2 Days in Milan: How to Spend a Weekend in Milan, Italy

Fresh off of my most recent trip to Italy, I’ve created this travel guide to help you maximize two days in Milan.

In my opinion, Milan is one of the most underrated cities in Italy, and maybe even in Europe. It seems that Milan is often skipped on most Italian vacation itineraries, overshadowed by its flashier counterparts like Florence and Venice.

But maybe that’s what I liked so much about the city.

Milan is a big city, a business hub and a fashion mecca, yet in many ways it still feels like a small town.

Outside of the main squares you’ll find quaint neighborhoods lined with cobblestone streets, cafes and antique shops, and everyone seems to know each other.

I’ll be honest, it took me four trips to Italy to make it to this end of the boot, but Milan blew me away and exceeded all of my expectations.

The history, the art, the aperitivo… I loved it all.

Curious about what makes the city so special?

Read on to find out how to maximize a two days in Milan, and why I wish I’d visited sooner.

2 Days in Milan: How to Spend a Weekend in Milan, Italy

Where to Stay in Milan

Like most big cities, there is a wide variety of accommodation in Milan for every type of traveler and budget.

Decide first where in the city you’ll want to base yourself – I’d use the Duomo as a central landmark, then work out from there.

Click here to view hotels and apartments in Milan

The Brera neighborhood is centrally located in the city and within a quick walking distance to all major attractions. Brera is home to many cute restaurants, shopping and bars, so it’s the perfect area to base yourself for your two days in Milan.

The Fashion District is another great area to stay, as it’s also home to many hotels. It’s clean, safe and very centrally located, positioning you perfectly for exploring the city.

Things to See & Do in Milan

There is so much to see and do in the city, and two days in Milan allows just enough time to experience the major hot spots.

The Duomo

A little trivia question for you – what is the largest church in Italy? Hint: it’s not the Vatican, as Vatican City is actually a country.

The answer: the Duomo of Milan. The cathedral took six centuries to build, and it’s spectacular from every angle.

Set your alarms – Milan is a city where you won’t regret waking up early. Start your day in Piazza del Duomo to take in the square and get your photos before the crowds descend.

Visit the Duomo’s rooftop terrace for a bird’s eye views of the city. For tickets to the Duomo and the rooftop, check out these options here:

I recommend visiting the rooftop either first thing at 9 a.m. when they open or in early evening for sunset. While the last entrance normally is at 6 p.m., it stays open until 8:30 p.m. in the summer months.

As you can imagine, the cathedral’s interior is also beautiful. However if you’re tight on time (and I might burst into flames for saying this), I’d opt for just visiting the rooftop.

Pro Tip: Beware of the dress code! Like most churches in Italy, you must have your shoulders and knees covered to enter both the church and to go up to the rooftop. We witnessed a few crop tops and jean shorts get turned away. Don’t be that girl.

READ MORE: The Complete Travel Guide to Florence, Italy

The Galleria

The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele is an icon of Milan. Named for the first king of Italy, back in the day it was the place to see and be seen, earning its nickname as “the lounge of Milan.”

These days it’s the oldest open shopping mall in Italy and a must-see when visiting the city.

While normally I avoid shopping in tourist hotspots like the plague, the Galleria is the ultimate place for some window (or real, depending on your budget) shopping.

Browse the designer flagship stores, or for something a little more eclectic check out the vintage bookstore on the end facing the Duomo.

If a good photo is what you’re after (I mean, aren’t we all), head here around 8 a.m. before you start your day. With exception to the local businessmen walking through here on the way to work, you’ll have the Galleria just about all to yourself.

Check out the crests of the four capitals of the Kingdom of Italy – Milan as the flag with the cross, Florence as the lily, Rome as the she-wolf and Torino as the bull.

As tradition goes, stand on the bull’s man-parts and spin around three times and you’ll have good luck. So many people do this, that the tiles have to be replaced annually.

The Galleria is also magical at night. The building is beautifully illuminated, and with all of the tourists at dinner it’s another a great time to visit without the crowds.

Da Vinci’s Last Supper

If you’re in Milan, it’s downright sinful to not make a pilgrimage to see Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper.

Regardless of how many photos you’ve seen, I challenge you not to shed a tear, or at minimum get chills, when you see it up close.

However if you want to see Leonardo’s masterpiece, you’ll need to hop to it and buy your tickets now. The tickets go on sale directly through the Santa Maria della Grazie church about three months in advance, but they get snatched up right away by tour operators.

So if you don’t hit the Cenacolo lottery, fear not – book your tickets through a city tour package, like one of these options:

Leonardo’s Vineyard

The Last Supper wasn’t painted in a day, and while da Vinci was at work he would relax in the evenings at a nearby villa that you can visit today.

Your admission to La Vigna di Leonardo includes an audio tour of the grounds and a glass of wine, which always sweetens the deal.

Piazza della Scala

If you walk through the Galleria away from the Duomo, you’ll hit Piazza della Scala, one of the most iconic squares in Milan.

The statue of Leonardo da Vinci dominates the piazza, and the surrounding architecture is some of the most beautiful in the city.

Piazza della Scala is also home to the world-famous opera house, Teatro alla Scala. Attend a performance, or if sitting through several hours of singing in Italian isn’t your idea of a good time, you opt for just the tour of the interior.

Sforza Castle

Sforza Castle, the Castle of Milan, dates back to the Visconti family in the 14^th Century. Pictures truly don’t do this place justice – it’s massive, domineering and feels like it belongs in an episode of Game of Thrones.

Today Sforza Castle is home to many museums, but it’s also free to walk the grounds.

Pro Tip: Most city walking tours will take you here, so if you’re already doing one to see The Last Supper there’s no need to make the extra trip.

Go Shopping

While I typically am not a big shopper, this all goes out the window in Milan. If you’re going to shop, this is the place, so set aside some time to wander through the fashion district.

Head to the Quadrilatero d’Oro, Milan’s “golden quadrilateral,” and wander through quiet cobblestoned streets, the designer boutiques and antique stores.

Take a Day Trip to Lake Como

Milan is an easy jumping-off point for the lakes of Northern Italy, including the fabulous Lake Como. While I’d recommend spending at least one night here, it’s definitely feasible to make a day trip out of it thanks to the quick one-hour train ride.

Take a morning train from Milano Centrale to Varenna, then hop on the ferry and explore the towns of Bellagio or Tremezzo. Return to Varenna and be back in Milan in time for dinner.

Where to Eat & Drink in Milan

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a bad meal in Milan – this is Italy, after all. While there are countless delicious restaurants in the city, here are my top picks for where to eat and drink throughout your two days in Milan:

For Lunch & Snacks

Peck

Peck – the grocery so nice, we went here twice! Tucked on a quiet street near the Duomo, this gourmet food store and café offers freshly-sourced meats, cheeses and pastas in every shape and form. After lunch, head downstairs to the vast wine cellar for a tasting.

If you’re looking for that obscure, aged bottle of balsamic vinegar to bring home to your foodie-loving friend, you’re in the right place.

La Rinascente

Can’t decide what you want for lunch? Head to the food market on 7th floor of La Rinascente on Piazza del Duomo.

This Harrod’s-esque department store has a little bit of everything, in its best possible form.

Grab a table on the terrace at Obicà Mozzarella Bar for a front row view of the Duomo, then indulge on a bite of the chocolate-dipped candied fruit at the Antoniazzi candy counter.

Luini

You can’t leave Milan without a trip to Luini for panzerotti!

What is panzerotti, you might ask? Imagine a calzone and an empanada got together and had a bambino… It’s heaven. Lean into it – you are in Italy after all!

Tucked in the shadow of the Duomo and Galleria, head to Luini for a snack or quick lunch. Just make sure to arrive before noon to beat the lunch rush – this place gets packed.

Starbucks Reserve

I know what you’re thinking. “Starbucks for coffee? Groundbreaking.”

Italy held out for years against letting in the world’s largest coffee company, so when Starbucks finally opened their first Italian location in Milan in 2018 they went all out.

Housed in the old post office, the Reserve Roastery feels a bit like a Disney attraction. I wouldn’t go out of your way to visit, but if you happen to be in the area it’s worth walking in.

READ MORE: The Complete Travel Guide to Paris, France

For Aperitivo

Much to my chagrin, the Milanese take happy hour very seriously.

When the golden hour hits, the entire city heads to outdoor cafes for pre-dinner cocktails. Sip on an Aperol spritz, people-watch and enjoy the spread of (free!) snacks that will magically appear with your drink order.

While there are countless spots to indulge in my favorite Italian tradition, here are a few I’d recommend checking out:

L’Ombra de Vin

Part wine cellar, part gourmet bistro, I’Ombra de Vin in Brera is perfect for a lively aperitivo.

Snag a table by the street, or sample meats and tapas downstairs in the wine caverns for a more intimate vibe.

The Navigli

No trip to Milan is complete without a visit to the Navigli district, and aperitivo is the perfect time to go.

At one point, Milan was home to five canals – one that even linked the city to Switzerland. Though today only the Naviglio Grande remains, you’ll find a thriving nightlife scene centered around the waterway.

Wander along the canal and stop for a drink at one of the many outdoor bars and cafes in the Navigli.

While there are probably better areas of the city for dinner, this is the perfect spot to walk around, grab a cocktail and watch sunset.

The Courtyard at the Four Seasons

Pop into the Four Seasons for a splurge-worthy cocktail in the hotel’s garden courtyard. Built in a restored 15th century monastery, the hotel’s aperitivo will provide a welcomed respite from the city.

Mio Lab

For a modern aperitivo with a twist head to the swanky Mio Lab in the Park Hyatt, located adjacent to the Galleria.

Their cocktail menu will impress even the most avid mixologists, and I’m still dreaming about their saffron-encrusted marcona almonds.

For Dinner

There’s no early-bird special in Milan – everyone here eats late! Aim for a 9 p.m. dinner reservation so you don’t have to rush your aperitivo.

Stendhal

Located in Brera just across the street from l’Ombra de Vin, Stendhal took the cake as one of our of our favorite meals of the trip.

Stendahl serves up a modern twist on traditional Milanese in a bright, but intimate ambiance. Don’t miss the local showstoppers like stuffed zucchini flowers with pesto and ossobucco with saffron risotto.

Camillo Benso

For a casual dinner in central Milan, head to Camillo Benso. The art-deco decor paired with the homemade classics like eggplant melanzane and fire-roasted pizza make this an easy choice after a long day of sightseeing.

Camillo Benso’s sister restaurant, Fresco & Cimmino, also comes as a highly recommended option near the Duomo.

What to Pack for Milan

Like most places in Italy, the attire in Milan is relatively formal and conservative. As the city is not only a business but a fashion capital, I’d recommend stepping up your dress from the typical shorts and t-shirt travel uniform.

If your two days in Milan happens to fall in the summer, beware that it can be very hot. I’d recommend a flowy sundress and comfy sneakers (like my new fave travel shoes, Cariuma’s) for sightseeing during the day.

Also because the dress code for the churches requires women to cover your shoulders and knees, make sure you either have sleeves on your top or have a scarf handy.

Shop my favorite travel dresses

For the evenings, you’ll fit right in wearing a nicer dress or jumpsuit with heels or sandals. I also always recommend packing a pashmina in the event it gets chilly.

As far as accessories go, you’ll be happy to have packed a sun hat for a bit of shade. I’d also recommend wearing a small backpack to carry water, your camera with room for any potential shopping purchases you pick up along the way.

Shop my favorite travel accessories

Oh Milan, you had me at buongiorno. There is so much to see and do in two days in Milan, and I hope that this guide has inspired you to add it to your next Italian itinerary!

Have you been to Milan? If so, how did you like it?

Cheers,

Meredith

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