The Perfect One Day in Milan Itinerary – About Milan
Founded in 600BC, the city of Milan (Milano), is in northern Italy and is the leading financial centre in the country. It has an interesting history and is an important cultural centre today. The city is known for its booming fashion industry and its beautiful dedications to art like the famous Da Vinci’s painting the “Last Supper”. It is modern yet traditional and the historical look keeps you captivated enough to want to return.
So, you only have one day in Milan, Italy? Are you going on a day trip to Milan? Or are you wondering if one day in Milan is worth it? Or what to see and do in Milan in one day? Well, let us help you plan your day. After visiting the city countless times, we have figured out how to have a great day or even a great 8 hours in Milan, and we want to share our top places with you.
How to get to Milan
One of Milan’s best characteristics is how accessible and easy it is to get to.
Air:
There are 3 airports in Milan. Malpensa, LInate and Orio al Serio (Bergamo). From each airport, the cheapest way to get into the city is by bus and you do not have to book your ticket in advance. From Malpensa, you can also take a train to Milano Centrale.
You could also book an airport transfer with Welcome Pickups whicg offers a great experience and safety to its travellers.
Train:
Arguably, the best way to explore Italy is by train. You can take a 3-hour train from Rome to Milan, or a 2-hour train from Venice to Milan. The main train station is Milano Centrale, which has 24 platforms. From here, it will take you around 25-minutes to walk to the Duomo, which is the best place to start a day in Milan.
How to get around for One Day in Milan
Milan’s transportation system is plentiful. There are buses, metros, trams and trains and you can walk or cycle if you prefer. Milan’s metro system, also known as the ATM system, is the most inexpensive and efficient means to get around for one day in Milan. You can use your contactless card to take the metro, just like in Sydney or London!
When is the best time to visit Milan?
The best time to go to Milan is between April to May or in September. The weather is pleasant, and the city is alive without the hot humid summer temperatures and crowds. The weather in the winter months can get cold and damp, so if you are wanting to enjoy some Milan attractions that are inside – this will be a good time to go!
There are some events throughout the year in Milan. Which include:
- April: Salone del Mobile (Milan Design Week)
- August-May: Football season all over the city – particularly at San Siro Stadium
- September: Italian Grand Prix (Formula One) – 9 miles out the city in Monza
- December: opera season at La Scala and Christmas Markets
Useful information for One day in Milan
To have a perfect day in Milan, we have combined a list of the most useful facts and information you should know.
- August is not the best time to visit Milan, as the majority of the locals are on holiday.
- Buy your tickets for attractions in advance especially if you want to visit Leonardo’s Last Supper and the Duomo Terraces.
- Wear comfy shoes as you will have to walk a lot with this one day in Milan guide.
- Visit museums on the first Sunday of a month to enjoy them for free.
- Cover up your shoulders and your legs, when visiting churches and chapels.
Is One day in Milan enough?
Of course, you will not be able to see everything in such a short time, so this Milan itinerary will explore some of the best things to do in Milan in one day. You can make up your mind what you would like to do based on your budget, interests and the time of year you are visiting.
The Top 8 Milan Attractions for One Day in Milan
If you have only one day in Milan, we recommend visiting the following attractions because these are some of the best things to do in Milan. Here is how to spend one day in Milan.
Duomo di Milano
The Duomo in Piazza del Duomo is the best place to start your day in Milan. The aesthetic is nothing less than royalty, and you will soon see why Milan Cathedral should be the first place on your list of things to do in Milan. You have not been to Milan if you have not been to the Duomo.
The architecture of the Duomo is stunning, with Italian marble floors and elaborate columns. It almost feels as if you are visiting a palace. The crown-like rooftop of the Duomo is the highlight of the place. It looks like a carefully carved crown that you can experience by climbing up the stairs or taking a lift to the top. You will enjoy the royal and medieval environment with the beautiful carvings of statues on the building.
Good to know: there can be long lines, so it is best to visit as early as you can in the day and if you want to visit the rooftop you should buy a Duomo Pass.
San Bernardino alle Ossa
The San Bernardino alle Ossa is a 7-minute walk from the Milan Duomo. The place is a charming small chapel decorated with human skulls and bones. Yes, you read that right. A chapel decorated with human bones fixed inside large crucifixes. Aren’t you curious now? Yes? Then visit it and unearth the secrets behind those spooky human bones.
Good to know: it is closed on Sundays
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is a luxurious 19th-century shopping arcade filled with high-end brands like Versace, Armani, Prada, Gucci and much more. Now, why do we suggest this place right after a spooky chapel? Well, because the Galleria is seven minutes’ walk away from San Bernardino alle Ossa. Even if you don’t want to shop, you can visit the beautiful centre with a luxurious and airy atmosphere with glass ceilings.
The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is one of Italy’s oldest shopping malls and is now considered a key landmark of Milan. The main highlight of this shopping centre is its octagon-shaped space covered by a beautiful dome made of glass.
Good to know: if you want good luck, find the bull, place your right foot on it, close your eyes and turn 360 degrees. It’s a must-do in Milan. Or at least to watch everyone else doing it.
Sforzesco Castle
The Sforzesco Castle is also known as Castello Sforzesco, and was first built as a fortification in 1368 and then had a tumultuous ride, including when Napoleon ordered it to be destroyed. The castle was restored and rebuilt in the late 1800s and early 1900s by Luca Beltrami. Today there is a museum which holds world-famous art collections. So, if you are into art and historical paintings and art collections, then the Sforzesco Castle will be an absolute treat for you.
Good to know: for the first Sunday of every month the ticket price in the museums is reduced from €10 to €5. The Castello courtyard is free entry.
Sempione Park
Sempione Park or Parco Sempione is adjacent to the Sforzesco Castle and the Arch of Peace and is the largest park in Milan (47 hectares). Therefore, you can visit multiple locations during your one day in Milan quickly (if that’s how you like to travel) it’s worth a short walk. Alternatively, it is the perfect spot to enjoy a picnic in the summer months.
The Last Supper
The Last Supper is a mural painted by a world-famous artist, Leonardo da Vinci. The beautiful yet simplistic mural portrays a critical moment in Christianity’s history when Christ told his apostles that one of them would betray him. You can see that all twelve apostles have a very different reaction to the statement in the mural.
Good to know: to visit this fantastic piece of art, you should make reservations in advance and know that it will be a short visit.
Teatro alla Scala:
Teatro alla Scala, also known as La Scala, is an opera house, and if watching opera is on your bucket list, then this is where you should go. The finest singers worldwide and the greatest opera singers around the world have performed at La Scala. If you do not get a good enough show during your visit, you should go to the Museo Teatrale Alla Scala (La Scala Theatre Museum). The museum houses various costumes, statues, and artistic collections related to the history of La Scala. If you love music and arts and want to immerse yourself in fascinating history, then the Teatro Alla Scala is the best spot for it.
Navigli District:
The Navigli District is one of the most popular neighbourhoods in Milan. There are a lot of hidden spots to uncover. The district is hip and extremely beautiful and is just a fun place to be outside of the city centre.
Good to know: the best time to visit is at night because of the lively restaurant and bar scene by the canals.
Popular Day Trips from Milan
Milan’s location means it is a great spot to have day trips to beautiful places. Here are the top 4-day trips that you could go on if you had more than one day in Milan.
1. Lake Como: You can get a direct train from the Milan Stazione Centrale and reach Lake Como within thirty minutes. The lake seems like it has come out of a middle-aged movie. It is colourful and filled with ethereal villas, gardens, and churches filled with art.
2. Padua: The city will allow you to live your love for medieval and Renaissance buildings. Check out our Padua guide. Padua is 2 hours 25-minutes from Milan by train.
3. Bologna: is a great one day trip from Milan and is a foodie haven. Check out our guide to Bologna. It is only 1 hour 14-minutes from Milan by train.
Overall, is Milan worth visiting for one day?
Yes, Milan is worth visiting for a day, especially if you know how to navigate in a way to make the most of it. We say this because one day in Milan will only make you scratch the surface of what this gorgeous city has to offer. Now, you are ready to have the perfect day in Milan. Enjoy and let us know what you get up to in Milan in the comments!
Photo Credit: big shout out for Valeria who helped us enrich this post with her great photos.
I agree with you! Milan is a superb city! Thanks for the helpful tips! You’ve even suggested the best time of the year to travel there! Fine! You are advised to visit very interesting places.