A visit to Milan isn't complete without a walk through the Galleria. Luckily, it's right next to the Milan Cathedral, so you can visit the Duomo and then stop into the Galleria for a snack.
Milan's Galleria is almost 150 years old. It was designed in 1861 and finished in 1877. The vaulted glass ceilings are absolutely breathtaking. They're made of a cast iron frame, which is a prime example of a 19th-century iron-and-glass architectural style that was common for shopping centers all around Europe. The Galleria has two long hallways that intersect under this magnificent giant glass dome.
The glass lets in so much natural light and shows off the beautiful four-story buildings inside. I loved the tiny balconies, all the sconces, and the arches at the entrances to the Galleria.
And don't even get me started on this floor! The mosaics are beautiful, even though it was hard to see everything because of how busy it was. There were so many colors, and the stone is so nice.
If you want a really special view of Milan's Galleria, be sure to visit the second floor of one of the shops. The Mondadori Bookstore has a second floor with some giant windows, and you can peek out for a unique and cool view.
The shops in the Galleria cover a wide range. There are fancy stores like Prada, Versace, and Swarovski, but there's also a bookstore, a music store, and shoe stores. There are also a couple of coffee shops and some affordably-priced restaurants. If you are stopping in for dinner, be sure to try the delicious local plate, Risotto alla Milanese, which is risotto with saffron, often paired with Ossobuco, and served as a first dish, a "primo" on your Italian menu.
The Galleria is a stunning landmark in its own right, but it also conveniently connects two other Milan must-see locations. The Galleria is between the Piazza del Duomo and Piazza della Scala. To the south, the Piazza del Duomo obviously houses the amazing Milan Cathedral. There are also some great souvenir shops right in the Piazza del Duomo alongside the Galleria. To the north, the Piazza della Scala is across the street from the famous Teatro della Scala and home to a famous statue of Leonardo DiVinci.
The whole area is an absolute must on a visit to Milan, and if you come by train, you can easily take the subway from Milano Centrale Station (Centrale FS) on the Yellow Line to the Montenapoleone stop, which is a five-minute walk to the Piazza della Scala. There's also a subway station on the Red Line right in the Piazza del Duomo. And if neither of those suit you the tram lines are ubiquitous and so charming!
