Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Inside the shopping center, you’ll find high-end retailers such as Prada, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton, as well as some of the most historic cafés in Milan, including Biffi and Zucca’s Bar. Many tours combine a visit to the arcade with stops at landmarks such as the Milan Duomo, Castello Sforzesco, and Piazza Mercanti, while others include a skip-the-line ticket to view Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper. You can also explore the surrounding area on foot or by bike, Segway, or historic tram.

• If you’re in it for the fashion, book a shopping-centric tour to explore the city’s stylish fashion district.

• You'll find Milanese fare at restaurants and cafés throughout the galleria, as well as gelato shops on nearby Santa Margherita.

• If you're staying in Florence, Rome, or Venice but want to visit Milan, book a full-day or multi-day trip to the city.

• Most Milan city tours last about 3 hours.

• The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is accessible for wheelchair users and those with strollers.

The southern entrance of the galleria is located off Piazza del Duomo, adjacent to the cathedral and its northern entrance off Piazza della Scala. Strolling through the galleria is a great way to get from the La Scala Opera House to Milan’s Duomo. The closest metro stop is for the Duomo, right in front of the galleria.

While most shops inside the galleria are open from morning to evening, the galleria itself is open 24 hours. Check out all the Piazza Duomo attractions, including the galleria, after dark on an evening tour of Milan’s highlights that includes a beautiful view of the illuminated city from atop the Duomo.

While the vast Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II can be overwhelming for first-time visitors, it offers some of the best boutique and designer shopping in the entire city. Don't miss the Biffi Caffè, one of the oldest in Milan; the Borsalino hat shop, a company that's been in operation since 1857; or the Prada and Versace stores—the latter brand was founded in Milan.

The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan was built between 1865 and 1877 by architect Giuseppe Mengoni. The shopping gallery, which features two glass-vaulted arcades, is among the oldest in Italy and was part of an urban modernization project after the Second War of Italian Independence. The Galleria is named after Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of Italy following unification.

Nicknamed il salotto di Milano (Milan’s living room), the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is a major tourist attraction, known for its neoclassical architecture and bull floor mosaic in the center of the gallery. There are major attractions on the arcade’s doorstep, such as the Duomo and the Piazza di Marino.

It really depends. You can stop for an espresso and take a stroll among the shops in about 30 minutes to an hour, but you can easily spend half a day or longer browsing and watching tourists mingle with Milan locals.

No, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is a public shopping gallery and doesn't require an entrance fee. To visit, find one of four public entrances and simply walk in. If you want to visit the Duomo nearby, and you’re not headed for mass, you’ll have to pay for admission.

The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is home to some of the city’s oldest and most famous shops, restaurants, and cafés. Head to the restaurant Biffi, founded in 1867, the upscale Savini Restaurant, and Libreria Bocca, thought to be the oldest bookshop in Italy.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is mostly accessible for those in wheelchairs—all four entrances to the gallery are step free and sidewalk ramps lead from street level to the gallery floors. The closest restrooms for wheelchair users are within the Duomo Museum.