Milan, or Milano as they might say in Italian, is the financial heart of Italy. Known as a hub for vogue, finance, and opera, this metropolis in Northern Italy operates at a special tempo than the laid-back south. While many individuals appear to skip proper over Milan on their solution 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 the United States or Canada, and easy accessibility by rail to Florence, Rome, or Venice, Milan works nicely as a beginning or ending level on a journey to Italy. We not too long ago flew into Milan earlier than spending just a few days in Piedmont, adopted by Lake Como, and ending up in Milan.
In 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 prolong your keep in Milan to offer your self extra time or want to proceed to different locations inside Italy, I’ve additionally offered six wonderful 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
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Non-stop flights from the USA usually arrive in Milan within the early morning. However, connecting flights usually arrive within the early afternoon. If Milan is your first cease in Italy, you will want to regulate your Milan itinerary in keeping with once you arrive and the way a lot you possibly can 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
Begin 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. One of Europe’s largest cathedrals, the Duomo di Milano is a beautiful instance of Italian gothic structure that has been up to date constantly all through Italy’s tumultuous historical past since 1386. The Duomo has at all times been funded by the individuals and is a supply of nice delight and the marble that’s utilized in its building give the Duomo its recognizable dramatic facade.
It is extremely really useful that you just buy entry tickets prematurely 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 Area, and the Church of San Gottardo.
If you don’t need to go contained in the church, you may also simply buy a ticket to the rooftop terraces. There is an choice to pay further to take the elevator as much as the Duomo rooftop as a substitute of the steps, although I discovered that it actually was not a tough climb as much as the roof, so I feel that is pointless if you’re in good well being.
To perceive extra in regards to the historical past of the cathedral and the archeological space beneath, I’d suggest reserving a guided tour. We took a non-public Milan City Highlights tour with LivTours, which lined the within of the Duomo, the Duomo terraces, DaVinci’s Last Supper, and different highlights on our stroll by town. I’d extremely suggest this as an environment friendly solution to see crucial sights in Milan. You may also simply take a semi-private tour of the Duomo with Terrace Access if you wish to discover at a extra leisurely tempo.
Remember that feminine guests ought to chorus from carrying 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 gown guidelines as nicely (e.g., no shorts or tank tops), however I discovered that the rule for males was usually 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 dealing with the entrance, although I like to recommend saving the Duomo rooftop for the late afternoon. It is absolutely magical to expertise the golden hour or sundown (relying on what time of yr you go to Italy) up on the rooftop. If it’s a swelteringly scorching summer time day, although, going as much as the roof within the morning proper earlier than or after visiting the Duomo’s inside is perhaps a superb name.
After visiting the inside of the Duomo, you possibly can jump over to the Museo del Duomo, included in most Duomo tickets. The Museo del Duomo comprises some lovely artifacts, like among the Duomo’s stained-glass home windows, in addition to descriptions of the historical past of the Duomo. The small and somber but lovely Church of San Gottardo can be accessible by the museum.
If you aren’t experiencing museum fatigue but, you possibly can go to both the Palazzo Reale Milano, which has some attention-grabbing exhibitions similar to a set of Tiziano’s works starting quickly, or the Museo del Novecento, which is residence 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 below Benito Mussolini. Just be sure you test the opening days and hours as these are each usually closed on Mondays.
Day 1: Afternoon
By this time you’ll 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 off-the-cuff lunch or takeaway, stroll to the streets behind the Duomo to Cesarino, which has a wonderful alternative of panini or sandwiches. For one thing fast you may also attempt Panzerotti Luini is without doubt one of the greatest locations to pattern panzerotti, a basic Milanese dish of baked or fried dough crammed with varied pizza toppings.
Another good choice is to go to the highest ground of the La Rinascento buying heart to the left of the Duomo (when wanting on the entrance). This has been reworked 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.)
In the afternoon, I’d suggest taking a break from museums and spend a while wandering by the Quadrilatero della Moda (often known as the Quadrilatero d’Oro), Milan’s famed vogue district.
Your first cease needs to be a leisurely wander by the attractive Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, certainly one of Milan’s majestic venues for buying. Covered with glass home windows and spectacular, nineteenth-century frescoes, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is without doubt one of the world’s oldest buying arcades, constructed between the 1860s and 1870s below 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.
Here you will see the oldest Prada retailer and compete with a whole bunch of consumers and wanna-be influencers for good images 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. While that is fairly an architectural magnificence, I wouldn’t need to keep in one of many lodge rooms overlooking the busy gallery.
Sleek Vespas line the streets of this space filled with designer-brand shops promoting famed Italian haute couture-like Gucci, Prada, and Valentino. You will even see individuals lined up outdoors ready to realize entry to essentially 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: Evening
In the later afternoon or early night, go away the Piazza del Duomo and the Quadrilatero to go to Teatro alla Scala — the La Scala Opera House, one of many world’s most well-known opera homes. Tours of the theater are provided in the course of the day. If you determine to catch a efficiency, you’ll possible need to return later within the night. Performances must be booked nicely prematurely on the theater’s web site.
I’d suggest having dinner at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the Duomo for an incredible view. We had a incredible dinner at Maio Restaurant, on the seventh ground of La Rinascento buying heart. The rooftop terrace is the proper place for a nice night meal or apertivo. Just make sure you make reservations nicely prematurely.
Something necessary 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. Restaurants nearly all shut by 10 pm, and a few even shut nearer to eight pm.
Day 2: Morning
Begin your second day in Milan with a go to to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Convent of Santa Maria Della Grazie, one other church advanced within the coronary heart of Milan famed for its fabled (although decaying) fresco of the Last 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.
This implies that it’s crucial to e book visits to Santa Maria Della Grazie to see the fresco nicely prematurely — ideally at the least two weeks out (months early if you’re visiting throughout excessive season). If you aren’t capable of get entrance tickets, your greatest wager will probably be attempting to e book a guided tour on-line, as tour operators scoop up out there tickets very early (plus you possibly can study extra about what makes this fresco so necessary.)
We took a guided tour of the Last Supper with LivTours and it was very useful to share this go to with an artwork historian that might inform us rather more in regards to the symbolism within the portray, DaVinci’s method, and the various makes an attempt at restoration than we might ever glean on our personal.
Across the road from the convent is La Vigna di Leonardo, or Leonardo Da Vinci’s Vineyard museum— additionally open to vacationers.
If you have an interest in visiting one other church after Santa Maria della Grazie, contemplate paying a go to to the Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio, one of many oldest church buildings in Milan. Originally constructed within the fourth century A.D., the earliest parts 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 comprises spectacular work and frescoes. It is adjoining to Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, certainly one of Milan’s premier establishments of upper training. The college grounds are tough for non-students to entry however the outdoors of the advanced is gorgeous.
Day 2: Afternoon
Consider taking a picnic lunch to Parco Sempione, situated behind Castello Sforzesco, or to the Giardini Indro Montanelli within the early afternoon. Both are good locations for households touring with youngsters to loosen up— they’re serene areas 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 convey for the picnic. After you end your meal and have relaxed and people-watched sufficient, go to the Castello Sforzesco advanced 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 seems and seems like a fortress from the medieval ages that you’d examine in books or see in films, making this a enjoyable cease for youngsters.
In addition to its architectural enchantment, although, Castello Sforzesco additionally boasts an spectacular assortment of and nice arts, together with certainly one of Michelangelo’s final works. Tickets needs to be booked prematurely, 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 possibly can attempt 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 must be booked prematurely.
You may also 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 must be booked on-line prematurely. Free entrance will probably be out there on choose days in the course of the summer time months. The Pinacoteca Brera’s web site additionally presents enjoyable, museum-related actions for younger youngsters.
If none of those museums curiosity you, you might go to the Cimitiero Monumentale, a large, nineteenth-century necropolis with gaudy tombs and mausoleums. Of notice, the cemetery comprises a Jewish part that features a memorial to Milan’s Jews who have been murdered (or martyred, in keeping with the architects of the memorial) by the Nazis in the course of the Holocaust.
Of course, I at all times discover a good meals tour is one other wonderful solution to get to know a brand new metropolis!
Day 2: Evening
If you aren’t exhausted from a day of artwork museums (or if you’re and wish a change of tempo), attempt 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 right now can take pleasure in this quaint neighborhood of artisanal outlets, eating places, and bars, in addition to an Antique Market that takes place on the final Sunday of each month.
For dinner you possibly can cease in at one of many many eating places that line the Grand Canal.
Where to Stay in Milan
Milan presents a large collection of accommodations at each value level and in many alternative neighborhoods. I recommend discovering a lodge 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 essentially the most is the Senato Hotel Milano.
Senato Hotel Milano is a boutique lodge simply outdoors of the Quadrilatero buying district and solely a 15-20 minute stroll to the Duomo. The Senato presents fashionable decor and useful service at an affordable value given the placement. You can take pleasure in breakfast on web site or a late-night cocktail on the cafe with a hidden courtyard backyard. If you go to within the hotter months, you possibly can even make the most of the key rooftop backyard for a stunning inexperienced area within the coronary heart of town.
When I returned to Milan by practice, I stayed on the Hilton Milan, only a block from the Central practice station. While I discovered this location handy for practice journey and very best for grabbing a fast chunk or drink on the Mercato hooked up to the station, it was a lot additional to the Piazza del Duomo (30 minute stroll). However, the rooms have been bigger and the full-service lodge presents the facilities many vacationers count on (plus the flexibility to make use of or earn Hilton Honors factors.) But for a similar value, I’d most well-liked the Senato Hotel 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 is a four-star lodge is conveniently situated in order for you easy accessibility to all of the must-see locations and transportation hubs.
Like in Rome, conveniently-located accommodations could be dear. If you’re touring to Milan as a big group or as a household then renting a property by Airbnb or VRBO is perhaps more cost effective and handy for you. There are a spread or properties out there for hire all all through Milan at a variety of value factors.
6 Possible Day Trips from Milan
If you will have extra time in Milan, or need to begin in Milan after which go to different locations inside Northern Italy, listed here are among the prime day journeys from Milan.
Italy’s Lakes
Milan is a straightforward base for taking day journeys, though staying in Milan for an prolonged interval would possibly find yourself being dearer than staying elsewhere in Italy. However, if comfort moderately than value is extra necessary 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.
Access 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 among 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 ought to be capable of attain most cities on the lakes in lower than two hours should you choose the quickest mixture of practice and bus or boat.
If you don’t need to cope with the transportation complications or surprise what to do once you get there, I’d suggest reserving a day journey tour like one of many ones beneath:
Piedmont (Piemonte)
The Piedmont (or Piemonte) area equals and even bypasses Tuscany with regards to rolling hills, Medieval cities, and row upon row of grape vineyards. This giant area takes days or perhaps 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’d suggest both taking a wine tour to the Piedmont area or renting a automobile.
BeRgamo and Brescia
One of my largest surprises on my latest journey to Milan was the day journey I took to close by medieval cities of Bergamo and Brescia. They could be visited individually or collectively. If you don’t have a rental automobile, you possibly can 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 e book 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 choose you up at a delegated time.
I beloved my go to to the Città Alta (Upper City) of Bergamo. While Lower Town is sort of giant, the Upper City maintains the genuine allure of an outdated Italian borgo. It is quiet and you’re more likely to run into locals going to church, gathering with pals, or stopping into their favourite pasticceria than see many vacationers. There are many lovely church buildings to go to and you may spend time individuals watching over espresso in Piazza Vecchia. Follow the trail down the hill to town gate and you will note locals jogging and biking alongside the Medieval metropolis partitions.
You may also go to the Brescia Castle 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 lovely views. You can climb upon the battlements, stroll throughout the drawbridge, go to the tower and ramparts, or see the arms museum within the hold.
Emilia-Romagna
If you need to discover a few of Italy’s meals valley and pattern among 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 (regularly 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 Food Valley and visiting producers of Parmagiano-Reggiano, Parma ham, and Balsamic vinegar and it was a gastronomic delight!
Verona and the Veneto
One of my favourite cities in Italy, Verona, can be potential to go to as a day journey from Milan. Trains take below two hours and go away from Milano-Centrale. Verona is extremely value a day journey or its personal go to if time permits. The metropolis is gorgeous and really straightforward to navigate. There are loads of sights and architectural masterpieces, but town doesn’t really feel overrun with vacationers like close by Venice and the Venetian Lagoon Islands.
Ligurian Coast
Italy’s magnificent and romantic Ligurian shoreline, generally often called 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 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. While all of those locations can theoretically be achieved as day journeys, it is perhaps value spending extra than simply someday enjoyable in among the most aesthetically pleasing locations on earth. If you’re brief on time, e book a day tour to the Cinque Terre.
Getting to and from Milan
Milan is a perfect location to start out or finish a visit to Italy, or to different locations in Europe, on account of its place as a significant nationwide and worldwide transportation hub in Northern Italy. Milan is well-connected to most main and lots of minor Italian cities and locations frequented by American vacationers by rail, bus, and flight. Milan has three essential airports.
Milan Malpensa Airport is Milan’s essential worldwide airport. Many vacationers to Milan originating within the United States will arrive at Malpensa Airport, as it’s the place all nonstop flights from the United States to town land.
After touchdown at Malpensa Airport, the simplest solution to get to the guts of Milan is by taking the practice from one of many Malpensa Airport stations (which one will rely upon which terminal the airline you e book 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 accommodations are discovered.
Cadorna Station is to the west of the Centro Storico subsequent to Castello Sforzesco. Both 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 nicely. If you don’t need the trouble of ready for trains after your lengthy flight, you might need to e book a non-public 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 Ireland. Unlike Malpensa Airport, Linate just isn’t 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.
Finally, Orio al Serio International 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 nearly completely by low-cost carriers that supply flights to a wide range of locations in Europe, the Middle 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 possibly can go for a non-public switch.
High-speed rail additionally hyperlinks Milan with cities outdoors of Italy together with Zürich and Paris. Italy has two essential railway corporations. Trenitalia, the nationwide railway system, presents high-speed, intercity, regional, and native companies all through your complete nation. Italo, a non-public railway firm, presents choose high-speed companies all through Italy at costs which can be usually aggressive with the high-speed companies that Trenitalia presents.
Milan Travel Tips
- Milan’s metro solely takes small payments (nothing bigger than €10), so attempt to hold some change available should you plan to take the metro. Foreign bank cards are additionally tough to make use of to get metro tickets
- Book every little thing you need to do on-line and prematurely (particularly seeing The Last Supper or visiting the Duomo terraces)
- It just isn’t customary to tip in Italy aside from possibly rounding up the payments at eating places, as there may be 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 residence, as soon as unparalleled in Europe, at the moment are commonplace within the pandemic period.
- Most museums in Milan are closed on Mondays
Visiting Italy?
If you’re planning a visit to Italy, listed here are another articles which will assist. If you need assistance planning your journey, I’m joyful 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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