With its vast cultural and artistic heritage, world-famous fashion scene and bustling nightlife, Milan is one of the most popular Italian cities among foreign visitors. It’s also home to as many as 288,000 foreign nationals.

But weather in the northern metropolis isn’t always as favourable as in other cities across the boot, especially in spring, which is the rainiest time of the year sotto la Madonnina. 

So, whether you’re a resident or are just visiting, here are seven things to do in Milan in the event of inclement weather. 

Lose yourself inside a local museum

Milan has no shortage of fascinating museums and visiting one might just be the best antidote to a rainy afternoon. 

From the Pinacoteca di Brera to the Museo del Novecento to the Prada Foundation, the city is home to some of the greatest collections of both Italian and foreign art in the world. 

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But don’t worry if art isn’t exactly your cup of tea as the northern capital offers plenty of alternatives. 

The Natural History Museum, the Archaeological Museum, the National Museum of Science and Technology, and the Alfa Romeo Museum are all top-notch options that won’t make you regret spending some time indoors.

Museum tickets in Milan are fairly affordable, with prices generally hovering between five and 15 euros. And access to some local museums is sometimes free of charge due to regional or national initiatives. 

For instance, access to the Pinacoteca di Brera is free on every first Sunday of the month as part of the national Domenica al Museo (Museum Sundays) scheme.

Eat at Mercato Centrale

Milan’s Mercato Centrale (Central Market) is somewhat of a heaven on earth for food lovers. 

It features 32 shops spread over two floors offering everything from classic Italian dishes to foreign cuisine staples to fusion creations. 

READ ALSO: What are the best Milan neighbourhoods for international residents?

No matter what type of food you choose, the overall experience will be a quick fix to your bad weather blues. 

We recommend Bambi’s panino al lampredotto (tripe sandwich), Agie’s ravioli and Sessa’s sfogliatella (shell-shaped pastry with ricotta filling).

Relax inside a caffè letterario

Reading a book while sipping on a hot beverage is an experience that has very few equals, especially so when raindrops are gently pattering against the windows.

Very conveniently, Milan has plenty of literary cafes that will allow you to do just that in the event of unfavourable weather conditions. 

Gogol & Company, Verso, Lapsus Caffè and LibrOsteria are all household names, but there are dozens of lesser-known cafès scattered across the city that are just waiting to be explored. 

Shop at a concept store 

Concept stores – shops that sell carefully curated selections of items connected by a common theme – abound in Milan and, if you’re a fan of shopping, they’re definitely worth a visit.

10 Corso Como, The Cloister and L’Arabesque are the most popular stores in town and their collections, which masterfully combine fashion, design, culture and art, are all guaranteed to give you a unique shopping experience.

READ ALSO: Moving to Italy: How much does it really cost to live in Milan?

Once again though, there are many hidden gems sprinkled across Milan’s urban area and you’re strongly advised to do some research to find the stores that may be best suited to your preferences.

Catch a movie

Milan is the most international city in Italy, with foreign nationals making up nearly 19 percent of residents.

That’s part of the reason why watching English-language movies in the northern city is a much easier task than it is anywhere else in the country. 

A number of local cinemas regularly show films in their original language. You can find out how to best spot non-dubbed screenings HERE. 

Milan is also home to several prestigious film festivals every year and films are generally shown in their original language during such events.  

Play padel

If you’re a fitness enthusiast and you’re looking to work up a sweat while the rain pours outside, playing some padel might just be the right fit for you. 

Padel is a racket sport which is in many ways similar to tennis, with the main difference being that a padel court is enclosed by walls and balls can be played off them. 

Though you might not think much of it based on the above description, padel is a lot of fun and it doesn’t require exceptional technical skills, which makes it largely accessible to beginners.

Milan is by and large northern Italy’s padel capital, with an ever-growing number of residents playing the sport at an amateur level (weekend padel matches are somewhat of a solidified tradition in the city). 

The best way to book a court is through the Playtomic app.

Wind down at a local spa

Milan residents have a reputation for being a bit short-fused, which might be the reason why the city has so much to offer when it comes to spas and wellness centres. 

From hotel facilities like the Armani spa or the Shiseido spa to day spas such as QC Termemilano near Porta Romana, you’ll find no shortage of venues giving you a chance to get away from the stress of daily life. 

READ ALSO: Five things you’ll only know if you live in Milan

Turkish steam baths are also popular in Milan, and many people say the city has the best in the country. You’ll just have to test out that claim for yourself.

Do you have any tips for enjoying Milan on a rainy day? Please share your recommendations with us in the comments section below.