One Day in Milan: Top Things to See and Do for a Perfect Day Trip
After my successful trips last year to Matera, Bologna, and Florence, I decided to plan another adventure this February. This time, I ventured further up north to explore Milan, Turin, Genova, and Pisa. While not every city was a success (I’ll probably talk about that in a future post!), I had a wonderful time in Milan, which is a totally different city than Rome.
Though the fast-paced atmosphere of the city isn’t quite my usual vibe, it’s still a fantastic place to visit for a day. I had an amazing time exploring its highlights.
In this post, I’ll share my favourite things to do and see in Milan in just one day, hoping to inspire your own visit to this city!
Don’t Miss the Duomo di Milano
I know it’s pretty obvious to start with the Duomo, and I almost didn’t want to include it for that reason, but I just couldn’t bring myself to leave it out. The Duomo is simply too iconic, and it’s a must-visit when in Milan.
The Duomo di Milano is the cathedral church of Milan, dedicated to Santa Maria Nascente. It’s the largest church in Italy (excluding the Vatican), and its construction took nearly six centuries to complete!
Piazza del Duomo is located in the heart of the city, making it the perfect starting point to explore the rest of Milan. Right next to it, you’ll find Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, which is also worth a visit.
Personally, I didn’t go inside the Duomo, so I can’t honestly say if it’s worth it (I know, what kind of travel blogger am I?). But if you’re interested, you can purchase tickets on the official website of the Duomo. They offer combination tickets with the museum, as well as tickets for concerts and other cultural events, including a virtual reality experience. If you’re curious about any of that, you can find more information there!
Explore Castello Sforzesco
Located within the beautiful Parco Sempione is the stunning Castello Sforzesco. This impressive medieval fortress is rich in history and stands as one of Milan’s most iconic landmarks. Originally built in the 15th century by Francesco Sforza, the Duke of Milan, it was later renovated and expanded by subsequent rulers, including the powerful Visconti and Sforza families.
Inside the castle, you’ll find several museums, including art collections and historical exhibits. If you’re interested in exploring them, you can check ticket prices and more information on the official website.
Even if you don’t go inside, the castle itself is beautiful. You can walk underneath the gate and explore Parco Sempione, which is a big park perfect for reading or relaxing for a bit. Since I visited in winter, I saw plenty of locals walking their dogs dressed in adorable winter jackets. And as a dog lover, you know this was a highlight!
Visit Santa Maria delle Grazie
Located very close to Castello Sforzesco is Santa Maria delle Grazie, a famous church that is definitely a must-see in Milan, though I didn’t even get to see its main highlight. You see, in the refectory of the convent, you’ll find the freaking mural of The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci, probably one of the most famous paintings in the world.
The reason I didn’t visit this incredible piece of art is that the entrance to the mural is separate from the church itself, and you need to book a ticket months in advance. As I’m writing this in February, all the tickets until the end of April are sold out, and you can’t even book further ahead. Reservations open quarterly according to this schedule.
Nonetheless, even without experiencing The Last Supper (she writes with tears in her eyes), the church itself is absolutely beautiful to visit. It has extensive opening hours, and the inside is really worth exploring, in my opinion.
Go (Window) Shopping!
Oh, to be rich! I never regretted traveling on a budget until I came to Milan. If I had been followed by a camera that day, I am pretty sure you would have caught me drooling over shoes more times than I would like to admit. I knew Milan was famous for its fashion, of course, but the sheer number of stores honestly blew my mind.
I am not exaggerating when I say that there are stores everywhere. Around and on Corso Buenos Aires, you will find more common stores like OVS, H&M, and others you are probably familiar with. Meanwhile, on Via Monte Napoleone, you will find the famous, high-end designer stores.
Personally, I thought the area of San Marco had some of the most beautiful (and yes, expensive) stores. I also loved the creative concept stores there. Even if you are just window shopping, the fashion scene in Milan is an experience on its own.
My General Impression and Conclusion
Before going to Milan, my friends from Rome warned me that it was very different from Rome and that I might not like it. I know, warned sounds a bit dramatic, but I get where they were coming from because Milan and Rome really are worlds apart.
The first thing I noticed was the streets. In Milan, they are much wider, broader, and everything feels very overzichtelijk (that’s Dutch for “organized” or “easy to navigate”). But at the same time, the city felt a bit impersonal to me. In Rome, I always feel a sense of mysticism, like anything could happen at any moment. Milan was the exact opposite. I felt like I knew exactly what was going to happen. There is a fast-paced vibe, with people in a hurry and everyone speedwalking.
That is not to say I did not like Milan. I did. But it is not fair to compare it to Rome because they are just so different. I loved exploring all the highlights, and it is definitely worth a visit. Just do not expect the same romantic, chaotic charm you find in Rome. Milan has its own unique vibe, and it is worth experiencing firsthand!
