Italian football is a whole new level of passion, and there’s no better place to experience it in the world than at the iconic San Siro in Milan. This historic venue is shared by cross-town rivals, AC Milan and Inter Milan. The derby days are next-level intense, but any match at the San Siro has an insane atmosphere that all football fans should experience at least once in their lives.
Are you a sports lover planning a trip to San Siro to see AC Milan? While a packed San Siro with 80,000 screaming fans will likely be the highlight of your trip, it doesn’t have to be the only thing you do while you’re in Milan. Here’s a list of the best attractions and sights around the San Siro to keep you occupied before kickoff, or after the final whistle blows.
Milan is most famous for being the fashion capital of the world, but this Italian city has so much more to offer than that. If you’re traveling to the San Siro to catch an AC Milan game, make sure you save some time to explore the rest of the city! Here are 10 things for football fans to do near the San Siro in Milan.
I don’t know what’s more incredible here – seeing da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” up close and personal, or stepping inside the astonishing Basilica of Santa Maria delle Grazie. Located in the center of Milan, this spectacular Renaissance church became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. There’s much to love about the Gothic interior, including da Vinci’s masterpiece.
The Last Supper is iconic, and there’s something so special about seeing it up close – you can’t comprehend the sheer scale of it unless you’re there in person. So, for any football fans planning a trip to the San Siro, make sure you also check out one of the world’s most special works of art. The Basilica is an hour’s walk (or 20 minutes on the tram) from the San Siro.
If you have some time to kill before kick-off, you’ll find this glorious statue just outside the San Siro. Standing at 7 meters tall and cast in bronze, Leonardo’s Horse was erected in 1999. It may not be old, but its design is! It was constructed from initial sketches put together by da Vinci in the 15th Century.
It might seem like an incredible random statue to have outside a football stadium, but that’s because it’s not actually associated with the San Siro – it’s part of the Ippodromo Snai San Siro, a huge horseriding and horseracing complex that’s next to the San Siro. The statue is outside the arena, and can be admired by anyone.
There are a lot of parks in and around Milan, but the Parco Aldo Aniasi is the closest one to the San Siro. If you’re planning a trip to the San Siro and looking for somewhere to enjoy a bite to eat before the game, this is a nice spot. Also known as the Trenno park, it’s got a lot of walking and bike trails, as well as several sports fields.
In winter, there’s an ice rink, and you’ll also find tennis courts, basketball courts, beach volleyball facilities, and more. It’s huge! There are bathrooms, drinking water, and plenty of benches where you can relax, eat, and prepare yourself for the big game. The park is just a 2-minute walk away from the entrance to the San Siro.
No trip to Milan is complete without an immersive art experience, and there’s no better place to find the best of the city’s art than at the Pinacoteca di Brera, Milan’s largest art gallery. Specializing in art from Northern Italy, the gallery is open every day except Mondays and costs 15 Euros for adults.
At busier times, you might have to wait, but generally, there’s no line if you book your tickets in advance – tickets have a specific entry time, but you can stay as long as you like once you’re inside. There’s also an audio guide, which is well worth it. The Pinacoteca di Brera is around 40 minutes from the San Siro by tram.
Arguably Milan’s most famous attraction, the Duomo di Milano is one of the largest cathedrals in the entire world. You don’t need to be an architect to appreciate this incredible building – it took more than 600 years to complete, and it’s packed full of amazing, intricate details. It does get insanely crowded, especially in the summer months – you’ve been warned!
It’s important to purchase tickets in advance for this one. Tickets to the duomo alone cost 10 Euros, but if you want to climb the stairs to see the terraces (which I highly recommend), you’ll have to pay 20 Euros. If you’re planning a trip to the San Siro to see AC Milan, make sure you set aside some time to step inside the Duomo! It’s a 25-minute ride from the stadium.
This one’s for football lovers who are looking for a slice of Milan’s football history. The Arena Civica is a sports stadium that was first opened in 1807. When Napoleon was King of Italy, he decided Milan needed a shiny new venue to show off their sporting prowess. The stadium isn’t as glorious as it once was, and it’s not used very often these days, but it still feels “special.”
The Arena Civica features huge stone terraces and ornate porticoes. It was apparently inspired by the Circus Maximus in Rome, and has that elaborate feeling to it. Both Inter Milan and AC Milan have previously played at the venue, but not for decades. As far as football goes, it’s still used by the Inter Milan’s women’s team, who play their home games here.
One of my favorite things is when you’re just strolling through a European city and you stumble across an enormous castle. That’s exactly how the Sforzesco Castle feels – it’s smack bang in the middle of Milan and is quite the sight to behold. This huge Medieval-Renaissance fortress dates back to the 15th Century and is now filled with historical museums & art by da Vinci and Michelangelo.
Tickets are 8 Euros, and for an extra 5 Euros you can pick up an audio guide, which does a great job of explaining the history of this stunning complex. You can stroll through the castle and appreciate the architecture, but it’s really a museum – there’s so much to do and see on every level. Football fans traveling to the San Siro should definitely add this one to their lists!
If you’re looking for somewhere to grab a drink after the game, or somewhere to eat lunch before heading to the San Siro to see AC Milan, the Navigli District is a great spot for that. There are lots of restaurants and eateries near the San Siro, but in my opinion, you’ll find better options (and a more scenic setting) here.
The Navigli District is pretty unique. It was constructed over several centuries with input from Leonardo da Vinci. This intricate network of canals made it easier to navigate through the city. Though the canals don’t serve the same useful purpose today, they’re a scenic backdrop for the many eateries and bars that have sprung up in the area. This neighborhood is around 40 minutes (via metro) from the San Siro.
For football fans who don’t mind the odd scare, the Crypt of San Sepolcro is a good place to visit. Take an underground archeological tour through the dark chambers of this spooky crypt that lies just under the San Sepolcro church. There’s a rich history in this area, as you’ll learn, though the crypt area itself is quite small.
A visit to the Crypt of San Sepolcro will cost you €21.50, and also includes entry to the church above, which is scenic and full of beautiful art. The crypt is a 30-minute metro ride from the San Siro, and is open every day except Wednesdays. If you think you can handle it, there’s also a night tour you can do – spooky!
There’s no better way to prepare yourself for game day at the San Siro than with an aperitivo. An Italian tradition of pre-dinner drinks, aperitivo hour is the perfect way to get yourself in the right headspace for the big game. You’ll find plenty of bars near the San Siro specializing in these drinks and light bites, typically served between 5 pm and 8 pm.
Your AC Milan match experience at the San Siro will be incredible – it’s one of the best football atmospheres in the entire world. While a visit to the San Siro to see AC Milan will be the highlight of your time in the city, there are plenty of other things you can do around the San Siro. If you are interested in other sporting events in Milan, check our guide. Take the time to explore some of Milan’s highlights and pack your trip full of history, culture, and memories.
