The Perfect Milan Itinerary for 1 Day
Milan is a place that everyone should visit at least once in Italy. 1 day is enough to see the best places in Milan. Although Milan is huge, most of the tourist attractions are in a central location. If you use public transport and buy your tickets in advance, you can complete this Milan itinerary without any problems. Milan is well worth a quick visit, but if you can, stay longer because this city is bustling with life.
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Where is Milan?
Milan is located in the Lombardy region of Northern Italy. The second most populous city in Italy after Rome. Milan is one of the most fashionable cities in Italy and home to the country’s fashion brands.
How to get to Milan?
You can easily get to Milan by plane, car, bus or train, depending on where you are.
– By plane: Milan is very well connected with major cities in Europe and the world. There are three airports near Milan: Malpensa, Linate, and Bergamo.
– Linate airport is the shortest distance from the city center, which is only 10 kilometers.
– Malpensa Airport is the largest international airport in Milan and is located 50 kilometers from the city center.
From Malpensa Airport to Milan City Center: Take the Malpensa Express to Milano Centrale station. The journey takes 50 minutes, and trains leave the airport every 20-40 minutes.
Tickets cost €13 one way for adults and €18 return. The train station is located in Terminal 1. If you get off at Terminal 2, you can take the free shuttle bus to Terminal 1, which runs every 20 minutes.
Read more → Most Instagrammable Places in Milan
– By train: Milan is also easily accessible by train thanks to its well-built railway network. Milan has direct train connections to Rome, Venice, Florence, and many other cities in Italy, so traveling by train is quick and easy.
– By bus: Within Europe, a low-budget option is to travel by FlixBus, with the negative of the journey taking several hours.
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Combine your Milan itinerary with popular Italian cities. If you plan to explore Italy, the best way to get around the country is by train
How to get around Milan?
Milan is a walkable city, and the main attractions are close together.
Another option for getting around Milan is to rent a bike or e-scooter.
If you visit Milan for a short time, the metro will take you quickly to the furthest point. Buy a ticket at the metro station, which allows you to move through 3 zones (M1-M3). A single ticket costs €2 and is valid for 90 minutes from the time of validation.
A daily ticket costs €7 and is valid for 24 hours, and 3-day ticket costs €12.
Read our → Ultimate Italy Itinerary
Best time to visit Milan
Milan is a great destination all year round, but in summer, the crowds will make prices higher and the waiting time at tourist attractions longer.
Visiting in the spring or autumn shoulder season is a great way to lower your budget and avoid the crowds.
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If you stay longer in Milan, take a day trip to Lake Como.
Where to stay in Milan?
If you’re staying in Milan for a short time, you can stay close to the center. It’s important to know that Milan is one of the most expensive cities in Italy and hotel prices are higher.
Cheaper accommodation is available further away from the tourist attractions, around Brera and Navigli. Milan has excellent public transport, so getting around is not difficult.
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Best things to do in Milan
Duomo di Milano
Milan Cathedral is the 3rd largest cathedral in the world, and construction took more than 500 years. The must-see attraction on the Milan itinerary is the beautiful Milan Cathedral.
Located in the center of Milan, and is easily accessible from any point of the city thanks to its well-built public transport network.
If you only have one day in Milan, it’s worth starting early to explore the city. It is very crowded during the day, so it is recommended to visit early in the morning, especially in the beautiful light of sunrise.
The cathedral is open every day from 9 AM to 7 PM. Admission is €5 for adults, €2 for children (6-18 years). You can buy a combined ticket giving access to the Duomo di Milano, roof terraces, the museum, the archaeological site, and the church of San Gottardo.
A combined ticket with lift is €20 for adults and €9 for children (6-18 years), or with stairs €15 for adults and €7 for children.
From Piazza del Duomo, the view of the cathedral is stunning, and you can take photos of the Duomo di Milano from different perspectives.
There are lots of cafés and restaurants around the Milan Cathedral, so start your day like a local with a cappuccino/espresso and a croissant.
Piazza Mercanti is a public square and is just a few minutes from Milan Cathedral. Because it takes a short time to visit the historic buildings and is just a few minutes from the Duomo, don’t miss out on insight into Milan’s medieval past.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
After breakfast and enough photos of Milan Cathedral, it’s time to explore the nearby sights.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is the oldest shopping center in Italy and one of the most Instagrammable places in Milan. Located right next to the Milan Cathedral, it is also a popular place to visit.
The building is beautiful from the outside, but the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is spectacular from the inside. Take your time, look in the shop windows and don’t forget to take photos.
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If you visit the mall before the shops open, we recommend returning to the shops later for shopping or coffee.
Continue straight on through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and you’ll arrive in one of Milan’s important squares surrounded by beautiful buildings.
In Piazza della Scala you’ll see the white marble statue of Leonardo da Vinci and the Teatro alla Scala opera house, from which the square takes its name.
If you stay longer in Milan, enjoy a performance or take a walk inside the Teatro alla Scala Opera House. The theatre is impressive and has a beautiful museum.
If you plan to visit, book your tickets well in advance.
The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, with daily opening hours from 10 AM to 6 PM (last entry 5.30PM). The museum is closed on Mondays.
Admission is €9 for adults, €6 for children (under 12 years). Family discount ticket available for €10.
Duomo di Milano Rooftop Terrace
The Duomo Cathedral is the most visited attraction in Milan, and the wait can be very long.
We recommend booking your tickets in advance online. You don’t need to print your tickets. Don’t forget, if you want to visit the inside of the cathedral you should follow the dress code, shoulders and knees should be covered. There is no dress code for visiting the roof terraces.
A perfect Milan itinerary should include a visit to the rooftop terraces, where you can enjoy fantastic views of Milan and see the beautiful details of the cathedral.
The roof terrace is not open to visitors until 9 AM. We recommend arriving in the morning or visiting the roof terrace at sunset.
You can buy a combined ticket giving you access to the Duomo museum, the cathedral, the archaeological area, the church of San Gottardo, and the rooftop terrace.
Opening hours from every day 9 AM to 7 PM. (last entry 6:10 PM). The Duomo Museum closed on Mondays.
A combined ticket with lift is €20 for adults and €9 for children (6-18 years), or with stairs €15 for adults and €7 for children.
Piazza Affari is located in the business district of Milan, close to the main tourist attractions. The “L.O.V.E” is one of the most interesting statues in the city. It is worth a detour to see the giant middle finger statue. The statue was created in 2010 by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, known for his provocative works. Originally planned to stay in Piazza Affari for just a few weeks, the statue is still there.
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Save and use less plastic when visiting Milan. There are many water fountains in the city so bring your refillable bottle with you.
Castello Sforzesco
Castello Sforzesco is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Milan. The castle is located next to the Parco Sempione park. The castle area is free to visit and opening hours are from 7 AM to 7.30 PM.
If you are interested in history, take a guided tour of the castle or visit the museums. You can picnic in the park or continue exploring Milan. Don’t miss the wonderful church of Santa Maria del Carmine, a few minutes from the Sforza Castle.
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From here, you can reach the iconic Arco Della Pace triumphal arch in just 10 minutes. The area around the Arc de Triomphe is also a great place to stop and relax, with many people hanging out here during the day. Take a break in the area for delicious Italian food or gelato.
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Free entry to Castello Sforzesco museums is available on the first and third Tuesday of every month from 2 PM.
Porta Nuova District
If you are interested in modern architecture, you should visit the Porta Nuova district. It’s located outside the center, so fewer people will be visiting, making it easier to enjoy your time without the crowds.
The Bosco Verticale is a unique attraction, and since its creation, many other vertical forests have been built around the world. You should combine your visit with shopping in the Piazza Gae Aulenti complex.
Santa Maria delle Grazie
The “Last Supper” is one of the most famous paintings in the world, painted by Leonardo Da Vinci directly on the walls of the Basilica of Santa Maria delle Grazie.
The masterpiece has been restored several times, and the temperature and humidity must be maintained. Your Milan itinerary must include a visit to the Last Supper, so you should book your tickets in advance.
A maximum of 26 people can be allowed to enter and stay for 15 minutes during the visit.
Tickets to see The Last Supper must be purchased months in advance. Reservations open every two months.
Opening hours: From Tuesday to Saturday, daily from 8.15 AM to 7 PM (the last entrance 6.45 PM). Sunday from 2 PM to 7 PM (the last entrance is 6.45 PM).
Tickets cost €15, free entry for under 18 years. For young people aged between 18 and 25, a reduced ticket is available for €2. You must arrive at a minimum of 30 minutes before your visit.
Navigli District
At first, we thought that a visit to the Navigli area was not worth it, and we could not have been more wrong. The Navigli is a fantastic place to meet tourists and locals, the food is delicious, the choice is great, and the atmosphere is excellent.
Navigli is one of the best places to watch the city sunset and the best way to end a perfect day in Milan.
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