Things to do in Milan: top sights and where to go
Milan keeps its essentials close to the white cathedral: the Duomo and its rooftop, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and La Scala are five minutes apart, Sforza Castle and Parco Sempione fifteen, and Leonardo's Last Supper 2 km west by reservation. Evenings belong to the Navigli canals, and Lake Como makes the classic day trip. Allow 2–3 days for the city.
Sights
Milan itineraries
Milan travel guide
What to know before you go: best areas to stay, the Duomo and the Last Supper, airports, metro, weather, food and a day trip to Lake Como.
Milan on your own: the essentials
- Entry
- Schengen rules; ETIAS for visa-free visitors when it starts
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - How long
- 2–3 days for the city, +1 for Lake Como
- Best time
- April–June and September–October
- Last Supper
- Reservation only — book weeks ahead
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Money
- Euro; contactless almost everywhere
- Airports
- Malpensa (MXP), Linate (LIN), Bergamo (BGY)
- Getting around
- Metro M1–M5, trams; the centre on foot
- City tax
- Charged per person per night by your hotel
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Churches
- Shoulders and knees covered
- Time zone
- CET (UTC+1), CEST (UTC+2) in summer
officiali
Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Key facts
Sourcei
UNESCO World Heritage List, no. 93Sourcei
Wikipedia, Milan CathedralSourcei
ATM — Milan public transportSourcei
Wikipedia, 2026 Winter OlympicsThings to do in Milan by area
Milan's must-sees are the Duomo and its rooftop, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, La Scala, Sforza Castle and Leonardo's Last Supper, with the Navigli canals for the evening and Lake Como for a day out. Every place with its YesGo score is in the list above.
| Around the Duomo | Duomo, Galleria, La Scala | ½ day |
|---|---|---|
| Castle and park | Sforza Castle, Parco Sempione | ½ day |
| Leonardo | Last Supper, Santa Maria delle Grazie | 1–2 hours |
| Galleries | Brera, Ambrosiana | ½ day |
| Fashion | Via Monte Napoleone and the Quadrilatero | 1 hour |
| Evening | Navigli, Sant'Ambrogio | evening |
| New Milan | Bosco Verticale, San Siro | ½ day |
| Day trip | Lake Como | a day |
Rather not plan it yourself? The list above has ready-made itineraries with the places in a sensible order.
Milan itinerary: 1, 2 or 3 days
One day in Milan covers the centre on foot: the Duomo and its roof, the Galleria, La Scala, Sforza Castle and an evening on the Navigli. With two days, add the Last Supper (by reservation), the Brera gallery and the fashion district. Spend a third day at Lake Como.
- Day 1 — the Duomo and roof, Galleria, La Scala, Sforza Castle, evening on the Navigli.
- Day 2 — the Last Supper, Sant'Ambrogio, Brera, Via Monte Napoleone.
- Day 3 — train to Lake Como: Varenna, Bellagio and the ferries.
- Day 4 — Bosco Verticale, the San Siro tour and the Ambrosiana.
Where to stay in Milan: best areas
The best areas to stay in Milan for a first visit are the centre around the Duomo and Brera, both within walking distance of the main sights. The Navigli suit nightlife, Porta Nuova and Isola show modern Milan, and the Centrale station area is handy for airport and Lake Como trains but less charming.
| Centre, Duomo | First visit, walk everywhere | Pricey |
|---|---|---|
| Brera | Pretty lanes, cafés | Few budget hotels |
| Navigli | Evenings, bars, canals | Noisy at night |
| Porta Nuova, Isola | Modern Milan, metro | Further from the Duomo |
| Centrale station | Airport and Como trains | Less pleasant after dark |
| Porta Romana | Quiet, local cafés | Metro M3 to the centre |
Milan airports to the city centre
Milan has three airports. The main one, Malpensa (MXP), is 50 km out, and the Malpensa Express train reaches Cadorna and Centrale in about 50 minutes. Linate (LIN) is 7 km away, 15 minutes by metro M4. Bergamo (BGY), used by low-cost airlines, is 45 km away, about an hour by bus to Centrale.
| Malpensa Express | Malpensa — Cadorna or Centrale | ≈ 50 min |
|---|---|---|
| Bus | Malpensa — Centrale | ≈ 50–60 min |
| Metro M4 | Linate — San Babila | ≈ 15 min |
| Bus | Bergamo — Centrale | ≈ 50–60 min |
| Taxi, transfer | Malpensa — centre | ≈ 45–60 min |
Milan metro and public transport
Milan's metro is easy to use, with five lines: M1 (red), M2 (green), M3 (yellow), M4 (blue) and M5 (lilac). Duomo station on M1 and M3 is in the centre, M4 runs to Linate airport and M5 to San Siro. The city is compact, so the centre is best on foot or by tram.
- Tickets — one urban ticket covers metro, tram and bus for 90 minutes; 24- and 72-hour passes exist.
- Tap to pay — contactless bank cards work at the metro gates.
- Trams — 1920s orange trams still run on route 1.
- Bikes — the BikeMi bike-share has docks all over the centre.
- Trains — to Lake Como and Bergamo from Centrale and Cadorna.
Milan weather by month
Milan's climate is continental: summers are hot and humid at ≈ 29–30 °C, winters cool at ≈ 6–8 °C by day and around freezing at night, often foggy. The best time to visit is April–June and September–October. In August many Milanese go on holiday and some restaurants and shops close.
°CiLong-term averages, °C: day and night air, sea water near the shore, rain — rainy days a month. Any given year can be warmer or cooler. Tap a month for details below. | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day | 7° | 10° | 15° | 19° | 24° | 28° | 30° | 30° | 25° | 19° | 12° | 7° |
| Night | 0° | 1° | 4° | 8° | 13° | 17° | 19° | 19° | 15° | 10° | 5° | 1° |
| Rain | 6 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 6 |
Warm — 20 °C and above by dayBest time to go: April–June and September–October
- day ≈ 7°
- night ≈ 0°
- rain 6 days
Cold, foggy, sales.
- day ≈ 10°
- night ≈ 1°
- rain 5 days
Crisp; Fashion Week.
- day ≈ 15°
- night ≈ 4°
- rain 6 days
Spring arrives.
- day ≈ 19°
- night ≈ 8°
- rain 8 days
Warm, gardens bloom.
- day ≈ 24°
- night ≈ 13°
- rain 9 days
Lovely; some storms.
- day ≈ 28°
- night ≈ 17°
- rain 7 days
Hot, long days.
- day ≈ 30°
- night ≈ 19°
- rain 5 days
Heat — go early or late.
- day ≈ 30°
- night ≈ 19°
- rain 6 days
Hot; the city empties.
- day ≈ 25°
- night ≈ 15°
- rain 6 days
Warm; Fashion Week.
- day ≈ 19°
- night ≈ 10°
- rain 8 days
Mild, some rain.
- day ≈ 12°
- night ≈ 5°
- rain 7 days
Damp and foggy.
- day ≈ 7°
- night ≈ 1°
- rain 6 days
Cold; Christmas tree.
7 December is the feast of St Ambrose, Milan's patron: La Scala opens its season and a big fair fills the area by Sforza Castle.
Food in Milan: what to eat
Milan's signature dishes are saffron risotto alla milanese, cotoletta alla milanese (a breaded veal chop on the bone) and ossobuco, braised veal shank. Panettone is everywhere at Christmas, and in the evening the Milanese head out for aperitivo, with snacks served alongside drinks.
- Risotto alla milanese — golden with saffron, often with ossobuco.
- Cotoletta alla milanese — breaded veal chop.
- Aperitivo — 6 to 9 pm, best on the Navigli.
- Panettone — the Christmas cake, born in Milan.
- Panzerotti — fried mozzarella turnovers near the Duomo.
- Coffee — cheaper standing at the bar.
Milan attraction prices
Free in Milan: Piazza del Duomo, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the Sforza Castle courtyards, Parco Sempione, the Navigli and most churches. You pay for the cathedral and its roof, the Last Supper, the castle museums, the Brera and Ambrosiana galleries, the La Scala museum and the San Siro tour.
| The Last Supper | 72 | 30 min | Paid, booking only |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milan Cathedral | 63 | 1 h 30 min | Paid |
| San Siro Stadium | 58 | 1 h 30 min | Paid |
| La Scala | 51 | 1 h | Paid |
| Sforza Castle | 48 | 2 h | Courtyards free, museums paid |
| Pinacoteca di Brera | 37 | 2 h | Paid |
| Pinacoteca Ambrosiana | 37 | 1 h 30 min | Paid |
Free — 9 places: Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Santa Maria delle Grazie, Bosco Verticale, Piazza del Duomo, Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio, Lake Como, Via Monte Napoleone, Parco Sempione and more.
Tips
- Book the Last Supper the moment tickets are released — in season they go within hours.
- Climb the Duomo roof early or before sunset.
- Turn down "free" bracelets on Piazza del Duomo — money is demanded afterwards.
FAQ
What are the top things to do in Milan?
The Duomo and its roof, the Last Supper, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, La Scala, Sforza Castle and the Navigli.
How many days do you need in Milan?
2–3 days for the city, plus a day for Lake Como.
How do I get from Malpensa to Milan?
The Malpensa Express train to Cadorna or Centrale takes about 50 minutes; buses are cheaper.
What's the weather like in Milan in October?
About 19 °C by day and 10 °C at night, with some rain.
Where is the best area to stay in Milan?
The centre near the Duomo or Brera for walking everywhere; the Navigli for evenings.
How do I see the Last Supper?
By reservation only at cenacolovinciano.org, or with a guided tour if it's sold out.
How many metro lines does Milan have?
Five — M1 to M5; one ticket covers metro, tram and bus for 90 minutes.
What should I eat in Milan?
Saffron risotto, cotoletta alla milanese, ossobuco, panettone and an evening aperitivo.
How do I get to Lake Como from Milan?
By train from Centrale to Varenna in about an hour, or to Como in 40–60 minutes.
Is Milan worth visiting?
Yes — for the Duomo, Leonardo, world-class galleries, fashion, food and Lake Como an hour away.
Sources and fact-check
- UNESCO World Heritage List, no. 93 — Santa Maria delle Grazie with The Last Supper
- Wikipedia, Milan; Milan Cathedral; Milan climate (1991–2020 normals)
- Milan airports (SEA) and Trenord — Malpensa Express
- ATM — Milan public transport, official site