So you only have one day in Milan. You are likely asking, “Can you see Milan in one day?” Well, the answer is both yes and no. Let me explain.
It all depends on how you want to see Milan. If you want to see it mostly from the outside, walking and taking the tram, hitting the main attractions without visiting the museums and the churches, then yes, you can see Milan in one day.
On the other hand, if you prefer spending time walking the streets, tasting the best food, and visiting many of the museums, then you need a full weekend.
For those of you who are keen on spending one day in Milan, please keep reading. I will show you how to make the most of that time, and give you an itinerary and a map to use.
PS: You will actually get 2 itineraries and 2 maps to choose from, depending on where you want to have lunch!
Table of Contents
What To See In Milan: Top Spots
If you want Google top recommend Milan sightseeing spots, here is the list:
- Duomo di Milano – Cathedral & Square
- Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
- Sforzesco Castle
- Teatro alla Scala
- Pinacoteca di Brera
- San Siro Stadium
- Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio
- Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore
- Parco Sempione
- Arco della Pace
- Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science
- Monumental Cemetery
- Pirelli HangarBicocca
- Triennale di Milano
- Chiesa di Santa Maria presso San Satiro
If you are coming for a day, you likely won’t be able to fit them all on your itinerary. Below I am listing my top 10 favorites, including ones that are not on the Google list. I hope this helps you narrow down your list.
- Milan Duomo Cathedral & Square
- Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
- Pinacoteca di Brera
- Sforzesco Castle
- Parco Sempione
- Arco della Pace
- Brera Neighborhood
- Quadrilatero della Moda
- Navigli Neighborhood
- Quadrilatero del Silenzio – Liberty Buildings
I have included 1 to 9 on the itineraries below. The reason I omitted number 10 is purely a lack of time in the day. Also, it’s not that close to the other sights. If you happen to be staying longer, going through the itinerary faster, or even skipping visiting any museums, definitely take a wander through that area of Milan.
One Day In Milan Itinerary
I am sharing two itinerary options, which change depending on where you prefer having lunch, and which day you visit. You can see them both below.
Milan One Day Itinerary Option 1 – Lunch in Navigli
This itinerary is especially perfect for those visiting Milan on the weekend – on Saturday or Sunday. There’s a restaurant open for lunch on the weekend you should make time for, it’s that good!
Morning
9 am – Milano Centrale
Taxi or metro to Duomo: 30 minutes to figure out the tickets (best to buy a one-day card if you plan to avoid taxis – more info below.)
9.40 – Duomo & Galleria:
Admire the Cathedral, and surrounding area, and explore the Galleria
If you want to go inside the Cathedral, even with a ticket, you’ll need to factor in at least 2 hours. In that case, you won’t have time for all the other areas in Milan. I think that seeing the landmarks from the outside is enough for your first time in Milan. But you decide what you want from this day trip.
10.40 – Breakfast:
1 hr for breakfast at Marchesi 1824 Prada Cafe
Other great breakfast options nearby include Motta Cafe, Giacomo Caffe Letterario, or Starbucks Roastery.
10.45 – Museum Time:
Museo del Novecento. Book your tickets online in peak season.
If you skip this museum, you save around 1 hr, which you can use to explore the shopping district. In that case, head to Via Monte Napoleone and explore this street and the surrounding area.
Quadrilatero del Silenzio is just 10 minutes away from Via Monte Napoleone. If you want to admire the Liberty buildings in this neighborhood of Milan, I suggest you start with Via Gabrio Serbelloni. Other streets to explore in the area include Via Mozart, Via Cappuccini, and Via Vivaio.
If you prefer staying closer to the Duomo, you can explore Via Torino and Via Dante. These are more high street shops, but you’ll find a few designers. Plus, there’s the Galleria close by.
Lunch Time
11.45 – Take the metro to Navigli
Noon – Explore Navigli
13.00 – Lunch at Gnocco Fritto (Friday to Sunday) – make sure to book.
Afternoon
14.30 – Metro to Brera
15.00 – Explore Brera (more details in itinerary 2)
16.00 – Admire Castello Sforzesco, Parco Sempione & Arco della Pace
Early Evening
17.30 – Taxi to Station
18.00 – Explore Mercato Centrale
18.30 – Dinner in Mercato Centrale
20.00 – Take your train back
I really urge you to make the time to have dinner at Mercato Centrale, located under the main Milan Train Station. It’s really a beautiful and vibrant experience, full of food stalls with delicious Italian food, but not only.
You can see the full tour on my TikTok @alessiaitalianlife. If it’s not there when you visit, it’s coming soon, so stick around.
If you don’t plan to have dinner in Milan, I suggest you stop by Starbucks Roastery. I wouldn’t usually recommend a Starbucks, but this is one is both beautiful and delicious, and the service is impeccable!
Milan One Day Itinerary Option 2 – Lunch in Brera
Here’s a similar itinerary, for those who prefer visiting Brera before Navigli, and having lunch there.
Morning
9 am – Milano Centrale
Taxi or metro to Duomo: 30 minutes to figure out the tickets (best to buy a one-day card if you plan to avoid taxis)
9.40 – Duomo & Galleria:
Admire the Cathedral, and surrounding area, and explore the Galleria
10.40 – 1 hr for breakfast
I suggest Marchesi 1824, Motta Cafe, or Starbucks Roastery in the area.
In Itinerary 1, I suggested visiting Museo del Novecento after breakfast. In this itinerary, I suggest skipping this so you’ll have time for Pinacoteca di Brera. Alternatively, head to Via Monte Napoleone and explore this area as much as you like.
Lunchtime
11.45 – Brera
Walk to Via Brera (it only takes 15 minutes from the Duomo)
Explore Via Brera, Via Fiori Chiari & the alley streets.
Pop in the Pettinaroli Craft Store.
Visit the small Botanical Garden.
12.15 – Visit the Pinacoteca di Brera
If you skipped the Museum of Novecento, and the shopping district, you can spare that hr to visit this museum.
13.45 – Lunch
I suggest Osteria da Fortunata (make sure to book) or opt for a nearby restaurant.
Afternoon
14.45 – Afternoon Walk
Walk to Castello Sforzesco & Parco Sempione (wear closed shoes, especially on a rainy day). Explore the area. You can admire the castle from the outside. Don’t forget the Arco della Pace. It’s especially stunning from afar.
15.45 – Metro to Navigli
Explore Navigli
If you are short on time I suggest visiting Naviglio Grande, The Vicolo dei Lavandai, and the Darsena del Naviglio.
Early Evening
17.00 – Metro or taxi to Central Station
17.30 – Explore the Mercato Centrale & choose your dinner spot, maybe dessert too!
18.30/19.00 – Take your train back.
One Day In Milan Maps
Now that you have had time to look at both itineraries, let me provide you with a map for each. You can use the one you prefer.
Milan One Day Itinerary Map 1
This map goes with Itinerary 1 above.
Milan One Day Itinerary Map 2
This map goes with Itinerary 2 above.
How To Get Around Milan – Useful Information
Milano Centrale Info.
You’re likely to be arriving by train. Here’s some useful information about Milan train station.
Milan train station is divided across different levels. The train platform is located on level 2. When you arrive go outside the platform area through the exit gates. After you take a moment to admire the architecture, you’ll spot the moving walkways in the middle. Take those to reach the ground floor.
On the ground floor you’ll find all of these:
– ticket shops
– exit & taxi area
– Metro access
– Mercato Centrale (restaurants area)
Milan Taxi Info
You must be aware that taking a taxi from the station might take longer than you expect. This depends on the season you are visiting, the day, and time. If that’s the way you want to move, just check the taxi stand and assess the situation. Even if there’s a long queue, it should move fairly quickly, but it might still take you 30 minutes in line.
In Milan, it’s against the law to call a taxi from the airports and the stations. If you try, they either won’t answer or will tell you what I just did. The other option is to walk 5 to 10 minutes away from the station, and then call a taxi.
On the other hand, if you are staying in a hotel or accommodation, you can book a taxi from your accommodation to the station/airport.
The taxi company we used most of the time, and which I can recommend is this:
Taxi Milano – Phone Number: 028585
Milan taxi price:
A taxi from Milano Centrale station to Brera was €15. The taxis we booked from our accommodation in Brera to the station cost us between €13 and €16, depending on the route/traffic/and day of the week. The most expensive was on a Saturday.
Milan Metro Info
If you prefer to take the metro from the station to the Duomo, you can access it from the ground floor. There you will also find a ticket shop. It’s a Tabac/souvenir shop that sells tickets.
If you plan to take the metro more than twice, I’d suggest buying a 24 hour ticket, which currently costs €7.60. You can use it on all forms of transport – metro, bus, and trams in the city center.
To validate it, use the machines located at the metro’s entrance. You’ll have to go through one to get inside. You’ll also have to tap the ticket on your way out, so keep it handy.
PS: If the ticket doesn’t work, make sure you are using the correct machine to validate it. I noticed there are two different ones. In that case, try the other type. Also, the trick is to first tap the ticket, and then push the gate. If you push it before tapping, it jams and doesn’t open!
To navigate Milan by metro, simply use Google Maps. Ask for directions from your location to your destination, and it will tell you all the options, show you the closer metro points, and how many lines you need to take to get there. Just pay attention to the direction of the metro line it lists, so you don’t end up traveling in the opposite direction.
Where To Stay In Milan
If you plan to stay a night or longer in Milan to explore the region and go on day trips, you want to stay in a neighborhood that’s central, gorgeous, and has plenty to offer – right? That neighborhood is Brera. You can read more about it here – Why Brera is the best district in Milan (coming soon).
Want To Know More About Milan?
Your day trip to Milan won’t be the same without great food. I suggest you read this next – Milan Food Guide (coming soon), to find out the best foodie spots for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
If you’ve been to Milan already, and want to go shopping, read this: Best Milan Shopping Streets (coming soon).
For those using Milan as a base for exploring the region, and considering taking these day trips, I suggest you read these before going. One of these I recommend, the other one not so much, and it’s likely not what you expect! Click to learn more:
Milan To Lake Como Day Trip (coming soon)
Bergamo Italy (coming soon)
If you want to read more about Milan, you can find all the articles on the city here. I still have plenty to add!
Read the Rome posts here.
Read the Florence posts here.
Thank you for reading. Please leave a heart and share this post with a friend. Don’t forget to subscribe, if you’d like to connect with me, and get more insider information about Italian destinations, food, fashion, culture, and lifestyle.
You can also find me on TikTok @alessiaitalianlife. Come say hi!
A presto,
Alessia.
