Milan has a reputation. On the one hand, it’s a global fashion capital that attracts millions of people from all over the world. On the other hand, it is considered by many tourists an un-Italian city: too uptight, too commercial, too modern. One day in Milan is admittedly not much to explore everything it has to offer, but you’ll get a feel of the city and be able to come to your own conclusion.
I personally found it gorgeous, charming, and, most importantly, delicious. You just need to know where to turn into that little side street to find the flakiest cornetto or the freshest pesto pasta.
In this itinerary for one day in Milan I tried to combine some major attractions, a few hidden gems, and lots and lots of delicious food. Because visiting the Duomo is, of course, pretty amazing, but when you polish it off with a scoop of chocolate gelato that tastes more like chocolate than actual chocolate, your travel experience goes to the next level.
Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links which means if you buy something by clicking the link I will earn a small commission at absolutely no extra cost to you.
A Few Notes on This Itinerary for One Day in Milan
- You can walk the whole way. The route is a little more than 7km (4.5 miles) from start to finish. Milan is a walkable city. It’s a pleasure to stroll around, especially if you are visiting during warmer months.
- The stops on this guide are arranged in logical order for your convenience. Just type them into Google Maps one after the other.
- There are time stamps to give you an idea how long you’ll spend at each attraction. Of course, you can spend more or less time at each stop, depending on your interest.
- I give a lot of food recommendation in this itinerary for one day in Milan, because for me personally food is a great way to explore a new destination. You can pick and choose which ones to try. In any case, it’s always nice to know where to find a great cup of coffee or an excellent croissant along the way.
- I didn’t include visiting the Last Supper into this itinerary, since you need to plan your whole day around it and you never know which time slot you’ll get until you actually book the tickets. Read below my thoughts on visiting this popular attraction.
Can I See The Last Supper if I Only Have One Day in Milan?
The short answer is yes, you can, but there are a few caveats.
First of all, you will have to plan your entire one day in Milan around visiting the Last Supper. The tickets on the official website are sold out months in advance. Unless you are planning this trip way ahead of time, your only option is buying a third-party guided tour. And even those sell out pretty quickly.
The price for a guided tour varies from around 50 to 75 euros per person. So it’s quite an expensive attraction, too.
If it’s a dream of yours to see the Last Supper, get the tickets first, then plan the rest of the day around the tour (you never know what slot you’ll be able to get).
What to Do and Eat in One Day in Milan
8.30 — Breakfast at Pavé Milano
Start your one day in Milan with a hearty breakfast at Pavé, one of the most famous bakeries in the city. It was opened in 2012 and specializes in leavened breads and pastries. It is particularly popular for breakfast as they offer both sweet and savory options. Think: croissants filled with prosciutto or apricot jam, maritozzo, brioches, and great coffee.
The place can get pretty crowded, however we found a few wooden boxes outside the shop to enjoy the breakfast.
Pavé Milano — Via Felice Casati, 27
Alternative: steps away from Pavé is located another poplar cafe called Gelsomina. They also make amazing savory and sweet pastries and offer more space inside. I tried their ricotta tart, croissant with ham, and a brioche with pistachio cream, all of which were fantastic.
9.50 — Pink Flamingos at Villa Invernizzi
A 20-minute walk from Pavé Milano
This is going to be a short stop on our one day in Milan itinerary, but I promise you, it’s worth it. Villa Invernizzi is a historic mansion with a lush garden in Quadrilatero del Silenzio neighborhood where you can peek at pink flamingoes through the fence surrounding the mansion. The flamingoes have been living here since the 1970s.
As the mansion is private you can’t enter the garden, rather you take a look from the outside in. Still, to my mind, this is one of the coolest and most unusual things to do in the city. There are few tourists and it’s completely free of charge.
Villa Invernizzi — Via Cappuccini, 7
9.55 — The Bronze Ear at Casa Sola-Busca
A minute’s walk from Villa Invernizzi
Another lesser-known attraction in Quadrilatero del Silenzio is Casa Sola-Busca, also called Ca ’de l’Oreggia (House of the Ear) because of… well… a large bronze ear located on the wall of the building.
Designed by Adolfo Wildt in 1930, the ear was one of the early iterations of an intercom. People arriving to the building would have to scream right into the ear for the residents to hear them. Although you can’t shout into the ear anymore (the device was disabled by modern tenants), it’s still fun to see it.
House of the Ear — Via Serbelloni, 10
10.00 — Art Deco and a Cup of Coffee at Villa Necchi Campiglio
A minute’s walk from Casa Sola-Busca
Villa Necchi Campiglio is a historic residence located steps away from Villa Invernizzi and Casa Sola-Busca. It was designed by architect Piero Portaluppi in the early 1930s and got its name after the owners, two sisters Gigina and Nedda Necchi, as well as Gigina’s husband, Angelo Campiglio.
In the short period between the two world wars, this was the place where Milan’s high society came together. Apparently, it was the first residence to feature a private swimming pool, which was outrageous as the only other pool was the city pool.
The beautiful Art-deco mansion features a library, a beautiful lush garden with sculptures, and Italian works of art from the 1900s.
There are two ways to see it. You can pay for the entry ticket and see the inside of the mansion. But if the time doesn’t allow (after all you have only one day in Milan), then you can simply have a cup of coffee at the cafe inside the villa. There are tables in the garden where you can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
Villa Necchi Campiglio — Via Mozart, 14
11.00 – 13.00 — The Duomo, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and a Few Delicious Bites
An 18-minute walk from Villa Necchi Campiglio
The Duomo
We have finally arrived at probably the most popular attraction in the city, Duomo di Milano, or Milan Cathedral. It is an absolute must do if you only have one day in Milan.
The Duomo is considered the largest cathedral in all of Italy. Its construction started in 1386 and wasn’t officially finished until 1965, almost 600 years later.
The Duomo is also believed to be the building with the most sculptures: over 3000 in total, including statues, gargoyles, and figurines.
Here’s how to explore the Duomo if you have limited time: you need to see the interior of the cathedral and go up to the rooftop terrace.
Entering the cathedral is free of charge, unless you want to skip the line (that’s what I did and I highly recommend it if you only have one day in Milan). But you have to buy a ticket to go to the rooftop or visit the museum. Not only will you get a bird’s eye view of the square below, but see the intricate ornaments of the Duomo up close. You can take the staircase up or use an elevator (slightly more expensive).
If you want to learn more about the history of Milan and the cathedral, you can take a guided tour of Duomo. The price of the guided tour usually includes a fast-track pass.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Located right by the Duomo, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is one of Milan’s most popular landmarks and one of the oldest shopping malls in the world. It is home to many high-end boutiques like Prada, Gucci, and the like.
But even if you are not planning to shop, a visit here is a must to admire the beautiful architecture: the mosaic floor, the glass dome, and the so-called “crossroads”, the central spot that forms an octagon, connecting four arcades.
Coffee and Cake at Marchesi 1824
This historic patisserie, opened in 1824 as you might have guessed, is located on the first floor of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and offers a great view of the shopping arcade. It is perfect for a little coffee and cake break and people-watching.
The prices here are quite steep, but then again you can just have a cup of cappuccino to enjoy the luxurious atmosphere. Green velvet couches, marble counter, and golden accents make for a truly high-end experience. The cafe is, after all, part of the Prada Group as of 2014.
I tried a pannetore here, but they are also famous for their pralines and cakes.
Marchesi 1824 — inside Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
The Most Amazing Gelato at Cioccolati Italiani
Cioccolati Italiani is a popular chain of cafes and gelaterias across Italy. They have several locations in Milan and beyond. I implore you to make a stop here, as they have a cafe right near the Duomo. Their chocolate gelato is easily the best I’ve ever had.
Apart from gelato they also offer pastries and coffee made with high-quality chocolate. They get pretty busy at peak times, but the line moves quickly.
Cioccolati Italiani — Via S. Raffaele, 6
Coffee Creations at Lavazza Coffee Design
Another great place to have a cup of coffee after all the walking is Lavazza Coffee Design, located a few steps away from the Duomo. Lavazza is one of the most well-known coffee brands from Italy and Coffee Design is their flagship store in Milan.
Here you can try such unique creations as, espresso with chopped hazelnuts from Piedmont (read: the best hazelnuts in the world), caffeé viennese with dark cocoa and chocolate flakes, and if you opt for a classic cappuccino it might feature unusual latte art, like the face of Albert Einstein in my case.
Lavazza Coffee Design — Piazza S. Fedele, 2
13.00 — a Walk Around Teatro alla Scala and Quadrilatero della Moda
A 5-minute walk from the Duomo
Teatro alla Scala
After a break for coffee and gelato, let’s continue exploring Centro Storico neighborhood. Another major landmark here is Teatro alla Scala. Of course, attending a show here would be ideal, after all this is where Maria Callas made her official debut and the likes of Anna Netrebko perform regularly.
You can also see the interiors on a guided tour. Book your tickets on their official website if you are planning your trip in advance (it’s a bit cheaper). Book here if there are no tickets on the official website.
If you are not interested in a guided tour, simply make a quick stop here while you are wandering the streets to see the exterior.
Quadrilatero della Moda
Quadrilatero della Moda, or the Fashion District of Milan, is where you find all the luxurious brands. Think of it as Champs-Élysées in Paris or Fifth Avenue in New York. To give you a better sense of direction, the neighborhood’s borders are defined by 4 streets: Via Montenapoleone, Via Manzoni, Via della Spiga, and Corso Venezia.
13.30 — Lunch at The FisherMan Pasta
A 17-minute walk from Quadrilatero della Moda
Hands down, the best pasta I’ve ever had anywhere. I tried the caramelle di polpo al pesto, or candy-shaped pasta with octopus and pesto sauce, which was exquisite. A large portion will set you 13 euros back which is a great deal for this kind of quality. Pasta is served with slices of bread, so you can soak up all the delicious sauce left it the pan afterwards.
The FisherMan Pasta — Corso Garibaldi, 12
Alternative: Veramente is located steps away from the FisherMan pasta and serves traditional Italian dishes prepared with high-quality ingredients. Al Baretto San Marco, a classic Italian restaurant serving seafood, is also nearby.
14.30 — Art, Books, and a Garden at Palazzo di Brera
A 6-minute walk from The FisherMan Pasta
Palazzo di Brera is a former 14th-century monastery turned into a palace turned into a center for a variety of cultural institutions, including Pinacoteca di Brera (Brera Art Gallery), Biblioteca Nazionale Braidense (Braidense National Library), and Accademia di Belle Arti (the Academy of Fine Arts). Here’s what you should see here!
Pinacoteca di Brera (Brera Art Gallery)
The art gallery was founded in 1809 by Napoleon Bonaparte, and you will see his statue (fully nude, too) in the courtyard of Palazzo Brera. Inside, you can marvel at the masterpieces by Caravaggio and Raphael, to name a few.
Caffè Fernanda
On the way out from Pinacoteca di Brera, make a quick stop at Caffè Fernanda. It was named after Fernanda Wittgens, the first female director of the art gallery who played an instrumental role in preserving the works of art during WWII and reopening the gallery afterwards.
The café itself feels like an extension of the gallery, with its marble floors, deep-green walls, and velvet-covered furniture. You can have a glass of wine or a cup of coffee with a pastry here before heading out to explore the garden.
Orto Botanico di Brera (Brera Botanic Gardens)
You will find this hidden gem behind the palace. The garden is a quiet space in the midst of bustling Milan, featuring a collection of rare plants, medicinal herbs, and vibrant flowers over 5 000 square meters.
Biblioteca Nazionale Braidense (Braidense National Library)
While you are exploring the Palazzo di Brera, don’t miss out on the opportunity to see the beautiful reading rooms of Braidense National Library. It was initially established for the students of the Academy of Fine Arts, also located on the premises.
However, it is now one of the largest libraries in Italy, open to public. It houses over 1.5 million books, including rare manuscripts and first editions. You can go inside the reading rooms only if you are doing research (and register at the library), however as a tourist you are allowed to peek inside from the entrance hall.
Tip: if art is your passion you can take a guided tour of the gallery and Brera neighborhood.
17.00 — Sempione Park: from Sforza Castle to the Arch of Peace
A 9-minute walk from the Palazzo di Brera
Sempione Park (Parco Sempione) is one of Milan’s largest green spaces beloved by both locals and tourists. The park is designed in a way to create panoramic views of two major attractions: Arch of Peace on one side of the park and Sforza Castle on the other.
Sforza Castle (Castello Sforzesco)
The Sforza Castle is a medieval fortress, commissioned by Francesco Sforza, the Duke of Milan at the time. Today, it is one of Milan’s most popular attractions, located at the edge of Sempione Park. It houses several museums and features some important art pieces, like Michelangelo’s last unfinished masterpiece, the Rondanini Pietà, and Andrea Mantegna’s Trivulzio Madonna.
The entrance into the Sforza Castle is free, however you can only see the inner courtyards. In order to visit the museums, you have to purchase a ticket.
Important: the museums at Sforza Castle close at 17.30 (last entry at 17.00). Since you only have one day in Milan, in order to visit the museums, you’ll have to cut short your visit to Palazzo di Brera or skip it all together. However, the castle itself is open until 19.30. So you have enough time to explore the exterior and the courtyards if you follow this itinerary.
The Arch of Peace (Arco della Pace)
Stroll to the Arch of Peace, a neoclassical monument located at the other end of Sempione park. The arch was commissioned by Napoleon in the beginning of the 19th century to celebrate his victories, as well as mark the start of the road connecting Milan and Paris.
The construction stopped after Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo and was resumed over a decade later by Emperor Francis I of Austria to symbolize the European peace established by the 1815 Congress of Vienna.
19.00 — Pasta for Dinner at Miscusi
A 15-minute walk from the Arch of Peace
Miscusi is a small chain of pasta restaurants born in Milan. And I know, I know we had pasta for lunch, but there’s no such thing as too much pasta while you are in Italy. I ate here 3 times during my trip to Milan — it was that good (also I visited in August, so it wasn’t an easy task to find an open restaurant).
The concept is somewhat reminiscent of fast food restaurants, but only in that food is prepared fast and offered at reasonable prices. The ingredients used are actually of the highest quality. Think: paccheri served with pistachio pesto and Apulian stracciatella cheese (13 Euro); pansoti stuffed with ricotta, spinach, and Grana Padano with Ligurian walnut cream (11 Euro); and free-range egg tagliatelle with Marango beef ragù sauce (12 Euro).
Here your one day in Milan comes to an end! If you are still full of energy and would like to go out for drinks at night, check out this post with some of the best bars in the city. I was 6 months pregnant during my trip to Milan, so early bed time and no alcohol, obviously. But I hope you enjoy the nightlife!
What If I Have More Than One Day in Milan?
Well, first of all, check out this post of mine for 2 days in Milan (there’s also a few tips for those who have 3 days).
I also have this little guide on where to find the best breakfast in Milan.
Once you are done exploring the city, you can go out to Lake Como and explore Lugano and Bellagio.
Ride the famous Bernina train or take a pasta and tiramisu cooking class!
Take a trip to Venice! I have this guide for 3 days in Venice and here are my favorite restaurants in the city.
I hope you have a fantastic one day in Milan! If you follow this itinerary, do leave a comment. I would love to hear from you!
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