Planning to spend a day in Milan and not sure how to make the most of it? This one day Milan itinerary will show you the most efficient way to see the city, plus some handy travel tips to make this your best city break yet!
Oh, Milan. Located in North Lombardy, Italy’s capital of fashion and business makes for a fantastic city break destination. Milan has beautiful architecture, delicious food, awesome day trip opportunities to places like Lake Como and Bergamo and much more.
And since there are so many cheap flights going into Milan, taking a trip there has never been more tempting. While one day in Milan may not sound like a lot of time, you can easily see the main highlights. Plus, this gives you some more time to explore places near Milan, which are 100% worth your time.
But first, let’s look at my one day Milan itinerary.
In this travel guide:
Yes, you can easily see most of Milan’s highlights in one day as long as you plan it properly. While I really enjoyed visiting the city, I recommend going on a day trip to Lake Como when you’re in Milan (even if you’re only there for a weekend!).
The best way to do this is by taking the train from Milan Central to Varenna. This is one of the most popular towns near Lake Como, and you can also take the ferry to other nearby towns from there.
You can check out the best things to do in Varenna and Bellagio in my separate guides.
Here’s a map of my one day Milan itinerary – you can find more information about each spot below:
Click here for the interactive map
Here is my ideal one day Milan itinerary:
As much as pizza, pasta and gelato are part of Italian’s famous cuisine, so is coffee. Italians love their coffee, and a typical breakfast in Milan consists of a coffee and pastry (called “brioche” or “cornetto”, not to be confused with the French brioche!).
In Italy, it’s also quite unusual to drink a coffee with milk any other time of day, so the morning is the perfect time to get your cappuccino in.
Luckily, there are tons of bakeries and cafes to choose from in Milan. So, you may want to opt out of hotel breakfast and start the day like a local instead.
After a coffee and a light breakfast, head straight towards Piazza del Duomo. Here, you can find Duomo di Milano, the largest Gothic cathedral in the world. No matter how much time you have when visiting Milan, these really should be on your itinerary.
Apart from being one of the main highlights of Milan and a great photo opportunity, the Duomo also has some of the best views in the city. Depending on what ticket you buy, you can use the steps or the lift to get to the Duomo terraces.
While it is possible to buy tickets at Duomo to visit the cathedral and its stunning rooftops, lines get very long. It is, after all, one of Milan’s most famous tourist attractions. To save yourself lots of time (which you really don’t have when you only have one day to see Milan!), it’s best to pre-book skip-the-line tickets in advance.
They don’t cost more than your regular ticket, but it saves you lots of time when you’re in Milan. When booking the rooftop tickets, you can choose between the stairs (the cheaper option) or the lift (slightly more expensive).
Keep in mind that this ticket doesn’t include a guided tour, but you can select an audio tour when booking the ticket.
Book skip-the-line tickets for Duomo
Alternatively, you can book a fully guided tour through Milan, which includes skip-the-line tickets for both Duomo di Milano and Da Vinci’s “The Last Supper”.
Another sight you can visit from Piazza del Duomo is the famous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. The name is quite a mouthful, but this beautifully decorated shopping centre is the oldest mall in the country.
Apart from all the famous brand stores, such as Gucci, Dior and Prada, the gallery has a stunning glass dome as part of its roof in the middle of the gallery. Even though these shops may be out of your budget range (they surely are for me!), it’s still worth walking through the gallery. The architecture and beautiful decorations are a real treat!
If you walk from Piazza del Duomo through Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, you’ll reach a lovely little square called Piazza della Scala – the next stop on our itinerary. On this square, you can find the legendary opera house the square is named after; La Scala. With the red velvet boxes, heavily decorated walls and a beautiful chandelier, this opera house is a true masterpiece.
It is possible to go and see a performance at La Scala, but tickets aren’t always the cheapest. Plus, if you’re on a tight schedule, it may not be the best option to do so.
If you’re not too bothered to see an actual performance in La Scala, but you’d still like to take a peek into the beautiful hall – you can book a tour of La Scala. Once again, it’s best to pre-book tickets to avoid long queues.
Apart from the opera house, Piazza della Scala houses two more important landmarks. Palazzo della Banca Commerciale is one of the country’s oldest banks and Palazza Marino is the city hall.
An easy, time-efficient and budget-friendly way to explore Milan is by booking a free walking tour. There are a few available in Milan but most take around 2 hours and show you all the best bits of the city, along with lots of stories and information you may not be able to find otherwise!
Our next highlight of the day is Castello Sforzesco. And while you can get a metro to the castle from near Piazza della Scala, I recommend walking. The walk will take you through Brera district and will only take around 15 minutes.
This boho-chic part of Milan is filled with cobbled streets, small courtyards, designer boutiques, art galleries and countless restaurants. It’s the perfect spot for a quick lunch before continuing with your day in Milan.
And make sure to have a little stroll around the area after lunch – there are some real hidden gems here!
In the afternoon, it’s time to explore Milan’s castle. It is the former home of Francesco Sforza, the Duke of Milan in the 15th century.
Parts of the castle are free to visit, including the courtyard. The road from the front of the castle walls to Sempione Park is also free and gives you a lovely first impression of the castle – perfect for doing Milan on a budget!
There is a museum in the castle too, but you do have to pay to enter it. You can pre-book tickets and get an audioguide with them.
Whether you decide to visit the castle museum or not, make sure to walk to the end of the castle during your visit to get to Sempione Park. This is the largest park in Milan and is completely free to visit. Especially on sunny days, it’s a great spot to sit down and relax a little.
At the end of the park, you can also find Arco della Pace (Arch of Peace) – a triumphal arch built in the 19th century. As you can see, it has similarities to Paris’ Arc de Triomphe – but either way, it’s a beautiful landmark in Milan that deserves a quick visit.
Milan is known for many things, but Leonardo Da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” has to be one of the top things to do in the city. You can find this beautiful piece of art in The Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie. But, as you can imagine, it tends to get pretty busy.
Pre-booking tickets for “The Last Supper” is essential. You can’t simply show up and buy a ticket at the door, as tickets are usually sold out weeks (if not months) in advance. If you’re set on visiting the mural, book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Alternatively, you can book a fully guided tour through Milan, which includes skip-the-line tickets to both the Duomo and “The Last Supper”.
Milan is quite a large city, and if you’re on a timely schedule, you won’t have time to walk from A to B constantly. Luckily, Milan’s public transport is very easy to use. I recommend using the metro to get around Milan, as the stops are all located near the highlights on this itinerary. Plus, you can use your bank card to pay contactless instead of having to buy individual tickets constantly.
And that concludes Milan itinerary. While I really enjoyed my day in Milan, I do think it’s worth taking a trip to Lake Como when you’re in the city. That’s why I’ve put this itinerary together – it gives you more than enough time to see Milan’s highlights while also being able to take some time to see all the other beautiful places near the city.
Oh, Milan. Located in North Lombardy, Italy’s capital of fashion and business makes for a fantastic city break destination. Milan has beautiful architecture, delicious food, awesome day trip opportunities to places like Lake Como and Bergamo and much more.
And since there are so many cheap flights going into Milan, taking a trip there has never been more tempting. While one day in Milan may not sound like a lot of time, you can easily see the main highlights. Plus, this gives you some more time to explore places near Milan, which are 100% worth your time.
But first, let’s look at my one day Milan itinerary.
In this travel guide:
- Can Milan be Done in a Day?
- One Day in Milan Map
- How to Spend One Day in Milan
- How to Get Around Milan
- One Day in Milan – Conclusion
Can Milan be Done in a Day?
Yes, you can easily see most of Milan’s highlights in one day as long as you plan it properly. While I really enjoyed visiting the city, I recommend going on a day trip to Lake Como when you’re in Milan (even if you’re only there for a weekend!).
The best way to do this is by taking the train from Milan Central to Varenna. This is one of the most popular towns near Lake Como, and you can also take the ferry to other nearby towns from there.
You can check out the best things to do in Varenna and Bellagio in my separate guides.
One Day in Milan Map
Here’s a map of my one day Milan itinerary – you can find more information about each spot below:
Click here for the interactive map
How to Spend One Day in Milan
Here is my ideal one day Milan itinerary:
Have Coffee and Brioche
As much as pizza, pasta and gelato are part of Italian’s famous cuisine, so is coffee. Italians love their coffee, and a typical breakfast in Milan consists of a coffee and pastry (called “brioche” or “cornetto”, not to be confused with the French brioche!).
In Italy, it’s also quite unusual to drink a coffee with milk any other time of day, so the morning is the perfect time to get your cappuccino in.
Luckily, there are tons of bakeries and cafes to choose from in Milan. So, you may want to opt out of hotel breakfast and start the day like a local instead.
Visit Piazza del Duomo & Duomo di Milano
After a coffee and a light breakfast, head straight towards Piazza del Duomo. Here, you can find Duomo di Milano, the largest Gothic cathedral in the world. No matter how much time you have when visiting Milan, these really should be on your itinerary.
Apart from being one of the main highlights of Milan and a great photo opportunity, the Duomo also has some of the best views in the city. Depending on what ticket you buy, you can use the steps or the lift to get to the Duomo terraces.
Booking Tickets for Duomo
While it is possible to buy tickets at Duomo to visit the cathedral and its stunning rooftops, lines get very long. It is, after all, one of Milan’s most famous tourist attractions. To save yourself lots of time (which you really don’t have when you only have one day to see Milan!), it’s best to pre-book skip-the-line tickets in advance.
They don’t cost more than your regular ticket, but it saves you lots of time when you’re in Milan. When booking the rooftop tickets, you can choose between the stairs (the cheaper option) or the lift (slightly more expensive).
Keep in mind that this ticket doesn’t include a guided tour, but you can select an audio tour when booking the ticket.
Book skip-the-line tickets for Duomo
Alternatively, you can book a fully guided tour through Milan, which includes skip-the-line tickets for both Duomo di Milano and Da Vinci’s “The Last Supper”.
(Window) Shop in Galleria Vittorio Emanuele
Another sight you can visit from Piazza del Duomo is the famous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. The name is quite a mouthful, but this beautifully decorated shopping centre is the oldest mall in the country.
Apart from all the famous brand stores, such as Gucci, Dior and Prada, the gallery has a stunning glass dome as part of its roof in the middle of the gallery. Even though these shops may be out of your budget range (they surely are for me!), it’s still worth walking through the gallery. The architecture and beautiful decorations are a real treat!
Visit Piazza della Scala
If you walk from Piazza del Duomo through Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, you’ll reach a lovely little square called Piazza della Scala – the next stop on our itinerary. On this square, you can find the legendary opera house the square is named after; La Scala. With the red velvet boxes, heavily decorated walls and a beautiful chandelier, this opera house is a true masterpiece.
It is possible to go and see a performance at La Scala, but tickets aren’t always the cheapest. Plus, if you’re on a tight schedule, it may not be the best option to do so.
If you’re not too bothered to see an actual performance in La Scala, but you’d still like to take a peek into the beautiful hall – you can book a tour of La Scala. Once again, it’s best to pre-book tickets to avoid long queues.
Apart from the opera house, Piazza della Scala houses two more important landmarks. Palazzo della Banca Commerciale is one of the country’s oldest banks and Palazza Marino is the city hall.
An easy, time-efficient and budget-friendly way to explore Milan is by booking a free walking tour. There are a few available in Milan but most take around 2 hours and show you all the best bits of the city, along with lots of stories and information you may not be able to find otherwise!
Walk Through Brera District
Our next highlight of the day is Castello Sforzesco. And while you can get a metro to the castle from near Piazza della Scala, I recommend walking. The walk will take you through Brera district and will only take around 15 minutes.
This boho-chic part of Milan is filled with cobbled streets, small courtyards, designer boutiques, art galleries and countless restaurants. It’s the perfect spot for a quick lunch before continuing with your day in Milan.
And make sure to have a little stroll around the area after lunch – there are some real hidden gems here!
Explore Castello Sforzesco
In the afternoon, it’s time to explore Milan’s castle. It is the former home of Francesco Sforza, the Duke of Milan in the 15th century.
Parts of the castle are free to visit, including the courtyard. The road from the front of the castle walls to Sempione Park is also free and gives you a lovely first impression of the castle – perfect for doing Milan on a budget!
There is a museum in the castle too, but you do have to pay to enter it. You can pre-book tickets and get an audioguide with them.
Wander Through Sempione Park & Arco della Pace
Whether you decide to visit the castle museum or not, make sure to walk to the end of the castle during your visit to get to Sempione Park. This is the largest park in Milan and is completely free to visit. Especially on sunny days, it’s a great spot to sit down and relax a little.
At the end of the park, you can also find Arco della Pace (Arch of Peace) – a triumphal arch built in the 19th century. As you can see, it has similarities to Paris’ Arc de Triomphe – but either way, it’s a beautiful landmark in Milan that deserves a quick visit.
See Da Vinci’s “The Last Supper”
Milan is known for many things, but Leonardo Da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” has to be one of the top things to do in the city. You can find this beautiful piece of art in The Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie. But, as you can imagine, it tends to get pretty busy.
Pre-booking tickets for “The Last Supper” is essential. You can’t simply show up and buy a ticket at the door, as tickets are usually sold out weeks (if not months) in advance. If you’re set on visiting the mural, book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Alternatively, you can book a fully guided tour through Milan, which includes skip-the-line tickets to both the Duomo and “The Last Supper”.
How to Get Around Milan
Milan is quite a large city, and if you’re on a timely schedule, you won’t have time to walk from A to B constantly. Luckily, Milan’s public transport is very easy to use. I recommend using the metro to get around Milan, as the stops are all located near the highlights on this itinerary. Plus, you can use your bank card to pay contactless instead of having to buy individual tickets constantly.
One Day in Milan – Conclusion
And that concludes Milan itinerary. While I really enjoyed my day in Milan, I do think it’s worth taking a trip to Lake Como when you’re in the city. That’s why I’ve put this itinerary together – it gives you more than enough time to see Milan’s highlights while also being able to take some time to see all the other beautiful places near the city.