Milan Itinerary 2026
Milan is Italy's capital of fashion and design, with a Gothic cathedral you can walk on the roof of, Leonardo's Last Supper, a canal district and the lakes an hour away by train. Three days covers the city and a day at Lake Como.
Day-by-Day Milan Itinerary
Duomo, Galleria + Brera
Duomo di Milano
Start at the cathedral and go up to the rooftop terraces to walk among the spires. Next door, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is the glass-roofed arcade that leads through to La Scala opera house.
Castello Sforzesco + Parco Sempione
Walk to the Sforza Castle and through Parco Sempione behind it to the Arco della Pace.
Aperitivo in Brera
Brera's cobbled streets are the place for aperitivo: a drink served with food in the early evening, a Milanese habit.
Tip: Book the Last Supper for day 2 before anything else. Entry is by timed ticket only and slots sell out well ahead.
The Last Supper + Navigli
The Last Supper
Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper is on the refectory wall of Santa Maria delle Grazie. Visits are in small timed groups and must be booked in advance.
Sant'Ambrogio + the design streets
Visit the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio, one of the oldest churches in Milan, then browse the fashion streets of the Quadrilatero around Via Monte Napoleone.
Navigli canals
Milan's canal district, around the Naviglio Grande and the Darsena basin, is lined with bars and restaurants and is at its best in the evening.
Lake Como day trip
Train to the lake
Trains run from Milano Centrale to Varenna on the eastern shore of Lake Como, and from Milano Cadorna to Como on the southern tip.
Varenna, Bellagio or Como
From Varenna, ferries cross to Bellagio and Menaggio in the middle of the lake. From Como, walk the lakefront or take the funicular up to Brunate for the view.
Back to Milan or to the airport
The Malpensa Express train runs to Malpensa Airport (MXP) from Milano Centrale and Milano Cadorna. Linate Airport (LIN) is on the M4 metro line.
Practical Information
April to June and September to October. In August many Milanese leave the city and some shops and restaurants close. Fashion weeks and the April design fair fill hotels.
The metro and trams cover the centre, and you can pay at metro gates with a contactless card. The centre is compact enough to walk between the Duomo, Brera and the castle.
Milan is one of Italy's more expensive cities, and hotel prices rise sharply during fashion weeks and trade fairs. Aperitivo is a good-value way to eat in the evening.
Milan has three airports. Check which one you are flying into: Malpensa (MXP) and Bergamo (BGY) are well outside the city; Linate (LIN) is close to the centre.
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Milan Itinerary: FAQs
How many days do you need in Milan?
Two days covers the city's main sights. A third day allows a trip to Lake Como.
Which Milan airport is closest to the city?
Linate (LIN) is the closest and is on the M4 metro line. Malpensa (MXP) is the main international airport and is linked by the Malpensa Express train. Bergamo (BGY) is used by low-cost airlines and is linked by bus.
Do I need to book the Last Supper in advance?
Yes. Entry is by timed ticket only, in small groups, and tickets sell out well ahead.