Things to Do in Milan This Summer

Like many large cities, Milan can be a challenge during the hottest months of summer, and it takes a bit of planning to enjoy the highlights in comfort. Do as the Milanesi do and divide your time between the city center and cooler coast and countryside. Here are a few ways to experience the best of Milan in summer, even when temperatures soar.

• Don’t swelter in the heat outside: Choose a skip-the-line tour of the Duomo and Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper for priority entry.
• Avoid getting footsore with a long walking itinerary, and instead zip through the city on a Segway or rickshaw tour.
• See Milan’s highlights via a breezy, open-top bus on a hop-on hop-off city tour.
• Cool the palate with a gelato master class (and tasting!).
• Avoid touring during the hottest hours of the day, and instead explore Milan’s trendy Navigli district in the evening.
• Sample the best vintages from the cool hills of Lombardy and Piedmont with a wine-tasting tour in the countryside.
• Catch a sea breeze on the coast with a jaunt to the picturesque Cinque Terre.
• Head to cooler climes with a day trip to Lake Como or Lake Maggiore.
• Escape to the refreshing Alpine peaks with a train ride on the Bernina Express as far as St. Moritz.
• Experience Milan’s famed nightlife, when temperatures drop but the clubs and bars heat up.