What to do in Milan when it rains?

Milan is often known as a grey and rainy city, but even so, it’s practically impossible to get bored here. So, if your weekend in the Lombard capital happens to come with a cloudy sky and heavy rain, don’t worry: on this page, we’ve gathered ideas and tips for places to take shelter when the weather’s not on your side.

Enjoy a Show at the Theater

You haven’t truly experienced Milan until you’ve attended at least one theater performance. For something a little different from your usual movie night, here are some of the city’s most well-known theaters:

• Teatro La Scala: the world’s most famous venue for opera and ballet;
• Teatro Strehler: the perfect choice for lovers of drama and prose;
• Teatro dell’Arte: located in Parco Sempione, inside the Triennale di Milano, it hosts a variety of unique and interesting events.

Between music and theater, there are more than 200 performances daily across the city—so you’ll never run out of options.

Relax at the Milan Spas

Who would’ve thought? Milan, the city that never sleeps, is also the perfect destination to recharge and release stress.
QC Termemilano is a wellness oasis just steps from the center. Its art nouveau setting welcomes locals and tourists alike with whirlpool tubs, mist showers, hammams, saunas, and a Kneipp path. And don’t forget Hammam della Rosa and the luxurious spas inside Milan’s top hotels, like the Armani, the Mandarin Oriental, and many more.

Visit a Museum

Among Milan’s 80+ museums, there’s surely one you’ve already thought of visiting when the weather takes a turn.

• Leonardo’s Last Supper Museum (Museo del Cenacolo Vinciano): home to one of the world’s greatest masterpieces.
• Brera Art Gallery (Pinacoteca di Brera): get ready to travel through works by Bellini, Veronese, Mantegna, Titian, Raphael, and Caravaggio.
• Museum of the 20th Century (Museo del Novecento): a journey through international masters like Picasso and Kandinsky, followed by Italian greats such as Boccioni, Balla, and Carrà.
• Children’s Museums: MUBA is where kids and adults can learn and play together through fun, creative activities.

So, with your ticket in hand, you can forget the rain and dive into exhibitions of history, art, and imagination.

Plan a Shopping Afternoon

What better excuse than a rainy day to go shopping? Corso Vittorio Emanuele is not only a must-see gallery, but also a great place to spend the afternoon window shopping. Just around the corner in Piazza del Duomo, don’t miss Italy’s first department store: La Rinascente. Named by Gabriele D’Annunzio himself, La Rinascente is the perfect spot to hunt for gifts or indulge in retail therapy.

Rest at the Hotel

And if the rain just won’t let up, you can always head back to your hotel and wait for the clouds to pass. Take a look at our selection of hotels in Milan and find the one that best suits your trip.

• B&B Hotel Milano City Center Duomo: ideal for exploring Milan on foot.
• B&B Hotel Milano Sant'Ambrogio: in the city’s historic and cultural heart.
• B&B Hotel Milano Aosta: across from Central Station—perfect for reaching airports across Lombardy.
• B&B Hotel Milano Central Station: just 200 meters from the station.
• B&B Hotel Milano Cenisio Garibaldi: ideal for planning business meetings.
• B&B Hotel Milano Portello: steps from Fiera Milano City, MiCo, and CityLife.
• B&B Hotel Milano La Spezia: just minutes on foot from the Navigli and Darsena.
• B&B Hotel Milano San Siro: ideal for visiting central Milan and Rho Fiera.
• B&B Hotel Milano Ornato: near Niguarda Hospital and Bicocca, 20 minutes from the city center.
• B&B Hotel Milano Sesto Marelli: only 200 meters from Marelli metro stop (Line 1).
• B&B Hotel Milano Monza – B&B HOTELS Hotel Prestige Ornago – B&B HOTELS Park Hotel Cassano: perfect for those wanting to stay just outside Milan.