Are you planning a family trip to Milan with young kids? Here are some great ideas and important tips if you are planning a trip to Milan with kids.
Milan, the fashion capital of Italy, can be a great city to visit on your family trip to Italy! From shopping to eating local cuisine to visiting the beautiful parks, there is something in Milan for families to enjoy!
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Things to see and do in Milan with kids
Visit the Piazza del Duomo
This plaza is enormous! The Duomo Square can be a great location in Milan with kids if it’s not too crowded. Running around and chasing the pigeons was one of my toddler’s favorite activities throughout our travels in Italy, and the Piazza del Duomo was a favorite spot. Many people would even let the pigeons eat out of their hands.
Although the Piazza del Duomo is large, the streets surrounding the square are very busy. We visited in April, and it was very crowded.
Visit the Duomo di Milano and Climb the top of the Duomo
The Duomo Cathedral is Italy’s largest church and a beautiful Gothic masterpiece. The Milan Cathedral is a bit overwhelming, with its intricate detailed statues, steeples, and artwork. My family and I love visiting Cathedrals while traveling in Europe, and the Duomo has been one of our favorites
Climb the Duomo
Climbing the Duomo is such a unique experience and a fun activity in Milan for families.
Unless you are terrified of heights, the Duomo’s roof is the perfect place to get a beautiful view of the city—my toddler loved it! Climbing the Duomo is also a great opportunity to view many of the steeples close up. My son stayed in the baby carrier the entire time, making it easy to get around.
Tip- Purchase skip-the-line tickets. You will be able to go through a small line towards the back of the church where you can access the elevator. Purchase tickets ahead of time here.
You will not be able to bring a stroller up the Duomo.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is just a minute’s walk from the Duomo. If you love fashion and shopping, this is the area to visit! It is beautiful!
Tip: If you are visiting Milan with kids, taking them into some of the high-end fashion stores may not be a great idea. Do some window shopping. If you want to do some shopping in the stores, have your spouse stay with the kids at one of the many restaurants or bakeries!
I would recommend the Marchesi bakery, the ambience and treats are incredible!
Visit the Castello Sforzesco
The Sforza Castle was one of my favorite areas to visit in Milan with kids. The castle is well-preserved, and the lawns are beautiful.
So many kids were running around, while parents relaxed on the many benches. It’s a great area to get away from the hustle and bustle and enjoy a picnic.
To purchase tickets ahead of time, click here!
Parco Sempinoe
Parco Sempione was my favorite park that we visited on the two-week trip to Northern Italy. The city park is enormous and covers well over 80 acres. With so much to do, the whole family can enjoy it.
Sempione Park has so much to offer. Take a leisurely stroll and see the beautiful Arch of Peace. Let your older kids play in some of the outdoor activities. If you are visiting Milan with toddlers, then you need to take your young kids to the play area. This portion of the park was perfect for younger children!
This play area has so many activities for kids, and what makes it even more ideal for toddlers is that adults can ride with their children. This area has a train, bumper cars, and little slot mechanical rides. It’s like a teeny tiny theme park little children
This beautiful park is within walking distance of the Sforza Castle and is easily accessible on foot.
See a football game
San Siro Football Stadium is one of the most impressive football stadiums in the world. It is the home of AC Milan and Inter Milan.
Seeing a football game (or, as Americans refer to it, soccer) would be an incredible family event to enjoy in Milan!
Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science
This is actually a really good place to visit in Milan with children. The museum is really neat because it’s interactive. There is another Leonardo da Vinci museum in Venice. My son had so much fun!
Civico Planetario
If you’re looking for interesting things to do in Milan with kids, the Civic Planetarium is a great place to learn about planets and stars. It is the largest and oldest in Italy.
Book a food tour
This is probably one of my favorite types of tours! It’s a great way to try some of the local cuisine.
Visit Gelaterias
You can visit Milan with kids without trying a few different gelato shops!
How to get to Milan with Kids
If you are visiting Milan with children, you are most likely to arrive by plane or train
Airports
Milan Malpensa International Airport (MXP)
Is the largest of Milan’s airports in Northern Italy and almost 50 kilometers from Milan. If you’re flying from the United States, it is likely you will be flying into this airport.
Milan Linate Airport
Linate airport is the closest airport to the city center, located about 8 kilometers from the Milan Cathedral. If you are flying in from Europe, this would be a better option to fly into.
Train
Milano Centrale
Milano Centrale is the main train station of Milan and is about a 30 minute walk to the City Center.
To see the train itinerary and purchase tickets ahead of time, click here!
How to get around Milan with a toddler
Walking
Milan is very pedestrian-friendly and relatively easy to walk around. The city never felt too large to get from one area to the next
Public transportation
Milan has great public transportation. The buses and trains are easily accessible throughout the City center. Also, children under two years of age travel for free on Trenitalia trains in Italy.
How much time do you need to Visit Milan with a toddler
Milan is a relatively small city. We had two days in Milan, which was sufficient time to travel to Milan with kids.
Related Post A complete guide for traveling through Italy with babies and toddlers
Related Post How to enjoy traveling Italy with young kids
Is Milan stroller-friendly
Milan did appear to be one of the more stroller-friendly cities we visited on our family trip to Italy.
Many of the streets are cobblestone; if you are visiting Milan with a baby or toddler and wish to bring a stroller, I would suggest a sturdy, lightweight, and compact stroller.
Tip: We traveled Italy with a baby carrier instead of a stroller
Eating dinner in Milan with toddlers and babies
In Italy, it is common practice for restaurants to open for dinner at 7:30. This is relatively late for my two young kids, and probably one of our hardest obstacles for traveling Italy.
Many of the restaurants (geared to tourists) located closer to the main attractions have more flexible hours.
Our favorite restaurant was Osteria Mamma Rosa. The food was outstanding, and the hours were perfect for us! We enjoyed it so much, that we ate their twice.
GOOD TO-KNOW TIPS:
Many Italian restaurants don’t have a children’s menu but provide a small pasta dish upon request.
Also, many restaurants don’t have high chairs.
Is visiting Milan with kids expensive?
We did find that Milan was one of the more expensive cities on our family trip.
Related Post A complete guide for traveling through Italy with babies and toddlers
Related Post How to enjoy traveling Italy with young kids
Is Milan worth visiting with kids
Absolutely! Italians love children and Milan is a very child-friendly city.
Book tours ahead of time, and consider taking advantage of any skip-the-line tickets.
Remember, traveling with toddlers and babies is an adventure, not a vacation. Traveling with young children can be challenging, but definitely worth it!
- Related Post: The Best Toddler and Baby Packing List
Check out these other family-friendly cities in Italy!
Rome and the Vatican City
A trip to Italy shouldn’t be complete without a trip to Rome and the Vatican City! Check out these tips to help you make the most of visiting Ancient Rome with kids!
Genoa
The beautiful coastal city of Genoa is a gem, with so many child-friendly activities! Read this post to help you plan an incredible trip to Genoa for the family!
Verona
Discover the magnificent city of Verona with so much beauty and culture! Be sure to check out this guide before you book your trip!
Florence
Florence can be a perfect stop for your family vacation in Italy! Check out these child-friendly recommendations if you are traveling with young kids!
Venice
There is something for everyone in the beautiful city of Venice! Read this guide to help you plan your trip!
Essential items for experiencing Milan, Italy, with a toddler or baby
- Carrier (or sturdy stroller)
- Travel crib
- Travel high chair
- Always carry a diaper bag with everyday essentials
Check out my list of recommended travel items for a baby and toddler here!
If you plan on traveling light, you can look into renting items for your little one through MammaMamma. Be sure to research and book ahead of time. I didn’t use them, but I did look into it before our trip.
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