One Day in Milan: Itinerary and Walking Route

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Plan the perfect one day in Milan with this realistic itinerary of the best things to see and do!

Milan is Northern Italy’s crowning metropolis and one of the top celebrated fashion and design capitals of the world. The city is alive and buzzing with business all while ancient landmarks quietly sit among modern architecture and skyscrapers.

In short, Milan (or Milano) is impressive and perhaps even intimidating to a traveller looking to visit for the first time. Is one day in Milan honestly possible in a place that holds so much to its name?

Find out how to tackle the big city in a short amount of time with this guide. We dive into everything you need to know for a realistic, interesting and successful Milan day trip.

Is a Milan Day Trip Worth It?

Whether you’re visiting Lake Como, Cinque Terra or even Tuscany, the thought of taking a day trip to Milan may cross your mind.

Is a Milan day trip truly achievable and more importantly, worth it? Positively and unquestionably, yes!

Milano is an integral Italian hub with so much to offer, even if you don’t have more than one day to spare. It is an exemplary destination to experience a wonderful blend of ancient and modern, all in one spot.

With bucket list worthy and world renowned attractions, a trip to Milan is simply never a bad idea.

The Best Places to Visit During One Day in Milan

An overview of the best attractions in Milan which can be seen in one day are below.

Colonne di San Lorenzo and Basilica San Lorenzo Maggiore
Duomo di Milano (Piazza Duomo)
Piazza Mercanti
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Piazza della Scala and Teatro alla Scala
Brera District
- Orto Botanico di Brera
- Braidense National Library
Chinatown (Quartiere Cinese)
Sempione Park
- Arco della Pace
- Castello Sforzesco
The Last Supper located at Santa Maria delle Grazie
Navigli (neighbourhood)
- Naviglio Grande
- Naviglio Pavese
- Vicolo Lavandai

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One Day in Milan: Places to See on Map

Milan Day Trip Itinerary Walking Route

Suggested Milan Day Trip Itinerary

This Milan day trip itinerary was compiled to include the top attractions and places to visit. Given Milan’s walkability and accommodating public transportation, this itinerary is first and foremost, realistic.

For anyone looking to see the major highlights, you’ll be thrilled to know it can be done with just one day in Milan.

Don’t feel like a self guided walking tour through the city? Opt for one of the many popular tours for one day in Milan instead.

Morning

Your one day in Milan will naturally be filled with many astonishing and beautiful Roman Catholic churches. Begin your morning admiring Basilica San Lorenzo Maggiore, a church that’s been rebuilt numerous times over the past hundreds of years but originally from the Roman times.

In front of this cathedral, which happens to be one of the oldest in Milan, are the mind blowing Roman ruins of a group of columns.

As they casually occupy modern day real estate in the center of the city, the Colonne di San Lorenzo landmark is one of the most important in Milan.

It’s time for the first of many cafes of the day. Stop at Caffè Napoli for a breakfast treat and espresso with a touch of Nutella because, why not?

The main street of Via Torino will spit you out directly onto Piazza del Duomo with a clear-cut view of Duomo di Milano, the shining jewel of Milan.

If reaching the top of the cathedral and walking the Terrazza del Duomo is on your bucket list, make sure you have tickets purchased beforehand which also let you skip the line.

🎟 Top Rated: SKIP-THE-LINE Tickets to Duomo di Milano

To catch a breather and escape the congested Piazza del Duomo, take a quick detour to the charming Piazza dei Mercanti located just near the Duomo. The medieval market square can either be peacefully empty or filled with an event and vendors, depending on the day.

One of the nicest malls in the world, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, is just steps away from Duomo di Milano. It is unquestionably a must see item on any Milan itinerary.

The extravagant glass-housed gallery is filled with luxury shops, high end dining and makes you feel like you’re walking in a palace, all for free!

As you walk through the breathtaking architectural wonder, you’ll end up at Piazza della Scala, a historic town square across from Teatro all Scala (Scala Opera House), an iconic opera building dating back to the late 1700s.

Piazza della Scala also features many lovely shaded areas to sit (ideal for tourists!) while you gaze at the Leonardo da Vinci monument. Make a quick pit stop at Café Trussardi for an apéritif to fuel up before lunch.

Afternoon

As it’s time to find lunch, most restaurants will begin to fill up around 1pm as Italians tend to eat lunch after 12pm. The Brera District is not only the most romantic and endearing neighbourhood of Milan, it’s also filled with fantastic restaurants.

The Brera District is essentially boxed in by four main streets: Monte di Pietà, Via dei Giardini, Via Pontaccio and Via Mercato.

Depending on who has availability, head to Salsamenteria di Parma or Sette Cucina Urbana, both traditional restaurants.

For a post meal stroll, check out the Brera Botanical Garden, a free and beautiful botanical garden from the 1700s. The Brera District feels the most like small town Italy which is probably why it’s so adored.

A handful of other landmarks and historic buildings can be found in this area such as Palazzo Brera, Palazzo Citterio and Braidense National Library.

The Milanese Chinatown was established in the 1920s which makes it the oldest Chinese quarter in all of Italy. This is somewhat of an unnoticeable item on a typical Milan itinerary but undoubtedly worth visiting.

What makes Milan’s Chinatown unique and enjoyable for visitors are the pedestrian paths throughout the neighbourhood.

There are also a handful of phenomenal eateries which have merged the two exquisite cuisines, forming Chinese versions of ravioli or Italian versions of dumplings… depending on how you like to look at it!

Milan’s grand Parco Sempione lives in the heart of the city and boasts many free attractions, perfect for anyone making their way through Milan in one day.

At the top of Sempione Park is Arco della Pace, a glorgious arch and gateway to the public park which also happens to be one of the best places for photos in Milan.

Many other sites will reveal themselves during a walk throughout Parco Sempione such as Torre Branca. The steel tower is accessible for tourists looking for the best panoramic view of the city.

Next up, is Castello Sforzesco, a colossal medieval fortress which also houses works of Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. Entering the castle may take too much time for one day in Milan but the structure and Torre del Filarete can still be admired from the front.

As you exit the park, stop at Chocolat Milano around the corner for an energising espresso, dreamy gelato or decadent chocolate (or all three!).

Evening

Visiting The Last Supper is likely on every visitor’s must see list while in Milan and it rightfully deserves to be! The painting is one of the most famous works of art in the entire world. Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper lives at the Renaissance era church of Santa Maria delle Grazie.

Since this is notably one of the most popular attractions in Milan, the church welcomes visitors with efficiently.

Viewing the actual masterpiece is limited to 15 minutes and tickets must be reserved in advance. Spending only 15 minutes at a major attraction is absolutely ideal for one day in Milan!

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Marble statues of angels in a Milan museum.

From the church, you can either walk or take the tram towards Arco di Porta Ticinese. The landmark is made up of massive pillars and serves as the starting point to Milan’s Navigli, an interconnected canal system.

The canals are a distinguished characteristic to the city of Milan. They are also located in quite possibly the hippest neighbourhood in the city.

There are two main canals in this area, Naviglio Grande and Naviglio Pavese. Both are equally as lively, lined with restaurants and produce a vibrant atmosphere.

Behind the commotion of Naviglio Grande, sits Vicolo Lavandai which is a historic laundromat where citizens used to wash laundry in the back alleys of the canals.

There is no shortage of dinner options in Navigli Milano, ranging from Milanese cuisine to Roman cuisine and even burgers. Trattoria della Gloria is tucked away from Naviglio Pavese and is a classic home cooking style trattoria.

To top off a successful one day in Milan, enjoy a couple of al fresco beers or Aperols as the sun sets.

Practical Information About Spending One Day in Milan

Getting Around Milan

Metro

We’ve travelled to some cities where the metro lines cover a disappointing 50-70% of the city. Milano is thankfully not one of those cities. Getting anywhere throughout Milan (and even the outskirts) by public transportation is so easy.

The city’s metro system is comprised of four lines, over 100 stations and is even larger than Rome’s metro network.

Particularly convenient for first time visitors or anyone spending one day in Milan, all of Milan’s main attractions are easily accessible by public transportation.

Tram

In addition to the metro, Milan provides an overground transportation system which contains a network of trams, buses and trolleys. Tram lines are a great solution for those spur of the moment decisions when you’re too tired to keep walking.

Hunting down the closest metro station can occasionally take time. But, hopping on a tram or trolley because it’s just right there in front of you is very advantageous.

Public Transportation Tickets

Tickets for Milano’s public transportation systems can be primarily bought at metro stations. They can be purchased on a “per use” basis meaning you pay for the metro or overground tram as you ride.

If you know beforehand that you’ll be utilizing public transportation frequently, choose the MilanoCard for 1 day. It’s an unlimited travel pass for a Milan day trip, valid on any public transportation method.

To purchase the 1 day public transportation pass in advance and view the Milano metro map, head here.

👶🏻 Family Travel Tip: Children under 10 years old can ride on Milan’s public transportation for free.

Is Milano a Walkable City?

To immerse yourself into Milan’s atmosphere and character, walking is the number one recommended way to visit Milan for a day.

More on this below, but it’s possible to create an efficient walking loop for your one day itinerary. This makes walking feel less like a task and more like the journey itself.

Similarly to many Italian cities, the streets are ancient which means they’re small and enchanting. Many of the city’s corners have secrets to be found which can only be discovered if you allow yourself to wander!

Milan is also quite flat which makes an entire day of walking more palatable.

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Parking in Milan

You do not need a car during your one day in Milan. Travellers visiting Milan for a day by car should be prepared to pay for parking.

Free parking in the center of Milan is virtually impossible to find. If you are adamant about parking for free (particularly if you’re staying longer than one day), park outside of Milan’s center and take the metro.

Many of the metro stations in the residential areas of Milano will have large free parking lots exactly for this purpose.

In Milan’s city centre, there are plenty of paid parking lots in addition to paid street parking. Even the parking lots tend to fill up, particularly near big attractions or popular areas. If you circle around a couple of times, you will likely find an available spot.

Paid parking is more strict in Milan than it is in Rome and the unwritten rules about when you really need to pay and when you can get away with not paying.

Getting From and to Milan

Milan Day Trips by Car or Train

Milano is an ideal day trip for many reasons but one alluring aspect is its accessibility. Whether you’re travelling from another major destination in Italy or just across the border, getting to Milan is uncomplicated. Some of the most popular routes for spending one day in Milan are:

Lake Como (city of Como) to Milano – 1 hour drive or 45 minute train ride

Cinque Terre to Milano – 3 hour drive or 3.5 hour train ride

Genoa to Milano – 2 hour drive or train ride

Turin to Milano – 2 hour drive or train ride

Bologna to Milano – 3 hour drive or 2 hour train ride

The train between Milan to Como Lake is especially popular and by far the easiest day trip option. From Como, the train departs at Como S.Giovanni station and is a direct route without any changes, making it straightforward for first time visitors.

🚊 Book Train Tickets to Milan

Getting From and to the Airport

Serving the Lombardy region is the Milan Malpensa Airport, an international airport about 50 km (31 miles) from Milan city.

Comparatively, Milan’s airport is rather far from the center and whether you’re taking a taxi or using public transportation, plan on at least a one hour journey.

Taking a taxi will cost the most money but should get you to the center of Milan in under one hour. Utilizing the exclusive train ride from the airport to one of the city’s main stations is by far more affordable.

The Malpensa Express runs to three train stations in Milan’s center where transfers to the metro lines are possible if you still need to reach your final destination.

The Best Time to Visit Milan

Unlike most major cities, visiting Milan in the summer time can be quite enjoyable given the Lombardy region’s mild temperatures. To experience Milan in relatively consistent sunlight, clear skies and virtually no chance of rain, schedule your Milan day trip for July or August.

Peak summer months have the potential to reach 29°C / 85°F at the hottest part of the day. For walking your way through Milan, this can get a little uncomfortable, particularly if you tend to overheat.

Since Milan’s public transportation is extensive, a visit to Milan in winter without excessive walking outdoors is also doable. Although the probability of rain is higher during winter months, it doesn’t get too cold and temperatures remain around 7°C / 45°F.

The city is also delightfully decorated during the holiday season, making it even more magical than usual for a visitor to experience Milan.

The fall months are an optimal time to visit Milan. With breezy yet warm weather, one can conquer a Milan day trip on foot adequately and score some great shoulder season hotel deals at the same time.

September is especially lovely with pleasant conditions still lingering around 21°C / 70°F. If you are interested in saving on accommodation during your one day in Milan, do not plan a stay during Milan Fashion Week.

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What to Pack for One Day in Milan

To maximize a short amount of time anywhere, an efficient travel hack is to pack outfits for a specific day or short trip. In order to spend as much time enjoying your one day in Milan, you don’t want to waste time shovelling through a suitcase.

Alternatively, pick out a Milan outfit beforehand and set it aside in a way that’s easily accessible for your day trip.

City block sunscreen – For those clear and sunny summer months, staying moisturised is key! Particularly when it gets hot and sunscreen tends to sweat off after a few miles under your belt.
Loose dress or maxi skirt (with pockets!) – The easiest solution to staying chic yet comfortable. Flowy dresses or skirts are also very photogenic for the many pics you’ll end up taking.
Lightweight scarf – Once the sun sets in the summer, it can get chilly. To avoid lugging around an extra sweater all day, a scarf is a versatile item perfect for many solutions.
Practical booties or sneakers – Although you’re in Milan, there’s no sense in wearing those super cute heels that make your feet hurt like crazy. You’ll be walking a lot and bringing a reasonable pair of shoes that still look fashionable is the better choice.
Hooded trench coat – During off season travel, be prepared with a stylish hooded trench coat to gracefully withstand any unexpected rainfall.
Travel insurance – If you’re making a Milan day trip from another country, ensure that your domestic insurance or current travel insurance covers you in Italy.