Before you go

Your trip to Milão.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Milão – Lombardia Destination Milão and Lago de Como Capital

How to get there

Aeroporto di Milano Malpensa (MXP) 50 km
Aeroporto di Milano Linate (LIN) 8 km
Milano Centrale 3 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Check before buying. The most used airport is Milano Malpensa (MXP), linked to Milano Centrale and Milano Cadorna by the Malpensa Express. Milano Linate (LIN), closer in, handles European flights and has a metro station. By train, Florença is about 2 hours and Roma about 3 hours away.

How many days

Two days allow you to see the Duomo, the Galleria, the Scala, the Última Ceia, the Castello Sforzesco, Brera and the Navigli. With a third day you can include the Cimitero Monumentale, Porta Nuova and the Fondazione Prada, or take a day trip to Lago de Como.

When to go

April to June and September to October have mild weather. Summer, from June to August, is hot and humid, and in August many shops and restaurants close for holidays. Winter, from December to February, is cold and can be foggy. La Scala's season opens on December 7; fashion and design weeks fill up hotel capacity.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

No. Milão has five metro lines, trams and suburban trains, and the central attractions are within walking distance of each other. The center lies within the Area C, a paid zone for car entry, and parking is expensive and difficult. For reaching the lake, the train is the solution.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Milão

Morning
Duomo and terraces
Start early at the Duomo di Milano, with tickets purchased in advance for the cathedral and the terraces. Up on the roof, walk among the spires to the view of the Madonnina. Then cross the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II to the Piazza della Scala.
Afternoon
Última Ceia and Sant'Ambrogio
Have lunch near the center and take the metro to the Cenacolo Vinciano at the reserved time to see the Última Ceia. Afterwards, walk about 10 minutes to the Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio, with its golden altar and the patron's crypt.
Late afternoon
Castello Sforzesco and Brera
Walk through the courtyards of the Castello Sforzesco and see the Pietà Rondanini, if museum time allows. Cross over to Brera along the cobbled streets and stop for an aperitivo at a sidewalk table.
Evening
Dinner on the Navigli
Take the metro to Porta Genova and dine on the banks of the Naviglio Grande. Afterwards, stroll along the illuminated banks to the Darsena.

2 days in Milão

Day 1

Morning
Duomo and Galleria
Open the day at the Duomo di Milano, with the cathedral, the archaeological area and the terraces. Descend and cross the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, making sure not to miss the bull mosaic.
Afternoon
Scala and Quadrilatero
Visit the Museo Teatrale alla Scala and, if the auditorium is accessible, view the theatre from a box. Then walk along Via Manzoni to the Quadrilatero della Moda, between Via Montenapoleone and Via della Spiga.
Late afternoon
Pinacoteca di Brera
Enter the Pinacoteca di Brera to see Mantegna, Rafael, Caravaggio and Hayez. On leaving, stroll along Via Fiori Chiari and Via Madonnina, in the heart of Brera.
Evening
Aperitivo and dinner in Brera
Stay in Brera for the aperitivo and dinner. Reserve a table at the most popular restaurants, as the neighborhood fills up at night.

Day 2

Morning
Última Ceia and Sant'Ambrogio
Begin at the Cenacolo Vinciano, at the time reserved in advance, and visit the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie. On foot, continue to the Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio, with its Romanesque atrium and golden altar.
Afternoon
Castello Sforzesco
Have lunch near Largo Cairoli and enter the Castello Sforzesco: courtyards, museums and the Pietà Rondanini by Michelangelo. Exit through the back into Parco Sempione and walk to the Arco della Pace.
Late afternoon
Porta Nuova and Bosco Verticale
By metro, go to Garibaldi FS. See the Piazza Gae Aulenti, the Bosco Verticale and the Biblioteca degli Alberi park, with the buildings' lights coming on.
Evening
Navigli
Finish in the Navigli, with an aperitivo and dinner on the banks of the Naviglio Grande and a walk to the Darsena.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

How do I get from Malpensa airport to central Milão?

By the Malpensa Express, the train that links the airport to Milano Cadorna and Milano Centrale in about 40 to 50 minutes. There are also buses to the Centrale. By taxi the trip is more expensive and depends on traffic.

And from Linate airport?

Linate is about 8 km from the center and has a station on the M4 (blue) metro line, which reaches the San Babila area in about 15 minutes.

Do I need to reserve the Última Ceia?

Yes. Visits to the Cenacolo Vinciano are in small groups with mandatory reservations, and slots sell out weeks in advance. The Duomo terraces also require advance purchase on the busiest days.

How do I get around Milão?

The metro has five lines and reaches almost all the attractions. Tickets are valid for metro, tram and bus within the municipality; you can pay by contactless card at metro turnstiles. The historic center is easily walked.

Is Milão a base for Lago de Como?

Yes. Trains depart Milano Centrale for Como San Giovanni and Varenna, and from Milano Cadorna to Como Nord Lago. Como is about 40 minutes to 1 hour away; Bellagio requires a train to Varenna and a ferry.

Is there a tourist tax in Milão?

Yes. The tourist tax is charged per person per night and is paid at the accommodation, separate from the room rate.

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