1-Day Itinerary : Best Activities to Do in Milan

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Milan, often regarded as Italy’s fashion and commercial center, is a city with history, culture, and modern elegance. Many visitors overlook Milan in favor of more famous tourist destinations like Rome or Florence, yet the city offers a unique blend of architectural marvels, exquisite fashion, and culinary delights to enjoy. Whether you’re visiting for just a day or passing through, Milan has plenty to offer in a short amount of time.

In this 1-day itinerary, check out the best activities and must-see attractions to make the most of your 1-day stay in this vibrant city.

Visit Duomo

Milan’s most famous landmark is undoubtedly the Duomo di Milano (Milan Cathedral), a must-see when visiting the city. The cathedral is also known as the Milan Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica of the Nativity of Saint Mary. Many architects and engineers worked on the construction and design of the cathedral for six centuries to complete it. Duomo was fully completed in 1965. As an interesting fact, Napoleon was crowned as the king of the Kingdom of Italy after at this specific spot in 1805. 

The Duomo is open to the public with entrance tickets. There are additional fees if you’d like to visit the rooftop and terraces of the cathedral.

Duomo Square is the heart of Milan, home to the city’s most famous landmarks. The square, rectangular in shape, dates back to the 14th century. Opposite the Duomo, you’ll find a statue of King Victor Emmanuel II of Italy, proudly mounted in the square.

The location: Milan cathedral is located in Piazza Duomo, and you can easily get there by taking Metro Line 1 or 3 to Duomo metro stop.  

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is located right next to Piazza Duomo and is impossible to miss! It’s one of Milan’s most iconic landmarks and the oldest functioning shopping gallery in Italy, having opened in 1877.

The gallery showcases a blend of Renaissance architecture with iron, glass, mosaics, and frescoes. A large glass dome crowns the center of the structure, while the store ceilings feature glass-vaulted arcades. Below the dome are four frescoes, each representing Europe, America, Africa, and Asia.

Moreover, the floors of the gallery are adorned with mosaics featuring the coats of arms of the Savoy royal family and various cities of the Kingdom of Italy. The gallery also connects Piazza Duomo with Piazza della Scala.

Many luxury brands, including Prada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Dior, Bottega Veneta, and Versace all have boutiques in this shopping gallery. 

The gallery also hosts numerous dining venues, cafes, and patisseries. Some of the top restaurants include Si Ristorante, Biffi, Savini, Vik Pellico Otto, La Locanda del Gatto Rosso, and I 12 Gatti. Marchesi 1824 offers a pastry shop with a variety of sweet delicacies.

Strolling through the gallery and window shopping is free. While many stores feature high-end luxury brands, there are also affordable shops and eateries to enjoy.

Museo del Novecento (Museum of the Twenty-first Century)

The Museum of the Twentieth Century, located near Duomo Square, showcases artwork from various artists, highlighting major 20th-century art movements such as post-impressionism, realism, and abstractionism. The museum features nearly 400 pieces, primarily from Italian artists, along with a few international works.

If you’re interested in visiting, the museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 7:30 PM, with extended hours until 10:20 PM on Fridays. As of 2024, the standard adult ticket is 5€.

Take the Tram from Via Alessandro Manzoni

The tram is one of the remaining historical features of Milan since the 1940s. You can take the tram in the corner of la Piazza della Scala . The tram line passes along the historical Via Alessandro Manzoni and stops by the Status of Giuseppe Garibaldi. 

Where to purchase tramway tickets?

You can purchase tram tickets at Milan metro stations. The good news is that the same ticket you buy for the metro can also be used on all buses and trams in Milan. Standard tickets are valid for 90 minutes.

Stroll through Milan’s Fashion Quadrilateral (Quadrilatero della Moda)

If you love fashion and want to experience Milan’s fashion vibe, walk around the Milan’s fashion district and enjoy windows shopping.

Milan’s fashion quadrilateral consists of a series of streets, including Via Monte Napoleone, via Alessandro Manzoni, via Della Spiga, Corso Venezia and Gesu with famous fashion design brands stores.

Cartier, Gucci, Versace, Bvlgari, Dior, Bottega Veneta, Chanel, Armani, Valentino, Ferragamo, Dolce & Gabbana, Zegna, Balmain and many other fashion brands have chic boutiques in Milan’s fashion district.

Cartier and Dolce & Gabbana, among many other brands, have chic upscale boutiques on Via Monte Napoleone.
 

Additionally, you can experience an open-air art exhibition on Via Della Spiga during the summertime. On my last visit to Milan in early July, we enjoyed an exhibition made entirely of flower petals, titled “YOUMANITY,” designed by artist David Bonnanzi. Over 200,000 flower petals were used to create the artwork. Since 2022, artists have been producing annual exhibitions with flower petals, each featuring a different theme.

Corso Venezia located in historical center of Milan, is also part of Milan’s fashion quadrilateral district. In addition to luxurious brand stores, you can also discover more affordable stores and esthetically beautiful historical buildings. 

La Scala

Also known as Teatro alla Scala, La Scala is Milan’s historic opera house, which opened in 1778. Located across from Piazza della Scala, it is also in close proximity to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, with one end of the shopping gallery connecting to the piazza. 

La Scala is one of the most prestigious opera theaters in the world. For those interested in attending a performance, the La Scala season opens on December 7 every year.

Explore Bosco Verticale

The Bosco Verticale skyscrapers are exemplary models of vertical greening. Comprising two residential buildings adorned with over 90 diverse plant species, these skyscrapers have received several international accolades and have inspired the design of other vertical greenery projects.

The closest metro stations to the Bosco Verticale are the Isola and Gioia stops, both just a few blocks away.

Visit the Arch of Peace (Arco della Pace)

The Arch of Peace, located in the center of Piazza Sempione, is one of Milan’s key historical landmarks. Originally intended to celebrate Napoleon’s victories, the arch also marks Sempione Square as the city gate, connecting Milan to the Alps via the Strada del Sempione. Construction of the arch was completed in the mid-19th century.

How to get there?

By Metro: You can take either metro station exit Cairo or Lanzo which are both a few blocks away from Piazza Sempione. 

Alternatively, you can take the tramway M1 to Piazza Castello-Cairoli M1.The tramway stops in front of the Castello Sforzesco. If you continue to walk north by passing by the Sforzesco castle crossing through Sempione Park, you reach the Arch of Peace.

For more information on transportation in Milan, please check How to Get to Milan: Everything About Transportation

Take a stroll at Navigli to enjoy dinner or a drink

Navigli is one of the charming districts of Milan, known for its picturesque canals (navigli) lined with artisan stores, restaurants, and bars.

Historically, these canals were used to transport goods, including marble blocks for the construction of the Milan Cathedral. Today, they offer a lively setting for outdoor activities such as rowing and canoeing.

How to Get to Navigli

Navigli is just a few miles from the city center. The closest metro station is Porta Genova, which is a short walk from the Naviglio Grande. Alternatively, you can take an Uber, as the service is available in Milan.

The Navigli district is also an ideal spot for dinner, boasting numerous fine dining and drinking venues.

Indulge Milanese dishes

What and where to eat in Milan?

Risotto alla Milanese, ossobuco, cotoletta alla Milanese and polenta are some of the recommended local dishes to taste in Milan.

In Navigli District

• La Striatelle di Nonna Mafalda Milano – Try the cotoletta alla Milanese
• Osteria Conchetta- Lombardian restaurant – Try the risotto alla Milanese
• Pizza e Mozzarella – Try their pizza selections
• Mag Café is a good spot for drinks and bites. 

Near Milan Central Station and Porta Nuova

• Pizza Shambo– Approximately 10 minutes away from Milan Central train station. It is one of the top pizza spots in the area. It has a variety of pizza selections. 
• Genuino- located in Turati district, is a healthy food restaurant. Try their tasty salmon or chicken bowl with whole grain rice and vegetables. 

• Panificio Davide Longoni is one of the recommended bakery shops, offering a variety of tasty bread, pastries, and coffee. In addition to their location near the Milan Central train station, Davide Longoni has several other stores in Milan.

Near Historical Center

• Cova Montenapoleone is one of the oldest pasticcerias in Milan, founded by Antonio Cova in 1817. You can try a variety of chocolate, pastries, sweet delicacies, and coffee. Try Cova’s tiramisu and cornetto with pistachio. Additionally, panettone is also a popular local fruit cake that is a staple treat at Christmas for many Italians.
• Valentino Legend, located on Via Agnello, is one of the recommended restaurants to taste osco bucco.