The perfect itinerary for 2 days in Milan

Milan, Italy’s second-largest city, is a fabulous destination. It has a fascinating history, numerous attractions – including the largest cathedral in Italy – and a world-renowned fashion scene.

It’s a place that has something for everyone, be that exploring the city centre sights, visiting some of its top museums, partaking in some retail therapy, or wandering around the stadiums of two of the most famous football teams in the world. 

There are lots of things to do in Milan and places nearby – enough to justify spending at least a week here. However, if you don’t have much time and you plan your trip wisely, it’s possible to see the main attractions on just a short trip.

This post gives you the perfect itinerary for 2 days in Milan. It’s based on my recent trip here and the main things I think you should definitely see. It also gives you some ideas for other things to do if you have more time and are able to take a day trip out of the city.

Read on to discover the top things to do in 2 days in Milan. There is also some practical information that I hope will be useful, particularly for first-time visitors.

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Where is Milan located?

Milan is located in northern Italy and is the capital of the Lombardy region. Its location in the north of the country means it’s a perfect place from which to visit nearby Switzerland.

It’s less than 80 kilometres to Lugano (an hour and 15 minutes by train), and similar from the Italian Lakes, in particular Lake Como (again less than 80 kilometres from places such as Varenna: a train journey of just over an hour).

It is also close enough to many other Italian cities, so you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to day trips from Milan.  It is also not far from the coastal towns and villages of the Cinque Terre region.

How to get to Milan

You can easily get to Milan from several other European cities.

This includes cities such as: London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Bristol in the UK; Paris, Bordeaux, and Nantes in France; Brussels in Belgium; Vienna and Salzburg in Austria; Lisbon and Porto in Portugal; Berlin and Munich in Germany; Amsterdam in the Netherlands; and Oslo, Stockholm and Copenhagen in Scandinavia.

You can also take direct flights internally to a fair few places in Italy. These cities include Rome, Naples, Bari, Brindisi, and Pescara, as well as some places on the islands of Sicily and Sardinia.

It’s also easy to get to Milan by train from other Italian cities. Bologna is just over an hour away by fast train, Turin is one hour, and Genoa is around an hour and a half. Venice is a little further but at two and half hours away is still a place you could combine with a trip to Milan.

How to get into Milan city centre

If you’re flying into Milan, there are three main airports that you can arrive into.

Milan Linate Airport

Milan Linate airport (or Airport Enrico Forlanini) is the closest one to the city centre – it’s just 8 kilometres away and is located to the south east.

Once you arrive, it’s easy to get into central Milan by public transportation. Several buses will take you in. These include the 73 and X73 buses that connect with the city’s metro system (the San Bibila station (near to the Duomo) on the M1 and M4 lines).

Alternatively, you can catch the Starfly bus or the Air Bus, both of which go to the central railway station (Milano Centrale).

They run every 10 to 30 minutes depending on which bus you take. The journey is around 25 minutes.

Milan Malpensa airport

Milan Malpensa is further away from the centre. It is located to the north west and is around 40 kilometres away.

It is also easy to get from here to the centre of Milan, although the journey will take longer than if you arrive into Linate. You will also need to check which of the two terminals you arrive at when you plan your journey.

You can catch an Autostradale bus into Milan Centrale train station. This leaves every 20 minutes and takes around an hour. There is also a train connection – the Malpensa Express – into Milano Centrale, Cadorna or Porta Garibaldi. These leave regularly (every 20 to 40 minutes) and are slightly quicker than the bus, at 50 minutes.

Malpensa is ideally situated if you want to combine your 2 days in Milan with a visit to the Swiss or Italian lakes.

I did this when I went last year – I flew into Malpensa airport, spent a couple of days in Milan, and then went up to Lugano (a gorgeous place on Lake Lugano in Switzerland). I then returned to Malpensa from Lugano ready for my return flight home (a train journey of around an hour and a half).

Milan Bergamo airport

Milan Bergamo Airport (Orio Al Serio Airport) is also outside of the city centre – approximately 45 kilometres away.

To get into the centre of Milan, you can take a Terravision bus to Milano Centrale, a journey of around an hour. These buses depart every 20 to 30 minutes. The Orio Shuttle also connects the airport to the central railway station.

The Milan Pass City Card

For your 2 days in Milan, I’d recommend considering buying a Milan City Pass.

You can buy this for 48 hours, and it provides lots of benefits, including free entry to many of the sights you’re likely to want to see and reduced rates for others.

Some of the free sights that are covered by the pass include the Duomo rooftop terraces, La Scala Museum, the Leonardo 3 Museum, and Pinocoteca Ambrosiana. You also get to travel on the hop-on hop-off bus and (subject to when you visit) take a cruise on the Navigli canal.

You can also add on free travel on the city’s metro lines and a large number of bus and tram routes.

How to get around Milan

We found it really easy to get around Milan. There is an extensive metro system that will connect you to all the main sights, as well as a bus network.

You can then walk between different stops as quite of few of them are fairly close together.

The hop-on, hop-off bus

You can also book a hop-on, hop-off bus to get around. It is especially useful if you want to see a lot in a short time and also want to use the audio-guide provided.

This bus can be booked for 1, 2 or 3 days and stops at all of the main sights you’re likely to want to see during your 2 days in Milan.

Tours in Milan

Alternatively, you might prefer to book a guided tour that takes you around the main sights in the company of a guide who can give you information about the city and its history.

This three hour walking tour combines a stroll around Milan’s main historical sights with the opportunity to go into the Santa Maria delle Grazie church and see Leonardo da Vinci’s famous ‘The Last Supper’ painting. The tickets are skip-the-line tickets to help you make the most of your time.

Click here to explore more walking tours in Milan.

Or if you like travelling by tram, then you can book this two and half hour city tour by tram.

2 days in Milan: the top things to put on your Milan itinerary

Below I have covered the main things I think you should put on your itinerary. Many of the main attractions are within walking distance of each other, which means that it’s easy to see a lot in 2 days in Milan.

Top tip: Start early so you get a full day of sightseeing each day. This also means that you’re more likely to see the sights when there are fewer tourists around. If you go to the Duomo rooftop, you’ll appreciate this, as it can get very crowded.

Your Milan 2-day itinerary

if you only have 2 days in Milan, below is an itinerary covering the major attractions and best places to visit. 

Day 1: Start at the Piazza del Duomo and see the largest church in Italy

On the first day of your 2 days in Milan, I’d start by heading to the heart of the city centre –the Piazza del Duomo. There is a metro stop here on the M1 and M3 lines.

You’ll come out of the metro into a square bustling with tourists. And if you’re anything like me, you’ll do a double take when you see the city’s duomo in front of you – a huge and awesome church that you really need to stop and stare at for quite a while.

The Duomo di Milano, or Milan Cathedral, dates from the late 14th century. It is the largest church in Italy (although St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City top trumps it). You cannot afford to miss this incredible sight and it is worth paying the entrance fee to learn more about it.

What to see in the Duomo

There are different types of tickets you can buy for the Duomo, depending on what you want to see and the time you have available.

You can buy tickets to go up onto the rooftop – either walking or by lift. There are also skip-the-line tickets. Other tickets add on entry to the interior of the Duomo and/or the Duomo’s archaeological section.

We bought a ticket that allowed me to access everything. If you have time and can afford it, I’d recommend you purchase this one.

Check out the different types of tickets here.

Visiting the Duomo’s rooftop

You may wonder why you should go to the rooftop of the Duomo.

Aside from the stunning views you get up here, it really is a unique experience.

There are over 250 steps up to the roof, but the good news is there is a lift (this costs more than walking up, but it’s the easiest way to access it).

Much of your time will be spent walking around the sides of the roof. Up here you can get up close to some of the church’s architecture and marvel at the detailed carvings in the spires (there are apparently 135 in total), as well as the statues (there are said to be over 3,000 of these!).

You can also peek over the side and look at the piazzas and streets below.

However, the best part for me was when you actually come out on to the cathedral’s top roof. This is the first time I’ve stepped onto the very top of a church’s roof and I can’t describe well enough how unique this experience is. You can also get really close to some of the spires plus there are amazing views from up here.

Inside the Duomo

Before I went, I thought I’d be most struck by the experience of walking on the cathedral’s roof. And I did find this fascinating. However, I was equally impressed by the Duomo’s interior.

First of all, it’s massive (apparently up to 40,000 people can fit inside!). The sheer scale of the interior is incredible.

It’s also very beautiful. There are 52 huge columns rising up to the ceiling, a long aisle leading up to the altar, and massive ornate stained glass windows.  

After wandering around, make sure you set aside some time to sit on one of the pews and take in your surroundings.

And afterwards, depending on the ticket you have purchased, you can go underneath the Duomo to the ‘archaeological area’ to see the ruins of an ancient basilica and baptistery.

You can look at the different types of tickets for the Duomo here.

Be wowed in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

When you leave the Duomo, head over to the archway across the piazza and to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. This has neo-Renaissance architecture and an eye-catching glass-domed roof – once inside, make sure you look up while wandering through it.

The Galleria is essentially an arcade of exclusive retail outlets (think Louis Vuitton, Prada, and Gucci) with a few cafes and restaurants. If you can afford it, stop off for a cuppa here. It’s obviously more expensive than other places, but you’ll get to sit and people-watch while taking in the gorgeous surroundings.

Top tip: for a really good view of the Galleria and the opportunity to take a photo from up high, go into the Leonardo 3 museum and look out of the window across the arcade.

See the famous Teatro alla Scala opera house

At the opposite end of the Galleria to the Duomo is the Piazza della Scala. In this small square, you’ll find a statue of one of Milan’s most famous sons, Leonardo da Vinci.

Across the square is the famous 18th-century La Scala opera house.

I must admit that I thought it was a surprisingly non-descript building (from the outside, it’s not a patch on the Monaco Opera House). But this belies the beautiful interior of the building and the long list of famous people who have performed in the opera house over the years.

These include the singer Maria Callas, and the ballet dancers Margot Fonteyn and Rudolf Nureyev. It’s regarded as one of the most prestigious and famous opera houses in the world.

Visiting La Scala

If you’re an opera fan, plan ahead and treat yourself to a night out here. If you do fancy doing this, you can check out forthcoming performances here.

Just make sure you pack something suitable to wear – there is a dress code for the theatre which prohibits anyone wearing shorts or sleeveless t-shirts from entering the auditorium, even if you have a ticket.

If you can’t book to see a performance for any reason, you can still go into the theatre to take a look around.

This guided tour is an hour and a half long and includes a tour around the inside of the theatre while you learn about the history of the venue and its famous visitors. You can then visit the theatre’s museum.

Go to a museum

As you would expect from such an important and large city with a long history, there are many museums that you could choose to visit. Below, I have highlighted a few that you might want to consider as part of your 2 days in Milan.

Top tip: if you plan to visit a lot of museums, it would be worth considering buying the Milan City Pass as this gives you free entry to several of these

The Pinacoteca di Brera

The Pinacoteca di Brera is an art museum within walking distance of La Scala in the Brera district. It has an extensive collection of work spanning the 13th to the 20th centuries, with its website billing it as containing ‘several of the greatest masterpieces in the history of art anywhere in the world’.

It includes works by Giovanni Bellini, Tintoretto, Caravaggio, and Raffaello Sanzio. The museum is open every day except Mondays.

Leonardo 3

The ‘Leonardo3 The World of Leonardi da Vinci’ is another fascinating museum and a great place to learn more about one of the city’s most famous sons, Leonardo da Vinci. I visited and thoroughly enjoyed the couple of hours I spent wandering around.

The museum is at one end of the Galleria Vittoria Emanuele II so it is easy to combine with a visit to the Duomo.

Inside, you can learn about the life and work – covering art, design, and engineering – of this most amazing man. You can also see reconstructions of some of his inventions, including his famous ‘flying machines’ hanging above you from the ceiling.

At the end, you get the chance to see a version of his painting, the ‘Last Supper’ as it would have appeared on the church wall when he painted it.

It’s a fascinating museum. And from one of the main rooms, you get a great view of the Galleria below.

The Pinacoteca Ambrosiana

The Pinacoteca Ambrosiana (Ambrosian library), also not far from the Duomo, is another place to visit if you enjoy art. As well as the historic library that is here, there are 24 rooms where you can view work by artists that include Leonardo da Vinci, Titian, Botticelli, and Brueghel.

Other rooms display some interesting artefacts, including Napoleon’s gloves (apparently worn at the Battle of Waterloo) and one of Lucrezia Borgia’s locks of hair. The Ambrosian Library is open every day except Wednesday.

Castello Sforzesco (Castle Sforza)

If you plan to visit the castle in Milan (and I recommend that you at least take a quick wander down), there are also some castle museums here that you may want to spend some time in. These are open every day, except for Mondays.

They include the Museum of Ancient Art and the Pinacoteca of Art, as well as the Museum of Musical Instruments. There is also an archaeological museum and an Egyptian Museum.

Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Milano 

If natural history interests you, why not visit Milan’s natural history museum near the Porta Nuova area in the Giardini Indro Montanelli? This is the city’s second largest park, so you can also use the visit to walk around it if you have time.

The museum is near the Porta Venezia and Palestro metro stops; The Galleria d’Arte Moderna is also near here.

The natural history museum is the city’s oldest civic museum dating from the first half of the 19th century. Its permanent exhibitions cover dinosaurs, fossils and minerals, vertebrate and invertebrate animals, and human evolution.

Note that the natural history museum is closed on Mondays.

See the Colonne di San Lorenzo

After a full day of sightseeing, you could take the weight off your feet while treating yourself to an early evening aperitif (after all, Milan is said to be one of the European cities where the concept of the aperitif first originated in). There are plenty of places around the Duomo and in the area that connects it to Sforza Castle.

Alternatively, you could head out during the late afternoon to the area near Porta Ticinese and around the Colonne di San Lorenzo for a drink. It’s around 10 minutes by foot from the Missori metro stop, which is on the M3 line.

In this area the history dates from the Roman era. As its name suggests, the Colonne di San Lorenzo (Columns of St. Lawrence) is a line of 16 marble columns that are likely to be the relics from an ancient temple or a Roman bath. Opposite is a small church, the Basilica di San Lorenzo Maggiore, which is worth popping into briefly if you have time.

Aperitifs and cannoli

I’ll be honest – if you’re just going to visit the columns, it might not be worth it with just 2 days in Milan.

However, I’d definitely say they are worth travelling to if you also plan to stop off and have an aperitif here. The area is really buzzing in the early evening and there are lots of bars to choose from. If the weather is fine, it’s an ideal spot to wander around. If I’d have been in Milan longer, I’d have gone back again one evening.

There are also restaurants in this area where you can grab a bite to eat. You could then skip dessert – as we did – and wander up to Cannoleria Gourmet on Corso di Porta Ticinese street and try some of their filled cannoli (crispy pastry shells from Sicily).

There’s an extensive menu you can choose from, and you can watch them freshly filling the shells. Choose sweet or savoury – and from such unusual flavours as polpo and patate (octopus and potato) and cerviche (including prawn tartare and guacamole)!

Day 2: Take a look at ‘The Last Supper’

Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘Last Supper’ was painted in the late 1400s and is regarded as one of the world’s most famous works of art.

Depicting the last supper between Jesus and his disciples, it was painted directly onto a wall of the Santa Maria delle Grazie church and is over 4.5 metres high and almost 9 metres wide.

The church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is not far from Parco Sempione in the centre of Milan.

You can book tickets see it here that includes a guide who will be able to tell you more about the history of the painting and the techniques da Vinci used to create it.

Opening hours exclude Mondays when it is closed.

Top tip: If you want to see ‘The Last Supper’, you need to book ahead. Numbers for individual slots are limited so tickets are generally booked up several months in advance. Book tickets here.

Visit the stadium of Milan’s football teams or shop till you drop

If you’re not lucky enough to be able to get tickets to see ‘The Last Supper’, there are other options for the morning of your second day.

The San Siro Stadium

Football fans may wish to head out to the San Siro stadium, home to the city’s two football clubs, AC Milan and Inter Milan. It’s the largest football stadium in the country.

You can book a tour here to explore the different sections of the stadium, including the champions’ tunnel, the changing rooms, the supporters’ stands, and the pitch. There’s also a museum here where you can learn more about the history of the game and the Italian National Football Team, and see some interesting memorabilia.

Milan shopping

Milan is renowned for its world’s famous fashion scene. So if you’re interested in designer clothes, you’ve come to the right place.

Wander around the city centre and you’ll see many retail outlets that will no doubt take your fancy: places in the Galleria Vittoria Emanuele II, in the Corsa Vittorio Emanuele II, and in the streets to the north of the Duomo and La Scala (the Quadrilatero della Moda – the Fashion Quadrilateral or fashion district).

As you’d expect, you will find world famous brands here, as well as some more ‘mainstream’ shops with presumably more reasonable prices.

I saw lots as I was wandering around, but I’m not a huge shopper, so unfortunately, I can’t tell you where to find specific shops or particular bargains. For more information, though, see this website.

Visit Castello Sforzesco

Another must-see sight in Milan is the Castello Sforzesco. It is not far on foot from the church with ‘The Last Supper’ and the La Scala theatre.

Castello Sforzesco is a large fortress that dates back to the second half of the 14th century. It has had quite a turbulent history. After reconstruction by the Sforza family, parts were destroyed in the early 19th century on the orders of Napoleon. It was also damaged during World War II. More recently, further modifications took place during the building of the Milan Metro.

You can walk under the castle’s archway and into the courtyard for free. You can wander around the lawn here and see the round towers.

And you can visit the museums for a fee (they are open every day except Monday).

The museums include the Museum of Ancient Art, the Pinacoteca of Art, and the Museum of Musical Instruments. There is also an archaeological museum and an Egyptian Museum.

If you book this castle tour, you get an audio guide that provides more information about its history (this includes interesting facts about da Vinci, who once worked here).

Wander around Parco Sempione

At one end of the castle, you can walk out into Parco Sempione. This park, which was built in the late 19th century, is the biggest in Milan.

If you visit the castle on a warm, sunny day and have enough time, wander through the park. It covers 47 hectares, and you can stroll along the tree-lined paths and admire the lake. There are some cafes in the park you can stop off at. It’s also an ideal place to have a picnic.

The Triennale di Milano art and design museum is also here as well, as the Torre Branca. The Torre is a steel tower that rises to almost 110 metres. You can buy tickets to ascend this 1930s structure and look out over the surrounding area.

As you leave the park at the end furthest away from the castle, you’ll also see the Arco della Pace (the Arch of Peace). This early 19th-century structure is 25 metres tall. With its horses on the top, it reminded me a bit of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany.

Stroll along the canals in the Navigli district

After visiting Parco Sempione, I would suggest you explore the Navigli district. To do this, you will need to take public transport (so your hop-on hop-off bus tickets or metro tickets with the Milan City Pass will come in handy).

The Moscova metro station – on the green M2 metro line – is located to the east of the park. You can take this line to Porta Genova, which is just a short walk away. If you don’t have time on your second day, you could combine this with your evening visit to the area around the Colonne di San Lorenzo, as this isn’t too far away.

Navigli is the canal district in Milan, and it’s another area that is great to simply wander around, soak in the atmosphere, and have an early evening aperitivo. There are some small artisan shops in the area, and on the day that we visited, there were lots of street artists selling their goods.

You can also take a short cruise along the Navigli Grande (the oldest canal in the city).

Other ideas if you have more than 2 days in Milan

If you have more than 2 days in Milan, there’s plenty more you could do while you are here.

You could also take a day trip out to nearby places of interest.

Varenna and Lake Como

One of my favourite destinations near Milan is the Italian lakes, particularly the small waterside town of Varenna. It is only an hour and five minutes on the train from Milano Centrale train station.

Or you can book a tour that will take you out to the lakes.

Varenna is a pretty little town that sits on the shore of Lake Como. You can wander along the water’s edge and turn off into the small, narrow streets that take you to the town square and its church. The tranquil Villa Monastero is a short walk from the town centre, and you can also go up to the small castle overlooking the town for fabulous views across the lake.

And don’t forget to take the short ferry ride across the lake to the more glitzy Bellagio.

See my post to read more about what you can do in Varenna.

Lugano and Lake Lugano

Lugano is also not far from Milan – around an hour and 15 minutes by train. This is actually in Switzerland but is easy to visit as there is a direct train here.

It’s bigger than Varenna and is framed by striking mountains on all sides of Lake Lugano. On a day trip here, I’d recommend going up at least one of the funicular railways that take you to the top of the mountains. You can also take a ferry trip out to Gandria for lunch.

See my post on a recent short break to Lugano to discover the top things to do here.

Bologna – one for foodies

It is also easy to travel down to Bologna from Milan. This is one for foodies – Bologna is also known as ‘La Grassa’ (the fat) because of its fantastic food.

Wander through the quadrilatero district and try some of the local cheeses and meats in the deli-type cafes lining the streets, or head to the food courts and markets.

Bologna has many beautiful streets and piazzas to wander around along with stunning architecture. There is the main square, the Piazza Maggiore, with the Basilica di San Petroni and the Palazzo del Podestra opposite. There’s also the Piaaza dell’Archiginnasio and Piazza Rossini, as well as the 16th century Renaissance style Palazzo dei Banchi with its distinctive green dome.

You can also climb one of the city’s two 12th-century leaning towers, wander through Bologna’s unique covered walkways (these porticoes cover a combined distance of nearly 25 miles), and/or visit some of the places interest located near to this fascinating city.

You can get to Bologna in just over an hour by fast train.

Venice – one for romantics

Venice is regarded as one of the most romantic places in the world – and for good reason. It’s truly unique and showcases a rich blend of architectural, artistic, cultural, and culinary delights.

It’s a city of canals, so you can book a gondola ride – one of the best ways to see the main sights is from the water, including the Doge’s Palace, the famous Rialto Bridge, and the Bridge of Sighs.

You can also explore the Piazza San Marco with its huge – and absolutely stunning – basilica (look out at its Byzantine domes) and climb the 99 metre tall St. Mark’s Campanile. There are also small islands to sail out to and the Lido with its seven miles of beaches.

Venice is around two and a half hours by train from Milan.

2 days in Milan: when to visit Milan

When planning your 2 days in Milan, you might wonder when it is best to visit. The answer to this will largely depend on your personal preferences, what interests you, and your budget.

Regarding climate, late spring into the early summer is a good time to visit. Temperatures are in the late teens in Celsius from April time, going into the low 20s in May. This makes walking around and sightseeing in the city centre more pleasant than in the summer months (in July and August, temperatures can reach 30 degrees Celsius).

For the same reasons, autumn is also a pleasant time to visit. September temperatures tend to be around the low to mid-20s in Celsius.

Although the winter months are colder, it rarely goes into minus figures in Milan – so it’s really a city you can visit year-round. And if you do happen to be visiting on a particularly inclement day, remember that lots of things you’re likely to want to do – visiting the Duomo, seeing the ‘Last Supper’, looking round a museum etc, involves being inside.

You may also want to visit in December to experience the city’s Christmas market. The market in the Piazza del Duomo runs all through December and for the first week of January. There are also other markets held in the city for different durations. 

Finally, note that you will want to avoid visiting during Milan Fashion Week (in 2024, it will be held between 20th and 26th February). During this time, you will find that accommodation prices will be much higher than at other times of the year.

2 days in Milan: other ideas for short European breaks

If this is your first time in this wonderful Italian city, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

If you’re also looking for ideas for other short breaks or a day trip in Europe, you might be interested in other places I have written about.

These include 2 days in Bologna and a trip to Lake Como. Both are easy to reach from Milan, as is Lugano in Switzerland.

You might also be interested in other places in Switzerland, including Zurich, Geneva, and Bern, as well as French cities, such as Lyon and Bordeaux.

I have written about several places in Belgium, Germany, and the UK.