Milan was the first place in Italy I’ve ever visited. It’s a great city that combines a lot of history with modern architecture. The city has a lot of energy as it’s one of Italy’s business centers during the day and it has a vibrant nightlife. It’s also a paradise for fashion lovers. I had a great time there and I wanted to share my 3 day Milan itinerary with you to help you plan your Milan trip. This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase I may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Find out more here.
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3 Day Milan itinerary: Day 1
Duomo di Milano
Your first stop on this 3-day itinerary in Milan should be at the iconic Duomo di Milano. The Duomo Cathedral is probably the most famous and well-known attraction in the heart of Milan. The gothic architecture of this church is breathtaking. The Piazza del Duomo is the perfect place to take countless pictures and take in the beauty of the duomo.
Because it’s such a famous attraction there will be lots of tourists here, so if you want the place to yourself I recommend you go very early. Because there’s a lot of tourists, there will also be a lot of pickpockets and scammers, so be on high alert.
When I visited there were a few people trying to convince you to let them take your picture and pay 10 euros for it. It’s one of the common scams at the Duomo of Milan. Respectfully decline and they will walk away.
The highlight of my visit to the Duomo was going up on the terraces. You get to see all those elements of intricate, beautiful architecture up close and you get amazing panoramic views of Milan. You will also be able to visit the inside of the church, which is equally as beautiful as the outside.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Right next to the Duomo is the iconic Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Italy’s oldest shopping gallery. You’ll find all the famous Italian brands here and much more. There are also restaurants and even a hotel inside the galleria.
Once you get to the gallery’s midpoint you will see a mosaic of a bull on the floor. There is usually a large crowd around it, so you can’t miss it. The legend goes that if you spin 3 times with your heel on the bull’s uhmmm, body part in between its legs, it will bring you good luck.
So tourists all over the world do this and burst into silly laughter while doing it. It’s a lot of fun and it’s a good way to connect with other people.
La Scala Opera House
Teatro alla Scala is one of the most famous opera houses in the world. And it is one of the main attractions in Milan. It’s very close to the Duomo and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. It has been operating since 1778.
Unfortunately I didn’t have time to visit, I only saw it from the outside. But I plan on doing this guided tour next time I’m in Milan to learn more about its history.
Piazza Mercanti
Piazza Mercanti or Merchants Square is a central square in Milan, very close to the Duomo. I randomly stumbled upon it when I was in the Duomo area and I loved its architecture.
It does remind you a bit of Florence, and that’s because it used to be the city center during the Middle Ages.
Castello Sforzesco
Castello Sforzesco or Sforza Castle is a medieval castle located in central Milan, close to the Duomo. It was built in the 15th century by Francesco Sforza, hence the name of Sforzesco Castle.
Since 2015 it also houses the Rondanini Pietà, one of Michelangelo’s famous sculptures, that he worked on until his death. A guided tour is highly recommended if you want to learn more about the castle and the sculpture.
3 Day Milan itinerary: Day 2
Marvel at Leonardo Da Vinci’s Last Supper
The second day starts with an art stop. Da Vinci’s masterpiece, The Last Supper, was painted inside the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan. The artist finished the famous painting in 1498. This mural survived a lot of things over the years, including a bombing during World War II.
They did a lot of restoration work on it so people across the world can enjoy it. You can only visit on a guided tour. That’s because they need to keep the room temperature and humidity at a certain level to preserve the masterpiece.
The visit lasts about an hour and you’ll learn a lot. Seeing The Last Supper in person is one of my favorite memories from Milan. It’s a very special experience.
Visit Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio
Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio is an ancient church built between 379–386. The building has undergone several restorations and it got its current Romanesque-style appearance in the 12th century. Inside you can see some paintings and mosaics from the 12 and 13th centuries. Entrance is free.
I kind of stumbled upon it and I’m so glad I did. There’s something about really old buildings like this church. I always like to imagine how people lived there, how they painted the walls, how they went to mass.
So much history accumulated inside those walls over the years. I wish I could go back in time to be a fly on the wall and see how people lived in different centuries.
Take a leisurely stroll through the Navigli District
The Navigli District is a cute neighborhood in Milan by the canals. It has plenty of restaurants and cafes, as well as indie shops. It’s a hip and quirky district which also has a lively night scene.
You should take some time to walk around and then enjoy the Italian “dolce far niente” by sitting down at a cafe with an espresso and people watch.
3 Day Milan itinerary: Day 3
Admire Bosco Verticale
Bosco Verticale, or the Vertical Forest, is a sustainable residential complex in Milan, close to Piazza Gae Aulenti. It is comprised of 2 tall buildings that are covered with over 2,000 tree species. It has many benefits like purifying the air and reducing noise pollution, and it won many architectural awards throughout the years.
Stroll through Piazza Gae Aulenti
Right next to the Vertical Forest is Piazza Gae Aulenti. This is a pedestrian square that’s close to the Milan Business Center. It’s ultra-modern, it has lots of skyscrapers, and it has a very different vibe compared to the historical central area.
I love that Milan is a city that can do both. And they do it so well. You can walk around the plaza, grab a cup of coffee or a bite at one of its many restaurants and cafes, and then take a walk in an adjacent park.
Go to Palazzo Lombardia’s observation deck
Palazzo Lombardia is a modern office complex that houses the Lombardy regional government. At certain times of the year, they open the 39th floor observation deck to the public. It’s free to go up.
The 360-degree view is incredible and you’ll be able to see the entire Milan skyline. They post the dates when they open the observation deck to the public on this page, so you’ll have to check it regularly.
FAQs about traveling to Milan
Where should I stay in Milan?
Mid-budget hotels
Milan can be an expensive city, especially if you choose to stay close to the Duomo. However, if you stay a bit further away you can stay at some great hotels that won’t break the bank.
Plus, Milan has great public transportation, so you’ll be in the city center in just a few minutes.
I stayed at the Hyatt Centric Milan Centrale. It’s a hotel located very close to Milan’s main train station, Milano Centrale. I picked it because I knew I would take multiple day trips from Milan.
It was very convenient to stay here. The train station was 5-minutes away, so I could walk there every morning to catch my trains for day trips to Venice and Florence.
The hotel itself was quiet, the room was spacious and clean, and it had all the amenities I needed.
Luxury hotels
If you have a higher budget and are seeking a more luxurious option, then Park Hyatt Milan or Galleria Vik Milano are some of the best hotels in Milan.
Hostels
Unfortunately, I am not the right person to recommend any hostels to you. I am in my 30s and I value comfort, so I will always choose to stay at a hotel vs a hostel. I can see how a hostel is a great option for younger people, but I’m at a different stage in life, so I prefer hotels.
Airbnb
I also tend to pick hotels over Airbnbs because I feel like it’s less of a risk and it’s a more reliable option. One time when I visited Miami with my friends we booked an Airbnb that looked great in pictures but looked really bad in reality. We ended up going to a hotel instead. After that experience I tend to avoid Airbnbs altogether.
What should I eat in Milan?
Pizza from Pizzium
Pizza is always a good idea when you’re in Italy. Pizzium has amazing pizza and their menu is extensive. They have multiple locations throughout Milan. I went with the classic Margherita pizza, which was simple and delicious. It cost 8 euros.
Gelato from Cafe Dante
Gelato is another staple of Italian cuisine. If you also want a show when you buy gelato, you need to check out the Instagram famous Cafe Dante. The server is amazing, and he creates the most beautiful gelato cones. He is also very kind and patient with all the people who film him while he makes the cones. The gelato there is very good as well.
Pistachio croissant
While Italians have great food, they don’t really eat breakfast. Their definition of breakfast is a cappuccino and a cornetto, or croissant. The pistachio cornetto is my favorite. That filling is to die for.
Another thing you need to know: don’t order a cappuccino after 11am. Italians drink milky coffees only for breakfast. So if you want to look like a local, order an espresso instead in the afternoon.
Sfogliatelle
Italians know how to do pastries. The sfogliatella is one of my favorites. It’s a flaky pastry filled with orange flavored ricotta. Major yum! I got this one from Mercato Centrale, a food court by Milano Centrale train station. They have a lot of delicious options there, so you should check them out.
Treat yourself to a meal at a Michelin restaurant
Sometimes you need to treat yourself because life is short. Milan has fantastic Michelin rated restaurants. I highly recommend Seta. It’s a 2-star Michelin restaurant located about 10-15 min away from the Duomo by foot. The food is delicious, and the service is impeccable. It’s going to be an experience you won’t forget anytime soon.
I visited around my birthday. When they found out they brought me a balloon that had “Happy Birthday” written on it and they sang Happy Birthday to me. It made me feel very special. If you’re celebrating any special occasion you’re in great hands at Seta.
Is Milan a safe destination for solo female travelers?
Yes, I felt safe in Milan as a solo female traveler. As always, be on high alert when visiting attractions with lots of crowds to avoid getting scammed or pickpockets stealing from you. I think Milan could be a great place for a first solo trip.
What is the best time to visit Milan?
The shoulder season. I visited in September and there were still a lot of tourists, so probably October and November are the best months to travel to Milan if you want to avoid crowds.
I tend to avoid Europe summer travel because it gets so hot and there are so many tourists everywhere that it takes away from the experience for me. I’d rather wait a few months and go in the fall so I can properly enjoy the destinations I’m visiting.
What day trip options from Milan are there?
There are lots of day trips you could do from Milan. I did two day trips while I was there: one to Venice and one to Florence. I opted to go by myself instead of with a tour and I booked train tickets directly on Trenitalia.
The high speed trains are great in Italy: fast, clean, and most often than not quite reliable.
If I had more time in Milan I would have gone on these other day trips too:
Lake Como Cruise, St. Moritz and Bernina Red Train
How to get cell phone data when visiting from abroad?
The cheapest and most convenient way to get data while visiting from abroad is to buy an eSIM. An eSIM is a digital SIM that lets you activate a data plan from a provider without having to use a physical SIM card. They are super easy to use.
I use Nomad eSIM (use code IOAN43TM for 25% off your first purchase). You can go to their website, select the country you’re traveling to, select how many GB of data you want, and how many days you want the eSIM to be active for. After you pay you will receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to activate the eSIM.
You can activate it on your phone and the process takes under 1 minute. Once the eSIM is activated you don’t have to do anything else. When you’re at your destination you will automatically get data.
How can I get around Milan?
Milan is a walkable city and it also has great public transportation. It’s a big city, so if you need to go from the city center to other neighborhoods, you can take the subway. It’s very easy to use and it’s clean. I guess compared to NYC all subways in Europe seem pristine.
How can I get to the city center from Malpensa airport?
Train
The best option is to take the train, called the Malpensa Express, and operated by Trenord. A round trip is 20 euros. The train stops at both Terminal 1 and 2 and it takes you to Milano Centrale or Milano Cadorna. If your hotel is not close to the train station you can take the subway to your destination.
Taxi / uber
This is the most convenient option since it leaves you right in front of your hotel. Alternatively you can also schedule a private transfer.
Do I need cash?
I did not use any cash while I visited Italy. I paid for everything with a credit card. But it’s always recommended to carry some cash with you so you can tip tour guides or if you buy souvenirs or something else from small mom-and-pop shops who don’t accept credit cards.
Pro tip: always get cash from an ATM in the country you’re visiting instead of going to an exchange place. Your bank will always have better exchange rates when taking out cash in a foreign currency from an ATM.
Do I need to tip in Milan?
Tipping is not required, but I usually leave 1-2 euros when I eat out or go to a cafe. It’s highly appreciated when you do this.
Do I need to book tickets for attractions in advance?
I highly recommend you book all the tickets online in advance of your trip. Especially if you visit during the summer months. Booking in advance will give you peace of mind.
Do people speak English in Milan?
Yes, people speak English everywhere in Milan. I always try to speak in the local language when I travel. I usually learn a few words ahead of my trip. Every time Italians would hear from my accent that I’m not a local they would immediately switch to English.
What Italian words should I learn before my trip to Milan?
This list is not comprehensive by any means, but it has some useful words for a trip to Italy.
Ciao = hi / bye (informal greeting)
Buongiorno = hello (only used during the day)
Buona sera = good evening
Buona notte = good night
Grazie = thank you
Prego = you’re welcome
Si = yes
No = no
Per favore = please
Do you speak English? = Parla Inglese?
I don’t understand = Mi dispiace
Can I pay by card? = Posso pagare con la carta?
The check (bill) please = Il conto, per favore
Where’s the bathroom? = Dov’è il bagno?
Do you recommend Milan as a solo destination?
Yes, I recommend Milan as a destination for solo female travelers. There are so many things to do, the food is delicious, and the people are great.
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Ioana was born and raised in Romania, lived in NYC for 14 years, and is now back in Romania. She fell in love with traveling when she was little and used to visit her aunt in Vienna. Then in high school she was able to visit Siberia, Turkmenistan, Istanbul, and Tokyo through chemistry competitions. As an adult she started to travel solo once she turned 30 and visited 20+ countries so far. Ioana is a full time travel blogger and content creator with an audience of 75K+ people on Instagram. She loves to share travel recommendations and tips.