Believe it or not, there are dozens of beautiful destinations in Milan that differ from its fashion history and architectural wonders, such as the Wall of Dolls, the house of the ear, the Italian autobahn, Monte Stella and Milan Chinatown. There is a lot more to the list. Continue reading the article to find out all about the offbeat places in Milan that shouldn’t be overlooked on your solo travel.

1. Wall of Dolls

I like to start with the Wall of Dolls. An unusually satisfying location yet an offbeat place in Milan that deserves the visit of a solo female traveller. I wonder how tourists get past this place. It is located in Duomo square, which is always crowded with tourists. A few steps from Duomo square, you will see the famous park, Basilicas. On taking a left from the park is the ‘Wall of Dolls.’ A wall that is full of hanging dolls and names of women. What’s sinister about the Wall of Dolls is each doll signifies a woman who lost their life to feminicide crime. Overall, this place makes a strong point about feminism.

2. House of the ear

Have you ever gossiped before? If so, you have probably heard the phrase, “Be careful what you say; the walls hear everything.” What if I tell you there is a place with an ear on the Wall? Ca’ de l’Oreggia, also known as the house of the ear, is the place I was talking about. At the entrance of this house, you will find a big ear installed on it, more like a portal to whisper secrets to the inside of the house. But it is a bronze intercom.

3. Middle finger statue

Another interesting offbeat place in Milan is the middle finger statue. Although the statue appears as a hand showing the middle finger, the statue is named L.O.V.E. L.O.V.E stands for Freedom, Hate, Vengeance, and Eternity. But the true meaning of this statue is unknown, but many people believe it might be a fascist salute. Whatever it is, the statue is a fresh piece of art for tourists. That said, it is easy to reach this place in Cordusio with any local transport in Milan. 

4. Park Sempione

The next offbeat destination is Parco Sempione. An evergreen park to take a quick nap. Apart from that, you have rock statues, fountains, and an aquarium to entertain yourself in the park. Reaching Parco Sempione is easy as it is close to the Sforzesco Castle.

5. Rinascente Supermarket

Milan, the fashion capital of Italy, is home to luxury fashion companies. When travelling to Milan on a budget, you could not afford to enter shops like Gucci, Prada, and Versace. But if you want to browse high-end apparel in Milan guiltlessly, you must head to Rinascente Supermarket. This place makes high-end products accessible to commoners—a worthy place to browse luxury designs and, if possible, you can steal some for a discount.

6. Brera district

Brera district is a hidden gem of Milan and an offbeat destination for solo travel. It is an ancient city that still maintains its ancient artistic outlook. From the vibrantly coloured house to cobblestone walls and narrow alleys, everything about Brera is beautiful and deserves your visit. It is an ideal location to take aesthetic photographs in Milan. Not to leave out, Brera is famous for its enchanting boutiques. 

7. Antique shops in Navigli

Navigli district is a mini Venice in Milan with its canals and backwaters. Exceeding this visual beauty is the flea markets halted along the canals. You should take a tour along the canals. It is the best and cheapest place to shop and buy souvenirs in Milan. More special are its antique shops, which are only open on the last Sunday of every month. From furniture to jewellery, you can find the best vintage items at the antique flea market.

8. Milan Chinatown

Milan Chinatown is the next offbeat place that might deserve a place on your solo travel to Milan. Going back to history, the Chinese community in Milan originally came to work in the textile and leather factories. So, if you go to this neighbourhood, you should buy some leather items. Bags, belts, and footwear are priced considerably lower here than in most other places. But most notably, you can eat incredibly well in Chinatown. Everything is super here, from Italian specialities like gelato and pastries to Chinese favourites like dumplings and crepes.

9. Grand Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping mall

Grand Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is an offbeat destination in Milan. Although a less popular place, its location is so close to the Duomo, making it easy to get to Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. The sophisticated dome, glass windows, and iron architecture make this place more than a shopping complex. It also features some of the best cafes in Milan. If not shopping, having a cup of espresso is a must in Grand Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.

10. QC Termemilano

Adding to our list is QC Termemilano thermal spa in Milan. QC Termemilano spa is storm themed, which may look mildly scary. It is also the world’s first bio-sauna in the world. There are indoor spa amenities like hot and cold pools, jacuzzis, saunas, and even an indoor waterfall. However, a noticeable feature is that groundwater is heated to a comfortable 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit all year round. 

11. San Siro stadium

I have already told you that going to San Siro Stadium is one of the non-touristy things to do in Milan. Now you can add this to the offbeat places as well. With a capacity of more than 80,000 roaring spectators and fans, it is one of the largest stadiums in Italy and all of Europe. It is also the main venue for concerts and international events. Hence, be it a concert or a football match, enroll yourself for a lively time at the San Siro Stadium on your solo travel to Milan.

12. Leonardo da Vinci National Museum

One of Milan’s great science museums and a must-see place is the Leonardo Da Vinci Museum. The exhibition exhibits every field, like space, agriculture, waste, transport, Leonardo Da Vinci, steel, etc. It takes three hours to explore the museum thoroughly.

13. Monte Stella

The next offbeat destination is a small mountain called Monte Stella. To Milanese, Monte Stella is also known as “Montagnetta,” another name for the place. It is an artificial mountain formed from the ruins of the second world war. That way, it is a historical location as well.

14. Bagnera street, a sinister local spot to explore in Milan

Bagnera street in Milan is a normal street with a dark history to digest. Newspaper clippings say that a man named Antonio Boggio killed people and buried them here. Since then, the street has gained popularity for its gloomy, sinister appearance. You can visit this street if you like to add more adventurous stories to your Milan trip.

15. Italian autobahn

Finally, I would like to tell you about my favourite offbeat place, which is quite indescribable. It is the highway that takes you to the Swiss Alps. Yes, the Swiss Alps! You can imagine how a drive to the Swiss Alps will go, right? Fulfilling your imagination is certainly thrilling with mesmerising views. So, thanks to this highway route which is known as the “Italian autobahn.” I hope this place is your favourite too.

For more details on Milan, check out my blog post, “My Ultimate Solo Female Travel Guide to Milan.” Have a great time discovering the offbeat places of Milan.