Milan in February may not be the first choice for most travelers, but there’s something quite magical about this time of year in the city. The winter season brings a unique charm to Milan’s historic streets and famous landmarks – snow may be rare these days, but the frost, the mist and the fiery winter sunsets are really special.
Having said that, fashion is the main reason for most people visiting Milan in February. With Milan Fashion Week taking place, the city becomes a vibrant hub of style and creativity. It’s an exciting opportunity to witness the latest trends and perhaps even spot a few celebrities or designers.
If you are into fashion, experiencing Milan Fashion Week once in a lifetime is a true must – and out of the four fashion weeks happening throughout the year, the one in February is probably the most interesting!
Otherwise, fear not as Milan is not just about fashion. Italy’s second-largest city has a lot to offer in terms of history, culture and cuisine, and February is a great time to experience it all.
Weather in Milan During February
February in Milan is a winter month. It is typically cold, with a chance of rain and (rarely) snow. Knowing what to wear can enhance your experience while exploring the city.
Average Temperatures
In February, Milan has an average low of about 1°C (34°F) and an average high of around 9°C (48°F). Cold spells could mean temperatures drop slightly below freezing, so be prepared!
On the other hand, you may also get warm spells, especially around the end of the month. Sunny days when the temperature climbs to about 15/17°C (57/62°F) and spring feels truly around the corner.
What to Wear
Dressing warmly is crucial. Opt for warm coats, scarves, and gloves. Layering is key, as it allows us to adjust to fluctuating indoor and outdoor temperatures.
A comfortable pair of waterproof shoes or stylish boots is also a great idea to keep cozy and dry if you encounter wet conditions.
Accessories like cool woolen hats and thermal undergarments can offer added protection against the chill. For city walks, fashionable yet practical attire ensures you’ll stay comfortable, maximizing the joy of your adventure without any shivers.
Does it Rain in Milan in February?
Similarly to January, February is quite dry in Milan and it doesn’t rain that much. Average rainy days are 4/5 throughout the month, and rain showers can be moderate, so activities might just need a little bit of adjustment.
Indoor attractions provide a warm respite from wandering around in the cold, so have a look at this selection of the best Milan museums for some inspiration. If you have planned to spend a lot of time outdoors, for example on walking tours, a compact umbrella or raincoat is a smart item to keep handy in your daypack.
Does it Snow in Milan in February?
Snow is less frequent, but not impossible in February. There may be light dusting, or, on occasion, a heavier snowfall, but most of the times the snow melts very quickly.
According to climate statistics, snow might fall for around 1 or 2 days during the month, but most years it doesn’s snow at all. When it does happen, consider yourself lucky – the city takes on a magical appearance, especially around landmarks, providing memorable photo opportunities.
Cultural Events and Festivals
February in Milan is a great time to visit if you’re interested in cultural events. From the unique celebrations of Carnevale Ambrosiano to the global spectacle of Milano Fashion Week and the colorful festivities of Chinese New Year, there is something for everyone to enjoy in the city.
Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year (also in Milan opens with vibrant parades and traditional performances, celebrating the Lunar New Year with great enthusiasm. The first day of Chinese New Year in 2025, the year of the Snake, falls on January 29th but celebrations continue for the following two weeks.
The festivities take place mainly in the Chinatown district, drawing large crowds. Via Paolo Sarpi, the main street, is lined with red lanterns and stalls offering traditional Chinese foods and crafts.
Cultural performances, including lion and dragon dances, fill the streets with energy and color. These lively displays symbolize good luck and happiness for the New Year. The main event is a lion and dragon parade stretching from Chinatown to the Arco della Pace on the edge of Parco Sempione – in 2025, it will take place on February 11th.
It’s not just the Chinese community that participates; the celebrations attract people from different backgrounds, creating a multicultural festival atmosphere. For visitors, it’s an interesting event to learn about one of Milan’s oldest immigrant communities, calling the city home for over 100 years.
Milano Moda Donna (Women’s Fashion Week)
Milano Moda Donna (Women’s Fashion Week) is a cornerstone of Milan’s event calendar. The dates for 2025 are February 25th to March 3rd, when the 2026 Fall/Winter collections will be presented.
This event attracts fashion enthusiasts and industry insiders from all over the world, transforming the city into an epicenter of style and glamour. Various venues across Milan host catwalk shows, presentations, and parties. High-profile designers as well as emerging talent present their collections, setting the stage for upcoming fashion trends.
Attending these shows offers insights into the creative processes behind fashion, and it’s an exhilarating experience for anyone interested in style and design. It’s not just about the runway; the city itself buzzes with fashion-themed events and exhibitions. Most events are invitation-only – you can try to talk your way in, or just absorb the atmosphere in the city centre.
However, be mindful that hotel proces rise a lot during Fashion Week, so if you are not into fashion, consider visiting at another time.
Carnevale Ambrosiano
Most years, Carnival is celebrated in February. This festival with Pagan roots happens just before the start of Lent, so exact dates change from year to year. In 2025, Easter will fall quite late, so Carnival takes place between March 4th-8th – but it’s an exception, so we are still adding Carnival to February events.
Every city in Italy has its own Carnival tradition, from the well-known Venetian masked balls to the Battle of the Oranges in the Piedmontese town of Ivrea. In Milan, Carnevale Ambrosiano stands out for its longer duration, ending four days after the traditional Carnival. Instead of ending on Shrove Tuesday, celebrations continue until the following Saturday, with colorful parades, masked balls, and lively street performances.
You’ll witness locals and visitors, especially children, walking around in fancy dress. The most popular events occur in the city center, where floats parade through the streets, and performers entertain the crowds.
Traditional foods, such as chiacchiere and tortelli, can be found at bakeries and pastry shops. These sweet treats add to the joyous atmosphere, making Carnevale Ambrosiano a unique event to experience in February in Milan.
Things to Do in Milan in February
All iconic attractions can be visited in Milan in February, and with the exception of Fashion Week, it’s a quiet month for tourism. If you don’t mind being a little cold, it’s a great time to explore the city!
See the View from the Duomo
The Duomo is Milan’s cathedral, one of the most beautiful churches in the city, and the most iconic landmark. You’re bound to see it as some point during your time in Milan, and we really recommend going inside!
At first, you’ll notice its striking Gothic architecture, intricately decorated with spires and statues. Make sure you also explore the vast interior where stained glass art stories unfold in vibrant colors – but most importantly, get tickets to the rooftop!
There are two ways to access the Duomo terrazze (terraces) – walking up the stairs or by elevator, which is a little more expensive. In both cases you’ll be able to stop half way through to get a close up of the Duomo spires, before continuing all the way to the top for really amazing views over the city, and even the Alps if it’s a clear day.
You can climb to the top of the Duomo all year round, but winter (especially January and February) is the best time to do so for two reasons – there are fewer people, and clear winter days are the best for views!
Visit the Pinacoteca di Brera
February is a cold month, so you might want to include some Milan museums or indoor attractions to your itinerary.
The Pinacoteca di Brera is Milan’s most visited art gallery, located within the art school of the same name., You’ll encounter a remarkable collection of Italian Renaissance art, with celebrated artists like Raphael, Caravaggio, and Tintoretto on display on the walls.
Some of the most paintings include Raphael’s Marriage of the Virgin (aka Sposalizio), the Brera Madonna by Piero della Francesca, and the Lamentation of Christ by Mantegna, with its unusual feet first perspective. Another popular artwork is 19-century painting The Kiss by Hayez, often found on souvenirs all over the city.
The Pinacoteca is located in the vibrant Brera district, where you can find many other sights, as well as (touristy) shops and restaurants. Make sure you also visit the Biblioteca Braidense and the Orto Botanico, even though the latter is probably best visited in April or May!
Sforza Castle
Castello Sforzesco (Sforza Castle), is another great place to escape to on a rainy or cold day – not only is it a stunning historic building, but there are also nine different museums located within its walls, and they can be accessed with a single ticket. Here they are!
- Museo Pietà Rondanini Michelangelo – dedicated to Michelangelo’s famous unfinished sculpture, Pietà Rondanini
- Museo d’Arte Antica – collection of sculpture and decorative arts from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance
- Sala delle Asse – A room covered in frescos by Leonardo da Vinci
- Pinacoteca – paintings by Filippo Lippi, Antonello da Messina, Mantegna and other great masters
- Museo dei Mobili e delle Sculture Lignee – furniture and wood sculptures through the centuries
- Museo degli Strumenti Musicali – dedicated to ancient and rare musical instruments
- Museo delle Arti Decorative – exhibits include jewellery, ivory, bronze, enamel, stained glass and tapestry
- Museo Egizio – the Egyptian collection of Milan’s Archaeology Museum
- Museo Archeologico – Sezione Preistoria – including prehistorical exhibits
The castle grounds are equally interesting and often host various events and exhibitions. If it’s a nice day, don’t miss walking through the beautiful green spaces of Parco Sempione, located right behind the castle.
Get a Ticket for the Last Supper
If it’s your first time in Milan, I’m sure visiting the Last Supper will be on your list of things to do. Getting tickets to see Leonardo’s materpiece is notoriously tricky, since a limited number of people are allowed access, to preserve this priceless work of art.
Since February is low season in terms of tourism, it’s a great time to see the Last Supper – booking in advance is always mandatory, but at least you should be able to get a wider choice of timeslots when booking online. We also recommend booking a guided tour to understand the Last Supper’s fascinating history!
Explore Chinatown
Another wonderful place we recommend visiting in Milan in February is Chinatown. Around Chinese New Year, via Paolo Sarpi and the surrounding streets are all decked up with red lanterns and decorations in theme with the year’s animal – for example, expect snakes in 2025, horses in 2026, and goats in 2027.
Restaurants also offer New Year’s specialties on their menus, and generally speaking it’s a lively place to visit. If you are into street food, Via Paolo Sarpi has lots of options – Ravioleria Sarpi is a solid option, as are X-Moo and Baozi. New places open all the time, so let us know if you find a good one!
Enjoy Carnival Specialties
As we mentioned before, February is carnival month in Italy, and throughout the whole month you’ll find sweet Carnival treats on offer at bakeries and pastry shops all over the city.
We recommend trying chiacchiere, fried pastry rolled thin and cut into strips, and tortelli, fried dough which may be filled with cream, chocolate or zabaione. You’ll find these literally everywhere, but we recommend heading to a good pasticceria like Iginio Massari, Marchesi, or Pasticceria Martesana.
Try Milanese Risotto
Last but not least, can you even say you’ve been to Milan if you haven’t had risotto? You can have risotto all year, usually with the addition of seasonal ingredients, but winter is a great time to have risotto with ossobuco, risotto with salsiccia (sausage) or with the addition of creamy gorgonzola on the top.
Every restaurant will have their own recipe, but you can usually find traditional saffron-scented risotto alla milanese in all restaurants specializing in Milanese cuisine, like Trattoria La Pesa or Trattoria del Nuovo Macello.
Another great option is Ristorante Arlati, but here you’ll find risotto al salto, finished in a pan until crispy on the bottom.
Looking for more month-by-month Italy guides? There you are!