A day in Milan.
Milan is Italy's most international city, fashion week, design week, the financial district, Europe's biggest aperitivo culture. The Duomo is one of the world's great Gothic buildings; the Brera and Navigli neighborhoods are where Milan still feels like an Italian city.
Hour by hour.
A suggested order, feel free to swap, skip, or take it in reverse.
09:30 · Start at Duomo di Milano
Begin your day at Duomo di Milano. Arrive early to avoid crowds and see it in the morning light.
11:00 · Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Walk to Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, one of the city's defining landmarks. Take your time, this is the kind of place you can't rush.
13:00 · Lunch at Osteria Da Fortunata - Brera
Long lunch at Osteria Da Fortunata - Brera. Locals eat late, by 1:30pm you'll be at the heart of the lunch service.
15:00 · Teatro alla Scala
Walk off lunch with a visit to Teatro alla Scala. Allow at least an hour.
16:30 · Castello Sforzesco
Continue to Castello Sforzesco. By now the harsh midday sun has softened, best time for photos.
18:30 · Drinks at Gloria Osteria Milano
Aperitivo or evening drink at Gloria Osteria Milano. Soak in the local rhythm.
20:30 · Dinner at Sea Signora Milano
End the day at Sea Signora Milano. Book ahead if possible.
Picks for the day.
The food stops on the route, plus a couple of alternatives if your timing doesn't match.
Osteria Da Fortunata - Brera
Address: Via Fiori Chiari, 13
Gloria Osteria Milano
Address: Via Tivoli, 3
Sea Signora Milano
Address: Via Fiori Chiari, 32
What to see along the way.
Duomo di Milano
Address: Piazza del Duomo
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Address: Piazza del Duomo
Teatro alla Scala
Address: Via Filodrammatici, 2
Castello Sforzesco
Address: Piazza Castello
Pinacoteca di Brera
Address: Via Brera, 28
Santa Maria delle Grazie (Last Supper)
Address: Piazza di Santa Maria delle Grazie
Tips before you go.
- Most restaurants close between lunch (around 3pm) and dinner (around 7:30pm). Plan around it.
- Cash is still useful in smaller places, though cards are increasingly accepted everywhere.
- Walk where you can, the best parts of any old European city aren't accessible by car.
- Museums sell timed-entry tickets online and they save real time, especially in peak season.
- Locals eat dinner late by American or British standards. Don't show up at 6:30pm expecting service.
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