire; some remnants of important constructions from that era can still be seen today in the city center.
Torino street, Porta Ticinese and Navigli (canals)
We will walk down the Torino and the Porta Ticinese streets which boast several ancient churches and will admire the
the celebrated colonnade of 16 columns from a building of the classical era and one of the surviving medieval city gates of Milan.
Finally, we will achieve the Darsena, the point where the two still existing branches of the old canal system meet, the Naviglio Grande and the Naviglio Pavese.
This old suburb of the city is nowadays one of the favourite locations of the Milanese, a nice place to walk in, full of restaurants and bars where people meet for aperitives.
Ending Point
The Naviglio Grande: at approximately 17.30.
Want to personalize this tour?
- Our tours can be customized according to your needs and preferences
- Click below to tell us what you are looking for:
Inclusions & Exclusions
guide fee
entrance tickets to Duomo, museums; transportation fee; lunch, dinner; personal expenses.
Tour Important Information
The Cathedral tour includes a visit of its interior and the upper terraces; entrance fee is applied: 20eur per adult.
Entrance tickets are not included in the tour price and are preferably to be booked and paid in advance.
Most of museums are closed on Monday; Duomo Cathedral is open daily. Every museum and church has its own opening hours.
-The Sforza Castle tour does not include a visit to museums; some of its museums can be visited with your guide on another day; entrance fee is applied: 7eur per adult.
-If you wish to visit the La Scala museum or another highlight in Milan center, please inform me and then add an additional hour to the itinerary.
-Food and drinks, transport tickets are not included in the tour price.
-We will walk much during the tour, please wear comfortable shoes.
Important message from the guide
Do not hesitate to book your tour for Monday if you prefer a tour without visit of museums (most museums are closed on monday; the Cathedral is open daily).
I can be your guide in Stresa (Maggiore lake), Como (Como lake), Desenzano and Sirmione (Garda lake) if you pay the train ticket fee (I do not drive). We can also discuss the possibility of being your guide in other locations (a day trip) in case of transportation payment.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
