Historical Churches Walking Tour (Self Guided), Milan

Milan may well be a world fashion capital and one of the financial capitals of Europe, but religion, and particularly churches, are an inseparable part of the Milanese life. Indeed, steeped in history, this city has garnered over the centuries a wealth of iconic places of worship.

Among these, the Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milano) stands as a symbol of grandeur and faith. This magnificent Gothic temple, with its intricate spires and stunning façade, took over 600 years to complete, making it a testament to the enduring dedication of its builders.

Moving through the city's religious landmarks, you may come across the Church of Saint Mary near Saint Satyrus (Chiesa di Santa Maria presso San Satiro), a small gem hidden within Milan's bustling streets. This church is notable for its unique architectural trompe-l'oeil, creating an illusion of space that captivates visitors.

The Basilica of St. Lawrence, the oldest church in Milan, is a historical treasure dating back to the 4th century. Its Early-Christian beauty and the nearby Columns of Saint Lawrence (Colonne di San Lorenzo) attest to Milan's ancient roots.

Basilica of St. Ambrose, named after Saint Ambrose, the city's patron saint, exudes a sense of tranquility amid the urban hustle. The stunning mosaics found within make it a must-visit site for ecclesiastical art enthusiasts.

The Church of St. Maurice, often referred to as the "Sistine Chapel of Milan," boasts mesmerizing frescoes that adorn its interior, offering a glimpse into the city's artistic legacy.

Lastly, the Church of Holy Mary of Grace (Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Grazie) holds Leonardo da Vinci's eternal masterpiece "The Last Supper," a priceless artistic treasure that draws visitors from all over the world.

If you find yourself in Milan, make sure to spare some time to explore these churches which are more than just places of worship but the living museums narrating the city's captivating story. A unique chance to appreciate the sacred artistry of this vibrant city.

Image Courtesy of Steffen Schmitz.

How it works: Download the app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store to your mobile phone or tablet. The app turns your mobile device into a personal tour guide and its built-in GPS navigation functions guide you from one tour stop to next. The app works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

Create Your Own Self-Guided Walks in Milan

Map Instructions: (1) Click the "Nearby Sights" button to view the nearby attractions; (2) click a map pin to see sight information.

Guide Name: Historical Churches Walking Tour
Guide Location: Italy » Milan (See other walking tours in Milan)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles

Sights Featured in This Walk

1) Duomo di Milano (Milan Cathedral) (must see)

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Jiuguang Wang.

2) Chiesa di Santa Maria presso San Satiro (Church of St. Mary near St. Satyrus)

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and G.dallorto.

3) Basilica di San Lorenzo (Basilica of St. Lawrence - oldest church in Milan)

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Blackcat.

4) Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio (Basilica of St. Ambrose)

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Novellón.

5) Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore (Church of St. Maurice) (must see)

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and MarkusMark.

6) Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Grazie (Church of Holy Mary of Grace); "The Last Supper" fresco (must see)

Image Courtesy of Flickr and Davide Oliva.

WalkBuilder (customize this walk)

Use the WalkBuilder tool below to customize this walk to suit your interests. Instructions: click

at the upper right corner in the map above to view other sights in the city. To learn more about a sight, click a map pin. Click the “+” or “–” to add or remove a sight from the walk. To reorder the selected sights, simply drag and move them up or down the list in the left column.

Click here to view route map

Enter a name for your custom walk, along with your email address, in the fields below. You will receive the instructions for retrieving your custom walk in the GPSmyCity app by email. The GPSmyCity app offers turn-by-turn travel directions to guide you from one attraction to the next.
Walk Name*:
Email*:

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I access my walking tour in Milan?
Save your walking tour on the website. Then download the GPSmyCity app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and sign in to your GPSmyCity account. Next, download “Milan Map and Walking Tours” within the app. Your walk will appear on the Walks screen.

2. How do I view other attractions in Milan?
At the upper-right corner of the map above, click the “Nearby Sights” button to show or hide other sights in the city. Click a map pin to view details about a sight. To add a sight to your walk, find it in the right column of the WalkBuilder tool above and click the “+” button next to it.

3. How do I re-arrange the sight order?
In the left column of the WalkBuilder tool, drag a sight to move it up or down the list. Then click “Click here to view route map”. Repeat this process until the route meets your needs.

4. Can I add my hotel to a walking tour?
Yes. You can add your hotel as the starting point, the ending point, or both (creating a loop route). This feature is currently available only in the GPSmyCity app.

5. Can I add my own sights to a walking tour?
Yes. You can add sightss that are not in our database and include them in your walk. To do so, sign in to your GPSmyCity account on the website or use the GPSmyCity app.

6. How many sights can be included in a walking tour?
For technical reasons, the number of sights in a walking tour is currently capped at 20. This limit may be increased over time.

Walking Tours in Milan, Italy

Create Your Own Walk in Milan

Creating your own self-guided walk in Milan is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles

Best Shopping Streets and Malls

In Milan, shopping isn’t a hobby. It’s practically a civic duty. This is a city where fashion holds equal rank with football and family, and possibly outranks both during Fashion Week. Historic arcades, Belle Époque galleries, glossy flagship stores, and long, confident boulevards all fold into one compact retail landscape that is both shiny and surprisingly varied. Couture sits comfortably... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
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