One Day In Milan: 10 Best Things To Do In Milan In A Day

Are you planning to spend one day in Milan? Let’s be honest: Milan is a big city (and one of the best cities in Italy) with so many incredible things to do and endless history that a day in Milan is not enough.

That said, Milan is a really popular layover destination; a lot of people fly in for weekend cultural events (that’s one of the best reasons to visit Italy), and many people can’t afford to spend more time in Milan. So, if you can only budget one day in Milan in your Italy itinerary, you can still catch many of the Milan highlights.

The hardest part of spending just one day in Milan is figuring out how to best use your time. I have traveled to Milan many times and just returned from yet another short trip there.

As an Italy travel-planning expert, I’ve prepared the ultimate one day in Milan travel guide to help you figure out everything you can squeeze into your itinerary. That includes the best things to see that are within walking distance from one another, where to stay to maximize your day there in case you are spending the night in Milan, and good places to eat.

Ready to learn everything you can do in one day in the glorious city of Milan? Let’s get started!

Is One Day In Milan Enough?

Honestly, one day in Milan is nowhere near enough time to see the city. There’s so much to see, and while much of it is scattered around the city center, there’s also a lot that’s a bit further out. Furthermore, it’s best not to rush through things (that’s one of my best tips for visiting Italy anyways).

For example, you can technically see Leonardo Da Vinci’s Last Supper in Santa Maria della Grazie in about 15-30 minutes. Still, you might want a few hours to explore and learn more about the complex.

That said, sometimes you simply don’t have much choice about how much time to spend in a city. One day here is preferable to no days at all, so if it’s all you have, you can still make the most of it and return to the city to see the rest.

And there’s no quest that Milan is worth visiting. Between 2019 and 2022, Milan was the third most visited city in Italy. Milan is well-connected to the rest of the country, with high-speed trains to all major destinations, three different airports, and good public transportation.

What To See In One Day In Milan

If you only have one day in Milan, you can still get to some of the main Milan attractions. You want to stay right near the city center and make a walking path to all the main highlights, including Leonardo Da Vinci’s Last Supper, Milan’s Arco della Pace, Parco Sempione, and so on.

To make things a little easier for you, I’ve created the perfect one-day itinerary for Milan, including the attractions to see, where to stay, and where to eat.

To catch all the main highlights, follow on with my Milan map. This map shows the walking route and distance from one tourist attraction to the next. It starts at Leonardo Da Vinci’s Last Supper and ends in Brera. It takes about one hour to walk straight through, though you’ll be stopping several times at the various attractions along the way.

Now, let’s go over the best Milan attractions, which can be visited in one day, as noted on my Milan map.

Leonardo Da Vinci’s Last Supper

Leonardo Da Vinci’s Last Supper is the best place to start your day in Milan. It is in Santa Maria della Grazie, in the heart of Milan.

Leonardo Da Vinci’s Last Supper is continuously ranked as one of the most famous paintings in the world. Almost everyone knows it; everyone can conjure the image, and anyone visiting Milan should swing by to see the real deal.

The Last Supper was painted between 1494 and 1498 on the wall of the former dining room in the convent of Santa Maria della Grazie, exactly where the painting remains today. It was painted directly on the wall and stands 4.6 meters (151 feet) high and 8.8 meters (28.8 feet) wide.

Its great size makes it pleasant to visit because you don’t have to strain to see it.

That said, it’s not without faults. Leonardo Da Vinci painted the Last Supper using tempera and oil, which isn’t the best method for long-lasting paintings.

The painting started chipping immediately, and Milan underwent several events that posed serious risks (including Napoleon’s troops in Milan and the Allied bombing of Milan, which left the convent without a roof for some time).

Serious restorations began in 1978 and finished in 1999. Nowadays, great measures are taken to protect The Last Supper from further damage. Only a certain number of people are allowed to admire the painting every 15 minutes, and visits are closely monitored – so it’s never crowded.

The painting depicts the last dinner with Jesus and his disciples in such detailed and precise detail that it’s no wonder it has become one of the world’s most popular paintings. Leonardo Da Vinci captured a beautiful, powerful moment with unmatched intensity.

You need to purchase tickets to see The Last Supper well in advance. You can buy tickets directly from the official website, but they are often sold out months in advance, or join a guided tour. I recommend this Da Vinci’s Last Supper Guided Tour. You meet right at Santa Maria della Grazie, and the tour only lasts about an hour, so you can easily do your own thing after. I recommend picking the earliest departure for the purpose of this itinerary.

Milan’s Arco della Pace

Milan’s Arco della Pace is around a 20-minute walk from Leonardo Da Vinci’s Last Supper.

Arco della Pace (The Arch of Peace) is located in the geometric center of Piazza Sempione, one of Milan’s best city greenspaces. The area is filled with historical monuments and tourist attractions, but the Arch itself makes the walk worth it.

The Arco della Pace has a fascinating history dating back to Napoleon’s reign. In 1806, Napoleon asked Luigi Cagnola to build the Arch in honor of all his victories. However, about two-thirds of the way into construction, Napoleon was defeated, and the Arch was left unfinished.

In 1826, the Emperor Francis of Austria ordered its completion, but instead of honoring battle victories, he requested it in the name of peace.

The Arch is more than just an arch; it’s a unique architectural accomplishment that incorporates themes from Roman mythology to the European Restoration period.

Visiting the Arco della Pace is one of the best things to do in Milan in a day and is a must-see on any Milan itinerary.

Not only can you admire and learn more about this piece of European history, but the Arch is surrounded by breathtaking sculptures, covered with important graphics and inscriptions (including inscriptions dedicated to Italian soldiers who died in WWI and WWII) and so much more.

The Arco della Pace is an outdoor monument in Parco Sempione. Therefore, there are no entry fees to see the monument.

Parco Sempione

The Arco della Pace is a monument at the edge of Parco Sempione and in the geometric center of Piazza Sempione. If you’re already visiting Arco della Pace, you should also take some time to explore the rest of Parco Sempione (Sempione Park).

This park is one of the most popular and largest green spaces in Milan. It spans 38.6 hectares (386,000 square meters) and is filled with large green spaces to rest, museums, historical monuments, an artificial lake, and even an aquarium.

If you can fit it in, it’s also a great place to rent a bicycle and go for a nice ride. It feels like a breath of fresh air compared to the chaos of much of the city.

Triennale di Milano (La Triennale) is a small, eclectic art museum and activity center in Parco Sempione. It displays essential Italian art and history pieces and is known for staging plays, performances, community events, and even cooking classes.

The Civic Arena, built around 1806, is the park’s amphitheater, which hosts various concerts and performances. The Civil Aquarium is a small aquarium with 36 tanks that illustrate some of the marine life off the Italian coast.

You could honestly spend an entire day exploring everything in Parco Sempione, but it’s also a nice place to stroll through on your one-day adventure in Milan.

Castello Sforzesco

Castello Sforzsco sits on the opposite end of Parco Sempione as Arco della Pace. Walking from Arco della Pace to Castello Sforzesco takes about 15 minutes and takes you straight through the park.

And visiting Castello Sforzesco, which feels straight out of a fairytale, is a must-do in Milan.

The castle was first built in 1368 when it was quickly expanded and turned into a ducal palace. It was destroyed during the Golden Ambrosian Republic and then completely reconstructed by the Sforza family a few years later.

It became a refuge for famous artists like Leonardo Da Vinci (in fact, Da Vinci not only painted frescoes all over the castle but reportedly designed its defense systems).

Despite having a tumultuous history and surviving demolitions and deconstructions by Napoleon himself, the castle remains here today.

There are 6+ museums inside the castle, each worth visiting. The Museum of Ancient Art is one of the most well-known museums on the castle grounds, where Michelangelo’s unfinished Rondanini Pietà is located. There are also unique Christian frescoes (a painting from watercolor on wet plaster on a wall) and the tomb of Bernabè Visconti.

The other museums in Castello Sforzesco are the Pinacoteca (Picture Gallery), the Museum of Furniture, the Museum of Decorative Arts, the Archaeological Museum, and the Museum of Musical Instruments.

If you’re visiting Castello Sforzesco, you probably won’t have time to see the rest of the city. I recommend simply exploring the exterior and interior of the castle, admiring the view of Milan’s Duomo from the castle grounds, and possibly choosing one museum to explore (I recommend the Museum of Ancient Art).

You do have to purchase entry to the castle. You can do so directly from their official website or join a guided tour that includes the entry ticket. If you opt for a tour, I recommend this Sforza Castle and Michelangelo’s Pietà Rondanini Tour. You’ll meet just outside the castle at the clock tower, so it can easily fit into your one-day self-guided walking tour of Milan.

Have lunch in Milan

After visiting Sforza Castle, you might start getting a little hungry. If you only have one day in Milan, you should make the most of it and splurge on a nice, traditional Italian lunch.

I recommend enjoying a delicious lunch at Risoelatte, a traditional Italian restaurant with very traditional (and delicious) food. It’s a retro-style restaurant with 1960s decor and even an old jukebox. So, not only is the food unforgettable, but the atmosphere is unique, as well.

Here you can try staples of Milan cuisine such as risotto (they have various kinds) and gnocchi, and a perfect cotoletta alla milanese.

Risoelatte is a 5-minute walk from Castello Sforzesco and a 10-minute walk from Duomo di Milano, our next destination, so it’s the perfect lunch break.

Make sure you make reservations in advance, as it’s a really popular place.

Duomo di Milano and Duomo Terraces

After lunch, you can walk from Risoelatte to the Duomo di Milano, the Milan Cathedral. It takes about 10 minutes to walk here from Risoelatte or around 15 minutes to walk here directly from Castello Sforzesco.

The Duomo di Milano is a true centerpiece of Milan (literally, all the roads into the center spiral out of the Milan Cathedral) with artwork and a unique history, and one of the most important landmarks in Italy.

Construction of the Milano Cathedral began in 1386 and was completed in 1965, over 500 years. Its sporadic progress is likely due to insufficient financial resources and innovative ideas.

Unsurprisingly, the architecture and artwork span centuries due to its spread-out construction. Pieces and remnants from throughout Italian history are present. However, it’s classified as a Gothic-Renaissance Cathedral.

The Duomo di Milano can be easily identified from many places in the city because of its massive size and the incredible white spires jutting out of the cathedral. You can admire the stained-glass windows, the 3,400+ statues, the 90+ gargoyles, and even the nail that was reportedly used for Jesus’ classification.

For the best views of the Duomo di Milano, you can go to the seventh floor of the Rinascente department store.

You don’t need to purchase an entry ticket to the main part of the Cathedral, but you need a pass visit the terraces, the museum, and the archaeological area. You can purchase these tickets in advance directly from the official website or you can also get this Cathedral and Duomo’s Terraces Entry Ticket.

As one of the most historic, fascinating, and beautiful churches in Italy, you might also want to consider a guided tour to learn more about its history. I recommend this Duomo Rooftops and Cathedral Guided Tour with Tickets. Your tour meets right outside the Cathedral entrance, so you can join in while still going on your self-guided walking tour of Milan. It’s a great experience, though, and really sheds a lot of light on everything behind the famous Duomo di Milano.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele

Next on our self-guided walking tour of Milan is Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. It is just a hop, skip, and jump from the Duomo di Milano (it’s just outside the Piazza del Duomo, so it only takes 1-2 minutes to walk there from the Cathedral’s main entrance).

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele is the oldest shopping mall in the world. It was completed in 1877 and was built to modernize Milan after the city’s liberation in 1859.

The shopping mall is a four-story double arcade filled with opulence and luxury. It has a massive, domed glass roof with natural lighting seeping in and a gold-trimmed elegant storefront. It’s an active mall with many high-end shops, restaurants, and cafes.

The shopping mall is free to enter, so if you aren’t in the mood for shopping, you can simply stroll through the mall and admire this important piece of Milano history.

Piazza della Scala

On the other side of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, we have Piazza della Scala. It’s only a 3-minute walk from Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, so it’s the perfect next stop on your Milan one-day itinerary.

Piazza della Scala has some of the best Milano monuments in the city. One of the most well-known monuments is a large sculpture by Pietro Magni dedicated to Leonardo Da Vinci’s work.

At the end of the center square, there’s the Scala Theatre (Teatro alla Scala, where the city square gets its name from), one of the most famous theaters in Italy. To this day, the theater is renowned for its opera and ballet performances and showcases.

If you can’t catch a show at Scala Theatre, you can stroll through the Teatro alla Scala Museum, which is attached to the theater. The museum is a library and theatrical museum emphasizing the history of opera and Italian theatrical history.

Across from Teatro Alla Scala is the Palazzo Marino. The beautiful palace was built in the 16th century for a wealthy tax collector but converted to Milan’s city hall in 1861.

Walk around Brera

To finish your one-day tour of Milan, you must explore the Brera neighborhood. The neighborhood is only about a 10-minute walk from Piazza della Scala, so it’s an easy end to the walking tour.

The neighborhood is widely known around the city as the artists’ district with all its charm and beauty. The streets are a bit quieter than the rest of the industrialized Milan, so it feels like a bit like a different city in some ways.

In the 1960s, Brera attracted artists from all over the country, and these artists have left their mark. You can walk around Brera, grab a coffee at one of the many cafes, or shop in the boutique shops.

It’s a picturesque neighborhood and a far cry from the rest of Milan, so it’s worth visiting.

More time and energy? Head to the Navigli!

If you have some extra time on your day in Milan, you must visit the Navigli district. This is another neighborhood known for its charm and quirkiness.

Navigli is a bit further away, about 6.5 km (4 miles) from Brera district. It takes approximately an hour to walk from Brera to Navigli or 15 minutes by bus, but it’s worth it if you have the time.

Navigli is named after the two artificial canals it’s situated on—Naviglio Grande and Naviglio Pavese. These canals were once essential to the trade and market industry but are now mostly lined with shops, bars, and restaurants.

Navigli is also known to have one of the best nightlife scenes in Milan, so it is also a great place to visit for night owls.

Practical Guide For One Day In Milan

One day in Milan guided tours

If you only have one day in Milan but still want to make the most of it, you should also consider guided tours of all the main attractions.

A full-day guided tour can be helpful because it maps out the entire day, takes you to some of the best Milan attractions, and includes entry tickets and a local guide who can teach you a lot about the city.

If you’re looking for a full-day walking tour, I recommend this The Best Of Milan Tour With Last Supper Tickets & Milan Duomo Rooftop. The tour includes most of the main attractions in Milan, including the Last Supper, the Milan Cathedral, Piazza della Scala, and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele.

The tour lasts around 3 hours and includes all entry tickets and even transportation tickets. So, it’s a great way to see some of the best things to do in Milan in a day without planning.

Alternatively, you can also opt for attraction-specific tours of the most interesting destinations. Many tours meet right at the destination, so you can go on your self-guided tour of Milan while taking a guided tour of certain attractions.

For example, Da Vinci’s Last Supper Guided Tour is a great option if you’re planning on seeing The Last Supper. You’ll get tons of background information and certainly learn a lot more than if you were going alone. Or this Sforza Castle and Michelangelo’s Pietà Rondanini Tour is the perfect short tour of the Sforza grounds.

If you go on single tours of the attractions you’re most interested in, you’ll have the rest of the day to plan your time in Milan and do other things that interest you.

How to get to Milan

There are three airports in Milan:

• Milan Malpensa (MXP): 45 km (28 miles) from the city center. It is the main airport for intercontinental flights.
• Bergamo Orio Al Serio (BGY): 50 km (31 miles) from the city center. It is the main airport for budget airlines.
• Milano Linate (LIN): 7 km (4.5 miles) from the city center. It is the main airport for flights coming in from Europe and the rest of Italy.

Whichever airport you fly into (if you’re flying in), check out their official website before you depart. The website has tons of useful information, including transportation options and other services.

Best way to get to Milan from Malpensa

The easiest way to get to the city center from Milan Malpensa is by train. The Malpensa Express train goes directly from the airport to the city center, and the journey takes about an hour.

There are two trains stations the train stops at: Milano Centrale and Milano Cadorna. Milano Centrale stops at Milan Central Station, whereas Milano Cadorna stops at Milan Cadorna Station. You can easily get to the city center or your accommodation from either station, but it’s best to double-check which station is closest to your final destination in Milan.

You can also book a private transfer from Malpensa with Welcome Pickups (it’s my most recommended company for private transfers) right to and from your accommodation in Milan ahead of time. They’ll track your flight, so you don’t have to worry about times, and they’ll be waiting for you when you land.

Best way to get to Milan from Bergamo Orio Al Serio

There’s no railway at Bergamo Orio Al Serio Airport, so your best bet is to take the bus or book a private transfer/bus in advance.

The Terravision Bus runs regularly from Bergamo Airport to Milan City Center. The Terravision Bus picks up just outside the airport at the arrivals area. They also offer bus tickets from Milan to Bergamo Airport and viceversa.

For the most hassle-free option, you can also book a private transfer or a bus transfer in advance. This Bus Transfer from/to Bergamo Airport is one of the easiest options. It goes to/from the airport, so you can also take it back if you’re also flying out of Bergamo.

A private transfer from Bergamo Airport to your accommodation might be the most hassle-free option, considering the limited public transportation options. It’s more expensive but easy to organize.

Best way to get to Milan from Linate

The Metro is the easiest way to get from Linate Airport to Milan. The metro station is just outside the airport, so you only have to walk a few steps. The trip takes only 15 minutes.

The M4 Line is the only one that runs from the airport, though if you want to go to different parts of the city (not just the city center), you can switch to the M1 line at San Babila Station.

Again, you can also book a private transfer from Linate Airport to your accommodation. This is most useful if you have the budget to spend a little more and don’t want to deal with public transportation or even when you land late at night.

If you have further questions or inquiries about transportation to/from the airport or other services, you should also check the airport’s official website. The Linate Airport website has different services and helpful information for travelers.

For example, Linate Airport has a fixed taxi service. As the website states, you can travel to/from the airport at a set price, so you don’t have to worry about fluctuating prices. The website also has clear instructions for getting to the city by train, taxi, bus, and even driving directions.

Milano Centrale Railway Station

Milano Centrale is the largest railway station in Milan and the second-largest in the country. If you arrive in Milan by train, you’ll likely come in through this train station.

Milano Centrale is located approximately 4 km (2.5 miles) from the historic center of Milan. You can access the Milan metro right from the railway station without even leaving the building, so you can hop online M3 right to the Duomo di Milano (where I recommend staying if you only have one night).

How to get around Milan

Milan’s city center is very walkable. This one-day Milan travel guide is designed for walking from one place to another. Most places are less than a 20-minute walk from one another. So, you don’t need transportation to get from place to place.

However, you might want to explore more of the city if you have time or need transportation to get to the starting point/from the ending point of this one-day in Milan itinerary.

Fortunately, Milan’s public transportation is incredible and very reliable—the Metro is one of the easiest ways to get around, especially for long distances.

It revolves around the city center. The M3 is one of the main lines connecting points in the center. The Duomo is just one stop away from Milano Centrale. You can use contactless pay or Apple Pay to touch in/touch out. The fare is automatically calculated for you, so it couldn’t be easier.

The bus and city tram are also two great ways to get around. Bus #94 is the best bus for the city center, as it passes all of the best Milan attractions.

The city trams are vintage-looking trains that add to the experience. They also operate later into the night (and earlier in the morning) than the Metro, so they can be busy at night. But it’s a fun experience.

Trams 2, 4, 14, and 16 are the best for getting around the historic center, where all the Milan sightseeing is centered.

If you’re traveling around Milan by bus or tram, remember to validate your ticket as soon as you board. Otherwise, you can once again use your contactless card to tap as soon as you board.

Where to stay in Milan

I highly recommend staying near the Duomo if you have only one day/one night in Milan. This is the most touristic part of the city, with tons of restaurants, shops, and things to do right on the doorstep.

Here are my top recommendations for where to stay in Milan for one night:

Matilde Boutique Hotel—This is the best splurge, luxury accommodation in Milan. It’s only 150 meters from the Milan Cathedral, includes a lovely buffet breakfast, and has comfortable rooms with everything you might need.

Hotel Milano Castello—This is the perfect mid-range option with a fantastic location. It’s about .5 km from the Milan Cathedral or about a six-minute walk. All the other main attractions are within walking distance, and the rooms are clean and comfortable.

Missori Suites—This is the best budget-friendly option in the historic center of Milan. The guesthouse is only 300 meters (.2 miles) from Piazza del Duomo and 700 meters (.4 miles) from La Scala Theater and is centrally located near all the other main Milan sites. The rooms are also surprisingly spacious, very clean, and with good decor.

Where to eat in Milan

Milan has incredible Italian food and international food. There are restaurants on every corner, with endless variety and options.

I recommend avoiding restaurants next to the Duomo because these tend to be expensive and not even that good. I’d also suggest staying away from the restaurants on the main street in Brera for the same reasons.

Risoelatte Duomo is a great restaurant within walking distance of the Milan Cathedral. I mentioned it previously as the best place for lunch on your one-day Milan itinerary. It’s right near all the main attractions you’ll be walking to, so it’s the perfect spot.

Confine Milano is the best pizza place in Milan, and it was rated as one of the best 50 pizza in Italy. It’s located about a 15-minute walk from the Duomo and a 5-minute walk from Basilica San Lorenzo Maggiore.

Zaza Ramen is one of my favorite restaurants in the Brera area for international food. It’s a great Japanese restaurant with a pleasant atmosphere and delicious food and drinks.

If you’d like to venture further out for food, you should check out Milan’s Chinatown in the Sarpi area. It’s about a 15-minute drive from the Duomo, so you’d have to take a taxi or the Metro.

For dessert, you have to try Gelateria Ciacco. It has the best gelato in all of Milan, with lots of variety (they even have vegan gelato), and it’s all made fresh. The gelateria is only a few blocks from Duomo di Milano, so it should also be easy to get to from most places.

Final Thoughts

Milan is definitely one of the best places to visit in Italy, rich with history and beauty. And there are certainly hot spots overflowing with charm, like the Brera neighborhood.

You need more than one day to see all the best things in Milan, especially if you want to go on a day trip from Milan too. But if you only have one day, that’s okay. The city center is very walkable, and many of the main sites are within a few blocks of one another.

So, make sure you have a good pair of walking shoes and follow along with this Milan one-day travel guide. You’ll catch many of the Milan highlights in just one day.

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