Milan itinerary for first-timers
The classic neighborhoods in an order that works, with a 4K street walk for every stop. Watch your trip before you take it.
Day 1: The Duomo, the Galleria & the fashion streets
The cathedral and its rooftop, the Galleria and La Scala, then an afternoon in the Quadrilatero della Moda.
- 1
Morning
The Duomo & its rooftop
Milan's gothic cathedral took nearly six centuries to finish. Walk around its spires and statues in Piazza del Duomo, then go up to the rooftop terraces to walk among the pinnacles, with the Alps on the horizon on clear days.
- Piazza del Duomo
- Cathedral rooftop terraces
- Royal Palace
Book rooftop tickets in advance and go early, before the square fills up.
Walk across the square into the Galleria, about 3 min.
- 2
Late morning
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II & La Scala
One of the oldest shopping arcades in the world, with a glass dome and mosaic floors, opens from the cathedral square straight onto Piazza della Scala and its famous opera house.
- Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
- The mosaic bull
- Teatro alla Scala
- Piazza della Scala
Tradition says spinning on your heel on the mosaic bull brings luck; expect a small queue.
Walk from Piazza della Scala to Via Monte Napoleone, about 10 min.
- 3
Afternoon
The Quadrilatero della Moda
The fashion district: Via Monte Napoleone, Via della Spiga and Via Sant'Andrea, lined with the window displays of the world's great designers, then back towards the Duomo along the busy Corso Vittorio Emanuele.
- Via Monte Napoleone
- Via della Spiga
- Corso Vittorio Emanuele
- Santa Maria presso San Satiro
Window-shopping is free: the side streets and courtyards of the old palazzi are as interesting as the shops.
Day 2: The Last Supper, Sforza Castle & Brera
Leonardo's Last Supper on Corso Magenta, the castle and Sempione Park, and an evening in the lanes of Brera.
- 1
Morning
Corso Magenta & The Last Supper
From Cordusio, an elegant walk past Roman ruins and old palazzi along Corso Magenta to Santa Maria delle Grazie, where Leonardo da Vinci painted The Last Supper on the wall of the refectory. Leonardo's vineyard is just across the street.
- Santa Maria delle Grazie
- The Last Supper
- Leonardo's Vineyard
- Palazzo Litta
Tickets for The Last Supper sell out weeks ahead; book as soon as your dates are fixed.
Walk north from Santa Maria delle Grazie to the castle, about 15 min.
- 2
Midday
Sforza Castle & Sempione Park
The great brick castle of the Sforza dukes holds several museums, including Michelangelo's last sculpture. Behind it, Sempione Park stretches to the Arco della Pace, a triumphal arch at the start of the road to the Simplon Pass.
- Castello Sforzesco
- Sempione Park
- Arco della Pace
Walk east from the castle into Brera, about 10 min.
- 3
Afternoon & evening
Brera
Milan's artistic quarter: cobbled lanes such as Via Fiori Chiari, galleries and small squares around the Pinacoteca di Brera. In the evening it is one of the most pleasant places in the city for a drink outdoors.
- Via Fiori Chiari
- Pinacoteca di Brera
- Cobbled lanes
Travelling with someone?
Send them this 3-day Milan plan, videos included.
Planning your first trip to Milan
How many days?
Two days covers the centre, the Last Supper, the castle and Brera. A third day adds Porta Nuova, Isola and an evening on the Navigli. One day is enough for the Duomo, the Galleria and the fashion streets.
Where to stay
Near the Duomo for first-timers who want everything on foot; Brera for cobbled streets and evenings out; the Navigli for canal-side bars; around Centrale or Porta Garibaldi for train connections to the lakes.
Getting around
Walk the centre: the Duomo, Brera and the castle are all within about 20 minutes of each other. The metro and trams cover the rest, including Porta Garibaldi and Porta Genova for the Navigli.
Milan rewards walkers. Its great sights sit close together on flat streets: the white marble Duomo, the glass-roofed Galleria and La Scala at the centre, the Sforza Castle and Brera to the north-west, and Leonardo's Last Supper a short walk away on Corso Magenta. Further out, the old canals of the Navigli and the new skyline of Porta Nuova show two very different sides of the city.
Every stop comes with a walking video filmed on those streets, so you can see the squares, arcades and canals before you arrive. Use the buttons under each video to jump to a landmark, or press Preview to watch a whole day in a row.
Milan itinerary: common questions
How many days do you need in Milan?
Two days is a good first visit: one for the Duomo, the Galleria and the fashion streets, and one for The Last Supper, the Sforza Castle and Brera. A third day adds modern Porta Nuova, Isola and the Navigli.
Is Milan walkable?
Yes. The centre is flat and compact: the Duomo, La Scala, Brera and the castle are all within about 20 minutes on foot. The metro and trams are handy for the Navigli and Porta Nuova.
Do you need to book The Last Supper in advance?
Yes. Visits are timed and limited to small groups, and tickets usually sell out weeks ahead, so book as soon as you know your dates. The same goes for the cathedral rooftop at busy times.
When is the best time to visit Milan?
April to June and September to October are the most comfortable for walking. August is hot and many locals are away, and December brings Christmas lights and markets around the Duomo.
Travel times are approximate. Check opening days and any booking requirements before you go.
Keep exploring Milan
More 4K walking videos, top sights, food markets and dishes to try.
Milan city guide →