Planning to visit Milan in 2 days? Check out our guide to the best places to go in Milan.
Milan, the cosmopolitan heart of Italy, offers an interesting mix of modernity and history. Milan is known for its world-class fashion and design scene, but it is also rich in art, architecture and culture.
This bustling metropolis has much to offer, from the iconic Duomo di Milano to stunning works of art including Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper.
Years ago, I heard the opinion that there is not that much to see in Milan besides the Duomo. This statement couldn’t be further from the truth. And today, with this two-day itinerary, we’d like to show you that Milan is definitely worth a visit.
Is it possible to visit Milan in 2 days?
Yes, it is possible to visit Milan in two days, although you may not be able to see everything you have planned. The city centre is compact and home to many of Milan’s most famous sights, such as the Duomo, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and La Scala.
Milan’s public transport is very efficient and can take you quickly to more distant attractions such as Sforza Castle or the Navigli district.
On the other hand, you won’t have time to explore Milan’s various neighbourhoods or visit some of the lesser-known museums and galleries during a two-day trip.
Popular sights such as the Last Supper or the Duomo can be fully booked, so you need to plan well in advance.
Milan in two days – route map
On the map below you will find the marked routes for a two-day visit to Milan. The route is largely walkable. Individual days are planned to avoid the biggest crowds and enjoy the place at the best possible time.
Detailed description of the routes including photos can be found further in the article.
HOW TO USE THIS MAP: Above you will find a detailed map with directions on where to go in Milan in two days. Click at the top left of the map to see separate layers with highlighted locations. You can hide and show the different layers or click on the icons on the map to see the names of the places I mention in the itinerary for 2 days in Milan, Italy. If you want to save the map, star it. For a larger version, click on the icon in the upper right corner.
WHERE TO GO IN MILAN IN TWO DAYS
MILAN IN 2 DAYS – ITINERARY FOR 1ST DAY
8:30 Duomo di Milano and Piazza del Duomo
We start our Milan adventure in the heart of the city, at the Duomo di Milano. This Gothic cathedral was built over nearly six centuries and is one of the largest cathedrals in the world.
The facade, decorated with numerous statues, turrets and sculptures, is an architectural marvel. What’s more, you can even climb up to the roof and enjoy a close-up view.
Walking on the rooftop of one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the world, and with a fantastic view of Milan – this was our best experience in Milan and we would recommend it to anyone visiting the city.
The cathedral opens at 9am, so if you arrive a little earlier you’ll have plenty of time to see it from the outside. Crowds flock here in the morning and by evening the Piazza del Duomo is literally bursting at the seams.
In the morning you will be here with only locals and a few other tourists. Moreover, the sun rises directly behind the cathedral and literally bathes the cathedral in a golden glow.
Take a look around the spacious piazza, which is lined with beautiful buildings – on your left is the famous Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery. and the Royal Palace on your right.
Please note: Appropriate clothing is required for the Duomo – knees and shoulders covered in summer. This is a religious building, where you may not be allowed to go in inappropriate clothing. I also recommend choosing sturdy shoes, as marble can slip.
How to visit the Duomo di Milano
Tickets for the cathedral are sold on the right side of the cathedral – in the Royal Palace wing. The number of tickets is limited and the queues can be long in the morning. The best option is to book tickets in advance and go straight to the entrance on the spot.
First, you climb the stairs/elevator to the roof of the Duomo di Milano – you walk along the side of the roof, then climb a few more steps to reach the roof.
Once you’ve enjoyed the view from the roof, you’ll descend the stairs directly into the cathedral – here a member of staff will scan your ticket again and then let you in.
The inside of the cathedral is stunning and vast. It will take a while to see everything.
Admission and opening hours of the Duomo in Milan
Full admission is 20 € and 10 € for children 6-17 years old. With the use of the lift, the entrance fee is 25 € and for children aged 6-17 years 12,50 €. Children under 5 years of age and disabled children with an accompanying person are admitted free of charge.
The cathedral is open daily from 9:00-19:00 (last entry at 18:10).
How to skip the lines for the Duomo:
We were buying combined tickets in advance at 9:00am – included the cathedral, the roof, the archaeological site and the Duomo museum. We went through the entrance on the left side of the cathedral reserved for advance reservations, where only a few people were waiting. We chose to take the stairs – the elevator is located a little further on the left side of the cathedral (everything is perfectly marked).
10:30 – Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.
To the left of the Duomo is Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, one of the oldest shopping centres in the world. The Galleria is an architectural gem with its four-storey double arcade crowned by a glass dome.
You can go shopping, enjoy the windows or sip espresso in the historic cafés.
Wander the surrounding streets lined with the most fashionable houses and grab a panzerotti at Luina’s bakery just a short walk from the gallery. The dough is reminiscent of langos and they are filled both sweet and savoury. They cost around €3 and are very popular, so there are queues, but they’re quickly dying down (beware, they’re closed on Sundays).
Practical tip: Toilets are located on the right side of the cathedral (fee €2, cash only). You can refill your water in the green fountain in Piazza Cesare Beccaria, just behind the Duomo.
13:00 La Scala
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. connects Piazza del Duomo and Piazza della Scala, home to the world-famous La Scala opera house. Many famous opera artists from all over the world have performed at the opera.
You can go to an opera or ballet performance in the evening or take a tour of the interior as part of a regular tour.
In the centre of the small square is a statue of Leonardo da Vinci.
Accommodation in Milan 😴
14:00 – Brera district
From La Scala, head north towards the Brera district. Brera, known as the artistic heart of the city, is full of small galleries, quaint shops and picturesque streets.
I’m absolutely charmed by this neighborhood. With picturesque streets lined with houses with colourful shutters and lots of greenery. Restaurants and cafes literally beckon you to sit down and in summer they are the perfect escape from the hot centre.
As well as wandering the streets, Brera has some interesting places to spend an afternoon in our itinerary for 2 days in Milan.
Pinacoteca di Brera
Visit the Pinacoteca di Brera, a public gallery housing an important collection of Italian Renaissance art. Artists such as Raphael, Caravaggio and Mantegna are well represented.
Please note: Pinacoteca di Brera is closed on Mondays. You can book your visit
book here.
Brera Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden is an oasis of greenery in the middle of the busy centre. Once you pass through the iron gate, the crowds of tourists stay far behind and you can just enjoy a moment of peace in the landscaped garden.
Practical tip: Entrance to the Botanical Gardens is free. There is a small seating area and free toilets.
16:30 Basilica of St. Ambrose
Take the green M2 metro line and get off in a quarter of an hour a short walk from St Ambrose Basilica.
The Romanesque Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio is one of the oldest and most important churches in the city. It was built in the 4th century by the patron saint of Milan, Saint Ambrose. Inside it hides beautiful frescoes and it is also worth seeing from the outside. Admission is free.
17:30 Colonne di San Lorenzo
Do you like ancient Rome? If you’re feeling fancy, the Colonne di San Lorenzo is about 10 minutes from St Ambrose Basilica. These are a series of ancient Roman columns dating from the end of the 2nd century. They once lined the main road of Roman Milan (the ancient name of Milan).
From Colonne di San Lorenzo, continue south through the medieval gate. About a 10-minute walk away is the Navigli Grande Canal, where we will end the day today. You can also shorten your journey by taking the tram, which stops a short distance from the canal.
Tip: Need to learn or brush up on your travel English? EasyLingo is an online English learning app that we’ve been using for a few months now. You will learn writing, reading, speaking and listening skills. And you only need 20 minutes a day to do it. On your computer or mobile.
19:00 Navigli district
The Navigli district, once a system of canals designed by Leonardo da Vinci, is now one of Milan’s liveliest neighbourhoods, lined with bars, restaurants and vintage shops. Navigli Grande is lined with small stalls where artists display their paintings.
Navigli is the perfect place for an aperitif or for dinner. Try traditional Milanese dishes such as risotto alla Milanese or osso buco. Most of the better restaurants open around 7pm.
MILAN IN 2 DAYS – ITINERARY FOR 2ND DAY
9:00 Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie and Last Supper
Start your day with a visit to one of the most iconic works of art in the world, Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper, located in the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie.
How to visit the Last Supper
Guided tours are available by reservation only. Seats fill up months in advance, so you need to plan ahead. Click here to reserve a specific date and time to visit (available dates are listed 3-4 months in advance).
Inside, you have 15 minutes to view the painting. The painting is not in good condition anymore, so they limited the limit of visitors to 1000 people per day.
You can come and see the painting every day from 8:30 to 19:00 (you can choose the specific time when you make your reservation).
Are the tickets for your date sold out? Another option is guided tour.
The entrance is on the left side of the church – it’s marked.
While you’re here, visit the church itself. Admission is free and Santa Maria delle Grazie is one of the most beautiful churches in Milan.
Read: Itinerary for 3 days in Milan
10:30 Milan’s Sistine Chapel
The Church of San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore is just a few minutes’ walk from Santa Maria delle Grazie. It’s not as famous as the Basilica of St Ambrose or the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, but it’s definitely worth seeing.
Don’t be put off by the inconspicuous exterior. This is the hidden gem of Milan, a place that will literally amaze you with its beautiful and well-preserved frescoes. Many of these frescoes were painted by artists who followed the teachings of Leonardo da Vinci.
Practical information: admission to the church is free, donations are welcome. It’s closed on Mondays.
11:00 – Sforza Castle
Sforza Castle is a short walk from the Church of San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore. This fortress-turned-museum hosts various collections including art, antique furniture and musical instruments. The highlight is Michelangelo’s unfinished sculpture of Rondanini’s Pieta.
You can walk around the complex for free or visit the museum for a small fee. Behind the castle is a large park where locals spend their free time. There are plenty of benches, ponds, toilets and refreshments. An ideal place to relax.
On the other side of the park, the Arco della Pace towers majestically. You can’t climb it like the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, but it’s still definitely worth seeing.
14:00 Chinatown
Chinatown is a few minutes’ walk from Arco della Pace. If you haven’t eaten yet or want to enjoy the incredibly lively atmosphere, head here.
In particular, take a stroll down Via Paolo Sarpi, the main pedestrian street of Chinatown.
Chinatown has plenty of Asian restaurants, but also one of the best ravioli restaurants in Milan. And at great prices. The best places are marked on the map.
Accommodation in Milan 😴
15:30 Cimitero Monumentale di Milano
Before moving on to modern Milan, I recommend a detour to the Cimitero Monumentale di Milano. Yes, a cemetery may be an unusual place to visit, I admit.
But if you appreciate beautiful architecture, the Cimitero Monumentale di Milano is probably one of the best things you’ll see in Milan.
I liked the fact that everyone here was respectful and respectful and just walked quietly through the cemetery. You will see a large collection of Italian statues, Greek temples, obelisks and a small version of Trajan’s Column.
Practical information: The cemetery is open daily except Mondays.
Tickets for popular attractions in Milan:
17:00 – Piazza Gae Aulenti
Porta Nuova is the epitome of modern Milan – the skyscrapers, luxury apartments and corporate offices that define Milan as Italy’s city of the future. The entrance to Porta Nuova is Piazza Gae Aulenti.
You can sit in the grass, have a delicious ice cream at Venchi and see the interesting architecture, including the Bosco Verticale, a sustainable apartment building with lots of greenery.
Read: Transport in Milan
19:00 Corso Como
From Porta Nuova, take the Corso Como and enjoy the rich nightlife that Milan has to offer. Stop by 10 Corso Como, a unique combination of boutique, art gallery and café founded by fashion editor Carla Sozzani.
Where to stay in Milan for 2 days?
- B&B Hotel Milano Ornato: Cheap, comfortable hotel a short walk from the tram station, with parking and 24/7 reception
- Hotel Ritter: A quiet hotel on the edge of the centre, with easy access to the Sforza Castle, the Duomo or the Brera district, 5 minutes by metro, 24/7 reception.
- B&B Hotel Milano San Siro: A pleasant hotel right next to the San Siro Stadium with parking and a few minutes from the metro station
- Hotel AMEDIA: New, 4* hotel with good access to the centre and parking
Accommodation in Milan 😴
How to get from the airport to the centre of Milan?
Milan is served by 3 airports:
- Malpensa Airport (Wizz Air, EasyJet and others)
- Linate airport
- Bergamo airport (Ryanair)
Most passengers are concerned with Malpensa or Bergamo airports. For both airports, we will now show you the easiest way to get to the centre of Milan:
How to get from Bergamo Airport to Milan?
Shuttle buses stop right outside the arrivals hall of Bergamo Airport (Orio al Serio Airport) and take you to Milano Centrale Train Station in one hour. From there, it’s easy to get to the centre by metro or on foot.
We always buy our tickets in advance. Tickets are valid all day, so you can use them for any connection without any problems. Upon arrival, we go straight to the buses and don’t wait in line at the window or the ticket machine where you buy tickets to the center. At the bus, we then show the ticket on our mobile phones to the worker standing there.
How to get from Malpensa Airport to Milan?
In the case of Malpensa Airport, you have a choice of train or bus. In both cases, follow the signs to guide you.
Buses run for less than an hour and stop again at Milano Centrale Station. The same place you get back to the airport from.
In this case, too. we bought tickets in advance. They were valid for any connection on any given day and all you had to do was show the ticket on your mobile phone.
The trains are slightly faster and there are 2 lines to choose from – to Cadorna Station or to Milano Central via Garibaldi Station.
How to enjoy Milan in 2 days
- Wear comfortable shoes. Some surfaces can be uneven and the marble in the Duomo is a little slippery.
- Lots of places located in the city centre and are easily accessible on foot. For more distant places, use the metro or the historic yellow trams – transport is safe, cheap and reliable.
- Try the food outside the main tourist spots. In hidden alleyways or neighborhoods frequented mainly by locals. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also enjoy more.
- Summer or winter, Italian gelato is a must-try. Excellent gelaterias are scattered all over Milan – in the centre, try Venchi, which has excellent gelato and chocolate.
- Stop at the main tourist spots such as the Duomo or the Last Supper.
- Or, conversely, explore Milan after dark, when it’s beautifully lit up. From the Navigli Grande Canal to the Duomo, in the evening everything is bathed in warm colours of light.
Do you have a question about our itinerary for 2 days in Milan and where to go in Milan? We’ll be happy to answer it in the comments below. Have a safe journey!
More information about Northern Italy
MILAN: Here’s an overview of the best places to visit in Milan. To help you plan your trip to Milan, we’ve created an itinerary for 3 days in Milan including a map and an itinerary for 1 day in Milan.
Here is a guide to transport in Milan. In this article we share our tips on where to stay in Milan. We have compiled practical tips for visiting the Duomo di Milano in a separate guide.
LOMBARDIA: Get inspired by the most beautiful places to see in Lombardy.
In Lombardy you will find other beautiful places besides Milan. Just outside Milan is the Alpine lake Lago di Como. Or check out our 15 tips on what to see in Bergamo.
ITALY: Get inspired by the most beautiful places in Italy.
ROME: Rome is one of the most popular cities in Europe. Here’s a list of the best things to see in Rome. Build your 3-day Rome itinerary and see how to save in Rome. Find out all about the Vatican Museums or the Colosseum.
VENICE: In the article What to visit in Venice we bring you tips on the most beautiful places and other useful tips.
VERONA: Check out the best places to visit in Verona (including useful information on entrance fees and opening times). Also included is a guide with additional tips (transport, accommodation, food, Verona Card). The Verona in a day itinerary will help you plan your route.
Read even more tips on travelling in Italy.
Summary: The perfect itinerary for Milan in 2 days
You only need 2 to 3 days to see the main attractions. Milan is perfectly located for exploring Lombardy – I recommend spending at least 4-5 days in the city and taking a trip around the area – to Lago di Como or the beautiful medieval town of Bergamo.
Must-see sights include the Duomo di Milano, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Teatro alla Scala, the Brera district, Castello Sforzesco, Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper and the Navigli district.
Some attractions have long queues or are almost impossible to get a ticket for on the spot – especially Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper and the Duomo.
Milan has an extensive public transport system including buses, trams and metro. Tickets are available at stations, kiosks and online. The easiest option is to pay with a contactless card, which we choose. It’s fast and you only pay for what you actually drive.
