Get inspired by our 2 days in Milan itinerary. We’ve put together an agenda full of useful tips and information for you to enjoy the city’s main sights.
What to do on your first day in Milan?
To begin with, one tip we always like to include in our articles on travel itineraries is to wake up very early on your travel days. That way, you’ll be able to see a lot of the sights without worrying too much about time.
To start this tour, how about taking a closer look at one of the most famous paintings in the world? Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” is on display in the Santa Maria delle Grazie church and to see the painting you need to pay a separate entrance fee. But you can visit the adjoining church, which does not contain the work, free of charge.
It is beautiful. The building is very beautiful, full of paintings and details in its architecture. However, we recommend that you book online in advance if you want to see Leonardo da Vinci’s work, as tickets are very scarce.
- Important tip: Milan is a city with many tourist attractions, such as museums and tours. That’s why our tip is to always buy your tickets in advance. We buy everything on this website that has the best price.
From there, just a short walk will take you to another popular tourist attraction in the city: the Sforzesco Castle. Built in the 15th century, this castle is one of the most important monuments in Milan. It has functioned as a house and fortress, and has been demolished, rebuilt and restored.
You can choose to stroll around the castle gardens (free) or take a guided tour of the castle and learn all about its history, as well as visiting the museums inside.
Behind the Sforzesco Castle is the Sempione Park, the castle’s garden which, in the past, was only used by the royal family. This place is perfect for those who want to take a walk and relax between tours. There, you can explore the park, seeing the Triennale Building and the White Tower, and the Arco della Pace, which was built in the 19th century under the command of Napoleon Bonaparte.
When it’s time for lunch, we recommend that you take the opportunity to have lunch in one of the city’s delicious restaurants. There are a few nearby establishments in the area where the castle stands.
In the afternoon, a good option is to head to one of the most important museums in all of Milan, the Pinacoteca di Brera. Founded in 1776, it is located in the Palazzo di Brera and began as a place to collect student academic works. However, with the arrival of Napoleon Bonaparte and the French in Italy, the museum began to house many works of art by great artists.
To end the day in the best Italian style, how about attending a performance at the enchanting Teatro alla Scala? This is undoubtedly one of the best experiences you’ll have on your tour of Milan, as it has a neoclassical style in its architecture, creating a special atmosphere for audiences attending a concert or ballet performance.
However, if you don’t want to invest in this attraction, there are always bars, clubs and restaurants to enjoy the nightlife in Milan.
What to do on your second day in Milan?
On this last day in the city, we invite you to visit the famous Piazza del Duomo. It is considered one of the main squares in all of Italy and is where the main events in Milan take place.
It is also home to the city’s main tourist attraction: Milan Cathedral. This square is home to the Equestrian Monument of Vittorio Emanuele II, and has many restaurants, stores, bars and people selling souvenirs for your trip.
There, you can stroll through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, which was inaugurated in 1877 and joins Piazza Duomo to Piazza Scala. Its curious architecture is formed by the intersection of two roads, which form an octagon in the central part, with an iron dome covering everything. This makes it a beautiful place with plenty of luxury stores for you to do some shopping.
Returning to Piazza del Duomo, Milan Cathedral is also a must-see. Considered one of the largest churches in the world, the cathedral is also very old: it was first built in 1386.
One of the most striking features of this place is its enchanting architecture, which attracts millions of tourists every year. That’s why it’s worth taking a tour of Milan Cathedral and taking lots of photos to mark your trip.
Stop for lunch and then head to the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana. It is part of a complex that also includes the Biblioteca Ambrosiana and both are named after St. Ambrose, the city’s patron saint. The museum was founded in 1618 and since then it has enchanted people from Milan and tourists from all over the world, housing works by great artists such as Caravaggio, Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli and Tiziano.
- Important tip: to make the most of your trip to Milan, staying in the best areas is essential. So, if you want, check out our article explaining the main areas, the hotels and how you can save a lot on accommodation.
While you’re at the museum, you can also visit the Ambrosian Library, which has over 35,000 manuscripts and more than 750,000 volumes. One of the most valuable items here is Leonardo da Vinci’s Codex Atlánticus, which contains over 1,000 pages of the main inventions of this great Italian personality.
Finally, you can spend the rest of the day relaxing in the Giardini Pubblici di Porta Venezia Park, which is considered to be Milan’s first public park. It once served as the entrance to the Austrian royal family. There are areas for children to play, the Natural History Museum, a Planetarium and an amusement park.
How to save money on tickets to paid attractions in Milan?
The city of Milan is full of incredible attractions. And to see some of them, you’ll need to have your tickets in hand. So, to save a lot on your ticket purchase, our tip is to buy in advance and online, preferably all on one site.
We’ve traveled all over the world and found a great company on our last trips – this is the Milan Tickets website we used. Click and check it out for yourself. As well as being one of the biggest ticket sellers in the world, this site is very secure.
You can buy all your tickets in one place. It’s worth noting that it’s always cheaper to buy in advance, online, to avoid queues and to avoid wasting your travel time. Especially in Milan, where many tickets sell out quickly.
Save money on your trip to Milan:
Saving money: do you want to plan your trip while making the most of your budget? Be sure to read our article on how to travel to Milan cheap, with all the tips to save the most, while still enjoying it!
Car: if you are thinking about renting one this is the best website. It compares the price at all rental companies and finds unbeatable prices. You can save up to 30%!
Mobile chip: we always use this chip. It’s electronic (eSIM), you install it instantly and you can use your cell phone’s Internet anywhere in the world.
Hotels: our article on where to stay in Milan. You will find out the best areas and how to save a lot on the hotel.
Travel insurance: medical care in another country is very expensive and it is extremely important to take out travel insurance for any trip abroad. This is the website we always take out our insurance on. Reliable and at a good price.
Transfer: do you need one from the airport to the hotel? Find out here how to book and for the lowest price!
