Milan Duomo
A leading capital for fashion and design, you’ll need a great Milan itinerary to explore everything this bustling city has to offer, both on a day trip to Milan and for all your Milan travels! Enjoy a day trip from Milan to Lake Como, or see the highlights on a Milan walking tour. However you decide to plan your trip, we’ve got you covered!
In this Milan itinerary, be sure to check out sections on What to Do in Milan, Milan Transportation, Best Places to Stay in Milan, Milan Travel Tips and FAQs, and more to make your Milan travels a breeze! Whether you’re taking a day trip to Milan or plan to stay a bit longer, you’ll be happy you visited this fashionable Northern Italian city.
Milan Map
Also see: Italy Itinerary; Amalfi Coast Itinerary; Rome Itinerary; Venice Itinerary; Florence Itinerary
Ready to book your trip to Milan? Check out Skyscanner to find cheap flights to Milan from your departure city and take the first step towards an unforgettable trip!
What to Do in Milan
1. Shopping
On your Milan day trip, you’ll definitely want to carve out a bit of time to go shopping and explore the world’s oldest shopping mall, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II! Milan is known as the fashion capital of Italy and one of the major fashion capitals of the world, so shopping (or at least window shopping) should definitely make it into your itinerary.
This city is home to Italy’s highest-end designers and well-known brands. On a walking tour of Milan, you’ll be able to map out your shopping route for the rest of your Milan travels!
My picks for best shopping in Milan, Italy tours: Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II Tours; Shopping in Milan Tours
2. Historic and Cultural Sites
No day trip to Milan will be complete without a visit to the iconic Milan Duomo, located in the heart of the city. Any good walking tour of Milan will take you through the sprawling Piazza del Duomo, where you’ll be able to purchase your Milan Duomo tickets for a tour of the spectacular cathedral. That said, I would recommend buying all your Milan tickets online ahead of time to ensure availability at the best prices and to keep your trip a bit more organized.
Other noteworthy sites you shouldn’t miss during your Milan travels include the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie where you can view the infamous mural, The Last Supper, created by Leonardo Da Vinci. The Castello Sforzesco is another classic site with a rich history that will likely be covered on your walking tour of Milan. You’ll also want to add the famed Pinacoteca di Brera fine art gallery to your Milan itinerary.
My picks for best Milan tours: Milan Tours and Tickets; Top Milan Historical Tours; Best of Milan Tours; Best of Milan Walking Tour with Skip-the-Line to Duomo & ‘Last Supper’
An important thing to note before you head out on your Milan travels is that the city is situated perfectly to facilitate lots of great day trips from Milan! Some of the most popular day trips from Milan include a day trip from Milan to Lake Como, a day trip from Milan to Venice, Milan to Rome trains, Milan to Verona, and Milan to Lake Garda. Make the most of your travels by booking one or more of these exciting Milan day trips!
If you’re planning on taking a quick day trip from Milan, consider popping over to Lake Como, just half an hour outside the city. A Lake Como day trip from Milan is a perfect addition to your trip and will allow you to experience even more of Italy!
My picks for best day trips from Milan: From Milan: Full-Day Coach Trip to Verona and Lake Garda; Top Milan Day Trips; Swiss Alps Bernina Express Rail Tour from Milan; Lake Como and Bellagio Day Trip from Milan
Don’t miss exploring the city’s liveliest neighborhoods for eating, drinking, and Milan nightlife. Be sure to visit the Brera district which is Milan’s cool bohemian area filled with trendy bars and chic restaurants. Consider adding a Milan food tour or cooking class to your trip to experience the best of Brera!
The Naviglio Grande canal is also worth a visit during your trip. The Navigli District is the perfect area to experience lively Milan nightlife or simply to take a picturesque stroll through the city, stopping into charming cafes, restaurants, and shops.
For an authentic local experience, head around the backside of the Duomo for some great pizza restaurants that are delicious and packed with locals. This off the beaten path area will make an adventurous addition to your Milan trip!
My picks for best Milan food tours: Top Milan Food Tours; Milan Food Walking Tour of Brera; Best Cooking Class in Milan with lunch; Amazing Private Milan Aperitivo Tour; Milan Wine Tasting Experience
Day trip from Milan to Lake Como
Check Out the Best Milan Tours for a Day Trip to Milan
Make the most of your visit by adding some of these fun tours to enhance your Milan travels!
Day Trip from Milan to Lake Como
Best Places to Stay in Milan
My picks for best places to stay in Milan: Rosa Grand Milano – Starhotels Collezione; Ostello Bello Hostel; House Aramis Aparthotel; Charming Milan Apartments Brera – Madonnina
Where to stay in Milan will largely depend on what you plan to do during your visit. Near the Piazza del Duomo, the Brera neighborhood, and around the Navigli District are typically the best places for travelers to stay in Milan. These locations will keep you centrally located and nearby the city’s major sites and attractions.
Around the Piazza del Duomo will be the best place to stay in Milan if you want to be right in the city center, closest to Milan’s major landmarks. This will work best if your itinerary only allows for a day or two in the city. The Brera neighborhood will be another of the best places to stay in Milan if you’re looking to experience top shopping, bars, restaurants, and nightlife, and remain close to major sites during your trip.
Another of the best places to stay in Milan is the Navigli District, which is a charming, walkable area around the Naviglio Grande canal. Even if you don’t stay in this area filled with cute shops, restaurants and cafes, you’ll be glad you checked it out!
If you’ve got a busy schedule, these are definitely the best places to stay in Milan to make the most of your travels!
Naviglio Grande, Milan
Milan Transportation
Though much of Milan is easily walkable, Milan public transportation is also widely available and easy to navigate. Milan’s ATM system includes subways, busses, and trams which will take you anywhere you want to go in the city, and they’re super easy to navigate for a day trip to Milan. You’ll also have no problem catching metered taxis or taking an Uber if your Milan itinerary is particularly busy.
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Milan Travel Essentials
World Nomads Travel Insurance: It’s important not to head out on your Milan travels without good travel insurance! You never know what can happen when you travel abroad, from flight cancellations affecting your Milan itinerary, to lost luggage, to medical emergencies. That’s why I always choose WorldNomads.com to insure my trips! World Nomads allows you to buy and claim online, even after you’ve left home. It’s the perfect addition to your Milan itinerary, as it’s designed for adventurous travelers with cover for overseas medical, evacuation, baggage and a range of adventure sports and activities, too.
Italy Power Adapter: Don’t leave without your Italy power adapter, because you won’t be able to plug in your electronics without it! This Italy adapter is particularly useful because it works on several other countries worldwide so you’ll be able to use it again and again.
Osprey Farpoint 55 Travel Backpack: This is the perfect backpack for a trip around Italy, and you’ll be so glad you brought it with you to Milan! This is the backpacking pack I use whenever I travel and I can’t recommend it more. It comes with a detachable daypack with a laptop sleeve, plus it’s super comfortable and durable. For Milan and beyond, this backpack is definitely the way to go. *Tip: Easily toss a quick dry travel towel or versatile sarong into your pack, whose multiple purposes will save you tons of space!
Charles Schwab Debit Card: This is a must-have item for a trip to Milan. Your Charles Schwab debit card will allow you to take out cash at any ATM and make purchases at restaurants and shops with NO international fees! This will save you tons of money throughout your trip, and I absolutely never travel without it. 10/10 would recommend!
Check out my Recommended Travel Essentials page for more useful resources for your Milan travels!
Ready to book your flight to Milan? Click HERE to explore the best flight prices and deals on Skyscanner!
Piazza del Duomo, Milan
Milan Tips and FAQs
How do I get from Malpensa Airport to Milan?
If you arrive by plane for your day trip to Milan, you can take the train, bus, taxi, or Uber in Milan to get from the Malpensa Airport to Milan city center. Be sure to look up your route to your accommodation from the airport before you embark on your trip so you know exactly what to do on arrival. It may be difficult to make a plan if you don’t have Wi-Fi when you touch down in Milan.
Whatever your Milan itinerary, be sure to pack a travel-size neck pillow for lengthy rides, luggage tags to keep track of your belongings, and a TSA approved toiletry case to help your trip run smoothly!
Can you drink tap water in Milan?
Yes, you can drink the tap water on your day trip to Milan! However, be sure to ask specifically for tap water at restaurants or you may automatically be brought bottled water that you’ll need to purchase. Don’t forget to pack some handy electrolyte packets which will keep you hydrated during your Milan day trip, will help rehydrate you if you eat or drink something that doesn’t sit well, and will cure a nasty wine hangover from your Milan travels!
Is Milan safe?
Yes, Milan is considered to be a relatively safe city. That said, be sure to take the normal precautions you would in any big city during your visit to Milan, like avoiding walking alone at night and being wary of pickpockets in crowded and touristy areas.
Prepare for your trip with a TSA approved travel-size combination lock to secure your luggage and lock your valuables in your accommodation’s safe or locker. Don’t leave for Milan without a travel-size external battery charger, which will come in handy if your smartphone runs out of battery at an inconvenient time.
Finally, keep a small journal and pen on you to write down your accommodation address and any other vital information from your Milan itinerary so you have it in case of emergency!
What language is spoken in Italy?
Italian is the language spoken in Italy, though many locals speak English, particularly in the larger cities like Milan so you shouldn’t have much trouble on your day trip to Milan.
My sister in the Navigli District
Traveling Alone or Want to Join a Tour?
Joining a tour is a great way to experience Milan and all that Italy has to offer in one organized and affordable trip, and Intrepid Italy Tours do just that! Make your Milan travels meaningful, memorable, and stress-free by traveling with Intrepid.
I personally always choose Intrepid tours for destinations I want to see a lot of because they offer a truly authentic, local experience and they practice sustainable travel, which is so important in the world today. I would definitely recommend signing up for an Intrepid Italy tour to make the most of your visit to Milan and beyond!
*Please note that some of the above are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I make a small commission if you choose to make a purchase. Please know that I ONLY recommend products that I personally use or believe to be helpful to other travelers!