How many days do you need in Milan?

Milan, Italy’s financial and fashion center, has a completely different energy from Rome or Florence. But how many days do you need in Milan? Let's explore how to make the most of your time in this fantastic Italian city.

How many days do you need to see Milan?

If you’re short on time, two days are enough to see the essentials—the Duomo, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and The Last Supper, plus a taste of Milan’s famous aperitivo culture in Navigli or Brera.

With three days, you can dig deeper into different neighborhoods, like Porta Venezia for its Art Nouveau architecture or Isola for its modern design and street art. You’ll also have time to experience Milan’s food scene properly—whether that’s a long, leisurely lunch or a stop at Mercato Centrale for local flavors.

Four days give you room to explore beyond the classics. Milan has a cutting-edge art and design scene, from contemporary galleries like Fondazione Prada to hidden architectural gems like Villa Necchi Campiglio. 

A great way to decide how many days you'll need is to take a look at sample itineraries. We've outlined a few below, or if you're planning on exploring beyond the city, see our Northern Italy itineraries. 

2 days in Milan

Two days in Milan gives you just enough time to take in its mix of history, art, and modern style—from Gothic cathedrals and Renaissance masterpieces to fashion-forward streets and vibrant aperitivo spots. This two-day itinerary keeps travel time manageable.

Suggested itinerary

Day 1

Start at the Duomo, Milan’s massive Gothic cathedral, which took nearly six centuries to complete. With 3,400 statues and 135 spires, it’s said to be the most statued building in the world. Take the stairs (or elevator) to the roof terrace for panoramic views of Milan and, on clear days, the Alps. It's easily one of the most beautiful places in Italy.

Next door, walk through Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, one of the world’s oldest shopping arcades, filled with designer boutiques and historic cafés. Look for the mosaic bull on the floor—locals spin their heel on it for good luck. 

For lunch, grab a panzerotto from Luini, a Milanese staple since 1949. These fried, stuffed pastries are a city favorite. Then, visit Teatro alla Scala, where some of the greatest opera singers—including Maria Callas—have performed.

Spend the afternoon in Brera, Milan’s artistic district, where cobblestone streets lead to the Pinacoteca di Brera, home to masterpieces by Caravaggio and Raphael. Before dinner, stop by N'Ombra de Vin, a historic wine bar inside a former monastery cellar—Napoleon once used it to store wine for his army. 

If you want to discover more of Italy's wine scene, be sure to check out our Italy wine tour created by local travel experts.

Day 2

Start early at Santa Maria delle Grazie to see The Last Supper. Leonardo da Vinci experimented with an unconventional dry fresco technique, which nearly caused the painting to disintegrate over time. Today, only a limited number of visitors can see it at a time, so book in advance.

From there, walk along Corso Magenta, where Milan’s aristocratic mansions still stand. For lunch, stop at Ratanà, a restaurant known for saffron risotto made with aged rice, a dish that’s deeply tied to Milan’s history.

In the afternoon, browse 10 Corso Como, a former Fiat garage transformed into a concept store, mixing fashion, books, and design under one roof.

Then, check out Porta Nuova, where old Milan meets new—look out for Bosco Verticale, two towers covered in 900 trees. Wrap up your trip in Navigli, Milan’s canal district. As the evening lights reflect on the water, aperitivo hour begins. At Mag Café, bartenders age their own vermouth, while El Brellin serves classic Milanese dishes in a beautifully restored 17th-century washhouse.

3 days in Milan

With three days in Milan, you can dig deeper into the city’s art, design, and historic neighborhoods.

Suggested itinerary

Day 3

Start the morning at Castello Sforzesco, a Renaissance fortress that was once home to Milan’s ruling family. Inside, Leonardo da Vinci’s delicate Sala delle Asse fresco covers the ceiling with an intricate design of mulberry trees and intertwining branches. The castle also houses Michelangelo’s unfinished Rondanini Pietà, a haunting sculpture he worked on until his final days.

From here, walk through Parco Sempione, Milan’s largest green space, which leads to Eataly, a massive food hall set inside what was once Milan’s first theater. It’s a great place to grab a bite or explore Italy’s best regional ingredients under one roof.

In the afternoon, explore Porta Venezia, known for its Liberty-style architecture, Milan’s answer to Art Nouveau. The intricate details and curved ironwork on buildings here show how Milan embraced this early 20th-century design movement.

Wrap up your trip at Bar Basso, a Milanese institution where, in 1972, a bartender accidentally swapped prosecco for gin, creating the now-famous Negroni Sbagliato.

4 days in Milan

With four days in Milan, you have time to explore its cutting-edge art and design scene, from a Wes Anderson-designed café to massive industrial spaces turned into creative hubs. This final day highlights Milan’s contemporary side.

Suggested itinerary

Day 4

Start the day at Fondazione Prada, a former distillery transformed into a contemporary art space by architect Rem Koolhaas. The mix of raw industrial buildings and sleek gold-clad structures makes it one of Milan’s most visually striking spots. After exploring the exhibits, grab a coffee at Bar Luce, a Wes Anderson-designed café that feels straight out of one of his films.

For lunch, head to Carlo e Camilla, a stylish restaurant set inside a converted sawmill, where everyone dines at a single cross-shaped table under a grand crystal chandelier. The menu blends traditional Italian flavors with creative twists.

In the afternoon, check out NoLo, Milan’s emerging creative district, known for its street art and repurposed industrial spaces. Abandoned factories and warehouses have become covered in massive murals, making this a great area for a walking tour. 

Wrap up the day at Pirelli HangarBicocca, a former Pirelli factory turned contemporary art space. The highlight? Anselm Kiefer’s The Seven Heavenly Palaces, a permanent installation of seven towering concrete structures, creates a haunting, almost otherworldly atmosphere inside the massive exhibition hall.

For your final meal in Milan, book a table at Contraste, a restaurant known for its element of surprise—the menu arrives as a blank sheet of paper, leaving the dishes up to the chef’s creativity.

Best areas to stay in Milan

Each neighborhood has its own character, and so you have quite a lot to choose from. Here are some quick picks, but for a more in-depth guide, see our list of the best places to stay in Milan.

Duomo/Centro Storico: Best for first-time visitors

The Duomo district is Milan’s historic center, a good choice if you want to be close to major sights like the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Teatro alla Scala, and Palazzo Reale. The streets are pedestrian-friendly and lined with high-end shops, and the aperitivo scene is lively in the evenings. Hotels are pricey, but the central location and easy metro access make getting around simple.

Porta Romana: Best for families

Porta Romana has a quieter, more residential feel but is still well-connected to the city center. Green spaces like Giardini della Guastalla and Parco Ravizza are great for kids, and there are plenty of family-friendly restaurants and gelaterias. Apartments here tend to be larger, sometimes with balconies or small gardens. The orange metro line gets you to the Duomo quickly, and the area is calm at night.

Isola: Best for creative types

Once a working-class neighborhood, Isola has become a hub for artists, designers, and young professionals. The mix of historic buildings and modern development includes the striking Bosco Verticale towers. The streets are lined with indie boutiques, vintage shops, galleries, and experimental restaurants. Street art is everywhere, and the weekly farmers’ market brings a local touch. Despite its artsy reputation, Isola still has plenty of traditional Milanese bars alongside trendy cocktail spots and natural wine bars.

Things to know before going to Milan

Milan isn’t the slow, sun-drenched Italy you might picture—it’s fast-paced, stylish, and business-minded, more like a northern European city than the rest of Italy. But while Milan moves quickly, locals still know how to pause for the good things, especially during aperitivo, the city’s version of happy hour. 

One thing to keep in mind is riposo, Italy’s mid-afternoon break. Many shops, restaurants, and businesses shut down from about 12:30 to 3:30 PM, even in a business-focused city like Milan, so it’s good to plan around it. On the flip side, Milanese life starts late—dinner at 9 PM is totally normal, and the nightlife picks up even later.

Unlike in smaller Italian cities, English is widely spoken, especially in tourist areas and restaurants, so you won’t struggle too much with communication. But if you want to see The Last Supper, book months in advance—tickets sell out fast, and there are no last-minute walk-ins. For more tips, see our guide to planning a trip to Italy.

Daily budget

Here's what you might expect to spend:

• Budget (€50-80 / $55-85 per day): This gets you a hostel dorm or a budget hotel, meals at casual trattorias or street food, and public transportation. Save money by hitting free museum days and loading up at aperitivo buffets.
• Mid-range (€150-250 / $160-270 per day): This covers a private room in a decent 3-star hotel, meals at mid-range restaurants, some shopping, and the occasional taxi ride. This is a typical budget for most tourists in Milan.
• Luxury (€400+ / $430+ per day): If you’re going all out, this gets you a 5-star hotel near the Duomo, Michelin-starred dining, designer shopping, and private tours. Milan knows how to do luxury, and this is the way to experience it.

How to get around

Milan’s public transport is efficient and easy to navigate. The metro has four color-coded lines (red, green, yellow, and lilac), with trams and buses covering areas the metro doesn’t. Tickets, available at newsstands and metro stations, are valid for 90 minutes, including transfers. If you’ll be moving around a lot, a 24-, 48-, or 72-hour travel card is a good deal. 

Taxis are reliable but pricey—stick to official white taxis or ride-sharing apps. The city center is very walkable, and BikeMi, the city’s bike-sharing system, is a good option when the weather’s nice. Public transport slows down at night, with night buses (marked with ‘N’) replacing regular service. 

How to get to Milan

Milan has three airports: Malpensa (MXP), the main international hub; Linate (LIN), the closest to the city with mostly domestic and European flights; and Bergamo (BGY), popular with budget airlines. The Malpensa Express train runs every 30 minutes to Milano Centrale station. From Linate, take bus 73 or the new M4 metro line. Bergamo is linked by regular shuttle buses. 

Milano Centrale is a major rail hub with high-speed trains connecting to other Italian and European cities—Rome is about three hours away by train, while Paris takes around seven. Booking high-speed train tickets in advance usually gets you a better price.

Plan your trip with Rough Guides

Not sure where to start? Our Italy itineraries take the hassle out of planning while keeping things flexible. They give you a solid foundation, so you can dive into your trip without feeling locked into a rigid schedule. After all, the best travel experiences strike a balance between structure and spontaneity.

• Italy itinerary 5 days: A short but packed trip covering one or two major cities. Perfect for a first taste of Italy’s rich history, art, and food.
• Italy itinerary 7 days: A week gives you time to explore both city highlights and a bit of the countryside while getting a feel for local culture.
• Italy itinerary 10 days: A well-paced mix of bustling cities and scenic regions, offering a deeper dive without feeling rushed.
• Italy itinerary 14 days: Two weeks let you explore Italy’s diverse landscapes, from historic towns to rolling vineyards and coastal views.