What To Do In Milan For 2 Days & Best Day Trips!
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Are you planning a trip to Italy and wondering what to do in Milan for 2 days?
Located in the northern region of Lombardy, Milan is a prominent city known as the world’s fashion and design capital.
👉 PRO TIP: The city is easily explorable within a few days due to its compact size.
I’ve also added a bonus 3rd-day itinerary if you can squeeze in the time and a few of my favorite quick day trips (spoiler alert, one is to Lake Como!).
Between its stunning architecture and rich history, this is one city you cannot miss while traveling to Italy. So I asked my travel friend, Tamara from My Elated Odyssey, to share her best-kept secrets from her travels to Milan. Plus, I shared a few of my little tips along the way too!
What To Do In Milan For 2 Days
Figuring out what to do in Milan for 2 days may seem challenging initially because there are so many good options. Fear not!
This Milan itinerary is set up as a morning, afternoon, and evening guide so you can see the city’s main attractions and still have some chill time.
⭐️ Day 1 Highlights: Duomo di Milano, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Piazza Mercanti, Castello Sforzesco, Teatro Alla Scala, Brera District.
⭐️ Day 2 Highlights: Santa Maria delle Grazie (The Last Supper), Quadrilatero della Moda, Navigli District.
⭐️ BONUS Day 3 Highlights: Bosco Verticale, Cimitero Monumentale, Basilica San Lorenzo Maggiore, Fine Dining & Gelato.
Milan Itinerary: Day 1
Alright, let’s get the big hitters out of the way for our 2 days in Milan adventure. Don’t forget to grab an espresso for breakfast – it’s the Italian way.
Morning: Duomo di Milano
To begin your first morning in Milan, head to the Duomo di Milano in the morning. The cathedral is the most popular attraction, so getting there early is best! As a prime example of Gothic architecture, the structure will amaze you.
👉 Travel Tip: It’s important to remember that the cathedral is still a religious site. To enter the cathedral, you must be moderately dressed. This prohibits sleeveless shirts, as well as skirts above the knee. The dress code rules do not apply to the rooftop.
One of the best things to do while at the cathedral is to visit the rooftop. This will provide you with panoramic views of Milan and a unique view of the cathedral’s architecture. You can access the rooftop through stairs or a lift.
In addition to the rooftop, you can see the cathedral’s interior. The interior is a true emblem of Gothic architecture.
Tickets only accessing the rooftop begin at 15€, while only entering the cathedral costs 7€. Due to the cathedral’s popularity. I highly recommend purchasing your tickets in advance and getting a small group or private guide – the history of this place deserves the tour guide.
➡️ I recommend this Combo Tour: Milan Cultural Treasures ⬅️
Best bang for your buck – it includes all of today’s highlights!
Afternoon: Markets, Shopping, Castles & Lunch
Once you’ve finished with the Duomo di Milano, you can go straight to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. It’s located next to the cathedral, making for an easy journey.
The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is one of the world’s most iconic shopping galleries. Here you’ll find luxury boutiques and catch a glimpse of the city’s fashion scene. A trip to Milan would only be complete with a shopping adventure, right?
By this point, you’ll most likely be hungry. Plenty of restaurants and cafes exist in and near the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Be sure to take advantage of all the gelato and pizza that you can handle!
My Favorite Way to Explore Milan
➡️ Best Street Food Walking Tour ⬅️
After lunch and the shopping gallery, a 3-minute walk will take you to the Piazza Mercanti. This gorgeous square was a central marketplace during the Middle Ages. Today it still holds medieval charm with buildings like the Palazzo della Ragione.
Once you leave the Pizza Mercanti, you will arrive at the Castello Sforzesco in a 10-minute walk. Initially, Castello Sforzesco was a fortress in the 14th century before Francesco Sforza turned it into a castle in the 15th century.
Today, you can walk around the beautiful castle courtyards free of charge. Additionally, there are multiple museums on the grounds.
Milan at Night: An Opera
As one of the world’s most famous opera houses, Teatro Alla Scala is worth a visit! Here you can find a variety of performances, including operas, ballets, and orchestras. Tickets for the opera house are available to purchase here.
👉 Travel Tip: Teatro Alla Scala is very popular. That said, booking your tickets well in advance is best so your desired show isn’t sold out.
Having dinner in the Brera district is a great way to end your first day in Milan. This is only a 5-minute walk from Teatro Alla Scala. Some great options for you to try are Sette Cucina Urbana, Il Salumaio di Montenapoleone, and Brera 29 Cucina & Cocktails.
Milan Itinerary: Day 2
The second day in Milan is all about history, art and culture. Ramp it up to a double-shot espresso before your get going!
Morning: Da Vinci’s Last Supper
Santa Maria delle Grazie is a great way to start your second day in Milan. It holds one of the world’s most famous paintings- The Last Supper.
👉 Travel Tip: Due to the high demand for viewing The Last Supper, each visitor is only permitted in the room for 15 minutes. Spend it wisely!
This church that displays one of Da Vinci’s most famous works of art is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Completed in the 15th century, The Last Supper spans an entire wall.
Entry tickets are 15€, but you can also book a tour of the Museum and get the whole history of the church and DaVinci explained.
➡️ This is The Last Supper History Tour I recommend! ⬅️
Afternoon: Fashion Shopping & Lunch
If the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II wasn’t enough to settle your fashion cravings, head to the Quadrilatero Della Moda. This fashion district is home to some of the most luxurious brands you can find in Milan.
Whether you’re window shopping or looking for an actual purchase, this district is worth a visit. Not only is Milan simply known as a fashion capital, but it’s also the hub for notable luxury brands like Armani, Prada, and Versace.
👉 Travel Tip: If you’re looking for stores with a lower price tag, head over to Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, where more affordable brands can be found.
For lunch, if you want fine dining, you can head to Antico Ristorante Boeucc. This is one of the oldest restaurants in all of Milan. Alternatively, you can dine at Ratanà, which offers excellent Italian classics and wines.
Milan At Night: Bar Hop In Navigli District
As your second day in Milan ends, one of the best things to do in the evening is head to the Navigli District. Here, you’ll experience one of the most incredible places in Milan for aperitivo.
In addition to enjoying a pre-dinner drink, you can take in the views from the bars lined along the canal. Navigli is also one of the best nightlife areas in Milan.
⭐️ [BONUS] Milan Itinerary: Day 3 ⭐️
If you have squeezed in one more day in Milan, here is your bonus 3rd-day itinerary.
You can also say “fuk it!” and go on a day trip outside the city. I’ve got my best recommendations for day trips just below this section – my favorite being a day in Lake Como!
Morning: Explore the “Vertical Forest”
Bosco Verticale is a unique set of residential buildings in Milan. Translated to “vertical forest,” these buildings are decorated with over 20,000 plants.
They were constructed as models of sustainable architecture. In effect, the buildings contribute back to the environment by decreasing air pollution and energy consumption.
➡️ Super Unique Vertical Forest Architecture Tour ⬅️
For the nerds at heart only!
Afternoon: Churches & Cemeteries
While a cemetery may initially appear like an unattractive activity to do, Cimitero Monumentale is an exception. Many tombs display different architectural designs, so the cemetery can be considered an open-air museum.
To learn more about Cimitero Monumentale, you can join a tour and learn more about the art and notable figures buried there.
After grabbing lunch in the Brera district, you can go towards the Basilica San Lorenzo Maggiore. As the oldest church in Milan, the church is admired for its Renaissance design.
The church holds sacred importance to Milan and is an absolute must for those interested in Renaissance art and architecture.
Milan At Night: Fine Dining & Gelato
To finish your third day in Milan, indulge in a delicious meal. You can enjoy an aperitivo and full-course meal at either Giacomo Arengario or Trattoria Trippa. Would some gelato afterward make the perfect treat?
If You Have Even More Time In Milan
While you can certainly fit in Milan’s top attractions in a 2-day itinerary, there are many more activities and hidden gems in the city.
Here are some additional ideas of what to do in Milan if two days weren’t enough.
✅ San Bernardino alle Ossa
If you are interested in an unusual thing to do in Milan, visit the San Bernardino alle Ossa church. Constructed in the 13th century, the church draws in visitors due to its ossuary walls covered in skulls and bones.
In addition to the ossuary, San Bernardino alle Ossa is full of beautiful frescos. Despite its initially bizarre nature, the church is a fascinating and unique religious site for those that visit. Admission is free.
✅ Watch a Football Match
or Tour San Siro Football Stadium
Also named the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, the iconic San Siro Football stadium is home to the A.C. Milan and Inter Milan clubs. Football fans should definitely make it to this legendary venue while in Milan.
As the fourth-largest stadium in Europe and the largest in Italy, it has a capacity of slightly over 80,000 seats!
You can book a ticket at the official stadium website here to learn more about the stadium and the clubs. The tickets are 30€ with reduced rates for minors and senior citizens.
👉 Travel Tip: Be sure to watch a match here while you can! The stadium will be demolished after the 2026 Winter Olympic Games to make room for a modern one.
✅ Spa Day at QC Terme Milano
Let’s be honest; who doesn’t love a spa day? After going viral on TikTok, QC Terme Milano has become a favorite among visitors.
This luxurious spa offers various services, including massages, facials, and hydrotherapy treatments.
Uniquely, the spa has an immersive pool room with a thunderstorm simulation and a relaxation room providing visual and fragrant treatments.
✅ Palazzo Reale di Milano
Known as Milan’s Royal Palace, the palace used to have a central role in Milan’s government for hundreds of years. In the present day, its primary focus is being an art and cultural exhibition center.
You can check out the current exhibitions by viewing the palace’s website here.
Best Day Trips From Milan
Most people that visit Milan spend their time at the main attractions; however, there is so much to explore with day trips!
I highly recommend journeying out of the city to see amazing landscapes and take advantage of Milan’s location.
✅ Visit Lake Como
Lake Como is easily one of the most popular day trips from Milan. It takes a little time to understand why this destination is so popular once you see the stunning mountains, blue waters, and cafes lined along the waterfront promenade.
Not surprisingly, the lake is the main attraction here. Visitors can take boat tours to immerse themselves in the picturesque surroundings and visit the nearby villages, such as Bellagio and Varenna.
Lake Como is easily reachable from Milan by train. You can take a train departing from Milan Centrale statistician to Como San Giovanni. The direct trains can reach Lake Como in as little as 30 minutes. The best way to view updated timetables and book tickets is through ItaliaRail.
➡️ I recommend doing this Villa Balbianello and Lake Como Walking and Boating Full-Day Tour to hit all of the Lake Como highlights.
This tour is great because you can grab the early train and head back to Milan when the tour ends. Lake Como public transportation and the ferry system is a pain in the ass to navigate, which is why it’s nice to be guided around if it’s your first time and you only have one day.
✅ Visit Bologna
A simple day trip from Milan is visiting Bologna. As the Emilia-Romagna region’s capital, Bologna is a popular destination due to its stunning architecture, cultural heritage, and the University of Bologna, which gives the city a lively nature.
One of the fascinating reasons to visit Bologna is its cuisine. Many of Italy’s signature foods originate from here, including tagliatelle al ragù (bolognese sauce), Parmigiano Reggiano (parmesan cheese), and mortadella (Italian sausage). Don’t forget to tip!
Reaching Bologna by train takes slightly over an hour, making this a great day trip option.
✅ Bernina Express to St. Mortitz
One of the best parts about visiting Europe is the proximity to other countries! With Milan, you can easily reach the jaw-dropping scenery in Switzerland.
St. Moritz is one of the world’s most widely known ski resorts. It has hosted the Olympic Winter Games twice, once in 1928 and again in 1948. With that in mind, this is the perfect place to go if you want to experience the Swiss Alps during your trip.
To make this journey, you will first take a train to Tirano. After this, you will board the Bernina Express train and make the 2.5-hour commute to St. Moritz.
The train ride is as scenic as you can find. While the travel time consumes much of the day, seeing one of Switzerland’s most beautiful cities is worth it.
Where to Stay in Milan
When visiting Milan for a weekend, especially for the first time, the best place to stay is the Duomo (Centro Storico) neighborhood. It is located in the heart of the city, near the main attractions and, as a result, makes commutes easier.
Meanwhile, if you are looking for accommodation in a lively nightlife area, Navigili is the perfect option. Lastly, art fanatics will enjoy staying in the Brera neighborhood, known for its artistic charm and upscale establishments.
📍Cosy Apartments Near The Duomo ($) – These cute little apartments don’t have that hotel feel, but do offer all of the amenities and that city view that will make your heart melt. I’m also very partial to the “so modern cute Italian” decor and high ceilings and windows. This apartment books super fast – I highly recommend this location if it’s your first time in Milan.
📍Ripa Apartments in Navigli ($$) – This is a perfect little apartment (and includes an Italian breakfast). As you can see, I like unique little stays, even if it’s just for a couple of nights.
📍Hotel Milano Scala in Brera ($$$) – The Milano Scala is one of those grand hotels. Each room is unique and exquisite, and it’s in the middle of Brera. Breakfast is included and is exceptional – classic Italian and Continental for those shy to stuff their face with butter croissants.
FAQ: Visiting Milan
A trip to Milan’s vibrant city is an exciting cultural experience. The various things to do and activities can work with any budget. To help you plan, here are some frequently asked questions I often get.
Are two days enough in Milan?
Yes, two days are enough time to see the main hotspots in Milan.
This would allow you to see how Milan is known as a fashion capital and explore world-renowned art collections.
However, a more extended visit to Milan would allow you to visit the city’s hidden gems and venture out on memorable day trips. Locations such as Lake Como are a must-see while you’re in Europe. It is equally important to experience excursions such as the scenic Bernina Express to Switzerland.
Is a day trip to Lake Como enough?
As mentioned previously, a day trip to Lake Como is doable with its short train duration from Milan. You will get a taste of the captivating scenery, walk along the promenade, and possibly take a ferry ride. However, Lake Como is enormous, and more time is needed to get the whole experience.
If you can spend more time in the area, a stay of around 3 to 4 days will give you enough to visit the nearby villages of Varenna and Tremezzina.
Are there other fun things to do in Milan that aren’t on the suggested itinerary?
Milan is a large metropolitan city full of things to do. With that in mind, there are certainly more activities to keep you busy, such as the Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology, Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio, and Torre Branca.
Additionally, you can also make a journey to other day trip options, which include Pavia, Turin, and Venice.
How do I get around when visiting Milan?
When you arrive in Milan, the easiest way to get around will be by using public transportation with the 18 tram lines. A single ticket within the city only costs 2.2€, while a one-day City Pass costs 13.5€.
You can use Uber or reasonably priced taxis at several stands dispersed around Milan, but these tend to be expensive as only Uber Black operates.
The best way to get to and from the airport is by private transfer – trust me, Uber from the airport will be a heavy fee! Note that the price varies depending on how many people are included.
➡️ This is the Private Airport Transfer I recommend. ⬅️
What is the best time to visit Milan?
Luckily, Milan is a great place to see at any time of the year—however, the months of April through May and September are great since they are during the shoulder season. Considering that, you’ll avoid the winter months and deal with fewer crowds.
On the other hand, peak season is from June through August. However, I would not recommend coming during that time if you don’t like crowds.
Moreover, for fashion lovers, February and September would be great times to see the city due to Milan Fashion Week. What better time to come to the fashion capital!
Conclusion: What To Do In Milan For 2 Days
Milan is lively and full of art attractions, shopping, and jaw-dropping architecture. Due to its compact size, the city is easily explorable within a few days.
Although there is more to experience in Milan, this itinerary will help you reach the main destinations. Whether you want to admire the Gothic architecture at the Duomo di Milano, view prominent art pieces, or watch an opera show, this city has something for everyone!
I hope this post helps you with what to do during your two days in Milan!
