# 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.

Web page: https://yesgo.io/italy/milan

## Ready itineraries

- [One day in Milan: itinerary](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/in-1-day.md): The Duomo and its rooftop walk, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, La Scala, the Sforza Castle, Leonardo's Last Supper and an evening aperitivo by the Navigli canals.
- [Milan in 2 days: day-by-day itinerary](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/in-2-days.md): The Duomo, Galleria, Sforza Castle and Last Supper, then the Brera's Raphael and Caravaggio, the Ambrosiana, Sant'Ambrogio and the Bosco Verticale.
- [Milan with kids: a family day out](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/with-kids.md): A walk among the Duomo's rooftop spires, the lucky mosaic bull in the Galleria, the moated Sforza Castle and Parco Sempione's pond and playgrounds.

## All 16 places with the YesGo score

- [The Last Supper](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/last-supper.md): YesGo score 72/100 (Yes, go) · 30 min · Paid, booking only. The Last Supper is Leonardo da Vinci's mural of 1495–1498 on the refectory wall of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, one of the most…
- [Milan Cathedral](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/milan-cathedral.md): YesGo score 63/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 30 min · Paid. Milan Cathedral, the Duomo, is the city's great symbol and Italy's largest church: a Gothic pile of pinkish-white marble nearly six…
- [Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/galleria-vittorio-emanuele.md): YesGo score 60/100 (Yes, go) · 30 min · Free. Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is Milan's celebrated glass-domed arcade, linking Piazza del Duomo with Piazza della Scala. It holds the…
- [San Siro Stadium](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/san-siro.md): YesGo score 58/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 30 min · Paid. San Siro is Milan's legendary football stadium, shared by AC Milan and Inter and one of the largest in Europe, instantly recognisable by…
- [Santa Maria delle Grazie](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/santa-maria-delle-grazie.md): YesGo score 53/100 (Yes, go) · 30 min · Free. Santa Maria delle Grazie is a 15th-century Dominican church whose convent refectory holds Leonardo's Last Supper. The church itself is…
- [La Scala](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/la-scala.md): YesGo score 51/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h · Paid. La Scala is the world's most famous opera house, opened in 1778 a few steps from the Duomo, where Verdi and Puccini premiered their works…
- [Bosco Verticale](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/bosco-verticale.md): YesGo score 51/100 (Yes, go) · 30 min · Free. Bosco Verticale, the Vertical Forest, is a pair of residential towers in Milan's new Porta Nuova district whose balconies hold hundreds of…
- [Sforza Castle](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/sforza-castle.md): YesGo score 48/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · Courtyards free, museums paid. Sforza Castle is the vast 15th-century brick fortress of Milan's dukes, its tall tower rising over the main gate. The courtyards are free…
- [Piazza del Duomo](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/piazza-del-duomo.md): YesGo score 47/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 20 min · Free. Piazza del Duomo is the heart of Milan: a vast pedestrian square before the white cathedral where every walk around the city begins…
- [Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/sant-ambrogio.md): YesGo score 47/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 40 min · Free. The Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio is one of Milan's oldest churches, founded in the 4th century by St Ambrose, the city's patron. Today's…
- [Lake Como](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/lake-como.md): YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 8 h · Free; transport and villas paid. Lake Como is one of Italy's loveliest lakes, at the foot of the Alps an hour by train from Milan. Its shores hold the elegant towns of…
- [Via Monte Napoleone](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/via-monte-napoleone.md): YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · Free. Via Monte Napoleone is the heart of Milan's fashion district, the Quadrilatero della Moda, and one of the world's most expensive streets…
- [Parco Sempione](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/parco-sempione.md): YesGo score 42/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free. Parco Sempione is the largest and best-loved park in central Milan, opening right behind Sforza Castle. It has lawns, a pond and shady…
- [Navigli](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/navigli.md): YesGo score 41/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Free. The Navigli is Milan's old canal district south-west of the centre, where the whole city comes out in the evening. Along the Naviglio…
- [Pinacoteca di Brera](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/pinacoteca-di-brera.md): YesGo score 37/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · Paid. The Pinacoteca di Brera is Milan's leading art gallery, in the Brera palace in the old bohemian quarter near La Scala. It holds Raphael's…
- [Pinacoteca Ambrosiana](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/pinacoteca-ambrosiana.md): YesGo score 37/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Paid. The Ambrosiana is one of Europe's oldest libraries and picture galleries, founded by Cardinal Federico Borromeo in the early 17th century…

## 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.

## Trip essentials

- 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
- Entry: Schengen rules; ETIAS for visa-free visitors when it starts
- 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
- Churches: Shoulders and knees covered
- Time zone: CET (UTC+1), CEST (UTC+2) in summer

## Key facts

- **1980** — the Last Supper and its church joined the UNESCO list (source: UNESCO World Heritage List, no. 93)
- **135** — spires on the roof of Milan Cathedral (source: Wikipedia, Milan Cathedral)
- **5 lines** — of metro, M1 to M5 (source: ATM — Milan public transport)
- **2026** — Milan and Cortina hosted the Winter Olympics (source: Wikipedia, 2026 Winter Olympics)

## Things 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.

| Area | Top sights | Time |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Around the Duomo** | [Duomo](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/milan-cathedral), [Galleria](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/galleria-vittorio-emanuele), [La Scala](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/la-scala) | ½ day |
| **Castle and park** | [Sforza Castle](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/sforza-castle), [Parco Sempione](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/parco-sempione) | ½ day |
| **Leonardo** | [Last Supper](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/last-supper), [Santa Maria delle Grazie](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/santa-maria-delle-grazie) | 1–2 hours |
| **Galleries** | [Brera](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/pinacoteca-di-brera), [Ambrosiana](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/pinacoteca-ambrosiana) | ½ day |
| **Fashion** | [Via Monte Napoleone](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/via-monte-napoleone) and the Quadrilatero | 1 hour |
| **Evening** | [Navigli](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/navigli), [Sant'Ambrogio](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/sant-ambrogio) | evening |
| **New Milan** | [Bosco Verticale](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/bosco-verticale), [San Siro](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/san-siro) | ½ day |
| **Day trip** | [Lake Como](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/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.

| Area | Best for | Keep in mind |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **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.

| How | From — to | Journey |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **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.

- **January in Milan**: day ≈ 7°C, night ≈ 0°C, rainy days: 6. Cold, foggy, sales.
- **February in Milan**: day ≈ 10°C, night ≈ 1°C, rainy days: 5. Crisp; Fashion Week.
- **March in Milan**: day ≈ 15°C, night ≈ 4°C, rainy days: 6. Spring arrives.
- **April in Milan** (best time): day ≈ 19°C, night ≈ 8°C, rainy days: 8. Warm, gardens bloom.
- **May in Milan** (best time): day ≈ 24°C, night ≈ 13°C, rainy days: 9. Lovely; some storms.
- **June in Milan** (best time): day ≈ 28°C, night ≈ 17°C, rainy days: 7. Hot, long days.
- **July in Milan**: day ≈ 30°C, night ≈ 19°C, rainy days: 5. Heat — go early or late.
- **August in Milan**: day ≈ 30°C, night ≈ 19°C, rainy days: 6. Hot; the city empties.
- **September in Milan** (best time): day ≈ 25°C, night ≈ 15°C, rainy days: 6. Warm; Fashion Week.
- **October in Milan** (best time): day ≈ 19°C, night ≈ 10°C, rainy days: 8. Mild, some rain.
- **November in Milan**: day ≈ 12°C, night ≈ 5°C, rainy days: 7. Damp and foggy.
- **December in Milan**: day ≈ 7°C, night ≈ 1°C, rainy days: 6. 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](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/last-supper) — Paid, booking only
- [Milan Cathedral](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/milan-cathedral) — Paid
- [Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/galleria-vittorio-emanuele) — Free
- [San Siro Stadium](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/san-siro) — Paid
- [Santa Maria delle Grazie](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/santa-maria-delle-grazie) — Free
- [La Scala](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/la-scala) — Paid
- [Bosco Verticale](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/bosco-verticale) — Free
- [Sforza Castle](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/sforza-castle) — Courtyards free, museums paid
- [Piazza del Duomo](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/piazza-del-duomo) — Free
- [Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/sant-ambrogio) — Free
- [Lake Como](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/lake-como) — Free; transport and villas paid
- [Via Monte Napoleone](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/via-monte-napoleone) — Free
- [Parco Sempione](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/parco-sempione) — Free
- [Navigli](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/navigli) — Free
- [Pinacoteca di Brera](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/pinacoteca-di-brera) — Paid
- [Pinacoteca Ambrosiana](https://yesgo.io/italy/milan/pinacoteca-ambrosiana) — Paid

## 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.

## Questions

### 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

- 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

Facts checked: 11.11.2026

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