Milan in 3 days

Italy's capital of fashion and design, where a Gothic cathedral, Leonardo's Last Supper, and aperitivo culture collide. Best time to visit: April-June or September-October (mild, lively). Average daily budget: $110 to $200 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: Centro Storico, The historic heart: the Duomo, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and La Scala opera house.

Morning: Leonardo's The Last Supper. Da Vinci's mural at Santa Maria delle Grazie. Tickets sell out weeks ahead, so book early.

Afternoon: Explore Centro Storico, The historic heart: the Duomo, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and La Scala opera house.

Evening: Duomo & rooftop terraces. Italy's largest Gothic cathedral; climb to the rooftop to walk among the spires and statues.

Eat: Risotto alla milanese, the saffron-gold classic

Day 2, Go deeper

Base: Brera, The bohemian art district: cobbled lanes, galleries, the Pinacoteca, and stylish cafés.

Morning: Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. The world's oldest shopping arcade: a glass-domed cathedral of cafés and luxury boutiques.

Afternoon: Explore Brera, The bohemian art district: cobbled lanes, galleries, the Pinacoteca, and stylish cafés.

Evening: Rooftop of the Duomo. Climb (or lift) up onto the roof of Milan's spectacular Gothic cathedral to walk among the spires and statues with the city and Alps beyond. Book the rooftop ticket online.

Eat: Cotoletta alla milanese, the breaded veal cutlet

Day 3, Hidden side

Base: Navigli, The canal district: waterside bars, aperitivo culture, and a lively evening buzz.

Morning: Aperitivo in Navigli. The Milanese ritual: a spritz or Negroni with a generous spread along the canals at golden hour.

Afternoon: Explore Navigli, The canal district: waterside bars, aperitivo culture, and a lively evening buzz.

Evening: Aperitivo in the Navigli canals. Milan invented aperitivo, order a Negroni or spritz and the buffet comes free. Do it canal-side in the buzzing Navigli district at golden hour.

Eat: Panettone from a historic Milanese pasticceria

Hidden gems

The Cimitero Monumentale, an open-air gallery of extraordinary funerary sculpture.
The frescoed San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore, Milan's 'Sistine Chapel'.
A rooftop drink at Terrazza Aperol overlooking the Duomo.
The Fondazione Prada, a striking contemporary-art complex south of the centre.

Getting around

Milan has an excellent metro, tram, and bus network covering the whole city; a single ticket or day pass works across all. The historic centre is walkable. Trams are a scenic way to cross town. Milan is also Italy's rail hub, with fast trains to Venice, Florence, and beyond from Centrale and Garibaldi stations. Avoid driving in the restricted city centre (Area C).

Safety

Milan is safe but, as a big city, has pickpockets around the Duomo, Centrale station, and on busy metro lines. Keep bags zipped and watch for distraction scams. Avoid people pushing 'free' bracelets near the cathedral. Late-night areas around the stations warrant normal caution.

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