Milan came as a surprise to us. We had certain preconceived but misguided notions – several, in fact – about Italian cities that Milan dispelled. Milan is a modern metropolis, creating a feel very unlike other renowned Italian cities like Rome, Florence, and Venice, which are full of charming narrow lanes and historic buildings.
That is not to say that Milan does not have those things, though. It does have them in parts of the city. But the overriding feeling we got walking around Milan is that it seemed closer to a city like Paris, Berlin, or New York City than it did to Rome or Florence.
And, truly, that’s one of our favorite parts about Italy. The fact that each region has developed such a strong identity from thousands of years ago gives each of Italy’s major cities a very distinctive feel (to use a less academic term), and Milan is no exception.
It’s modern, while Rome is ancient. It’s huge, while Venice is tiny. It has more locals (or people who live there, at least) than tourists, while Florence is Disneyland.
Oh yeah, that reminds me – you will likely feel either like an untidy person, or like you’re very seasoned at times in Milan. The presence of the fashion industry means that there’s a large number of stylish folks walking around, and sometimes the “stylish” will have you saying “is THAT how the youth are dressing these days?”
We’ve now been to Milan multiple times, and I (Matt here!) got to spend nearly a week in Milan exploring solo after sending my mom and brother back home on my last trip to Italy.
By that point, I had already explored most of Milan’s major attractions – such as the Duomo, Parco Sempione, and canals – and that trip allowed me to delve deeper to understand what makes Milan unique and, more significantly, which sights, activities, and foods are worth experiencing.
This guide will outline everything we believe is important to know to make the most of a one day trip to Milan (whether as an overnight stay or day excursion from elsewhere).
We’ll start with some logistical details, like getting around (hint: you’re going to want to use public transportation), and then move on to a thorough guide to spending one day in Milan that you can essentially mimic for your own trip (we support that kind of imitation!).
Our objective here is to ensure that by the conclusion of this guide, you have gathered all necessary information to strategically plan an exceptional day in Milan.
Sound good to you? Let’s get into it.
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post, like hotel links, are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we make a little bit of money if you click through and book. That being said, we would never recommend something to you that we don’t stand behind 100%.
Table of Contents
What Can You See with One Day in Milan?
To be completely transparent, we believe the ideal duration to spend solely in Milan itself – not counting day trips or anything else outside city boundaries – is likely two days (which is why we’ve also written a two day Milan itinerary).
Clearly, there is more to do and see in Milan if you have more than one day, particularly when you include day trips to places like Lake Como on your list.
However, we do believe you can see the highlights in Milan in just a day. Mainly because we’ve essentially done it ourselves. It’s going to be packed, but it’s possible.
Would more time be better so that you have a more relaxed pace? Yes, certainly. We usually recommend focusing on no more than one major attraction in a day (like, for example, appreciating both the Duomo and Last Supper).
But, at the end of the day, if you’re reading this guide then you are likely visiting Milan with one day to spend in the city.
And if you only have one day available, we’re here to help you make the most of it. Which means fitting visits to both of those places into a single day while still leaving room to explore a little more.
With a day in Milan, we’d suggest focusing your time on three primary attractions; Da Vinci`s The Last Supper, the Duomo di Milano (specifically, the terraces), and the expansive Parco Sempione. Of course you`ll see more, but using these as anchors, here is an itinerary we propose below.
Getting Around Milan
Milan is Italy’s second biggest city following Rome, and there’s a reason we’re bringing that up initially in the “getting around” section.
It denotes that you will need to cover a significant amount of ground to experience its highlights in a single day`s time.
Unlike numerous Italian cities, which are highly walkable, Milan’s center feels a bit more expansive and spread out.
It’s also less charming and more contemporary, which implies it doesn’t feel nearly as romantic as places like Florence, Rome, or Venice, where we’re more than satisfied exploring for hours without becoming bored.
Beaumaris is on the beautiful Isle of Anglesey (Ynys Môn), which has 125 miles of coastline and stunning views. Anglesey was once voted as one of the happiest places located in Wales!
The bottom line is that with such a brief time in Milan, you’re going to want to leverage the city’s robust public transportation network to move from place to place to reduce travel time.
Using Public Transportation in Milan
Firstly, while Milan is quite walkable given unlimited time, we highly recommend using the metro, tram and bus network to get around if you only have a day in Milan.
They’re clean, efficient, and connect most of the city center (sometimes with a transfer, but only sometimes).
For context, on our initial trip to Milan when we only had a day before moving forward, we utilized public transportation 12 different times in 24 hours. We still walked quite a lot – 27,000 steps, to be nearly precise – but we would`ve walked double or triple that had we been doing everything on foot.
Your next question will likely be something along the lines of “Twelve excursions? That must have been quite costly!”
If we had paid the two Euro fee per ticket per individual for each journey (only valid for a single metro ride, too, so limited transfer potential), you would be correct. It would have cost us nearly fifty Euros between the two of us!
We were fortunate enough to discover the 24 Hour Pass, which covers all forms of public transit in central Milan (which is all you`ll really need, except perhaps the trip to the airport if necessary – more on that soon).
That pass, essential for exploring Milan which we highly recommend, is only €7.60 per person. A steal given our extensive use of public transit.
When I returned to Milan with my family, who only had 24 hours to see the city (though I had slightly longer), our first stop in the city was the ticket machines at the metro station under Milano Centrale to purchase a 24 hour transit pass.
Here`s more on the public transportation system in Milan, which you should check out for the most current information.
Getting From the Train Station to the City Center
Milano Centrale is the primary train station in Milan, and is the one you should aim for if Milan is part of a broader trip to Italy by train.
It’s also where you’ll likely end up if you fly into Milan because it’s easy to reach from either of Milan’s main airports, MXP and LIN (which, notably, are the only two airports you should consider flying into if you’re arriving in Milan by plane).
Milano Centrale sits at the northern edge of the city center, and has plenty of bus, tram, and metro connections to the rest of the urban area.
All you’ll need to do is read the section on Milan’s public transportation above, plug in your accommodations to Google Maps, and off you go!
The same applies for Milan`s other train stations, though the connections are fewer and they take more time, which is why we`d aim for Milano Centrale (by the way, it is possibly the most beautiful train station we have set foot in).
Getting from Milan’s Airports to the City Center
Milan is served by two major airports: Malpensa International Airport (MXP) and Linate Airport (LIN).
Under no circumstances should you EVER fly into any other suggested airports (like the one in Bergamo), which are really quite distant from Milan. Especially if you have a day in Milan.
From Malpensa Airport
We flew into Malpensa (MXP) and took the straightforward train connection – the Malpensa Express – from the airport directly to Milan Centrale.
We were able to travel on foot from the train station to our lodgings, otherwise we would`ve taken public transportation like the bus, tram or subway from there.
It`s an easy 45-50 minute journey that costs 13 Euros for adults and 6.50 for children ages 4-13, while children 3 and under may travel free of charge.
Trains come every 15-30 minutes for most of the day.
You have to buy tickets before boarding either at the machines near the entrance to the platform (they DID NOT take my American credit card, so have cash handy in exact change just in case), or at the ticket counter, which did accept my credit card but I imagine has long lines at peak travel times.
From Linate Airport
🥾 Moderate | 4.2 miles | Google Maps | Park Website | 50-minute drive from Denver | Cost: free
There are two express buses that will transport you from the airport to Milan Centrale, where you can then continue on to your lodgings.
Here are all the attractions you may want to consider adding to your Animal Kingdom itinerary!
One Day in Milan: A Complete Guide to Seeing the Best of Milan in 24 Hours
Here is precisely how we would invest a day in Milan if we could redo it again.
The following guide covers the four finest things to do in Milan (in our view) if you have limited time, combining them into a completely manageable itinerary without rushing from place to place with no real time to enjoy it.
We also recognize that occasionally your day in Milan actually falls over two days – the afternoon and evening of the first, and the morning of the second – due to train and flight schedules.
One day in Milan won`t allow seeing everything the city has to offer. Consider this as our take on, knowing what we know now, how to spend a single day exploring Milan for first-time visitors.
Keep in mind that if your day in Milan is divided so you have an afternoon on the first day and a morning on the second, as was the case for us, then follow the afternoon activities (Last Supper and the canals) on the first day, and tackle the Duomo and Castelo the next morning (you’ll need to leave your bags at your hotel, if possible, or be ready to head back for check out).
But First, Coffee
Look, you and I both realize that with the busy day ahead requiring energy (particularly if you’re arriving from North America and jet lagged), at least one dose of caffeine will likely be needed.
Luckily for you, Matt has a passion for coffee (some, like Alysha, less politely describe him as a “snob”), and he invested significant time on his last trip finding the best artisanal coffee in Milan.
Here are three places he highly recommends, in no particular sequence.
- Nowhere Coffee: This coffee shop is probably my top recommendation in Milan (closely followed by Orsonero), as it offers a very Instagrammable atmosphere with bright colors everywhere. But more importantly, the coffee is excellent. I enjoyed an espresso shot there that was so good I brought some beans home with me to the USA – that`s how impressed I was. They roast their own beans with a light roast, distinguishing their taste from most Italian coffee roasters.
- The Orsonero doesn`t roast their own beans but brings in beans from some of Europe`s most prestigious roasters like the legendary Italian roaster Gardelli. It sits opposite a park and while the inside space of the cafe is small (and likely crowded), it spills onto the outdoor patio. The staff are very friendly and I managed to order 75% of my items in Italian before encountering difficulties – I wanted to purchase some beans but couldn`t recall how to say “bag” in the language. Thankfully, the barista was Canadian and not only helped me buy the coffee but also taught me to say “bag of coffee”, despite the long line behind me.
- Loste Café: A contemporary take on the customary Italian bistro and bar, with superb artisanal java, delicious in-house pastries, and a magnificent local wine choice each eve. Walking in here seems like you could be in Copenhagen or Amsterdam (and they have employed April Coffee, which originates from Copenhagen). They have an amusing pastry selection, too! It’s on the eastern border of the city center, so it’s likely the least convenient of the three here.
The Mighty Milan Duomo (and Piazza del Duomo)
The whole area around Piazza del Duomo is best explored in the morning, before the hordes of tourists arrive.
Savvy tourists book the earliest entry to the terraces to beat the crowds and get the best light for pictures, which is what we did, and exactly what we suggest you do.
The Milan Cathedral is the biggest religious building in Italy (and the third biggest on the planet!)
That fact confused us at first, until we realized that the Vatican is technically a sovereign state, which means that St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome isn’t really in Italy.
Construction of Milan’s Duomo commenced in the 14th century and concluded in the 20th century, spanning approximately six centuries.
Construction began in the 1300s on the site of a smaller cathedral that burned down in the 11th century. Multiple interruptions from changes in political control or occupation of the city resulted in periodic halts to the building process.
Interestingly enough, Napoleon (yes, that Napoleon) actually played a fairly significant role in efforts to complete it in the 19th Century.
He was given the title of king of Italy and remained on the throne for about a decade. His coronation actually occurred at the Duomo. I enjoyed reading this, if you’re seeking a good summary of Napoleon’s involvement in Italy.
Instead of going to the beach, though, visitors are really here for the cuisine, marketplace, and Catalan History Museum, which provides an eye-opening experience for those who haven`t learned much about Catalonia.
As you can imagine, the fashionable style changed many, many times over the course of those six centuries, so it’s not all that surprising that it’s difficult to place it in one specific era.
Understanding the Different Aspects of the Duomo di Milano
There are four different sections of the Duomo that you can visit, and we definitely don’t think all of them are a “must see” while you’re exploring Milan.
The Terraces
First, and not to be missed, are the terraces, which you can access either by climbing a long, narrow staircase (it’s not too strenuous – this is how we did it) or by paying a little extra to take the elevator.
The terraces are advantageous because they allow you to get up close and have a personal experience with all of the architectural details of the cathedral that you can barely see from Piazza del Duomo below.
For instance, were you aware that each of the cathedral’s spires has distinctive figures standing atop?
Some are clothed while others are enjoying the cool breeze on their lower bodies!
There were also many creatures serving in the role of gargoyles on the exterior of the cathedral.
Some depict fanciful hybrid creatures that must have required notable imagination (or perhaps wild mushrooms in the woods, which is realistically more probable).
The key aspect is that the terraces should be your primary focus.
We think the cathedral`s interior design, while beautiful, holds standard ornamentation found in other Italian churches viewed. However, the most distinctive aspect remains the exterior, with its unique patterns of red, white and green marble. While both interior and exterior attract, the latter stands as singularly distinguished.
Similar to many of the other travel affection quotations for couples, this one centers on the parallels between love and adventure. One reason why love and travel pair so well together is that they both involve risk-taking.
Additionally, visiting these religious structures regularly provokes thoughts about how many individuals may have been sustained for life by the magnitude of riches preserved in this single enormous building (the answer is a sizable number of people).
The Interior of the Church
Like we said, the interior of the Milan Cathedral is really not too different from most of the other main churches found in large Italian cities.
It`s quite large, highly impressive, and aesthetically pleasing, but we could experience it briefly or not at all.
The stained glass windows are cool, and the vastness of the cathedral is somewhat unique, but if you’re feeling short on time, we’d skip it.
Or, spend around ten minutes walking around, appreciating the grandeur, and then continue exploring.
The Archaeological Site and Museum
We recommend exploring the archaeological site – where you can see the footprint of the original cathedral – if you opt to spend time inside the cathedral structure.
We’d also say skip the museum altogether, which is located in a separate building and is only worth your time if you have a few days in Milan (and we’re not sure it is, even then).
Tips for Visiting the Duomo di Milano
There are a few things you’ll need to be aware of before you visit.
- First, and arguably most important, is that you will not receive entrance if your shoulders and knees are uncovered.Therefore, for your day in Milan, you’ll need to schedule wearing something that conceals both (for instance, pants and a shirt, or a dress and a cardigan to cover your shoulders).
- The second thing to know is that the crowds present in the summer months are quite substantial, and every last tourist wants to visit the Duomo. Fortuitously for you, there’s a fast track route where you can bypass the ticket queue and head directly to the security line, which saves you a considerable amount of time in the end. We procured these tickets for our trip to the terraces (purchase this one instead if you want to visit the interior of the cathedral too).
- Last, but certainly not least, is the fact that the climb to the terraces without the elevator requires ascending a extended, winding staircase that is narrow and somewhat steep. Alysha gets very claustrophobic, and was totally fine, but if that climb doesn’t sound like a good time to you, then you should take the elevator, which costs a bit extra.
- It merits repeating that you should absolutely plan on being among the initial individuals up to the terraces, if possible. We did it, and it was great. Get there 20-30 minutes in advance to be at the front of the line (as of the time of writing, the stairs open at 9:00 am, which signifies you’d want to be there around 8:30 or 8:40 am). Yes, it’s early. Yes, it’s worthwhile.
Visit Piazza del Duomo and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
After exploring the Duomo interior, you’ll exit onto the expansive Piazza del Duomo open area at the foot of Milan’s cathedral.
In the middle of it, there’s a statue representing Italy’s initial king, Vittorio Emanuele II, who guided Italians in battle during the Second Italian War of independence.
The best sights of the Duomo are from the feet of this statue so that you can get the entire thing in frame, but the piazza is likely going to be littered with hundreds (maybe thousands) of people during the day.
Before departing Piazza del Duomo, poke your head into the ornate Galleria Vittorio Emanuele mall, as extravagantly decorated an interior shopping area as you`ll find. Which makes sense considering high-end retailers like Prada, who have two adjacent locations, a rare thing indeed.
It’s a worthwhile thing to do before your climb to the terraces, because it’s packed from around 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, and it’s far less pleasurable and impressive with swarms of people around.
Completing the task should require a brief amount of time, likely around ten minutes or less. An extended stay is unnecessary.
Exiting through the entrance at the far end of the Galleria from the Duomo, you’ll find Teatro alla Scala (it’s a few blocks down), one of the world’s most renowned opera houses. It’s worthwhile walking over to Piazza della Scala (which is directly in front) to admire it from outdoors even if you don’t go inside.
Inside the opera house, there’s a museum and you can see the elegant interior. Here is the information on tickets and pricing. They also have guided tours most days in English at 1:00 pm, which you’ll need to book in advance (and spots are fairly limited).
Castello Sforzesco and Parco Sempione
Your next stop highlights the medieval history of Milan – Castello Sforzesco – which was built in the 14th century by the Duke of Milan before being transformed into a private residence by the Visconti Lords.
They invested a significant amount of monetary resources in decorating it with the highest quality artistic works imaginable – including frescoes by Leonardo da Vinci, of course.
From there, it was held by various external forces over the years initially by the Spanish, followed by the Austrians, and ultimately the French under Napoleon, who envisioned demolishing the castle but was defeated before their plans could be realized.
It was moved to the city of Milan, and has gone through reconstruction over the years, most recently after Allied bombs destroyed much of the castle during World War 2.
If you only have one day in Milan, we’d choose exploring the fortress grounds and reading the surprisingly comprehensive signage over entering the museum.
If you do opt to visit the museums, focus on traversing the ramparts for scenic city views, and the Museum of Ancient Art, housing the Rondanini Pietà, Michelangelo’s last work.
A single ticket provides admission to all museums, which each cost 5 Euros per person.
If you have restricted time, you will just have enough time to truly experience one of the museums, so it is much more beneficial if you have additional time in Milan and can spend some moments visiting a couple of the other museums incorporated into the cost.
Then spend time walking through Parco Sempione, the largest green space in central Milan.
Central Park in New York City comes to mind, and it even has an arch similar to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris at its northern edge called the Arco della Pace.
Which isn’t truly surprising once you learn that it was commissioned by, as you may have guessed, Napoleon (though it was finished after Napoleon left Milan).
Every big city needs a victory arch, apparently!
The park is nice to stroll through – don’t miss the pond in the center with the Ponte delle Sirenette (bridge of the mermaids, roughly).
We visited in autumn when the cool, brisk air and changing leaf colors on the trees provided a pleasant respite from the bustle of Milan.
After the park, break for lunch.
Our suggestions close to the park include Maison Bretonne (French crêpes northwest of the arch, honoring Napoleon), Peck + Ciacco (a specialty grocery and famous gelato shop centrally situated – here on Google Maps), or La Prosciutteria (to the east of the park in Brera – we dined at their Siena location for light fare and were pleased).
Santa Maria delle Grazie and Leonardo Da Vinci’s Last Supper
The Last Supper is simultaneously Milan’s most renowned attraction and the attraction that is most complex and challenging to get tickets for. It’s tucked away inside a smaller church – Santa Maria delle Grazie – in the southwestern end of the city center.
Leonardo da Vinci`s renowned painting The Last Supper was crafted in the 15th century (though it has evidently been revised since, as learned on our guided tour) and depicts Jesus and his disciples engaging in, plainly, a final meal.
According to the story, the scene is notable because Jesus informs them that one of their group will betray him (and as expected, Judas does so).
During my recent trip to Milan with my mother and brother, da Vinci`s The Last Supper was THE thing my mother desired to experience in Milan – it had been on her wish list for years.
Since I hadn`t previously seen it on earlier trips to Milan, I purchased tickets for an October Saturday a month in advance, only to discover they were entirely sold out.
To shield the artwork, entrance is REALLY limited.
This is the most intricate part of the Milan itinerary, so be prepared to take detailed notes.
The tickets to view the Last Supper, a masterwork by Leonardo Da Vinci and quite possibly one of the most renowned paintings in the world, are nearly impossible to obtain. Entries are strictly limited, and tour companies get first access to them, leaving few for independent travelers.
For context, tickets come in 15 minute time blocks, and there are about 25 people permitted per time block. Which is not a lot of people when you consider the fact that thousands of tourists come to Milan every day hoping to see it.
On the positive side, we have a few solutions for you, from obtaining tickets independently, to joining a guided tour that incorporates tickets, which was what we ultimately had to do in order to see it with my mom.
For what it`s worth, we did have an enjoyable tour with our favorite tour company in Italy, Walks of Italy – it was this specific tour if you’re interested.
Let’s discuss the Last Supper and how to see it.
Important Note: Like the Duomo, entry to view the Last Supper will be denied if your shoulders and knees are not covered, so make sure to dress suitably for your day in Milan!
Getting Tickets on Your Own
During the peak tourism period in the summer months in Milan, tickets for popular attractions will typically be purchased several months beforehand. It is absolutely necessary to book as far in advance as possible during the busy summer season.
Tickets are available on this site. Yes, it’s the official site. Yes, it looks like it was designed in 2006.
The biggest issue is that there is no set date for ticket sales (e.g. three months in advance). Instead, you’ll have to check back at the website (linked above), which provides a date range for available tickets.
To make things more complicated, I’m sitting here at the end of October, and tickets haven’t been released past October 31st (which is 10 days away).
Tickets for weekends in the off-season continue to sell out, so you’ll need to pay attention even if you’re not visiting Milan in the summer months.
At the time of writing, tickets to view the Last Supper cost 15 Euros per individual, plus a 2 Euro service charge. Reduced price tickets are just 2 Euros (for EU residents between 18 and 25), and tickets for minors are free (you still need a reservation, though).
Here’s what the ticket site looks like.
This is what the booking site should look like, with availability in green for whatever dates you choose
Note that you will have to arrive 15 minutes early at the ticket desk to grab your tickets, even if you booked them in advance. There can be long queues in peak season, so budget some extra time to get there early.
Joining a Guided Tour
If you’re planning your visit to Milan at the last minute, or are just doing the research now on how to see the Last Supper for an upcoming trip, you might be thinking “it seems I won’t be able to see it after all” at this stage.
When I checked ticket availability a month ahead, we found ourselves in a situation where they were entirely sold out.
The good news is that there’s another option for seeing the massive piece of art. The challenging news is that it’s going to be significantly more expensive.
But if you aren’t able to get tickets on your own and seeing Leonardo da Vinci`s Last Supper is a must while you’re in Milan, you really don’t have another choice.
Then the route involves a series of steep zigzags that climb aggressively for about a mile before leveling out into a wide open meadow, where views of Mount Baker start to emerge.
The expert guide will bring context and storytelling to enrich the experience which inevitably leads to a much deeper understanding of the significance than us just standing in front of a painting going “yep, that’s a cool painting, I suppose.”
Fairly often, we find that restaurants with many positive reviews on the apps don’t quite live up to scrutiny once you start asking questions.
There are two potential options under the heading of “guided tour”, involving either joining an excursion focused solely on viewing the renowned Last Supper fresco (such as this one), or signing up for a more comprehensive walking tour of Milan that takes in multiple locales of interest (such as this one).
Personally, we opted for this tour via Walks of Italy (also known as Take Walks outside of Italy), our favored tour organization in Europe (you can read about our Colosseum tour in Rome and our Louvre tour in Paris to grasp why).
This guided visit includes priority entry to The Last Supper AND the interior of the Milan Cathedral, along with some other nearby attractions.
All accompanied by an expert local guide, who will help deepen the experience, and take you to some places that you likely would not have discovered independently (our guide was how we learned about Peck and Ciacco Gelato).
Milan, like Paris and Venice (among various other European cities), has a system of canals ideal for having an afternoon drink nearby.
The Navigli, as they are known in Milan, comprise a system of canals that primarily served for irrigation but quickly became a major shipping route when people recognized it was simple to transport goods into the center of Milan via the interconnected waterways.
The stone used to construct the Duomo, as an example, was transported through the canals.
However, in the 20th century following World War 2, the importance of the canals diminished significantly (and portions were filled and covered) with the rise in efficiency of transportation by roadway.
Today, they’re mainly just a really nice place to sip beverages in the afternoon and early evening (though it is still used for irrigation).
There are numerous places to grab a beverage – we’d recommend either a spritz or a negroni – along the canals.
We’d highly suggest exploring a loop that includes Naviglio Grande, the largest and most intriguing of the canals.
Begin from the Arco di Porta Ticinese, head west around the Darsena di Milano, a small reservoir, cross over the bridge and down one side of the canal, then come back along the other side.
Confused? Here is a map of that walk from this map link.
Our favorite spot in the vicinity was not situated directly along the waterways, but instead a few blocks farther away.
The establishment is called e/n enoteca naturale, where they have a lovely location with an outdoor garden that has views of Basilica di Sant’Eustorgio, which is directly behind the garden. They offer natural wines by the glass, and they even have a rotating cider (we truly enjoy cider!).
For freshly baked Italian pizza, check out popular Berberè Navigli, while Osteria del Gnocco Fritto on Naviglio Grande specializes in delicious deep fried dumplings, served with cold meat, cheese, or homemade jam.
There are also a surprising number of quality Japanese eateries in Milan, like Bentoteca which is relatively near the canals.
For drinks on the canals themselves, there’s a series of bars along the north side of the reservoir that offer good views over the water. There are also plenty of places along either side of Naviglio Grande with eager hosts waiting to provide you a table.
What to Do with More Than a Day in Milan
If you have an extra day or two in Milan, the first thing we’d do is point you to our 2 day Milan itinerary where we’ve developed a more relaxed version of this itinerary, with a few of Milan’s hidden gems that we truly enjoyed (including seeing some of Leonardo Da Vinci’s sketches!).
If you have 3-4 days in Milan, we’d recommend dedicating one to a day trip to another city in Northern Italy.
Our top three day trip recommendations would be Lake Como (which isn’t really a city, I guess), Verona (one of our favorite cities in Italy – read more in our Verona guide), and Turin (we haven’t visited YET, but we’ve heard excellent things).
Another recommended option could be Bologna, our favorite city in Italy (the cuisine is truly EXCEPTIONAL) and conveniently located only one hour away from Milan via high speed train. Here is our guide to spending one day in Bologna, outlining an ideal itinerary for the destination..
Where to Stay in Milan
If you’re fortunate to have sufficient time to spend the night in Milan, , which is not the coolest neighborhood, but is decidedly the most convenient for entering and leaving the city by both train and plane.
P.S. we have an exhaustive guide focusing on establishing where to reside in Milan relying on your unique style and spending plan, which you should peruse if you’re keen on more detail behind that suggestion.
Remaining here will avoid long journeys between the train station and your lodgings to catch your train (either to another city, or to the airport), and it has excellent public transportation connections to the rest of the city.
To put it mildly, we`ve stayed at this location twice before and did not regret either visit.
On our initial travel we stayed at Ostello Bello Grande, a very pleasant hostel a block away from the train station with a lovely rooftop patio and both bunks and non-public rooms (we chose the latter).
On my latest trip, I stayed at Hotel IQ with my mom and brother, and it was also great – comfortable beds, friendly staff, and good value.
