Things to do in Crema

2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

Milan Cathedral

•Located in the center of Milan, the cathedral is a landmark of Milan •Admire the enchanting hall, towering stone pillars, and dazzling stained glass windows while studying design elements of various styles •On the platform level, you can see the exquisite spires of Milan Cathedral and the statues on top of them. The statues vary in form and are lifelike. △The church has 135 spires of varying sizes, each topped with a statue. Carvings and spires are one of the defining features of Gothic architecture, and Milan Cathedral exemplifies this characteristic to the fullest. As such, it is also the Gothic church with the most statues in the world, featuring approx. 6,000 marble statues in total. △Immerse yourself in the treasures and artistic touches within the magnificent church. Admire the incredible nave and the way light flickers through the stained glass windows. Study the sarcophagi and approach the exquisitely decorated altar.

No. 4 of Night Attractions in Italy

Piazza del Duomo

Piazza del Duomo is located in the center of Milan, surrounded by many important buildings, including the landmark of Milan, the cathedral. The square gradually developed with the construction of the cathedral and was named after it. In the center of the square stands the equestrian bronze statue of Vittorio Emanuele II, the first king of the Kingdom of Italy. Around the square, there are also a series of important buildings such as the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the neoclassical-style royal palace, and the cathedral museum. On the square, you can see flocks of leisurely strolling pigeons, and sometimes in the evening, you may encounter impromptu street performances. The area near the square is home to many shopping malls, boutiques, and high-end restaurants, making it a well-known leisure and shopping district in Milan.

No. 13 of Best Things to Do in Italy

Santa Maria delle Grazie

Santa Maria delle Grazie is located in the western part of Milan, to the south of Sforza Castle. This red Catholic complex consists of a church and a Dominican convent, and is world-renowned for the mural The Last Supper painted by Leonardo da Vinci in the convent's refectory. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. The last supper "The Last Supper" was created by Leonardo da Vinci in the 15th century, using an innovative and bold painting technique that combined oil painting with tempera, creating a unique perspective effect, but it was also highly susceptible to deterioration. On August 15, 1943, the church and the convent were bombed by British and American aircraft, and most of the convent refectory was destroyed, but the wall where "The Last Supper" is located survived. Several centuries later, 80% of the painting's colors had faded. Restoration work began in 1977 and continued for 22 years. Currently, there is extremely strict control over the number of visitors, with no more than 40 people per visit. Church buildings In addition to "The Last Supper," the building itself is also worth seeing. The church was constructed under the auspices of Duke Sforza and was completed in its entirety in 1497, once serving as the burial chamber for the Sforza family. Later, when the French army invaded, the cultural relics and treasures inside the church were looted, but the exquisite dome and frescoes were preserved. The sacristy now serves as the Dominican cultural center, frequently hosting salons and art exhibitions.

No. 14 of Best Things to Do in Italy

Leonardo's Last Supper Museum

The Last Supper is a mural painting by the Italian High Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci, dated to c. 1495–1498, housed in the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy. The painting represents the scene of the Last Supper of Jesus with the Twelve Apostles, as it is told in the Gospel of John – specifically the moment after Jesus announces that one of his apostles will betray him. Its handling of space, mastery of perspective, treatment of motion and complex display of human emotion has made it one of the Western world's recognizable paintings and among Leonardo's celebrated works. Some commentators consider it pivotal in inaugurating the transition into what is now termed the High Renaissance.

No. 6 of Best Things to Do in Metropolitan City of Milan

Pinacoteca di Brera

The Brera Art Gallery was officially established in 1809, but as early as 1776, it had already housed a diverse collection of artworks, which continued to expand in the following years. These works, along with the Academy of Fine Arts founded by Austria's Maria Theresa, were used for educational purposes. The collection aimed to gather exemplary works for students to study. This art gallery is one of the important repositories of Italian paintings and a representative painting museum in Milan, primarily housing works from the 15th to 18th centuries by the Lombard and Venetian schools. The Pinacoteca di Brera was founded in 1809 by Napoleon I. Initially displaying renowned paintings from the collection of the Milan Academy of Fine Arts, the exhibits gradually expanded, focusing mainly on Renaissance paintings, along with some works by Dutch artists. The gallery is housed in the Brera Palace, built in the second half of the 15th century, which was converted into an academy of fine arts in the late 18th century, becoming a gallery for students to study masterpieces. The collection includes many classic works by masters, such as Raphael's "The Marriage of the Virgin," Mantegna's "The Lamentation of Christ," Piero della Francesca's "Montefeltro Altarpiece," and Hayez's "The Kiss." Here, one can experience the outstanding artistic achievements of the Italian Renaissance in the north. By 1813, the art gallery had collected nearly 900 works, and the collection saw little change until the end of the 19th century. In the early 20th century, the collection began to grow significantly again due to generous donations from various parties, such asCaravaggio's "Supper at Emmaus" was acquired during this period, which also marked the beginning of a focus on 19th-century paintings, with numerous works being purchased successively.

No. 5 of Best Things to Do in Metropolitan City of Milan

Sforza Castle

Sforza Castle is a very famous castle in Milan and one of the most famous attractions in Milan. It used to be the residence of the Sforza family who ruled Milan. The entire castle occupies a vast area, with towering city walls, exquisite courtyards, and numerous rooms, from which we can see the luxurious life of the Milan Sforza family at that time. The castle is now used as a museum and is divided into several areas. There are several museums such as the Museum of Ancient Art, the Museum of Furniture, the Museum of Musical Instruments and the Museum of Applied Art. . If time is limited, you can choose the ceiling painting "Panel Room" created by Leonardo da Vinci and the sculpture (The Madonna of Lamentation by Lundanini) made by Michelangelo a few days before his death. A must see collection in the museum. After visiting the museum, you can take a break in Parco Sempione behind the castle, which is very suitable for a walk while eating delicious Italian ice cream; you can also find a bench in the shade and enjoy lunch in a picnic-like mood , experience the life-like side of Milan.

No. 19 of Night Attractions in Italy

Teatro alla Scala

Teatro alla Scala is located in Milan, Italy, and is one of the world's most renowned opera houses. Situated directly behind the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, it connects to Piazza della Scala, where a statue of Leonardo da Vinci stands in the center. This slightly legendary theater is regarded as the embodiment of beauty. ### Architectural History The opera house is the second theater rebuilt on its original site. The first theater, Teatro Ducale, was destroyed in a fire. Two years later, the opera house was constructed and opened on the site of the former Church of Santa Maria alla Scala. During World War II, the theater was bombed, leaving the entire auditorium in ruins. After the war, the Italian government allocated substantial funds to rebuild it to the highest standards of the time, making it one of the most beautiful theaters in the world. While the exterior appears simple and unadorned, the interior is unimaginably opulent. The theater is lavishly decorated, famous for its six-tiered gilded arches adorned with chandeliers and private boxes divided by red silk curtains. Watching a performance here is an unforgettable experience. ### Performances Known as the "heaven of opera," Teatro alla Scala hosts outstanding operas, concerts, and plays throughout the year, except in August. Well-known works such as *Turandot* and *Madama Butterfly* premiered here. ### Ticket Purchase To secure opera tickets, it's best to book as early as possible. Traditional ticket purchases can be made at Galleria del Sagrato, Piazza del Duomo, and the Duomo subway station, which has clear signage. The ticket office opening hours are from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM. For last-minute purchases, tickets for the same day's performance can be bought at the evening ticket office located at 2 Via Filodrammatici, near the main entrance of the opera house. However, tickets for Filarmonica concerts are only available at the evening ticket office one hour before the performance starts. Other convenient purchasing methods include online booking, phone reservations, and ticket agencies. Prices vary depending on the performance and seating, generally ranging from €5 to €200. Inside the theater, detailed cast lists and schedules are posted, indicating the duration of each act and intermission times. ### Dress Code For premieres, male attendees are required to wear full black formal attire. For other performances, men must wear a suit and tie, while female attendees should also dress appropriately. ### Teatro alla Scala Museum If you're not attending a performance, visiting the theater's interior may be challenging. However, you can explore the Teatro alla Scala Museum, whose entrance is not on the square but on Largo Ghiringhelli. The museum houses a collection of precious musical instruments, costumes, and extensive archives related to opera and Italian musicians, including portraits and sculptures. Exhibits on the museum floor are arranged chronologically, featuring early advertising posters for Verdi's operas and arm models, among other artifacts. ### Behind-the-Scenes Tour Visitors interested in a behind-the-scenes tour can make a reservation. A professional guide will lead you through the museum's exhibits, sharing anecdotes about musicians like Giuseppe Verdi and Arturo Toscanini, who once performed here. You can also stand in a private box to admire the grandeur of the auditorium, the crystal chandelier, and the historic stage. Email for reservations: garino@fondazionelascala.it ### Theater Library The opera house also has a theater library, containing 80,000 volumes of theatrical literature in various languages. However, visits must be scheduled in advance. Email for library visits: sartorio@fondazionelascala.it ### Theater Shop A shop is available where visitors can purchase music-related CDs, DVDs, and books.

No. 3 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Italy

Parco Sempione

Parco Sempione is located behind Sforza Castle, stretching from the castle in the north to the Arco della Pace in the south, and is an urban green space in the center of Milan. The park was planned and designed by architect Emilio Alemagna at the end of the 19th century, modeled after English landscape gardens. It features rolling hills and valleys, winding irregular paths, ponds and canals, and scattered flower beds. The vegetation is diverse, with dozens of tree species such as cedars, ginkgo, plane trees, and tulip trees distributed throughout the park. Ecological volunteers have marked two botanical trails in the park, allowing visitors to identify the morphological characteristics of different tree species. The park is dotted with various buildings and art installations. The towering Branca Tower is a vantage point where, on clear days, you can see theAlpsand the Milan city skyline. The Milan Civic Aquarium was built in the early 20th century and is one of the oldest aquariums in Europe. In addition, there are art installations such as the "Little Mermaid Bridge" moved from the Navigli canals, Giorgio de Chirico's sculpture "Mysterious Baths," and the "Teatro Continuo" designed by Alberto Burri. Wild ducks often inhabit the ponds, and the shade is a daily spot for locals to jog, walk their dogs, and have picnics. Walking from the castle side along the park's main axis toward the Arco della Pace, you can experience the spatial evolution of this garden as it progresses from classical to modern.

Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta

No. 9 of Best Things to Do in Metropolitan City of Milan

Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology

Born in 1953, the Museum is one of the largest science and technology museums in Europe, a place where you can travel through the past, present and future. Nestled in the cloisters of a Renaissance monastery, it covers about 50,000 square meters. Do not miss the Galleries, with the largest permanent exhibition in the world dedicated to Leonardo da Vinci engineer and humanist. A spectacular journey among 170 historical models, works of art, ancient volumes and immersive installations to discover da Vinci's life and works. At the Museum you can discover exhibitions, digital installations and interactive workshops on astronomy and space, energy, materials, transport, food science, genetics, biotechnology, and particle physics. Discover extraordinary objects such as steam trains, the Luna Rossa AC72 catamaran, the brigantine schooner Ebe, the deck of the Conte Biancamano transatlantic, the Toti Submarine, the Vega space launcher and the only fragment of lunar rock in Italy. On weekends and public holidays enjoy a full program of initiatives such as guided tours of the collections, activities in the interactive workshops and Tinkering Zone, virtual reality and live-action role-playing in the Mars Base.