Milan

When to go

What to see

Duomo di Milano, 2 hours. 15 EUR for stairs, 22 EUR for elevator. The rooftop is the real attraction. Skip the museum inside unless you are an architecture nerd. Book online at least 48 hours ahead to avoid the 90 minute ticket line.

The Last Supper (Cenacolo Vinciano), 15 minutes. 15 EUR. You get exactly 15 minutes inside. Tickets sell out months in advance for 2026. Book on the official website as soon as your dates are fixed. Do not pay a tour guide 60 EUR for the same thing.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, 30 minutes. Free. It is a 19th century shopping arcade. Spin on the mosaic bull's testicles for good luck (locals do it too). Skip the cafes here. They cost 15 EUR for a coffee.

Sforza Castle (Castello Sforzesco), 2 hours. Free entry to the grounds, 10 EUR for the museums. The Michelangelo Pietà Rondanini is inside. Better than David in my opinion. Fewer people, more emotion.

Brera District & Pinacoteca di Brera, 2.5 hours. 15 EUR. This is the top art gallery. Raphael's Marriage of the Virgin and Caravaggio's Supper at Emmaus are here. Book a slot online. The district itself is lovely for an evening walk.

Navigli Canals, 1 hour for a stroll. Free. The nightlife area. Overpriced bars and tourist menus. Go for the walk along the water, not for dinner. The vintage market on the last Sunday of the month is worth your morning.

Skip the Last Supper replica in the church of San Maurizio, it is not the real one. Skip the Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science if you are not traveling with kids. The museum itself is tired and the exhibits are dated.

3-day itinerary

Day 1: The Core

• 9:00 AM, 11:30 AM: Duomo rooftop (stairs). Booked online. Quietest at opening.
• 11:30 AM, 12:00 PM: Quick walk through the Galleria. Spin the bull. You are done.
• 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM: Lunch at Luini (closed Sunday). They sell panzerotti, a fried calzone. 5 EUR each.
• 1:30 PM, 3:45 PM: Sforza Castle and museum. The grounds are free. Do not miss the Pietà.
• 4:00 PM, 5:00 PM: Walk through Sempione Park. Rest your feet.
• 7:00 PM: Aperitivo in Brera. Some bars offer a drink with buffet for 12 EUR.

Day 2: Art and Shopping

• 9:00 AM, 9:15 AM: The Last Supper. Yes, it takes only 15 minutes. Be on time.
• 10:00 AM, 12:30 PM: Pinacoteca di Brera. Focus on Rooms 24, 27, and 29.
• 1:00 PM: Pasta at Osteria del Binari. 15 EUR for a primo. Authentic. No tourists.
• 2:30 PM, 4:00 PM: Quadrilatero della Moda (fashion district). Window shop Via Montenapoleone.
• 4:30 PM, 6:00 PM: Villa Necchi Campiglio. A 1930s villa with original interiors. 12 EUR. Quiet luxury.
• Evening: Aperitivo in Porta Venezia. Cheaper and more local than Navigli.

Day 3: Optional or Departure

• 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM: Navigli morning walk and vintage market (if Sunday).
• 11:30 AM, 1:00 PM: Last minute shopping at Corso Como or the Eataly in Sestriere (good for food souvenirs).
• 2:00 PM: Lunch at Mercato Centrale inside the Central Station. Good food court with local options.
• 4:00 PM: Head to the airport or train station.

Where to stay

Getting around

Metro is the easiest. Single ticket 2.20 EUR, day pass 7.60 EUR, 3-day pass 13 EUR. Tap your contactless card at the gate and it caps at the daily rate automatically. Avoid taxis. Wait times are 20 minutes and drivers sometimes refuse short fares.

Trams are charming but slow. Line 1 is the historic route that passes the Duomo and the castle. Use the ATM app for real time arrivals. Do not buy tickets from street vendors. They are always fakes.

Trains from Cadorna station to Malpensa airport cost 13 EUR and take 50 minutes. The bus from Centrale is 10 EUR but takes 70 minutes and gets stuck in traffic. Choose the train.

Bikes are available through BikeMi. 5 EUR per day. The city is mostly flat. Watch out for tram tracks. They catch bike tires.

Budget

Mistakes to avoid

Buying a Milan City Pass. It costs 40 EUR and gives you discounts you do not need. The Duomo and Last Supper are not included. You still have to wait in line. Waste of money.

Eating at any restaurant with a host shouting outside. The food is reheated and the prices are inflated. Walk two streets away from the Duomo. You will find better pasta for half the price.

Taking the lift in the Duomo. Stairs cost 15 EUR, the lift costs 22 EUR. The lift wait is 30 minutes. Stairs take 5 minutes. The difference is just 200 steps. You can do it.

Believing your wallet is safe in a crowded metro. Pickpockets work Line 1 and Line 3. Keep your bag zipped in front. Do not put your phone in your back pocket.

Visiting in August. Half the city closes. Many restaurants shut down for the entire month. The heat is suffocating. Go anywhere else in Italy.

Trying to see the Last Supper without a booking. You will stand outside and see a brick wall. There is no same day ticket. Plan ahead or accept you will miss it.