Milan In One Day: How To Spend One Awesome Day In Milan

Planning to spend one day in Milan, but not sure what to do? You’ve come to the right place!

In this Milan 1-day itinerary I have outlined everything you need to know to spend one epic day in Milan. From the main sights to see, where to eat, how to get around, and more!

I was born in Milan and I lived there until I was 18, so you can rest assured that I know what I’m talking about when it comes to this city! In this Milan 1-day itinerary I share with you both travel tips and local insights.

Milan is one of the coolest cities in Italy, and I’m not just saying it because it’s my hometown. Milan is the city of fashion and the economic capital of Italy, which are both quite clearly visible when you’re walking around.

There are modern and trendy skyscrapers dotted here and there, surrounded by beautiful historical buildings all over the city centre. Milan is an awesome city, which I’m sure you’ll love.

If you’re visiting Italy’s fashion capital on a limited time availability, this is the Milan 1-day itinerary and guide for you!

So without further ado, let’s read on and start planning your one day in Milan!

Milan 1-day itinerary map

I have embedded below a walking itinerary that you can follow for your Milan 1-day itinerary. Milan is a huge city, but all the main attractions are located close to the Piazza del Duomo.

You can easily walk to all the main attractions of Milan in one day. Use the route mapped below to orient yourself around Milan, and let’s dive into what every stop is!

What to see in Milan in one day

Like most cities in Italy, Milan is rich of history and culture, and if you were to visit all the museums of Milan, one day wouldn’t be enough. I’ve lived there for 18 years and can’t say I’ve gotten anywhere near seeing them all! 

However all the main attractions and famous buildings are all dotted close to the city centre, meaning that in one day you will be able to walk all around the centre of Milan and, even if only from outside, see all the main points of interest.

Time to dive in! These are the must-see places and best things to do in Milan, the places that even if you only have one day in this beautiful city, you absolutely can’t miss.

Piazza del Duomo

Piazza del Duomo is both the most central square in Milan, but also one of the most visited parts of the city. Not just because it features on every tourists Italy bucket list, but also because locals hang around here on weekends.

When I was in high school we often used to meet up in Piazza del Duomo with friends and then from there go explore the shopping streets around it.

Piazza del Duomo is also home to the Duomo of Milano, one of the most famous churches in Milan. It’s actually the biggest church in Italy, and an imposing feat of architecture and human engineering.

Did you know it took hundreds of years to complete? This stunning gothic cathedral is the best place to start your Milan 1-day itinerary.

I have never personally been inside the Duomo, and if you’re only visiting for one day, I don’t think it’s an essential. In my opinion you should visit the roof of the Duomo cathedral instead.

You get an amazing view over the roofs of Milan, and the detail of the architecture on the roof is also pretty incredible (visit at sunset for the best pink and pastel colours, both of the spiers and the sky)!

Access to the rooftop only is 9 EUR if you take the stairs or 14 EUR if you take the lift. If you want to go also inside the cathedral it will be more expensive.

Make sure to book your Duomo rooftop entrance online beforehand, so that you don’t have to waste time queuing outside. If you’re only in Milan for one day after all, you don’t want to spend it in a queue!

Click here to book a fast track ticket to visit the Duomo (inside & on the rooftop!)

Or click below to see prices & availability for your chosen date!

 

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele

Right next to Piazza del Duomo is Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. Prepare to be amazed by the architecture and decorations of Italy’s oldest shopping mall.

With its glass dome and fine details on the side of the walls the Galleria is an incredible place to walk around.

Despite it being a shopping gallery I wouldn’t recommend buying anything here, as the prices are considerably higher than anywhere else in Milan.

Fun fact about this place; on the mosaic on the floor there is a bull, tradition has it that you have to put your heel on the balls of the bull and spin three times for good luck.

The tiles that make up the bull have had to be redone multiple times over the years since they get worn out quickly by how many people spin on them every day.

Piazza della Scala

If you enter Galleria Vittorio Emanuele from Piazza del Duomo and walk all the way through it you will arrive in Piazza della Scala, the second most famous and important square in Milan.

Every side of this square is historically important. You will have Galleria Vittorio Emanuele at your back, on your left is Teatro alla Scala, Milan’s most famous opera house.

Next to La Scala and in front of you is the Palazzo della Banca Commerciale Italiana, one of Italy’s oldest banks, and on your right on the remaining side of the square is Palazzo Marino, Milan’s city hall.

In Palazzo Marino they actually do temporary art exhibitions that you can access for free.

The queue to go inside however is always crazy so unless you have plenty of time to spare or it happens to be quite empty, I wouldn’t recommend visiting it.

You can also visit the stunning interior of La Scala, and learn about its history. I recommend booking a skip-the-line ticket online beforehand, and avoid yourself the queue.

Click here to book your skip-the-line entrance & tour to La Scala!

Or click below to see prices & availability for your chosen date!

 

Brera

Brera is one of the trendy areas of Milan. The best route to go from Piazza del Duomo to Castello Sforzesco in my opinion goes through Brera.

Some sections of these roads are entirely pedestrian, so that you can enjoy the atmosphere and walk around the stone cobble roads of Milan.

This is also where the famous Accademia di Brera is, the famous art academy where historically many of Italy’s artists studied.

If you come here in the evening there are also lots of cool bars and restaurants where you can hang out, the famous Bar Brera amongst them.

Castello Sforzesco

Castello Sforzesco is where the Sforza family, the Dukes of Milan used to live. Today it is the home of multiple art collections and historical exhibitions.

You can purchase entry to the castle with an audio guide, and visit it at your own pace. Since you only have a day in Milan, that will be better and quicker than joining a guided tour.

If you don’t fancy visiting a museum, you can still see the inside of the courtyard of the castle for free, as it acts as passage between Piazza Cairoli and the inside of Parco Sempione, Milan’s largest park.

Simply walk past the fountain through the castle gates, and you’ll be transported back to hundreds of years ago.

Book your entrance to Castello Sforzesco and audio guide here!

Or click below to see prices & availability!

 

Arco della Pace & Parco Sempione

You can enter Castello Sempione for free and cross into Parco Sempione. This is the largest park in Milan, and a lovely spot to walk around. From here you can easily walk over to Arco della Pace.

This city gate is a beautiful and imposing must-see in Milan.

It’s also surrounded by lots of cool bars and restaurants. Aim to get here for aperitivo time, so you can combine some sightseeing with a typical Milanese experience.

Via Torino & Monte Napoleone

I know you only have one day in Milan and are probably trying to get all the main sights in, however no trip to Milan would be complete without a bit of shopping! Milan is the city of fashion after all!

I included in this Milan 1-day itinerary a stop in both Via Torino and Via Monte Napoleone, two of the most famous shopping streets in Milan.

Via Torino is more accessible and has shops like H&M, Zara, Bershka and so on. Monte Napoleone is the sort of high-end shopping street Milan gets its fame from.

All the big brands like Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci and many more have stores here. It might not be the perfect spot for souvenir shopping, but it’s definitely an experience just walking down the street here.

Logistical info for your Milan 1 day itinerary

Before we dive into the details of by step by step itinerary for one day in Milan, I want to go over some useful logistics that will ensure you have an awesome time in Milan.

Do you need travel insurance for 1 day in Milan?

After my personal experience spending two nights in a private hospital in Tenerife, and having to pay for it out of pocket (it wasn’t cheap), I always recommend getting travel insurance.

You might not end up needing it, but for a small fee you can travel without worries. Personally, I suggest getting your Italy travel insurance with  Heymondo.

Heymondo offers tailor made travel insurance, providing the best value for money for your specific trip. You can also buy it once you’re already abroad and have forgotten about it before flying (which, if you’re anything like me, is quite likely).

Besides the usual cancellation, medical expenses, luggage coverage and general travel insurance services, Heymondo also has a 24/7 doctor chat and instant assistance through their app.

As a Greta’s Travels reader, you get 5% off your Heymondo travel insurance!

Click here to get your 5% off Heymondo travel insurance!

How to get into Milan

First things first, how do you get into Milan?

Milan has three airports, and depending on where in the city you’re staying, it can be quite the journey getting to your accommodation from the airport.

If you’re flying from outside of Italy you will usually land at either Milano Malpensa (MXP) or Bergamo Orio al Serio (BGY).

Generally speaking, low costs like Ryanair, Wizz Air and Volotea tend to land at BGY, and the longer haul flights with easyJet or non low cost airlines will land at MXP.

Milano Linate (LIN) is the airport closest to Milan city centre, but it’s usually more for flights within Italy.

Having lived abroad for the last ten years, I have my fair amount of experience flying into Milan and having to reach the city centre. Personally, I recommend the bus over the train, as it’s cheaper and quicker.

Both from MXP and BGY there are two or three different bus companies running into Milan Central Station. You can purchase the bus ticket online beforehand to save time once you land.

Bergamo Airport to Milano Bus Transfer – click here to purchase!

Milan Malpensa to Milan Central Station Bus Transfer – click here to purchase!

However, I wouldn’t personally buy your bus transfer online before. This because once you land and step outside the airport, their might be a bus from a different company leaving before the company you have the ticket for.

They’re quite regular and you won’t have to wait long, but waiting for your bus while one drives off in front of you is always annoying. This is the same reason why I don’t buy return tickets (even if they’re cheaper).

I would purchase the bus transfers listed above only if I was travelling in high season, and wanted to be sure I don’t have to queue to get one once I land.

Popular tours for one day in Milan

Milan is a big city, but the main attractions are all quite close to each other. If you follow the itinerary I outline in this article, you can easily discover it alone.

That said, it can also be fun to join a tour. That way you’re sure you’ll be visiting all of the top highlights, and also have a local guide with you to tell you about the history of the city.

I have outlined below some of the most popular and highly reviewed tours in Milan.

Milan: Hidden Gems Guided Bike Ride – Once you’ve seen all the main sights, this tour is a great option to discover Milan beyond the popular tourist attractions.

Milan: 1-Day Open Bus Tour – If you don’t fancy walking, this bus tour is a great way to see all the main sights, with an audio guide telling you about them, without tiring yourself out.

Check out popular Milan tours below!

 

Da Vinci’s Last Supper Tour – You’ll see that I haven’t included Da Vinci’s Last Supper in this Milan 1-day itinerary. This because it takes time to visit it properly, and if you only have one day in Milan, I personally think there are cooler things to see.

That said, there’s no denying it’s one of the most famous pieces of art in history, if you have a strong interest in art, I highly recommend joining this tour.

Fast Track Milan Cathedral & Terraces Guided Tour – You can also purchase just entrance to the cathedral and rooftop, but with a local guide teaching you about the unique history of the Duomo, it will be an entirely different experience.

Another two very popular museums in Milan are the Science & Technology Leonardo da Vinci Museum and The World of Leonardo Museum. Especially if you’re visiting Milan with kids, they can be fascinating to visit!

Is one day in Milan enough?

While some people will always say that one day is never enough to see a city, as a local, I personally think that one day in Milan is enough to see all the main attractions and get a vibe for this bustling city.

It also depends on how long you’re spending in Italy. While Milan is undoubtedly a cool city, I personally think that places like Florence, Cinque Terre, Venice and Rome are more unique and jaw-dropping than Milan.

If you have a tight Italy itinerary, I would recommend doing a quick stop in Milan, like what is outlined in this Milan 1-day itinerary, and then continue on exploring the Bel Paese.

From Milan you can also do a fun day trip to Lake Como, or to some beautiful beaches near Milan, which is also a good option, as it gives you more time to experience the Milan atmosphere by night, but also without spending too many days in Milan and still seeing other places in Italy.

This Milan itinerary is quite tight with lots of walking, but it will allow you to see everything Milan has to offer in one day. If you prefer to take things more slowly, check out my Milan 2-day itinerary instead!

Where to stay in Milan for one day

Even if you’re only spending one day in Milan, chances are you will need to spend the night there. I’ve listed below some great accommodation options in Milan for every budget.

Budget: Ostello Bello Grande – I’ve been to a few events at Ostello Bello hostels and they’re always good fun. Their hostels are in central locations, with spacious dorms and fun social events.

Click here to book your stay at Ostello Bello Grande in Milan!

Mid-range: B&B Hotel Milano City Center – With its central location, panoramic rooftop terrace and spacious rooms, this is the perfect solution for anyone who wants to treat themselves without breaking the bank.

Click here to see prices and availability at B&B Hotel Milano City Center!

Luxury: Galleria Vik Milano – located inside the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping arcade, this hotel is the perfect place to treat yourself. Luxury, super central location and epic views, what more could you want?

Check out the latest prices and availability at Galleria Vik Milano here!

How to get around Milan in one day

Before we jump into the main attractions to see in Milan in one day, let’s cover some logistics. How are you actually going to get around Milan?

As I’ve said above all the main spots of Milan are within walking distance. However if you don’t want to walk too much, you can easily get public transport.

It might be a bit slow, but Milan has an excellent public transport system. You can get an overground tram or bus for short distances, and the underground train for longer distances.

It’s also very affordable at 2 EUR per ride.

There are also plenty of taxis to be found all over Milan, especially the city centre. They tend to be a bit pricey, but will quickly take you everywhere you need to go.

A recent addition to transport modes in Milan, which is what I use these days when I’m in Milan, are the e-scooters and e-bikes parked all over the city.

Just download the app, grab a scooter, go where you need to go and then drop it off wherever!

Another easy way to get around the city, and be sure you see all the main sights, is with a Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour. Besides taking you everywhere, they’ll also give you an audioguide to share interesting facts about Milan.

Click here to book your Milan Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour!

Where to eat during your one day in Milan

Coming from someone that lived in Milan for 18 years and has tried a lot restaurants in the city, I can say that the cuisine in Milan is pretty good everywhere.

However if you’re only visiting for one day I understand that you might not want to travel around the whole city searching for the best restaurant.

How convenient that my top three favourite restaurants are right by the Duomo!

Luini

The all time winner. This little shop was founded in 1888 and is specialized in “panzerotti”, which are basically like a small fried calzone.

The prices vary depending on what stuffing you get in your panzerotto, but are never more expensive than 5 EUR and the classic mozzarella and tomato one starts at around 3 EUR. 

They also have sweet options with Nutella for the sweet tooths out there! There are no tables and chairs to sit at, it’s a small take away shop where you pop in, grab a panzerotto and eat while exploring the rest of Milan.

My main tip here is to go slightly before lunch time since at noon on the dot the queue starts growing, they even have bouncers to manage it!

Spontini

Not exactly the traditional pizza, since they do big thick slices instead of serving the classic thin round pizza, but it’s one of my favourite nonetheless! If you like thick pizza, this is the place to go.

For a sit down meal with a slice of pizza and a drink it’s around 5.50 EUR (a 50p extra gets you a large slice, definitely worth it if you ask me)!

There are quite a lot of Spontini around Milan, one of them being right next to Galleria Vittorio Emanuele so that you can pop in for a quick pizza while exploring the centre of Milan.

This central venue has stand up tables so as to make it a faster meal, whilst the others have proper tables and seats for a sit-down meal.

Fresco & Cimmino

If you’re visiting the area around the Duomo of Milan in the evening and fancy a sit down dinner, this is the best place to go without breaking the bank and your Italy holiday budget.

It’s in the street parallel to Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, so in a perfect central location.

The restaurant owners are originally from Naples and this is reflected in the cuisine; their pizzas and desserts are really fantastic. They also have some of the best pasta in Milan!

A meal with starter, main and dessert will cost you around 25 EUR. They have some partner restaurants all around Milan, amongst which the historic venue Camillo Benso.

Try a Milanese aperitivo!

One experience that can’t miss from your Milan itinerary, is the Milanese “aperitivo”; a very traditional Milanese dining experience.

An aperitivo is where, in a bar, you pay a fixed price (usually around 10 EUR) for a drink, and it comes with a series of food and nibbles. Some places offer a buffet, while others will bring platters to your table.

I don’t have specific bar recommendations, as pretty much every bar in Milan offers it. Some of the popular areas to do aperitivo in Milan are Navigli, Arco della Pace and Brera.

Final thoughts on spending one day in Milan

Have you been to Milan before? How did you find it? Let me know in the comments below!

Milan is a city with plenty of things to do, however if you’re only visiting for one day, the things I have listed in this guide are, in my opinion, the must-see attractions that you can’t miss.

Being a city, you could visit Milan at any time of the year. Regardless of whether you visit Milan in winter or on an Italy summer trip, you’ll still be able to do everything on this itinerary.

Just arm yourself with an umbrella and raincoat and you’re good to go! Milan is also a great destination to visit in Italy in winter, as from there you can easily go skiing in the Alps, and Christmas in Milan is simply beautiful!

If you do decide to venture beyond Milan to Lake Como, make sure to check out my guides on the best Lake Como boat tours and where to stay in Lake Como!

I hope you find my Milan 1-day itinerary useful in planning your one day in Milan trip!

If you’re staying longer and want to go on day trips outside Milan, Lake Como is a popular choice, find out more about it here.

Looking for more Italy travel tips? Check out these guides:

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• Everything you need to know about doing a gondola ride in Venice
• The 15 most Instagrammable places in Rome
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• Sicily 7-day itinerary
• 15 absolutely gorgeous views in Rome
• The ultimate Matera travel guide
• Island hopping in the Maddalena Arcipelago, Sardinia
• 10 things Italians want you to know
• When should you visit Sardinia?
• The ultimate Tuscany 4-day itinerary

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