Cheap Fun Things To Do In Milan For Young Couples
We recently went to Milan for 3 nights and had an incredible time in the beautiful city. However, while we enjoyed many glasses of wine and expensive dinners, there are plenty of ways to do Milan on a budget. This is why we are bringing you a guide on cheap things to do in Milan for young couples.
As a young couple ourselves, we know the struggles of being able to afford holidays. With the prices of flights in Europe decreasing, it is tempting to jump on a plane to a new city. But sometimes, it is hard to fund it on the other end, particularly with how weak the pound is! Luckily for us, we got our flights for free! Learn how you can too.
We found loads of affordable and cheap things to do in Milan, especially for couples. The city is much bigger than you think and full of life; there is more than enough for you to explore!
So, follow along to find out the best cheap things to do in Milan for young couples.
If you would like to see things to do for couples in Florence, feel free to check out our previous blog!
What is Milan Like?
Before exploring all of the cheap things to do in Milan for young couples, let’s dive into Milan’s history.
Milan is set in the northern part of Italy and is the capital of Lombardy. Known for its shopping culture and luxury city life, the city is a popular destination all year round for tourists.
Once conquered by the Romans during the Roman Empire, many beautiful churches were built that are still standing today. You can walk around the city and see the history of the city from every corner.
The city is home to lots of famous artists that changed over time. For example, art and culture shifted towards neoclassicism during the renaissance period. This leaves the city full of culture throughout the ages for you to explore.
The city has also been recognised as the world’s fashion capital, alongside London, New York and Paris. The famous Milan fashion week brings thousands of designers, models, celebrities and influencers to the city every year.
One of our favourite parts of Milan, and the whole of Italy, is the food! Home to several Michelin star restaurants and luxurious hotels, there is something for everyone to enjoy in this city. As you might know, we have visited a few Michelin star restaurants in our time, and Milan was no exception.
However, while there is a lot of glitz and glamour that pours out of the city, there are plenty of cheap things to do in Milan for young couples that don’t break the bank!
Duomo Di Milano & Rooftop Views
If you have ever seen a picture of Milan, you have most likely seen an image of the magical Duomo Di Milano. At the heart of the city, the Duomo is hard to miss as it towers over the central square.
If you are looking for cheap things to do in Milan, then take a stroll around the circumference of the Duomo and take in the breathtaking architecture. Or, a great way to see the Duomo and the rest of Milan is to do a walking tour.
A walking tour is an excellent way to see the city! You are bound to wander around the city at some point during your trip, so you might as well join a walking tour. You can learn as you walk.
There is so much to see in Milan; it would be hard to do it all. So why not take on an expert guide while you just relax and take in the view!
Another cheap thing to do in Milan for young couples, especially, is going to the top of the Duomo. That’s right, the top! The views from the top are absolutely breathtaking, and you can take in the city from above.
Standing 70 metres with over 100 spires and statues made out of marble. We recommend going towards the end of the day to see an unmissable sunset over the city. This magical experience is not for young couples to miss, as you can get a cute selfie together at the top!
Brera District
The Brera district is where we actually stayed! We were super surprised with this area as we knew nothing about it before we explored and it ended up being one of our favourite areas.
Filled with loads of little side streets with idyllic traditional Italian buildings and boutique shops, you can spend hours around here window shopping. We never did any shopping when we went to Milan, and there was no harm just wandering around the shops!
You will also find churches, food markets, and high-quality leather shops in this bohemian area. You will notice many leather shops all around Italy, so if you are on the hunt for a good leather jacket, here is the place to buy one!
There are plenty of cheap things to do in this area of Milan, including many cute affordable restaurants. We ate around this area most days as it had a lot of variety and friendly restaurants. You don’t need to spend an arm and leg to have a good time in Milan as a young couple!
Sempione Park
We stumbled upon Sempione Park in Milan one day, and it did not disappoint. If you are looking for cheap things to do in Milan for young couples, then enjoying the park for the day is definitely a must-do!
Go to a local shop and get some food for a picnic, then find a nice spot in the park and enjoy a few hours in the sun. It is the perfect place for people watching spot to enjoy some quality time together.
It is only a 10-minute walk from the Duomo, and you can enjoy some fresh air surrounded by nature. We found lots of little ponds that had turtles, lots of fish and ducks and spent at least half an hour trying to spot as many as we could!
It is right next to the Piazze Castello and Arco Della Pace. So it is the perfect place to stop in between sightseeing.
Things to do in Milan for Young Adults - QC Termemilano
If you haven’t seen our viral TikTok video about this place, then click to watch it! This hidden gem, QC Termemilano, was hands down the best place we visited in Milan.
@acouplethingstodo How cool is this hidden gem 👀 #traveltiktok #travelcouple #acouplethingstodo #traveltok #travelbucketlist #milan #qctermemilano #spa #hiddengem #travel #traveltips ♬ Run Boy Run - Woodkid
Now, we know what you are thinking; this is a blog about cheap things to do in Milan for young couples, and spas are usually expensive? We thought the same before we went, but this spa is super affordable.
We went for Henry’s 25th birthday while we were in Milan and spent 5 hours enjoying the immersive spa experience. It was 42 euros per person for 5 hours of pure bliss. That is a bargain if you ask us!
We paid €29 extra for a wellness lunch which was 100% worth it! You got a whole hour of an all-you-can-eat buffet with hot and cold food, desserts, and pieces of bread and help yourself to any wine of your choice and beer on draft. Safe to say, we spent the whole hour enjoying it!
The spa in itself is fantastic. It has a storm simulator room, 8 saunas, jacuzzi spas, sleep rooms, infrared rooms and a waterfall room. So you really can spend the whole day just relaxing and enjoying the facilities either indoors or out!
It is an unmissable experience, and it is an incredible value for the price. You can, of course, add on massages and treatments if you wish, but we found that we had plenty to do in the time we were there.
It is such a romantic and cheap activity to do in Milan for young couples, one that you definitely don’t expect!
Galleria Vittorio Emanuelle II
Again, we can all be bougie on a budget.
The Galleria Vittorio Emanuelle II is just glorious. This stunning shopping mall in Milan is iconic, with rows of luxurious designer shops, cafes and boutiques. While it might not appear the cheapest activity, there is no harm in looking around.
When looking for cheap things to do in Milan for young couples, the Galleria Vittorio screams Instagram content! First, snap a few pictures of each other together in the middle of the glass ceiling building. Then, make your followers believe that you went shopping in all the designer shops by posing in front of them.
It is a popular spot for many young couples to get a picture, so why not join them!
We actually went to a restaurant here for Henry’s 25th birthday meal called Cracco. Let me tell you, it was certainly not cheap! But if you are looking to push the boat out for a special occasion, then do check out this Michelin star restaurant! As you saw in our Ludlow blog, we love a nice restaurant.
Or visit the cafe downstairs for some beautiful pastries. You don’t need to book the cafe; you can walk right in.
Castello Sforzesco
Sforzesco Castello was only a short walk away from us and perfect when looking for cheap things to do in Milan for couples. This is because it houses many art collections and relics from the city. Therefore you almost get a 2 in 1. A beautiful building to explore as well as an art collection.
You could easily spend all day here as it is huge! Almost too big! It is a great place to learn about Milan’s history and culture. Also, it is great to visit at all times of the year. Either cool down in the summer or keep out the cold in the winter months.
It is right by Sempione park, so again within walking distance between all of the other popular touristy spots.
Vintage Tram
While most native Italians would laugh at us for this as it is their form of public transport, the vintage trams in Milan are so cool!
We loved seeing the vintage trams go past every time we saw one as they were super authentic and relatively old. This in itself is living history!
It also provides an awesome cheap thing to do in Milan for young couples. Why not take a ride on the tram to your next destination. You will get to experience the retro tram while heading to your next activity. It is a win-win situation.
Fun Things to do in Milan for Young Adults - Spirit De Milan
As far as we are aware, Spirit De Milan is a hidden gem! We were recommended this bar/ restaurant by one of Henry’s clients, and it did not disappoint, so we are going to let you into this secret!
Hidden on the outskirts of Milan is what seems like an old abandoned factory. It happens to be an open area with a bar and a traditional Italian eating area. We were super surprised by this place as it is so unsuspecting.
It had a few bars inside and out that served drinks and charcuterie boards. You could also book for food, sit at a long table, and have traditional Italian food. The vibes were immaculate, with a live band and excellent lighting in an insane setting.
What we loved about it was we were the only tourists there. There were a lot of people coming after work and friends joining for drinks. This really immersed me into Italian culture and made us feel like a local.
@acouplethingstodo How cool is this old factory in Milan 😳 #milan #abondondfactory #factory #spiritdemilan #italy #bar #restaurant #fyp #travel #couplethingstodo #traveltok #traveltiktok #traveltips #travelbucketlist ♬ BILLIE EILISH. - Armani White
The prices weren’t that expensive either, and it was perfect for young couples to enjoy an aperitif in Milan.
Sports San Siro Stadium
If you are a football fan like Henry, you must explore the San Siro Stadium. Unfortunately, there were no tickets available for the match when Henry I went, so we went to a football pub instead.
However, if you want to experience first-hand the atmosphere from this iconic stadium, then book up early! Now, we know this is probably not what you expect when searching for cheap things to do in Milan for young couples. However, you can secure some cheap seats or opt for a tour.
It is Italy’s largest stadium and home to Inter Milan and A.C Milan teams. It is easy to access by public transport and a must-see for sports lovers!
Conclusion: Cheap Things To Do In Milan For Young Couples
So, here is our top pick of cheap things to do in Milan for young couples! As you can see, this city has so much to offer and quickly made its way to the top of our list.
Milan has often been criticised for only being suitable for shopping, but we don’t think that is true. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves in the city, and you can do it without spending a fortune!
While we didn't do any cooking classes or things like Bosco Verticale, La Scala, Pinacoteca Di Brera or art galleries, hopefully this has shown you another side of Milan!
Let us know what you think and if you have any suggestions for future content. Also, make sure you check out our TikTok!
