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Milan in August 2025

Milan in August is a city of contrasts. Locals escape the heat, but travelers find room to breathe. Pop-up concerts fill sultry nights, while museums and aperitivo spots offer stylish shelter. Navigli's canals stay lively; indoor galleries hum with air-conditioned calm. Ferragosto brings a brief pause—expect closures on August 15. Plan ahead, book your indoor tickets, and pace your days to beat the afternoon heat.

Milan in August 2025 at a glance

🌧️ Weather

Hot and humid; average highs 30 °C / 86 °F.

☀️ Daylight

14 hrs; sunrise around 6:20 am, sunset ~8:30 pm.

🎉 Key events

Ferragosto (Aug 15), Post Malone (Aug 27), Serie A season starts.

👥 Crowds

Mixed—locals leave, tourists stay; calmer than July.

🛋 What to pack

Light fabrics, sunhat, sunglasses, refillable water bottle.

🍽️ Seasonal treats

Cold pasta salads, Aperol Spritz, Milanese gelato.

Top things to do in Milan in August

Catch da Vinci's The Last Supper

  • When: Year-round (closed Aug 15)
  • Tags: Cultural experience, Tour
  • Book well ahead for this 15-minute viewing of da Vinci's masterpiece. August slots fill fast, even with fewer locals around. Tours include historical context in a cool, church-adjacent setting—a welcome midday escape from the heat.

Recommended experiences:

  • Da Vinci's Last Supper Skip-the-Line Guided Tour
  • Milan City Center and Last Supper Guided Tour
Explore Last Supper tickets & tours

Wander the Duomo and its rooftop terraces

  • When: Daily, extended summer hours
  • Tags: Tour, Outdoors
  • Mornings are best for exploring Milan's iconic cathedral before heat and crowds. The rooftop views at 9 am beat the haze of midday. Book online to skip queues; elevator access available.

Recommended experiences:

  • Fast Track Entry ticket to Duomo Full complex & Terraces
  • Milan Cathedral Terrace Access Tickets
Browse Duomo Milan tickets

Stroll along the Navigli canals

  • When: Evenings
  • Tags: Explorer, Outdoors
  • As temperatures ease post-sunset, head to the Navigli district. Cafes glow, buskers play, and bridges fill with aperitivo-goers. No tickets needed—just wander with a drink in hand and soak in the vibe.

Sip cocktails at a rooftop bar

  • When: Sunset to late night
  • Tags: Nightlife, Explorer
  • From Ceresio 7 to Terrazza Duomo 21, rooftop bars stay cool with fans and spritzes. Dress sharp. Best views come right after 8 pm when the golden hour lights up Milan.

Explore Sforza Castle's shady courtyards

  • When: Daily, midday
  • Tags: Cultural experience, Family-friendly
  • Sforza Castle's interior museums offer AC, but even its shaded courtyards bring relief. See Michelangelo's unfinished Pietà Rondanini and cool off under the battlements. Free entry to courtyards; museum access from €10.

Recommended experiences:

  • Tickets to Sforza Castle & Rondanini's Pieta with Audio Guide
  • Torre Branca & Sforza Castle Guided Tour with Park Walk
Explore Sforza Castle tickets & tours

Tour La Scala's opera museum

  • When: Daily, 10 am–6 pm (closed Aug 15)
  • Tags: Tour, Cultural experience
  • Skip the heat outside with a look at Milan's operatic legacy. Costumes, set models, and a glimpse into the theater itself await. Easy access from Duomo.

Recommended experiences:

  • Skip-the-Line Entry & Guided Tour of La Scala Theatre
Browse La Scala Theater tours

Escape to contemporary art at Pirelli HangarBicocca

  • When: Wed–Sun, free entry
  • Tags: Cultural experience, Explorer
  • This converted factory showcases large-scale installations in cavernous, AC-cooled spaces. A free and fringe alternative to central museums—perfect for heat-averse explorers.

Bike early through Parco Sempione

  • When: Early morning
  • Tags: Outdoors, Family-friendly
  • Rent a bike before 9 am for a breezy loop through Milan's lushest park. Locals jog, kids feed ducks, and there's shade aplenty. Great start to a hot August day.

Offbeat experiences in August

Visit Fondazione Prada

Bold exhibitions and a gold tower

This contemporary art center offers cool respite with edgy displays and sleek architecture. Arrive early to pair it with coffee at Bar Luce, designed by Wes Anderson.
📍 Where: Largo Isarco, 2

Try a Milanese spa escape

Thermal pools and rooftop views

QC Terme Milano pampers with hot/cold circuits, saunas, and evening aperitivo. Even in summer, its shaded gardens and rooftop jacuzzi feel indulgent.
📍 Where: Piazzale Medaglie d'Oro, 2

Take a fashion-themed walking tour

History stitched into streets

Trace Milan's fashion roots in the Quadrilatero. Guides point out atelier secrets, style icons, and why Prada started with leather trunks.
📍 Where: Departs Via Montenapoleone

Step inside San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore

"Milan's Sistine Chapel"

This lesser-known fresco-filled church stays cool and quiet. No ticket needed; no lines. Ideal for a heat-dodging midday marvel.
📍 Where: Corso Magenta, 15

Browse Mercato Comunale Wagner

Locals still shop in August

While tourist-heavy spots close, this neighborhood market remains open. Find produce, cheeses, and casual counters for budget lunch bites.
📍 Where: Piazza Wagner

Festivals and events in Milan this August 2025

Blackpink (Concert)

  • Dates: 06 August 2025
  • Event type: Concert
  • Location: Ippodromo SNAI La Maura (San Siro)
  • K-pop stars take Milan with a sold-out night show. Book early—hotels in San Siro book fast when big acts play.

Assumption of Mary (Ferragosto)

  • Dates: 15 August 2025
  • Event type: Cultural Festival
  • Location: Citywide
  • National holiday with closures; locals leave, but parks fill for picnics. Stock snacks ahead—groceries close too.

Sprint Canoe & Paracanoe World Championships

  • Dates: 20–24 August 2025
  • Event type: Sporting Event
  • Location: Idroscalo (East Milan)
  • Catch Olympic hopefuls paddle it out. Limited seating, pack water, and sunscreen. Accessible by metro + short bus ride.

I-Days Festival: Post Malone

  • Dates: 15 August 2025
  • Event type: Cultural Festival
  • Location: Citywide
  • National holiday with closures; locals leave, but parks fill for picnics. Stock snacks ahead—groceries close too.

Sprint Canoe & Paracanoe World Championships

  • Dates: 20–24 August 2025
  • Event type: Sporting Event
  • Location: Idroscalo (East Milan)
  • Catch Olympic hopefuls paddle it out. Limited seating, pack water, and sunscreen. Accessible by metro + short bus ride.

Highlights for different traveller types

Families with kids

Visit the interactive Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnologia for hands-on exhibits. Parco Sempione offers open spaces and shade. The Idroscalo park adds summer fun with paddleboats and playgrounds.

Couples

Rooftop aperitivos at sunset set the tone. Explore the romantic Brera district or book a spa evening at QC Terme. The Duomo terraces after 6 pm offer golden views.

Culture vultures

​Leonardo's Last Supper , La Scala museum , and modern art at Pirelli HangarBicocca provide an air-conditioned cultural triad. Many smaller churches stay open and cool, with stunning interiors.

Value hunters

Take advantage of Milan’s August calm: some hotels offer discounts, and public museums like Sforza Castle are wallet-friendly. Explore lesser-visited areas like Lambrate for dining deals.

Your perfect 3-day Milan in August itinerary

  • Morning: Start early with rooftop views from the Duomo . Beat the queues and the sun.
  • Breakfast: Espresso and cornetto at Motta Milano 1928, right on Piazza Duomo.
  • Midday: View The Last Supper . Book weeks ahead. Cool and timed entry.
  • Lunch: Grab fresh pasta at Miscusi (Via Torino).
  • Afternoon: Sforza Castle museums and shaded gardens.
  • Evening: Sunset aperitivo at Terrazza Aperol; watch the square light up.
  • Morning: Rent a bike and cycle Parco Sempione before it heats up.
  • Breakfast: Croissants and cappuccino at Pavè (Via Felice Casati).
  • Midday: Tour Fondazione Prada or HangarBicocca—both are air-conditioned.
  • Lunch: Eat inside Mercato Wagner; try the focaccia stand.
  • Afternoon: Stroll Brera's boutiques and pop into Pinacoteca di Brera.
  • Evening: Canalside aperitivo in Navigli. Try Mag Café.
  • Morning: Fashion walking tour around Montenapoleone.
  • Breakfast: Sit-down cappuccino and brioche at Marchesi 1824.
  • Midday: Visit La Scala museum and Teatro look-in.
  • Lunch: Light fare and cold drinks at Panini Durini.
  • Afternoon: Explore San Maurizio or cool down with gelato at CioccolatItaliani.
  • Evening: If timed with I-Days or Serie A, head to San Siro; otherwise, rooftop drinks at Ceresio 7.

Best day trips from Milan in August

Lake Como view with boats and Varena City in the background, Italy.

Lake Como

🚇 Travel time: ~1 h by train

Take a midweek morning train to avoid crowds. Stroll Como town or ferry-hop to Bellagio. Shade, breezes, and gelato make it ideal for a summer escape.

Milan to Lake Como

Bergamo Alta

🚇 Travel time: ~1 h by train

Cooler hilltop breezes and medieval charm. Funicular rides, quiet churches, and scenic piazzas. Bring water; wear comfy shoes.

Cremona

🚇 Travel time: ~1.5 h by train

Known for violin-making and a peaceful pace. Visit the Violin Museum and climb the Torrazzo early. Lunch in the shady piazza.

Vigevano

🚗 Travel time: ~45 min by car

Skip the train crowds with a quick drive. Its Renaissance piazza is stunning and usually tourist-free in August.

Go shopping in Milan in August

  • When: Year-round
  • Where: Piazza del Duomo
  • Flagship luxury brands inside a historic arcade. Great for window-shopping and cooling off.
  • When: Year-round
  • Where: South of Duomo
  • More affordable fashion chains and indie shops. Some August sales linger; watch for closing notices during Ferragosto week.
  • When: Year-round
  • Where: Near Porta Garibaldi
  • Concept store blending art, fashion, and design. Quiet in August—a good time to browse slowly.
  • When: Check monthly schedule
  • Where: Via Mecenate 88/A
  • Vintage lovers' dream with records, clothes, and oddities. Confirm dates online before going.

Pro tips for visiting Milan in August

  1. Book indoor attraction tickets for early or late slots—midday is hottest.

  2. Avoid August 15 (Ferragosto) closures by stocking snacks and planning outdoors.

  3. Stay hydrated: public fountains are safe to refill bottles.

  4. Some restaurants close in mid-August. Stick to tourist-friendly zones or check Instagram for updated hours.

  5. Use ATM app for air-conditioned metro directions; avoid noon–4 pm travel if possible.

  6. Rooftop bars often require reservations—call ahead, especially weekends.

  7. Museums like Pirelli HangarBicocca offer cool, uncrowded afternoon escapes.

  8. Wear breathable clothes and bring a scarf for church visits.

Frequently asked questions about visiting Milan in August

Is Milan too hot in August?

It's hot and humid, with highs around 30 °C / 86 °F. Mornings and evenings are best for outdoor activities.

Do shops and restaurants close in August?

Many locals take vacations, especially around Ferragosto (Aug 15). Tourist areas stay open; double-check hours online.

What should I wear in Milan in August?

Light, breathable fabrics, comfortable shoes, and sun protection. Churches require modest attire.

Is August a good month for sightseeing?

Yes, but plan indoor visits during peak heat and expect fewer locals. Early mornings are key.

Can I see The Last Supper in August?

Yes, but book at least 3 weeks ahead. Closed on August 15.

What's public transport like in August?

Metro runs normally except for holiday hours on Aug 15. Trams and buses may have summer schedules.

Are there any major festivals in August?

Yes—Ferragosto, I-Days concert (Post Malone), and the Canoe World Championships.

Is Milan good for families in August?

Yes. Parks, science museums, and early bike rides keep kids engaged. Avoid midday heat.

Can I find hotel deals in August?

Some central hotels offer deals due to local travel. Book early for AC and flexible rates.

Is Milan safe in August?

Yes, but watch for pickpockets in tourist areas and at concerts. Stick to well-lit, central zones at night.