Arguably Italy’s most cosmopolitan city. Milan combines world-renowned fashion houses and luxurious shopping districts with some of the best examples of Italian architecture and a thriving cultural scene.
This 3-day itinerary covers the top things to do in Milan.
Top Things to do in Milan in 3 Days
Whether you’re looking for a shopping trip or a cultural adventure, you will find it in Milan. You can mix and match the top activities and sights mentioned here to fit your schedule best but to see more of the city and explore at your own pace, we recommend a minimum of 3 days.
How to get from Milan Airport to the city center
There are two airports in Milan, so make sure you check flights at each airport to find the best price.
Milan Linate tends to be the easiest and most convenient as it is only 20 minutes from the center by public transport. The cheapest option is to take bus lines 73 or X73 to San Babila metro station. A one-way ticket costs €1.50 EUR.
Milan Malpensa Airport is one hour outside of the city, but there is an express bus you can take for €10 EUR per person.
How to get around in Milan
Milan is a big city with a well-connected public transportation system of buses, trams, metro, Uber, and taxis.
Metro: The Milan metro is one of the most modern and the longest metro line in Italy, connecting the entire city as well as the suburbs. It’s safe, it’s clean, and affordable. A single ticket costs €2 EUR and it is valid for 90 minutes. Alternatively, you can buy a 24-hour or 48-hour travel pass.
Tram: The trams in Milan cost the same as the metro and they are also a great alternative as they are a fun way to get around the city. You will find different tram models ranging from the most modern looking to the most classic. The classic trams look like the ones you find in Lisbon.
Bus: Milan has an efficient and well-connected bus system departing every 30 minutes. A single bus ticket costs €1.50 EUR.
Taxi/Uber: Both taxis and Uber in Milan are relatively expensive, if there’s lots of traffic the price might rise significantly. Therefore, we recommend using Milan’s well-developed and effective public transportation system instead.
Walking: Wandering around the city on foot is the best way to explore the city as most of the city’s attractions can be reached on foot, especially if you’re staying in the city center.
Where to Stay in Milan
Milan’s neighborhoods have something to offer everyone, whether you are looking for history, culture, fashion, or nightlife.
Centro Storico: While it is loud, crowded, and expensive, the historic center of Milan has some amazing hotels and apartments and it is also convenient for visiting the many nearby sites. Take into account that Milan is very walkable and has great public transportation, so you don’t have to stay close to the attractions to enjoy them all.
Navigli: A long time ago Milan had tons of canals similar to Venice, or Amsterdam. Today only two of these canals remain. Navigli is one of the trendiest places in Milan as the canals are lined with hip bars and restaurants. A great place to stay if you want to make the most of the nightlife.
Brera: This is probably the best place to stay in Milan in my opinion. It’s super well located (it’s actually part of the Centro Storico) but not hectic and full of tourists. The prices are expensive, but not quite as much as other parts of the Centro Storico. Best of all, the streets of Brera are beautiful and full of restaurants and boutiques.
Stazione Centrale: This could be convenient if you are planning on taking an early morning train or will be doing day trips outside of Milan. The prices are a bit lower here and you are well connected to the rest of the city.
Citta Studi or San Siro: These are two great locations if you want to visit Milan on a budget. Accommodation here will be significantly cheaper than in the above-mentioned districts. Citta Studi is also a great area for young people as it is full of students and locales that cater to them.
Did you know
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Where to Eat in Milan
- Panzerotti Luini: Famous in the city for takeaway lunch.
- Cesarino: Panini to go.
- Osteria Conchetta: For a traditional Milanese meal at a fair price.
- Spore: For a modern, cuisine=fusing dining experience.
- Pizzium: Neapolitan-style pizza.
- Bio Pizza: Their specialty pizza, sfogliate is a must-try.
- Berbere Pizzeria: is a pizza chain with high-quality artisanal pizzas.
- Pasticceria Nepa: Vegan pastry cafe.
- Crazy Cat Cafe: For coffee with cats close to Milan’s Central Station.
Where to Drink in Milan
- Iter: Travel-themed bar in the Navigli that changes its decoration, menu, and drinks every month based on a new country.
- Officina Milano: Close to Navigli, this cocktail bar has been lauded as one of the best in the world!
- Rita Cocktails: is possibly the most popular bar in Milan. Offering great cocktails at a good price in the Navigli.
- Felix Navigli: Nice, cheap cocktails with aperitivo at no extra cost.
- Hobby Fumo: Reasonably priced breakfast spot near the Duomo.
- Lubar: Very popular and beautifully decorated restaurant, better for drinks.
Overview of the Top Things to do in Milan
As one of the most richly cultural destinations in the world, with three days in Milan, you’ll get to explore the most important sights of the city while having the time to relax, have a spritz, and sample some great food along the way!
Day 1: Explore Milan’s Cultural Center
Start your day by visiting the impressive Duomo di Milano. Make sure to book your tickets in advance and go as early as possible (it opens at 09:00). Access to the cathedrals and the terraces by stairs is €16 and if you decide to go up with the elevator it is €22 per person.
Afterward, make sure you window shop at the fabulous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.
Go for takeaway lunch at Panzerotti Luini. Don’t be scared by the long queue, since it goes by quickly!
Spend the afternoon marveling at fine art in the Pinacoteca di Brera. This museum palace is Milan’s equivalent to the Uffizi.
If you have time, check out Museo del Novecento. This is an amazing museum showing modern Italian art and also has an unobstructed view of the Duomo.
End your day with a night at the opera at Teatro Alla Scala, the most famous theater in Italy.
Day 2: Wander Milan’s Historic City Center
Start your day by strolling the grounds of Sforzesco Castle and visiting Parco Sempione. Here you will find Milan’s Arco della Pace.
Afterward, witness Leonardo da Vinci’s most famous work, The Last Supper, in the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie. Book tickets well ahead of time, approximately one month in advance!
Admire the mosaics at the Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio.
See some amazing street art in the Isola neighborhood and check out the Bosco Verticale in the Porta Nuova neighborhood.
Skip the Terrazza Aperol unless you are willing to pay €19 EUR for an Aperol Spritz, which would be financially irresponsible, especially being in Italy! Instead, go to Navigli, for all the trendiest bars and great aperitifs. This area also has the only two remaining canals in the city.
Return to the Piazza del Duomo to see the Duomo all lit up at night.
Click here for travel ideas to other destinations in Italy
Day 3: Take a day trip to Lake Como
Take the train to Lake Como! Home to magnificent villas, vibrant hamlets, and beautiful gardens. If you have more time, spend a few days here!
From the bustling city of Milan to one of the most serene destinations in Italy. Lake Como is less than one hour away by train. Lake Como is undoubtedly a lovely vacation spot.
There are numerous towns, hamlets, and villages to explore, but because they are all so small, you may also visit several towns in a single day.
Final Thoughts
The fashion capital of the world, Italy’s most international and cosmopolitan city, and one of Italy’s most important cultural centers. Milan has something for every traveler. So if you’re looking to have a shopping spree, or want to see some of the most renowned art of the Italian Renaissance or you’re just looking to have a great time eating out and partying then you can’t do better than a weekend in Milan.
Check out our complete travel guide on how to best spend 4 days in Lake Como
