Known for its fast-paced atmosphere, old-world charm, and elegance, Milan is Italy’s most cosmopolitan city. A transalpine metropolis that is, not only the gateway to Europe for Italians but also the route to the Mediterranean. It’s a vibrant, multicultural place that combines a big-city vibe with the quintessential Italian spirit. Discover the best of Milan with our 48-hour walking tour.
Day 1
Parco Sempione & Castello Sforzesco
Start with an early morning walk around Parco Sempione, Milan’s equivalent of Central Park. The sandy-colored paths, verdant horticulture, and bubbling streams serve as the perfect backdrop for Milan’s early bird runners, coffee drinkers, or strollers. Enter at Arco Della Pace, a neoclassical arch that rivals the Arc de Triomphe in its grandeur.
There are numerous chic coffee vendors that serve cappuccinos in the park so grab a takeaway coffee and take a stroll around the majestic Castello Sforzesco, located on the park’s grounds. Built in the 14th century by Francesco Sforza, the duke of Milan, it was the largest citadel in Europe. Today it houses a number of museums and galleries. This includes a fine art collection, a library, and The Museum of Musical Instruments.
The Last Supper
From Castello Sforzesco, walk down Via Dante to reach Santa Maria Della Grazie, the small church that houses Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper. On your way, you’ll pass Corso Magenta, Europe’s oldest shopping street which is packed with independent jewelry shops and old-fashioned pastry shops. Legend says that da Vinci built secret underground tunnels that allowed him direct access to Castello Sforzesco from the church. Make sure to book tickets online at least one month in advance as they always sell out fast.
The Duomo
Milan’s Duomo is the third-largest Gothic cathedral in Europe. The cathedral dominates the skyline with its towering, buttercup-colored facade, dreamy statues, and golden Madonna at its highest point. Although work originally began in 1386, the cathedral wasn’t declared officially finished until 1965. Each of the statues represents a particular saint, priest, aristocrat, or donor to the cathedral. And there are well over 3500 in total! Climb the 250 steps to the roof for a panoramic view of Milan and, on a clear day, a view of the distant Alps.
Rooftop Lunch
Milan’s culinary heart beats fast in the center of the city, with an abundance of traditional, experimental, and haute cuisine. Nothing, however, beats lunch from the food hall on the rooftop of La Rinascente, the city’s premier department store. Home to a champagne bar, the chic Maio restaurant, a steak house, and a mozzarella bistro, there are options for every palate. From your privileged seats on the terrace, you’ll be able to admire the honey-colored spires of the Duomo up close.
Museo del 900 and the Royal Palace
Two of Milan’s most impressive art museums lie just beside the Duomo: the Museo del 900 and the Palazzo Reale. The former houses Milan’s 20th-century art collection, including a major section devoted to Italian futurism. The permanent collection features work by Picasso, Kandinsky, Giacomo Balla, and Giorgio de Chirico, to name a few.
As its name suggests, the Royal Palace right next door was once the largest palace in the city. During the period of medieval communes in the Middle Ages, it became the seat of the Italian government. Today it hosts a wide array of temporary exhibitions featuring local and international artists.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Across from the museums lies Galleria Vittoria Emanuele, the first shopping mall in Europe built for King Vittorio in 1915. Today, it houses the flagship stores of Italy’s biggest brands. It also features a vintage bookstore, restaurants, and bars including the Camparino Terrace. Legend has it that Milan’s signature drink, Aperol spritz, was created here. Designed to stimulate the appetite, this mix of herbs and flowers helped launch aperitivo culture in Italy. With its art deco design including cast-iron chandeliers, a carved bar, and a mosaic floor, it’s easy to see why it was a regular haunt for personalities like Toscanini and Verdi, among others.
During the daytime, head one floor up to Pasticceria Marchesi. Designed by Wes Andersen and Prada, this café serves many delectable sweet treats. Try their colorful macaroons, fluffy, bite-sized cakes, and creamy cappuccinos, while sitting in its sumptuous booths overlooking the galleria below.
Teatro La Scala
From the Galleria, walk to Teatro La Scala, Milan’s opera house. Built for Empress Maria Theresa of Austria in 1778, La Scala’s luxurious interiors and impressive remit of singers and shows will blow away even the most cultured of tourists. The gilded, atmospheric space will transport you back to Milan’s golden age of entertainment. Guided visits are available and tickets for performances can be purchased online.
Brera District
A final stop on day one is Milan’s prettiest central neighborhood. Brera and Moscova are adjoining districts that offer a more traditional Italian feel than the rest of this modern city. White-tablecloth restaurants, upmarket boutiques, and open-air markets line the cobbled streets of Brera. Moscova, however, is central to Milan’s ‘Design City’ status, home to boutiques owned by Seletti, Herman Miller, and Bisazza.
The neighborhood lends its name to the Pinacoteca di Brera, one of Italy’s leading art galleries. Here you’ll find an impressive collection of Renaissance art within the walls of a medieval palace-cum-art-school. This includes masterpieces like Raphael’s The Marriage of the Virgin, Caravaggio’s Supper at Emmaus, and Francesco Hayez’s The Kiss. Make sure you finish your visit with a coffee break at Caffè Fernanda, located inside the museum. The recently refurbished bar offers some of the chicest drinks in Milan.
Drinks and Dinner
The Bulgari hotel’s monastic garden is the optimal spot for celebrity spotting. Featuring high ceilings and a stylish oval resin counter, this is the perfect place to spot Milan’s well-heeled post-work crowd. Take a seat on the wicker chairs on the terrace with a plate of Chef Niko Romito’s exquisite appetizers, or opt for the rooftop garden terrace for a view of the city’s skyline. Make sure to try the hotel’s signature drink–a fresh cocktail with gin, Aperol, lime, pineapple, and orange juice.
Nearby, Il Salumaio di Montenapoleone is an upscale restaurant that serves traditional dishes for a stylish crowd. You’ll find classics like risotto alla Milanese and breaded veal cutlets alongside a variety of fresh pasta, seasonal vegetables, and seafood dishes.
Day Two
The Public Gardens
Wherever you’re staying in Milan, take tram 10 on a scenic route through the whole city. Step off at Via Vittorio Veneto and go to the Parco Indro Montanelli. These Victorian public gardens have a delightfully nostalgic feel thanks to the miniature nursery garden within it–and the children’s train which whisks youngsters around the gardens. There is also an impressive natural history museum and planetarium in the park, making it a wonderful option if you’re traveling with children in need of an entertainment fix.
Porta Venezia
Cross over Corso Venezia, one of Milan’s main thoroughfares, to admire some of the city’s most spectacular buildings. Having been bombed throughout World War Two, many of the palazzi that line the streets have been built in a plethora of styles: prepare to see pre-Renaissance mansions next to fascist buildings and brutalist styles next to medieval courtyards and art-deco façades.
I love to take a quick glimpse into the Palazzo Sola Busca on Via Serbeloni, outside of which the fascist-era sculptor Adolfo Wildt, was known for his mastery of marble and designed a giant ear as the entry phone. Around the corner on Via dei Capuccini, the fort-like Palazzo Berri-Meregalli offers one of the best examples of eclectic art-deco architecture. In the entrance hall, you can admire decadent mosaics and ceilings, while Adolfo Wildt’s famous sculpture La Vittoria acts as the focal point of this remarkable entranceway.
Villa Necchi Campiglio
Close to the glitzy shopping quadrant of Via Montenapoleone lies Villa Necchi Campiglio. Built for a sewing machine tycoon in the 1930s, the villa was recently restored and is an excellent example of the modernist style Milan is famous for. Nestled in an enchanting garden complete with a tennis court, gym, and screening room (luxurious amenities at the time), you can admire art-deco style at its best during a guided tour, available from Wednesday-Sunday. There is also a lovely restaurant for lunch that overlooks the swimming pool. Villa Necchi Campiglio was also the flawlessly elegant location for Luca Guadagnino’s 2009 film I Am Love, starring Tilda Swinton.
Sant Ambrogio Church
After lunch, head over to Milan’s southern districts for an afternoon of religious history before drinks and dinner in the Navigli area. An outstanding example of Lombard Romanesque architecture, the Basilica di Sant Ambrogio was built between 379 and 386, tucked away in a little side street south of the Castello. Named after the 4th-century Bishop who became Milan’s patron saint, the somber red-brick church is filled with historical and artistic masterpieces, including a solid-gold 12th-century altar beneath which lies the saint’s embalmed body.
Zona Tortona
Just a ten-minute walk from Sant Ambrogio, Zona Tortona has become a magnet for interior design firms, artists, fashion houses, and restauranteurs alike. Milan’s former industrial zone is now a hub of creative talent, with many of the Fashion and Design Week events held here. Check out the Mudec art museum for modern art offerings, Armani Silos (the brand’s fashion-art space), and the plethora of restaurants that line the main street.
I love having an aperitivo at the micro-distillery The Botanical Club before enjoying dinner in the garden at God Save The Food. A restaurant with an international twist and a plethora of plant-based entrees, you can find quinoa salads and lentil tacos alongside an octopus wok and roast beef. God Save The Food has multiple locations in the city and also serves brunch on weekends.
The Navigli, Milan’s Famous Canal District
Milan used to be a city webbed with a network of navigli (canals), many of which were the arterial trade routes that funneled goods from southern Italy to Switzerland and further north. Today, only two adjoining canals remain; the point where they connect is known as the Darsena, which was renovated for the 2015 Expo. The area is a hub of relaxed, open-air bars and eateries that spread all along Naviglio Grande, the main canal. On the weekends, there are antique, vintage fashion, and flower markets, and by night, the area throngs with locals looking for some of the best aperitivo and cocktails in the city. Enjoy after-dinner drinks at MAG cafe, an art-deco haunt that serves a wild concoction of drinks and is open until (very) late every night.
Where to Stay In Milan
Four Seasons Milan
Housed in a former 15th-century convent, the Four Seasons demonstrates Milan’s ultimate luxury credentials. From the marble entrance hall and the exquisite poolside bar to the enormous rooms–which are outfitted with rich Fortuny fabrics, custom wood fixtures, and opulent marble bathrooms. This hotel is the perfect place to spend a pampered weekend.
Palazzo Parigi
Created by the inspirational Italian architect Paola Giambelli, Palazzo Parigi is an opulent hotel located between the public gardens and the Brera district. Launched alongside Milan’s Expo in 2015, the hotel is as famous for its afternoon tea as it is for its spacious, photo-perfect entryway and sumptuous suites and rooms. And the Moroccan spa is definitely a highlight.
1 comment
What an amazing list! I followed most of your plan (easy to get DISTRACTED here). la Vigna de Leonardo was a FANTASTIC treat, away from the crowds yet felt like i was really in milan (and not just a tourist). Thank you for the great advice.