Determined to visit Italy’s fashion and design capital but only have one day to spare?
Flying in or out of Milan on your Italy trip?
Are you a style maven on a tight schedule?
Interested in the trendsetting, modern side of Italy?
Here’s my itinerary for one day in Milan, Italy. It’s based on my time living in Milan, countless visits, and my most recent visit with my family.
Almost all the sights are within walking distance. I’ve included a numbered map, but you can easily visit them in the order you prefer.
If you only have 24 hours or less to take in Milan’s exciting mix of old and new, keep reading to discover:
- 1 day Milan itinerary and map
- What to book in advance
- Advice on where and what to eat
- How to get around Milan
- Where to stay
- How to get to Milan
- When to go
Sticking around longer? Read How to Spend Two Days in Milan
First: Milan Basics
Milan is the capital of the Lombardy region in northeastern Italy. It’s home to Italy’s 2nd and 3rd busiest airports: Malpensa (MXP) and Bergamo/Orio al Serio (BGY).
In Italian Milan is called Milano.
The pronunciation of Milano is: mee-LAH-noh
Listen to how to pronounce Milano here:
Itinerary for One Day in Milan
- The Duomo (don’t miss)
- Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II (don’t miss)
- Corso Vittorio Emanuele II (shopping)
- Montenapoleone fashion district (fashion)
- Teatro alla Scala (music)
- Pinacoteca Brera and the Brera Artists’ Quarter (art)
- Sforza Castle (art, architecture and history)
- The Last Supper (art, architecture and history)
If you love fashion but aren’t as excited about art and history, prioritize 3 & 4 (Corso Vittorio Emanuele II and Montenapoleone).
If you love art and don’t really care about shopping or fashion, give yourself plenty of time at 6, 7 & 8 (Pinacoteca Brera, Sforza Castle and The Last Supper) and skip 3 & 4.
Here are some extras if you have time:
- See a soccer game at San Siro stadium
- Got to the Navigli for a taste of Milan nightlife
Italy celebrates holidays that don’t exist in the US, like May 1 and ferragosto. Throughout the year most museums are closed on Mondays. And remember: Milan’s patron saint day is Sant’Ambrogio on December 7.
What to Book in Advance
Much of Milan’s main attractions don’t require advance planning, but a few things do. If they’re essential to you, book these in advance:
- Climbing the Duomo (by stairs or lift)
- Pinacoteca Brera
- The Last Supper: you may need to book months in advance
- San Siro tickets
- Teatro della Scala tickets
Then once you have your tickets, you can plan the rest of your day around them.
1: The Duomo
Milan’s major cathedral is a gothic marvel of white marble and gargoyles.
The Duomo is essential: even if you have less than 1 day in Milan and don’t have time to go in, make sure you see it outside from the huge busy square, or piazza, out front (called the Piazza del Duomo).
If you’re starting your day arriving by train to Milano Centrale station, catch the yellow M3 metro line below the train station. It’s just 4 stops to the Duomo.
The roof of the Duomo is an experience in itself. You can opt either to take the stairs up, or the elevator. (Unfortunately the roof is not wheelchair accessible, and you must climb the stairs back down regardless).
You can no longer just wander into the Duomo: you need a ticket to enter. Same goes for climbing to the roof, or taking the elevator (you must choose the stairs or lift when booking).
BUYING DUOMO TICKETS
Tickets for the Duomo and the roof are for a specific date and entrance time. There are also Fast Track options.
Buy tickets online at the official website or go to the ticket office (Piazza Duomo 14/A): it’s outside the Duomo and across the street on the south side (on the right as you’re facing the Duomo’s facade). The ticket office is open everyday from 9am to 6pm (closed on Christmas).
Bring along a lightweight scarf or long sleeve shirt in summer!
There are many rules for visiting the Duomo, including no bare shoulders or knees allowed. On our most recent visit, guards outside were enforcing this rule and denying entry to scores of people: handily, there was a vending machine with lightweight body coverings in the ticket office.
Chances are you may find yourself in need of a bathroom while at the Duomo. There are public bathrooms outside on the southwest corner (to the right as you face the facade) but be warned entry costs 2 euros (on our recent visit).
2: The Galleria
Another must in Milan is Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, even if you only have time for a quick walk through. Italy’s oldest shopping arcade (built in 1877), it has an elaborate mosaic floor, soaring iron and glass ceilings, frescoes, elegant cafés, and fancy stores like Prada and Gucci.
La Galleria– as the locals call it– is the perfect place to soak in Milan’s trademark sophistication. First you just have to smoosh your way through the throngs of tourists and influencers taking selfies.
The most famous of the Galleria’s floor mosaics is the toro, or bull. Dig your heel into its testicles and spin around three times for good luck, local tradition says. So many people have dug in over the years that there is a groove worn into where the bull’s poor family jewels should be!
EATING AND DRINKING NEAR BY THE DUOMO AND THE GALLERIA
During your day in Milan, chances are that at some point you’ll find yourself in the Duomo area looking for a place to eat, have a drink or get a gelato.
Feeling fancy and don’t mind paying a premium for a meal or coffee? Head to Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. You’ll also find high prices along Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, the shopping street which runs from the Duomo to Piazza San Babila.
Allergic to extravagant pricing? Do like the locals do and have your coffee or gelato standing up. For example, at Vanilla Gelati Italiani, tucked away behind the Duomo on Via Pattari 2, you can order decent gelato at the counter and eat it on the go, which costs less than their table menu.
Luini (Via Santa Radegonda 16) is a Milan institution for panzerotti (which are like fried pizza pockets). It’s cheap and delicious, just be prepared for the long lines. Antica Pizza Fritta da Zia Esterina Sorbillo (Via Agnello 19) serves fried pizza to go.
Tired of paying a fortune for water? Keep an eye out for the water fountain right at the Duomo’s northeast corner by the lift access, where you can fill up your water bottle and drink for free.
Check out What to Eat in Milan (& Where)
3: Il Corso
The street packed with shops that runs northeast from the Duomo to Piazza San Babila is called Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, but locals call it simply Il Corso. This is where to go shopping, people watching, parade around in your finest, and go window shopping.
You’ll find all the major Italian (and many international) chains, smaller shops, cafés and restaurants. Explore the streets leading off the Corso as well.
Corso Vittorio Emanuele is great in wet weather or unrelenting hot sun, because it’s lined with porticoes. The porticoes will keep you dry from the rain, and offer shade from the sun.
4: Monte Napoleone
Milan’s fashion district– Montenapoleone– is a must for fashionistas. Milan’s fanciest neighborhood is also called the Quadrilatero della Moda (Fashion Quadrilateral), or the Quad d’Oro (Golden Quad).
Via Monte Napoleone is the heart of it, but don’t forget to explore Via della Spiga, Via Sant’Andrea, Via Gesù and Via Bigli. You’ll find boutiques of the world’s biggest fashion names like Fendi, Prada, Versace, Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Dior and Louis Vuitton.
If you’re there to actually go shopping, I’m happy for you. Thankfully, if you’re just curious to see what Milan’s haute couture is all about, gazing in the shop windows from the sidewalk is free.
5: Teatro della Scala
Teatro della Scala opera house is Italy’s most famous and esteemed theater, and an essential stop for opera and classical music lovers.
La Scala is located so close to Milan’s other important sights, like the Galleria and the fashion district, that you can walk by on your way from the Galleria to Pinacoteca Brera, for example. It is such an important cultural sight that even if you can’t attend an opera or concert, I recommend walking by and seeing it from the outside.
If you’re interested in learning more about La Scala, you can visit the theater museum or take a tour: inside it’s a sight to behold, with six lush tiers of gold decorations and red velvet. To see an opera, concert or ballet, buy tickets online at the official website.
6: Pinacoteca Brera and the Artists’ Quarter
Walk up Via Brera through Milan’s artists’ quarter: the quaint Brera neighborhood. This trendy area is a pleasure to walk around, with small streets, restaurants, cafés, contemporary art galleries, and independent small shops. It is home to the esteemed Brera Art Academy.
The area’s main draw is the Brera Painting Gallery, Pinacoteca Brera. It houses masterpieces by Rafael, Caravaggio, Piero della Francesca, Francesco Hayez, Tintoretto and Modigliani, among others.
If you only have time to visit one art museum in Milan, this is it. Buy your Brera card and book your visit online at the official site. Keep in mind that it’s closed on Mondays.
Read more about Brera – Milan’s Artists’ Quarter
7: Sforza Castle
Castello Sforzesco is a real castle right in the center of Milan! It dates back to the 1300s and is in Parco Sempione, the city center’s biggest park.
The Sforza Castle houses a surprising number of museums with treasures to discover. For example, there is the Pinacoteca del Castello Sforzesco with works by Mantegna, Titian, Canaletto and Tintoretto; and the Rondanini Pietà Museum with Michelangelo’s last sculpture.
However, if you’re short on time, it’s free to walk the grounds. In my opinion, even just admiring the castle from the outside and seeing the fountain out front is worth the 10-minute walk over.
8: Da Vinci’s The Last Supper
The Last Supper, Leonardo da Vinci’s renowned fresco, is called Il Cenacolo in Italian. It is in the refectory of Santa Maria delle Grazie convent (a UNESCO World Heritage site), in west central Milan.
Alas, seeing the Last Supper isn’t something you can just do on a whim (as I’ve learned the hard way). You must reserve tickets for a specific date and time, and can do so online at the official ticket site. Be aware that tickets sell out quickly, and new tickets are released a few months in advance every three months.
If seeing Leonardo Da Vinci’s Last Supper is essential for you, make sure to book in advance. You may need to plan your trip to Milan around Last Supper availability.
9: See a Soccer Game at San Siro Stadium
If you’re a soccer fan, or want to experience the frenzy of an Italian soccer match, catch a game at San Siro: Italy’s biggest stadium.
Calcio, or soccer, is the sport in Italy. Milan has not one but two Serie A soccer teams: AC Milan and Inter Milan. They both play at San Siro.
San Siro is one of the largest stadiums in Europe, and can seat over 80,000 people. As we discovered in July 2023, San Siro even has views of the Milan skyline from up in the nosebleed seats.
Die hard fans won’t want to miss the San Siro stadium museum and take a tour.
San Siro is also a concert venue. Italian stars like Laura Pausini and Vasco Rossi, and world-famous artists like Bruce Springsteen, U2 and the Red Hot Chili Peppers perform there on their European tours. Tickets are often less expensive in Italy than at major venues in the US, for example.
Read more about
Going to a Soccer Game in Italy
Taking Kids to a Soccer Game in Italy
10: Navigli for Nightlife
I Navigli means canals in Italian, but in Milan it’s synonymous with nightlife.
By day, the Navigli area in southern Milan seems like a sleepy neighborhood with canals. To really see the Navigli, go there for drinks or dinner at night when it buzzes with life.
Restaurants and bars line the canals, making it the place to experience Milan nightlife.
Getting Around Milan
Walk!
The above itinerary is a walking tour. Everything on the itinerary is within a 10-20 minute walk from the Duomo, and within walking distance of each other.
Exceptions are The Last Supper (a 25-minute walk from the Duomo), the Navigli (a 30-minute walk from the Duomo), and San Siro stadium (take the metro for this one).
If your legs start to get mad and you want to take public transportation or a cab, here’s information below to help you.
Don’t Drive
Please just don’t. Only rent a car if you’re heading out of Milan.
Metro
Milan’s metro (subway) system is extensive and will take you close to most of the places you want to go. That said, usually it’s easier and more direct just to walk when you’re getting around near the Duomo. And you get to see more of the city too.
I like using the Milan metro for going long distances. ATM, Milan’s public transport company, even has an app now to help you get around. You can buy tickets on the app or go contactless, by using your credit card to pay as you go directly at the turnstiles.
Trams and Buses
I am a huge fan of Milan’s trams and buses. Back when I lived in Milan I used them to learn the lay of the land and understand the city’s layout. The routes spread out over the city like veins and arteries, and there’s almost always a bus or tram to hop on within a block or two.
Take a step back in time and ride one of the city’s trademark trams from the early 1900s which are still in use. On the other end of the spectrum, many modernized tram and bus routes have electronic signs at the stops telling you when the next one will arrive.
The ATM app will come in handy to check routes and buy tickets, or you can go contactless.
Taxis
There are plenty of taxis in Milan, but you can’t hail one on the street. Either:
- Go to a taxi stand. Here’s a map of Milan’s taxi stands: they’re located outside of train stations and near major attractions
- Call for a taxi:, (+39) 026969, (+39) 028585, (+39) 5353 and (+39) 024040 are just a few of the local cab companies
- Order a cab an app like Apptaxi or Intaxi
Taxis are white, and there is a minimum fare price. If you call for a taxi, just be aware that the meter starts running once it’s on its way to you (not when you get in).
Uber
The Uber app works in Italy but not the same way that it does in the US. It connects you to licensed local taxis and NCC (a car with a driver, or noleggio con conducente), and is also very controversial. In my opinion, if you need a taxi it makes sense to do like the locals and use one of the local taxi options above.
Learn more about
Uber in Italy
How to Get Around Milan
What to Eat and Drink in Milan
If you only have one day in Milan, I recommend:
- for breakfast eat like an Italian: have a cappuccino and pastry standing up at a bar (like a café)
- Lunch: many bars have sandwiches and simple first courses for a quick lunch. I’m partial to Luini’s panzerotti by the Duomo.
- For dinner, have a nice leisurely meal in the Navigli area.
Fashion is king in Milan, and that goes for food as well. Milan is the place to keep up with food trends, find food from all over the world (hard to do elsewhere in Italy), and be dazzled by great decor too.
There is plenty of innovation: Milan is home to the first vegetarian restaurant to be awarded a Michelin star back in 1996: Chef Pietro Leemans’ Joia.
If you have a craving for non-Italian food, Milan is the easiest place to find it. International cuisine can be found all over the city.
Milan is home to local specialties that have become popular all over Italy and the world. Keep your eye out for:
- Risotto alla milanese (Risotto allo zafferano): saffron risotto
- Cotoletta alla milanese: breaded, fried veal cutlet
- Osso buco: braised veal shank
Italy’s most famous Christmas cake, panettone, is from Milan. You can find industrial versions all over the country in grocery stores. Look for an artisanal one in a local bakery at Christmastime to try the real deal.
Aperitivo
A pre-dinner aperitif, or aperitivo, is a must in Milan. Bright orange aperol spritzes are de rigueur, as well as whatever is the trendy drink of the moment. Head to the Navigli for an aperitivo or an after dinner drink.
For a more detailed run down, read What to Eat in Milan
Where to Stay
Milan accommodation runs the wide gamut from decadently luxurious hotels to simple hostels. There is something for every budget (almost– Milan isn’t cheap), and style: over the years I’ve stayed in 5 star hotels, basic B&Bs, and cozy apartment rentals in Milan.
If you’re only in Milan for one day, it makes sense to stay in the center or just a few stops away on the Metro.
There is plenty of affordable accommodation near the Central Station. I lived a couple blocks northwest of the station. It’s generally safe, but keep in mind it’s not a great idea to walk around the station area late at night.
Read more about Accommodation Options in Italy
How to Get to Milan
By Plane
The Milan area has 3 international airports:
Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) is 49 km northwest of Milan. To get to the center of Milan:
- The Malpensa Express train leaves every 30 minutes to Milan Centrale station (approximately 1 hr ride).
- Four bus companies run service to Milan’s Central train station, leaving every 20 minutes. (approximately 1 hr ride, subject to traffic)
- Taxis from Malpensa airport to the center of Milan have a fixed flat rate that is now over 100 euros (see the taxi section above)
Milan Bergamo Airport (BGY) is in Ora al Serio, 45 km from Milan. The most direct ways to get to the center of Milan are:
- Terravision bus, which runs about every 30 minutes (50 minute ride)
- Orio shuttle bus to Milan Central station, which runs every 30 minutes (50 minute ride, subject to traffic)
- By taxi: there isn’t a flat rate, so the ride can cost well over 80 euros
Read about Renting a Car at the Bergamo Airport
Milan Linate Airport (LIN) is just 7 km east of Milan. The most direct ways to get to the center of Milan are:
- By metro: take the M4 subway line to San Babila
- Linate Shuttle bus to Milan Central station, which runs every hour (25 minute ride, subject to traffic)
- By taxi: there isn’t a flat rate, the ride costs approximately 30-40 euros.
By Train
Milan has direct service from Venice, Florence, and Rome, on high speed trains to Milano Centrale station, the main train station. It’s Europe’s second largest station, busy with trains coming in from far and wide.
Wherever you’ll be arriving from, in Italy you have two railway companies to choose from:
- Trenitalia, the Italian state train company that runs to towns big and small. It offers both regular (i.e. slow) regional trains, and high speed service. The high speed trains are called Frecciarossa, Frecciargento and Frecciabianca.
- Italo is a private railway company that offers high speed service to major and strategic cities only.
Read more about
Milano Centrale Train Station
Taking the Train from Florence to Milan
Taking the Train from Milan to Florence
Train Travel in Italy
By Car
I don’t recommend driving into Milan. Milan has a great public transportation system: I say take advantage of it!
Parking is expensive and a pain. Driving means negotiating traffic, trying to stay out of ZTL zones (areas closed to general traffic), dealing with one way streets, and sharing the road with trams.
When to Visit Milan
If you’re flying in or out of Milan, I recommend taking an extra day to explore the city, no matter what time of year! In fact, many people end up visiting Milan when they’re on their way to or back from other Italian destinations.
Spring (March and April) and fall (September and October) are good times to visit Italy in general, and Milan is no exception! The summer hordes have gone home, and it usually isn’t too cold.
Milan is a world fashion capital: keep in mind that the women’s fashion weeks are held every year in February or March and September or October, while men’s fashion weeks are in January and June. This affects hotel prices and availability.
If you don’t mind the cold, December is also a great time to visit. Milan’s patron saint day, Sant’Ambrogio (Saint Ambrose), is on December 7th, and kicks off the city’s Christmas festivities. The Duomo area is donned with lights and decorations, the shops get all decked out, and Christmas markets pop up (like Oh bej! Oh bej!).
Milan is a fun place in December, but be prepared. In winter, fog descends on the city and it gets cold. I’ve faced my share of New England winters but the cold of Milan got under my skin and in my bones when I lived there. Pack warm– and stylish– clothes!
Read more about visiting Italy in January – February – March – April – May – June – July – August – September – October – November – December.
Coming to Milan with Wee Ones? Check out
Milan with Kids
Milan’s Science Museum with Kids
