Milan, or Milano as they’d say in Italian, is the financial middle 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 option to different vacation spot, it’s best to actually take two days in Milan to hit the entire “must-see” spots.
With a number of nonstop flights between Milan and the United States or Canada, and quick access 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 a couple of days in Piedmont, adopted by Lake Como, and ending up in Milan.
In this two day Milan itinerary, I’ve supplied 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 present your self extra time or want to proceed to different locations inside Italy, I’ve additionally supplied 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 have to regulate your Milan itinerary in accordance with 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
Begin your go to to Milan on the Piazza del Duomo, on the coronary heart of the Centro Storico or the historic middle 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 repeatedly 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 pleasure and the marble that’s utilized in its development give the Duomo its recognizable dramatic facade.
It is very beneficial that you just 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 may 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 wish to go contained in the church, you may as well simply buy a ticket to the rooftop terraces. There is an choice to pay additional 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 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 option to see an important sights in Milan. You may 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 sporting sleeveless tops or something too brief, lest they run the danger of getting turned away on the doorways. Male guests are technically imagined to comply with 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 admittedly 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 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 a very good name.
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 accommodates some stunning artifacts, like a number 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 also be accessible by the museum.
If you aren’t experiencing museum fatigue but, you’ll be able to go to both the Palazzo Reale Milano, which has some fascinating exhibitions similar to a set of Tiziano’s works starting quickly, or the Museo del Novecento, which is dwelling to a set of contemporary artwork from the 20 th century. The latter is positioned 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 examine the opening days and hours as these are each usually closed on Mondays.
Day 1: Afternoon
By this time you can be getting hungry for lunch. There are quite a few cafes positioned 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 superb selection of panini or sandwiches. For one thing fast you may as well attempt Panzerotti Luini is likely one of the finest locations to pattern panzerotti, a traditional Milanese dish of baked or fried dough stuffed with varied pizza toppings.
Another good possibility is to move to the highest ground of the La Rinascento buying middle 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 traditional 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 (also called the Quadrilatero d’Oro), Milan’s famed vogue district.
Your first cease needs to be a leisurely wander by the gorgeous 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 likely 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 can find the oldest Prada retailer and compete with a whole lot of consumers and wanna-be influencers for excellent pictures of those beautiful 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 wish to keep in one of many lodge rooms overlooking the busy gallery.
Sleek Vespas line the streets of this space stuffed with designer-brand shops promoting famed Italian haute couture-like Gucci, Prada, and Valentino. You may also see individuals lined up exterior ready to achieve entry to essentially the most unique shops. Even if you’re not within the funds 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 throughout the day. If you determine to catch a efficiency, you’ll seemingly need to return later within the night. Performances should be booked nicely upfront 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 unbelievable dinner at Maio Restaurant, on the seventh ground of La Rinascento buying middle. The rooftop terrace is the right place for a nice night meal or apertivo. Just be sure you make reservations nicely upfront.
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 virtually 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 may be discovered are closely restricted.
This signifies that it’s crucial to e book visits to Santa Maria Della Grazie to see the fresco nicely upfront — ideally not less than two weeks out (months early if you’re visiting throughout excessive season). If you aren’t capable of get entrance tickets, your finest guess shall be attempting to e book a guided tour on-line, as tour operators scoop up obtainable tickets very early (plus you’ll be able to 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 way more in regards to the symbolism within the portray, DaVinci’s approach, and the numerous makes an attempt at restoration than we’d 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, think about 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 elements of the present construction dates from the ninth and tenth centuries. A stunning 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 accommodates 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 exterior of the advanced is gorgeous.
Day 2: Afternoon
Consider taking a picnic lunch to Parco Sempione, positioned behind Castello Sforzesco, or to the Giardini Indro Montanelli within the early afternoon. Both are good locations for households touring with kids to calm down— they’re serene places the place vacationers can get pleasure from some inexperienced area and a few quiet away from the hustle and bustle of Milan.
Pavé’s choice 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 citadel itself, constructed within the fifteenth century, is beautiful by itself— it actually appears to be like and looks like a citadel from the medieval ages that you’d examine in books or see in motion pictures, making this a enjoyable cease for youngsters.
In addition to its architectural attraction, although, Castello Sforzesco additionally boasts an spectacular assortment of and wonderful arts, together with certainly one of Michelangelo’s final works. Tickets needs 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 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 should be booked upfront.
You may do that on the Pinacoteca Brera, positioned within the Brera District, and residential to a different spectacular assortment of medieval and renaissance artwork from Northern Italy. Tickets for the Pinacoteca Brera should be booked on-line upfront. Free entrance shall be obtainable on choose days throughout the summer season months. The Pinacoteca Brera’s web site additionally affords enjoyable, museum-related actions for younger kids.
If none of those museums curiosity you, you can go to the Cimitiero Monumentale, an enormous, nineteenth-century necropolis with gaudy tombs and mausoleums. Of be aware, the cemetery accommodates a Jewish part that features a memorial to Milan’s Jews who had been murdered (or martyred, in accordance with the architects of the memorial) by the Nazis throughout the Holocaust.
Of course, I at all times discover a good meals tour is one other wonderful option 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 want 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 immediately can get pleasure from this quaint neighborhood of artisanal retailers, eating places, and bars, in addition to an Antique 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.
Where to Stay in Milan
Milan affords an enormous choice of resorts at each value level and in many various 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 exterior of the Quadrilatero buying district and solely a 15-20 minute stroll to the Duomo. The Senato affords fashionable decor and useful service at an affordable value given the placement. You can get pleasure from 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’ll be able to even benefit from the key rooftop backyard for a beautiful 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 excellent for grabbing a fast chew or drink on the Mercato connected to the station, it was a lot additional to the Piazza del Duomo (30 minute stroll). However, the rooms had been bigger and the full-service lodge affords the facilities many vacationers anticipate (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 possibility 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 positioned in order for you quick access to all of the must-see locations and transportation hubs.
Like in Rome, conveniently-located resorts may be expensive. If you might be touring to Milan as a big group or as a household then renting a property by Airbnb or VRBO is likely to be cheaper and handy for you. There are a spread or properties obtainable for lease all all through Milan at a variety of value factors.
6 Possible Day Trips from Milan
If you have got extra time in Milan, or wish to begin in Milan after which go to different locations inside Northern Italy, listed below are a number of the prime day journeys from Milan.
Italy’s Lakes
Milan is a simple 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 relatively 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 a number 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 may 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 have the ability to attain most cities on the lakes in lower than two hours if you happen to decide the quickest mixture of practice and bus or boat.
If you 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 under:
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 attainable to get a style of the bounty of this area, identified 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 current journey to Milan was the day journey I took to close by medieval cities of Bergamo and Brescia. They may be visited individually or collectively. If you 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 possibility, which is what I did, is to e book a visit with stops utilizing DayTrip. The drivers aren’t guides however they are going to drop you off within the city middle to discover by yourself and decide you up at a chosen time.
I cherished my go to to the Città Alta (Upper City) of Bergamo. While Lower Town is sort of giant, the Upper City maintains the genuine attraction of an outdated Italian borgo. It is quiet and you might be more likely to run into locals going to church, gathering with associates, or stopping into their favourite pasticceria than see many vacationers. There are many stunning church buildings to go to and you’ll 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 go to the Brescia Castle in simply a day (though if you wish to see extra of city it’s best to in all probability plan a separate day journey). This Medieval citadel sits excessive on the hill above Brescia, providing stunning 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 wish to discover a few of Italy’s meals valley and pattern a number 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 (steadily hailed as Italy’s meals capital). All of those cities may 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 also be attainable to go to as a day journey from Milan. Trains take below two hours and go away from Milano-Centrale. Verona is very value a day journey or its personal go to if time permits. The metropolis is gorgeous and really simple 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 referred to as the Italian Riviera, is maybe second solely to the Amalfi Coast in its magnificence. The seaside cities of Portofino, Rapallo, Levanto, and the most important 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. While all of those locations can theoretically be performed as day journeys, it is likely to be value spending extra than simply at some point stress-free in a number of the most aesthetically pleasing locations on earth. If you might be brief on time, e book a day tour to the Cinque Terre.
Getting to and from Milan
Milan is a perfect location to begin 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 plenty of minor Italian cities and locations frequented by American vacationers by rail, bus, and flight. Milan has three foremost airports.
Milan Malpensa Airport is Milan’s foremost 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 option to get to the center 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 middle of Milan, in a district the place many resorts 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 may be hailed or booked within the Uber app as nicely. If you don’t need the effort of ready for trains after your lengthy flight, you might wish to e book a non-public switch into town for door-to-door service.
Linate Airport, positioned 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 center of Milan from Linate Airport, vacationers might want to take a bus and/or taxi on to their closing vacation spot in Milan.
Finally, Orio al Serio International Airport, or the Milan-Bergamo Airport, is positioned a big distance away from the center of Milan, simply exterior town of Bergamo. The Bergamo Airport is used virtually completely by low-cost carriers that supply flights to quite a lot of locations in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. Bergamo Airport can also 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 through rail, or you’ll be able to go for a non-public switch.
High-speed rail additionally hyperlinks Milan with cities exterior of Italy together with Zürich and Paris. Italy has two foremost 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 Travel Tips
- Milan’s metro solely takes small payments (nothing bigger than €10), so attempt to hold some change readily available if you happen to plan to take the metro. Foreign bank cards are additionally tough to make use of to get metro tickets
- Book all the things you wish to do on-line and upfront (particularly seeing The Last Supper or visiting the Duomo terraces)
- It just isn’t customary to tip in Italy apart 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 unprecedented in Europe, are actually commonplace within the pandemic period.
- Most museums in Milan are closed on Mondays
Visiting Italy?
If you might be planning a visit to Italy, listed below are another articles which will assist. If you 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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