Page last updated: 21 November 2024
Milan, renowned for its fashion, art, and culinary delights, attracts millions of tourists annually.
How many people visit Milan each year?
Over 8.5 million tourists visited Milan in 2023.1
- In 2019, Milan welcomed 7.3 million visitors.
- However, Milan experienced an 82% decline to 1.3 million in 2020.
- Milan began to show signs of recovery in the following years, hosting 2.26 million tourists in 2021 and 6.36 million visitors in 2022.
- Milan welcomed 8.5 million visitors in 2023, an 85% increase compared to 2020 and 14% greater than 2019 figures (pre-pandemic).
How many tourists visited Milan in 2023?
- In 2023, Milan welcomed 8.5 million visitors. This was a 34% increase from the previous year and 14% more visitors than the peak pre-pandemic year of 2019.
How much do tourists spend in Milan?
- In 2019, Milan’s international tourism revenue totaled €8.9 billion. However, this figure declined by 87% during 2020 (€2.19 billion).2
Which country visits Milan the most?
- France had the highest percentage share of visitors to Milan with over 145,000 visits in 2021.
- Germany, with a 5.4% market share, also contributed a notable proportion to Milan’s visitor numbers.
- Tourists from the USA made up about 4.4% of the total international visitors (100,000 visitors).
- In 2021, Switzerland and Liechtenstein had a 4% market share (89,000 visitors).
- Spain represented a moderate share of 3% of the total international visitors, amounting to 69,000.
Where do tourists spend their money in Milan?
- The majority of visitors to Milan spend the most on catering and dining, accounting for 72% of Milan’s tourism revenue. International visitors enjoy culinary experiences in Milan’s renowned restaurants and cafes.3
- Retail and shopping constitute 17% of the total, reflecting Milan’s status as a fashion and shopping capital with luxury boutiques and designer outlets.
- Travel and Transportation make up 6% of tourists’ expenditures supporting mobility during their stay.
- Accommodation: The smallest portion of spending, at 5%, is on accommodations, indicating that while essential, lodging costs are relatively less compared to dining and shopping experiences.
How long do visitors stay in Milan?
- Generally, tourists spend 2 to 3 nights exploring Milan.
- In 2020, the average nightly stay increased to 2.7 nights. However, by 2021, average stays decreased to 2.3 nights.
How popular is Milan as a tourist destination?
- Milan, with over 8.5 million visitors in 2023, ranks as Italy’s second most popular city for tourists.
- Along with Rome and Jesolo, Milan topped the list of the most searched Italian cities on the Jetcost website for 2023.4
- Milan’s prominence will be further highlighted as it, along with Cortina d’Ampezzo, will host the 2026 Winter Olympics, marking the second time in two decades that Italy has welcomed the Winter Games.5
Italy Travel Resources
Milan Tourism Statistics – Impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Milan, like many countries worldwide, witnessed a decline in tourist arrivals in 2020 and 2021.
- In 2020, with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, tourist visits fell to a record low of 1.3 million, an 82% decrease and striking contrast to previous years. International tourist spending also dropped sharply, totalling just over €2.9 billion.
- Around 2.6 million visits by international tourists were recorded in 2021, a 69% drop from 2019. The top source markets in 2021 were France (6.4%), Germany (5.4%), and the USA (4.4%).
Best Attractions to Visit in Milan
Milan is one of the most popular cities in Italy known for its fashion, design, and historic landmarks. Some of the top tourist spots in Milan include:
- Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milano), with 3.5 million visitors in 2023, is Milan’s most popular tourist attraction with its stunning architecture and views from the rooftop terraces.
- Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is one of the world’s oldest and most famous shopping malls with 2 million annual visitors.
- Teatro Alla Scala is one of the most prestigious opera houses in the world with 1 million annual visitors.
- Castello Sforzesco houses several museums and art galleries, including the Museo d’Arte Antica. It attracts over 1 million visitors every year.
- Santa Maria delle Grazie ( 445,000 annual visitors) is a church that is home to Leonardo da Vinci’s mural The Last Supper, one of the most famous artworks in the world.
Italy Travel Statistics Resources
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