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What To not Miss with 2 Days in Milan Itinerary (+ Day Journey Concepts)


Milan, or Milano as they might say in Italian, is the financial heart of Italy. Often known as a hub for style, finance, and opera, this metropolis in Northern Italy operates at a unique tempo than the laid-back south. Whereas many individuals appear to skip proper over Milan on their strategy to different vacation spot, you must actually take two days in Milan to hit all the “must-see” spots.

With a number of nonstop flights between Milan and america or Canada, and easy accessibility by rail to Florence, Rome, or Venice, Milan works properly as a beginning or ending level on a journey to Italy. We just lately flew into Milan earlier than spending a number of days in Piedmont, adopted by Lake Como, and ending up in Milan.

On this two day Milan itinerary, I’ve offered an in depth breakdown of every day, together with a map of metropolis highlights. If you’ll be able to lengthen your keep in Milan to present your self extra time or want to proceed to different locations inside Italy, I’ve additionally offered six glorious choices for day journeys from Milan, in addition to recommendation on attending to and getting round Milan, the place to remain in Milan, and a few Milan journey suggestions.

2 Days in Milan Itinerary            

Milan Duomo from the outside

Be aware: This publish might comprise affiliate hyperlinks. For those who click on a hyperlink and make a purchase order, I could obtain a small fee. All opinions are my very own.

Continuous flights from the USA sometimes arrive in Milan within the early morning. Nevertheless, connecting flights sometimes arrive within the early afternoon. If Milan is your first cease in Italy, you’ll need to regulate your Milan itinerary based on if you arrive and the way a lot you’ll be able to really do in your first day whereas preventing off sleeplessness and jetlag. This itinerary is designed for a full 2 days in Milan on the bottom.

Map courtesy of Google MyMaps

Day 1: Morning            

Start your go to to Milan on the Piazza del Duomo, on the coronary heart of the Centro Storico or the historic heart of Milan. The centerpiece is Milan’s awe-inspiring Duomo di Milano. Certainly one of Europe’s largest cathedrals, the Duomo di Milano is a beautiful instance of Italian gothic structure that has been up to date repeatedly all through Italy’s tumultuous historical past since 1386. The Duomo has at all times been funded by the folks and is a supply of nice delight and the marble that’s utilized in its building give the Duomo its recognizable dramatic facade.

It’s extremely advisable that you simply buy entry tickets upfront to skip the road and keep away from crowding, or worse, to keep away from getting shut out of a go to to the Duomo altogether. The tickets could be mixed to incorporate a go to to the rooftop of the Duomo, the Museo del Duomo (the Duomo Museum), the Archaeological Space, and the Church of San Gottardo.

view looking down at the Buttresses from the rooftop of the Duomo

For those who don’t wish to go contained in the church, you can too simply buy a ticket to the rooftop terraces. There may be an choice to pay further to take the elevator as much as the Duomo rooftop as an alternative of the steps, although I discovered that it actually was not a troublesome climb as much as the roof, so I believe that is pointless if you’re in good well being.

To grasp extra in regards to the historical past of the cathedral and the archeological space beneath, I might suggest reserving a guided tour. We took a non-public Milan Metropolis Highlights tour with LivTours, which coated the within of the Duomo, the Duomo terraces, DaVinci’s Final Supper, and different highlights on our stroll by way of town. I’d extremely suggest this as an environment friendly strategy to see an important sights in Milan. You can too simply take a semi-private tour of the Duomo with Terrace Entry if you wish to discover at a extra leisurely tempo.

Do not forget that feminine guests ought to chorus from sporting sleeveless tops or something too brief, lest they run the danger of getting turned away on the doorways. Male guests are technically speculated to observe modest costume guidelines as properly (e.g., no shorts or tank tops), however I discovered that the rule for males was typically not enforced (on the Duomo or elsewhere in Milan and the remainder of Italy).             

The rooftop of the Duomo is accessible on the left facet of the Cathedral if you’re going through the entrance, although I like to recommend saving the Duomo rooftop for the late afternoon. It’s actually magical to expertise the golden hour or sundown (relying on what time of 12 months you go to Italy) up on the rooftop. If it’s a swelteringly sizzling summer season day, although, going as much as the roof within the morning proper earlier than or after visiting the Duomo’s inside is likely to be name.            

Columns inside the Duomo di Milano

After visiting the inside of the Duomo, you’ll be able to jump over to the Museo del Duomo, included in most Duomo tickets. The Museo del Duomo incorporates some stunning artifacts, like a few of the Duomo’s stained-glass home windows, in addition to descriptions of the historical past of the Duomo. The small and somber but stunning Church of San Gottardo can be accessible by way of the museum.

If you’re not experiencing museum fatigue but, you’ll be able to go to both the Palazzo Reale Milano, which has some fascinating exhibitions resembling a set of Tiziano’s works starting quickly, or the Museo del Novecento, which is dwelling to a set of contemporary artwork from the 20th century. The latter is situated within the Palazzo dell’Arengario, a landmark that may be a main remnant of Italy’s unlucky stint with fascism beneath Benito Mussolini. Simply ensure you examine the opening days and hours as these are each sometimes closed on Mondays.

Day 1: Afternoon            

By this time you can be getting hungry for lunch. There are quite a few cafes situated across the Piazza del Duomo and the adjoining Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, though these are typically fairly touristy. For an informal lunch or takeaway, stroll to the streets behind the Duomo to Cesarino, which has a wonderful selection of panini or sandwiches. For one thing fast you can too strive Panzerotti Luini is likely one of the greatest locations to pattern panzerotti, a basic Milanese dish of baked or fried dough crammed with varied pizza toppings.

One other good choice is to move to the highest ground of the La Rinascento purchasing heart to the left of the Duomo (when trying on the entrance). This has been remodeled right into a meals corridor and upscale meals market, with a number of eating places together with sushi and basic Milanese (extra on this later.)

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II indoor shopping mall

Within the afternoon, I might suggest taking a break from museums and spend a while wandering by way of the Quadrilatero della Moda (also called the Quadrilatero d’Oro), Milan’s famed style district.

Your first cease ought to be a leisurely wander by way of the attractive Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, certainly one of Milan’s majestic venues for purchasing. Lined with glass home windows and spectacular, nineteenth-century frescoes, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is likely one of the world’s oldest purchasing arcades, constructed between the 1860s and 1870s beneath the patronage of King Vittorio Emanuele II, the King of Sardinia and Piedmont who then turned the primary king of a united Italy in 1861.

Right here you can find the oldest Prada retailer and compete with a whole lot of consumers and wanna-be influencers for excellent photographs of those gorgeous glass-domed ceilings. The Galleria is formed like a cross, with 4 entrances, one facet opens onto the north facet of the Duomo, whereas one other results in the streets of the Quadrilatero. Whereas that is fairly an architectural magnificence, I wouldn’t wish to keep in one of many resort rooms overlooking the busy gallery.

Modern Vespas line the streets of this space stuffed with designer-brand shops promoting famed Italian haute couture-like Gucci, Prada, and Valentino. Additionally, you will see folks lined up outdoors ready to achieve entry to probably the most unique shops. Even if you’re not within the finances to purchase something on this district, it’s value a walk-through.

Day 1: Night

Duomo di Milan at night

Within the later afternoon or early night, depart the Piazza del Duomo and the Quadrilatero to go to Teatro alla Scala — the La Scala Opera Home, one of many world’s most well-known opera homes. Excursions of the theater are supplied in the course of the day. For those who determine to catch a efficiency, you’ll doubtless must return later within the night. Performances have to be booked properly upfront on the theater’s web site.

I might suggest having dinner at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the Duomo for an incredible view. We had a unbelievable dinner at Maio Restaurant, on the seventh ground of La Rinascento purchasing heart. The rooftop terrace is the proper place for a pleasing night meal or apertivo. Simply make sure you make reservations properly upfront.

One thing vital to bear in mind in Milan and all through Northern Italy is that eating places shut sooner than they do in different components of Southern Europe, together with components of Southern Italy however particularly locations like Spain and Greece. Eating places virtually all shut by 10 pm, and a few even shut nearer to eight pm.  

Day 2: Morning 

Outside of the church building that holds the last supper fresco
Convent of Santa Maria Della Grazie

Start your second day in Milan with a go to to the UNESCO World Heritage Website of the Convent of Santa Maria Della Grazie, one other church complicated within the coronary heart of Milan famed for its fabled (although decaying) fresco of the Final Supper. Painted by Leonardo Da Vinci from 1495-1498, the fresco underwent a restoration accomplished in 1999, but it surely stays so delicate that visits to the refectory the place the fresco could be discovered are closely restricted.

Because of this it’s crucial to guide visits to Santa Maria Della Grazie to see the fresco properly upfront — ideally no less than two weeks out (months early if you’re visiting throughout excessive season). If you’re not capable of get entrance tickets, your greatest guess will likely be attempting to guide a guided tour on-line, as tour operators scoop up out there tickets very early (plus you’ll be able to study extra about what makes this fresco so vital.)

Last Supper fresco in Santa Maria Della Grazie

We took a guided tour of the Final Supper with LivTours and it was very useful to share this go to with an artwork historian that might inform us way more in regards to the symbolism within the portray, DaVinci’s approach, and the numerous makes an attempt at restoration than we might ever glean on our personal.

Throughout the road from the convent is La Vigna di Leonardo, or Leonardo Da Vinci’s Winery museum— additionally open to vacationers.

outside of the Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio in Mila
Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio in Mila, picture courtesy of Max Levine

If you’re concerned about visiting one other church after Santa Maria della Grazie, take into account paying a go to to the Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio, one of many oldest church buildings in Milan. Initially constructed within the fourth century A.D., the earliest elements of the present construction dates from the ninth and tenth centuries. A beautiful instance of medieval, pre-Renaissance Italian Romanesque structure, the Basilica will get only a fraction of the viewers that Santa Maria della Grazie does, thus making visits serene and peaceable.

The Basilica incorporates spectacular work and frescoes. It’s adjoining to Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, certainly one of Milan’s premier establishments of upper training. The college grounds are troublesome for non-students to entry however the outdoors of the complicated is gorgeous. 

Day 2: Afternoon             

Castello Sforzesco Milan Italy
Castello Sforzesco, picture courtesy of Max Levine

Take into account taking a picnic lunch to Parco Sempione, situated behind Castello Sforzesco, or to the Giardini Indro Montanelli within the early afternoon. Each are good locations for households touring with youngsters to loosen up— they’re serene places the place vacationers can take pleasure in some inexperienced area and a few quiet away from the hustle and bustle of Milan. 

Pavé’s collection of scrumptious, candy or savory baked items make for a pleasant meal to carry for the picnic. After you end your meal and have relaxed and people-watched sufficient, go to the Castello Sforzesco complicated and museum in entrance of the park, subsequent to the Cadorna metro station. The fortress itself, constructed within the fifteenth century, is gorgeous by itself— it actually appears to be like and looks like a fortress from the medieval ages that you’d examine in books or see in motion pictures, making this a enjoyable cease for youngsters.

Along with its architectural enchantment, although, Castello Sforzesco additionally boasts an spectacular assortment of and positive arts, together with certainly one of Michelangelo’s final works. Tickets ought to be booked upfront, and it’s value noting that entry to Castello Sforzesco is free on the primary and third Tuesdays of the month within the afternoons.

If time permits after Castello Sforzesco, you’ll be able to strive visiting one other certainly one of Milan’s world-class museums. Admire well-known work by Leonardo Da Vinci, Tiziano, and Caravaggio on the Biblioteca Pinacoteca Accademia Ambrosiana (the Ambrosian Library), in addition to its famed studying room. Tickets have to be booked upfront.

Brera art gallery
Pinacoteca Brera

You can too do that on the Pinacoteca Brera, situated within the Brera District, and residential to a different spectacular assortment of medieval and renaissance artwork from Northern Italy. Tickets for the Pinacoteca Brera have to be booked on-line upfront. Free entrance will likely be out there on choose days in the course of the summer season months. The Pinacoteca Brera’s web site additionally affords enjoyable, museum-related actions for younger youngsters.

If none of those museums curiosity you, you could possibly go to the Cimitiero Monumentale, an enormous, nineteenth-century necropolis with gaudy tombs and mausoleums. Of observe, the cemetery incorporates a Jewish part that features a memorial to Milan’s Jews who had been murdered (or martyred, based on the architects of the memorial) by the Nazis in the course of the Holocaust. 

In fact, I at all times discover a good meals tour is one other glorious strategy to get to know a brand new metropolis!

Day 2: Night

Navigli grand canal at sunset

If you’re not exhausted from a day of artwork museums (or if you’re and want a change of tempo), strive visiting the Navigli District with its picturesque canals or navigli, the development of which started within the twelfth century. Leonardo Da Vinci engineered a system of locks for the canals within the fifteenth century, and thanks partially to his mastery, guests to Milan at the moment can take pleasure in this quaint neighborhood of artisanal retailers, eating places, and bars, in addition to an Vintage Market that takes place on the final Sunday of each month.

For dinner you’ll be able to cease in at one of many many eating places that line the Grand Canal.

The place to Keep in Milan

Senato Hotel Milano lobby
Senato Resort Milano foyer

Milan affords an enormous collection of lodges at each value level and in many various neighborhoods. I counsel discovering a resort that matches your value level in a location that’s handy for you. I’ve had the chance to remain in a few totally different locations and one which I like to recommend probably the most is the Senato Resort Milano.

Senato Resort Milano is a boutique resort simply outdoors of the Quadrilatero purchasing district and solely a 15-20 minute stroll to the Duomo. The Senato affords trendy decor and useful service at an affordable value given the situation. You may take pleasure in breakfast on web site or a late-night cocktail on the cafe with a hidden courtyard backyard. For those who go to within the hotter months, you’ll be able to even make the most of the key rooftop backyard for a beautiful inexperienced area within the coronary heart of town.

After I returned to Milan by practice, I stayed on the Hilton Milan, only a block from the Central practice station. Whereas I discovered this location handy for practice journey and very best for grabbing a fast chew or drink on the Mercato hooked up to the station, it was a lot additional to the Piazza del Duomo (30 minute stroll). Nevertheless, the rooms had been bigger and the full-service resort affords the facilities many vacationers anticipate (plus the power to make use of or earn Hilton Honors factors.) However for a similar value, I’d most popular the Senato Resort Milano.

Another choice within the Lazzaretto neighborhood, which is inside strolling distance of the Centro Storico in addition to Milano-Centrale and Milano-Porta Garibaldi, is the Worldhotel Casati 18. This can be a four-star resort is conveniently situated if you would like easy accessibility to all of the must-see locations and transportation hubs.

Like in Rome, conveniently-located lodges could be expensive. If you’re touring to Milan as a big group or as a household then renting a property by way of Airbnb or VRBO is likely to be less expensive and handy for you. There are a number or properties out there for hire all all through Milan at a variety of value factors. 

6 Potential Day Journeys from Milan

When you’ve got extra time in Milan, or wish to begin in Milan after which go to different locations inside Northern Italy, listed below are a few of the prime day journeys from Milan.

Italy’s Lakes

Ferry boat at dock on Lake Garda
Ferry boat on Lake Garda

Milan is a straightforward base for taking day journeys, though staying in Milan for an prolonged interval may find yourself being dearer than staying elsewhere in Italy. Nevertheless, if comfort moderately than value is extra vital for you, then why not make use of Milan’s location as a chance to take day journeys to a few of Northern Italy’s pristine lakes, like Lake Como, Lake Lugano, or Lake Garda.

Entry Lake Como by taking the practice from Milano-Centrale (Central Station), Milano-Porta Garibaldi, or Milano-Cadorna to Lecco or to Como after which persevering with on by bus or boat to a few of the lake’s most frequented spots just like the picturesque city of Bellagio.

Take the practice from Porta Garibaldi to Porto Ceresio to entry cities in Italy or Switzerland on Lake Lugano. Lake Garda could be reached by taking the high-speed practice from Milano-Centrale to Brescia or to Desenzano del Garda and persevering with on by bus to cities on the water like Sirmione. You must be capable of attain most cities on the lakes in lower than two hours in case you decide the quickest mixture of practice and bus or boat. 

For those who don’t wish to cope with the transportation complications or marvel what to do if you get there, I’d suggest reserving a day journey tour like one of many ones beneath:

Piedmont (Piemonte)

Couple in the vineyard in Barolo

The Piedmont (or Piemonte) area equals and even bypasses Tuscany relating to rolling hills, Medieval cities, and row upon row of grape vineyards. This huge area takes days or even weeks to correctly discover, however it’s potential to get a style of the bounty of this area, recognized for its white truffles, hazelnuts, and wine, with only a day journey. Trains from Milano-Centrale or Milano-Porta Garibaldi to Torino (Turin) can take as little as one hour, however I might suggest both taking a wine tour to the Piedmont area or renting a automobile.

BeRgamo and Brescia

Piazza Vecchia in Bergamo
Piazza Vecchia in Bergamo

Certainly one of my largest surprises on my current journey to Milan was the day journey I took to close by medieval cities of Bergamo and Brescia. They are often visited individually or collectively. For those who don’t have a rental automobile, you’ll be able to take the practice. Brescia is a 36 min to 1 hr 8 min practice from Milano-Centrale and Bergamo is a 48 min to 1 hr 9 min from Milano-Centrale or Milano-Porta Garibaldi. Another choice, which is what I did, is to guide a visit with stops utilizing DayTrip. The drivers aren’t guides however they may drop you off within the city heart to discover by yourself and decide you up at a chosen time.

I liked my go to to the Città Alta (Higher Metropolis) of Bergamo. Whereas Decrease City is kind of massive, the Higher Metropolis maintains the genuine attraction of an outdated Italian borgo. It’s quiet and you might be more likely to run into locals going to church, gathering with buddies, or stopping into their favourite pasticceria than see many vacationers. There are a lot of stunning church buildings to go to and you may spend time folks watching over espresso in Piazza Vecchia. Observe the trail down the hill to town gate and you will notice locals jogging and biking alongside the Medieval metropolis partitions.

You can too go to the Brescia Fort in simply a day (though if you wish to see extra of city you must most likely plan a separate day journey). This Medieval fortress sits excessive on the hill above Brescia, providing stunning views. You may climb upon the battlements, stroll throughout the drawbridge, go to the tower and ramparts, or see the arms museum within the maintain.

Emilia-Romagna

Neptune's fountain in Bologna
Neptune’s statue in Piazza Maggiore in Bologna

If you wish to discover a few of Italy’s meals valley and pattern a few of the scrumptious culinary specialties of Emilia-Romagna, arguably Italy’s most well-known area for gastronomic experiences, take the practice to both Parma (well-known for its cured meats and cheese), Modena (well-known for its balsamic vinegar manufacturing), or Bologna (continuously hailed as Italy’s meals capital). All of those cities could be reached in lower than one and a half hours from both Milano-Centrale or Milano-Porta Garibaldi.    

On this journey I really spent two days in Bologna and two days in Parma, certainly one of which was spent touring the Meals Valley and visiting producers of Parmagiano-Reggiano, Parma ham, and Balsamic vinegar and it was a gastronomic delight!    

Verona and the Veneto

Piazza Bra in Verona
Piazza Bra in Verona

Certainly one of my favourite cities in Italy, Verona, can be potential to go to as a day journey from Milan. Trains take beneath two hours and depart from Milano-Centrale. Verona is very value a day journey or its personal go to if time permits. Town is beautiful and really straightforward to navigate. There are many sights and architectural masterpieces, but town doesn’t really feel overrun with vacationers like close by Venice and the Venetian Lagoon Islands.

Ligurian Coast 

Cinque Terre Italy
Picture courtesy of Lisa Grabelle

Italy’s magnificent and romantic Ligurian shoreline, generally generally known as the Italian Riviera, is maybe second solely to the Amalfi Coast in its magnificence. The seaside cities of Portofino, Rapallo, Levanto, and the biggest of the Cinque Terre’s 5 cities are all accessible by practice from Milano-Centrale in three hours or much less.

Trains to the Cinque Terre cease in Monterosso, from which you’ll be able to proceed on to the opposite 4 cities by regional practice or on foot. Portofino is accessible from the practice station at Santa Margherita Ligure by bus. Whereas all of those locations can theoretically be performed as day journeys, it is likely to be value spending extra than simply sooner or later stress-free in a few of the most aesthetically pleasing locations on earth. If you’re brief on time, guide a day tour to the Cinque Terre.

Attending to and from Milan

Milan train station
Milan practice station

Milan is a perfect location to begin or finish a visit to Italy, or to different locations in Europe, because of its place as a significant nationwide and worldwide transportation hub in Northern Italy. Milan is well-connected to most main and plenty of minor Italian cities and locations frequented by American vacationers by rail, bus, and flight. Milan has three primary airports. 

Milan Malpensa Airport is Milan’s primary worldwide airport. Many vacationers to Milan originating in america will arrive at Malpensa Airport, as it’s the place all nonstop flights from america to town land.

After touchdown at Malpensa Airport, the best strategy to get to the guts of Milan is by taking the practice from one of many Malpensa Airport stations (which one will rely on which terminal the airline you guide with operates from) to Milano-Centrale or Milano-Cadorna. Milano-Central is to the north of the Centro Storico, or the historic heart of Milan, in a district the place many lodges are discovered.

Cadorna Station is to the west of the Centro Storico subsequent to Castello Sforzesco. Each Cadorna Station and the Central Station have adjoining metro stations, making a lot of Milan simply accessible from both station. Taxis could be hailed or booked within the Uber app as properly. For those who don’t need the trouble of ready for trains after your lengthy flight, it’s possible you’ll wish to guide a personal switch into town for door-to-door service.

Linate Airport, situated to the east of town, additionally serves some short-haul home and worldwide routes in Italy, continental Europe, England, and Eire. Not like Malpensa Airport, Linate is just not located conveniently on a rail line, so to get to the guts of Milan from Linate Airport, vacationers might want to take a bus and/or taxi on to their ultimate vacation spot in Milan.

Lastly, Orio al Serio Worldwide Airport, or the Milan-Bergamo Airport, is situated a big distance away from the guts of Milan, simply outdoors town of Bergamo. The Bergamo Airport is used virtually solely by low-cost carriers that supply flights to quite a lot of locations in Europe, the Center East, and North Africa. Bergamo Airport can be not on a rail line. Buses from the airport will take vacationers on to the middle of Milan or to town of Bergamo, the place passengers can proceed on to Milan by way of rail, or you’ll be able to go for a personal switch.          

Excessive-speed rail additionally hyperlinks Milan with cities outdoors of Italy together with Zürich and Paris. Italy has two primary railway corporations. Trenitalia, the nationwide railway system, affords high-speed, intercity, regional, and native providers all through the whole nation. Italo, a non-public railway firm, affords choose high-speed providers all through Italy at costs which might be typically aggressive with the high-speed providers that Trenitalia affords.

Milan Journey Suggestions

Skyscraper Building in Milan with green on balconies
  • Milan’s metro solely takes small payments (nothing bigger than €10), so attempt to maintain some change available in case you plan to take the metro. Overseas bank cards are additionally troublesome to make use of to get metro tickets
  • E-book all the things you wish to do on-line and upfront (particularly seeing The Final Supper or visiting the Duomo terraces)
  • It’s not customary to tip in Italy aside from perhaps rounding up the payments at eating places, as there’s already a coperta or desk cowl added to your meal value
  • Takeaway meal service and asking to pack up leftover meals from eating places to take dwelling, as soon as unparalleled in Europe, are actually commonplace within the pandemic period.
  • Most museums in Milan are closed on Mondays

Visiting Italy?

Colonnade in Milan

If you’re planning a visit to Italy, listed below are another articles that will assist. For those who need assistance planning your journey, I’m comfortable to introduce you to an Italy knowledgeable journey advisor.

This was initially written by Maxwell Levine and later up to date and rewritten by Tamara Gruber, writer. Max has traveled extensively each within the US and internationally and enjoys sharing his travels with others.

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