A day in Milan.
A free, curated Milan travel guide and map, where to eat, what to see, and how to spend one perfect 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.