Milan is Italy’s global hub of fashion, design, business and culture — a city where style meets heritage.
In 2024, Milan welcomed approximately 9.07 million overall visitors (domestic + international), including around 2.72 million domestic travellers.
With its high-end shopping districts (like Via Montenapoleone), major trade fairs, and experience economy, Milan continues to solidify its place among Europe’s top destinations.
Key stats: Milan Tourism
- 8.5 million visitors in 2023 — Milan’s tourism has rebounded to well above pre-pandemic levels.
- Visitors staying in the city averaged 4.3 nights (Oct 2023–Sep 2024) with accommodation around €116 per night.
- Premium visitors in summer 2024 spent about €158/day on hotels and an additional €215/day on dining, shopping and culture — showing Milan’s appeal to higher-spending tourists.
- In Lombardy (including Milan), arrivals rose 11% for Jan–Sep 2024, and nearly one in three holiday visitors spent over €120 per day.
- Tourism accounts for around 17% of all spending in Milan city — making it a major part of the local economy.
How Many Tourists Visit Milan Each Year?
In 2024, Milan hosted ~9.07 million visitors.
- This figure includes domestic plus international visitors to the city.
- In 2023, Milan recorded ~8.5 million tourists, up ~34% from 2022 and surpassing pre-pandemic levels by ~14% according to one source.
- For broader context: Italy as a country welcomed 65 million international visitors in 2024, spending over €55 billion.
How Many Tourists Visit Milan Each Day?
With ~9.07 million annual visitors in 2024, Milan receives on average ~24,900 visitors per day.
(9,070,000 ÷ 365 ≈ 24,860)
Of course, the daily number varies widely given business travel, trade fairs, fashion week, and seasonal leisure flows.
How Much Do Visitors Spend in Milan?
While city-specific spend data for 2024 is limited publicly, the region of Lombardy reported strong tourism recovery and Italy overall had a tourism surplus of €21.2 billion in 2024.
Milan’s high-end retail district, recently proclaimed the world’s most expensive shopping street, also signifies growing high-spend tourism.
Which Countries Visit Milan the Most?
International visitors to Milan come primarily from Europe, with key markets including the UK, Germany, France, and then long-haul markets such as the U.S., China and Japan.
| Country | Estimated Share / Notes |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | ~16% of EU visitors to Milan (historical) |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | ~9% historically |
| 🇫🇷 France | ~6% historically |
| 🇺🇸 United States | Substantial business & leisure segment |
| 🇨🇳 China & 🇯🇵 Japan | Growing leisure markets in Milan |
What Are the Most Visited Attractions in Milan?
Milan combines historic landmarks, design & fashion districts, and major events.
| Attraction | Annual Visitors (est.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Milan Cathedral (Duomo) & Piazza del Duomo | Many millions | Iconic landmark |
| Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II | High footfall | Luxury shopping arcade |
| Castello Sforzesco | ~1-2M* | Historic castle & museums |
| Teatro alla Scala | Broad visitor numbers | Opera & luxury experience |
| Fashion District (“Quadrilatero della Moda”) | High spend | Premier luxury retail |
| Navigli District | ~1M | Evening & lifestyle destination |
When Is the Best Time to Visit Milan?
| Season | Tourism Trend | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | High | Fashion Week (Mar/Sep), design week events |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Moderate-High | Good weather, city breaks |
| Autumn (Sep–Nov) | Very High | Trade fairs (IFM, furniture), design week, event traffic |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Moderate | Christmas markets, business travel |
What Are the Biggest Events Attracting Tourists to Milan?
Major events in Milan help drive visitation throughout the year.
| Event | Approx. Visitors | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Milan Fashion Week (Feb & Sep) | Tens of thousands + global interest | One of the “Big Four” |
| Salone del Mobile (Design Week) | Hundreds of thousands city-wide | Global design fair |
| Trade fairs at Fiera Milano | Millions of exhibitors & visitors over year | Business tourism major driver |
How Much Does Milan Rely on Tourism?
Tourism plays a critical role for Milan’s economy, especially for luxury retail, business travel and events.
- Milan’s metropolitan area economy: ~€228 billion GDP (2024 estimate)
- Lombardy region and Milan benefit heavily from foreign visitors, luxury shopping, business tourism, and trade fairs.
Which Neighbourhoods in Milan Are Most Popular With Tourists?
- Duomo & Brera / shopping district – Heart of the city, luxury shopping, art & food.
- Navigli & Porta Ticinese – Canals, nightlife, young crowd.
- Porta Nuova / Garibaldi – Modern business district, high-rise skyline.
- Sempione / CityLife – Stylish, newer developments, family friendly.
- Isola / Corso Como – Trendy neighbourhood, food & design scene.
FAQ – Milan Tourism Insights
How many tourists visit Milan yearly?
About 9.07 million visitors in 2024.
Which countries send the most visitors?
UK, Germany, France, USA, China among key markets.
What is Milan best known for?
Fashion, design, business, shopping, cultural heritage.
When is the best time to visit Milan?
Spring and autumn (March-May & September-November) are especially good.
How expensive is Milan?
Relatively high cost city for meals, accommodation and shopping, especially in luxury segments.
What are the top attractions?
The Duomo, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Castello Sforzesco, major trade fairs and fashion/design weeks.
Sources
- RoadGenius — Milan Tourism Statistics – How Many Tourists Visit? (2024)
- Area C Milano — Milan’s Tourist Stats – Visitors, Demographics, Trends & More (2023)
- GoWithGuide — Italy Travel Trends & Statistics 2024-2025
- Wikipedia – Tourism in Italy & Milan — Tourism in Milan (overview)
- Reuters — Tourist numbers in Italy hit record in 2023, foreigners majority
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