Amazing 3 Days in Milan Italy
I’ve been to Milan, Italy a few times and always discover something new with each visit. If you are looking for the perfect itinerary for Milan, I can recommend how to spend an amazing 3 days in Milan, Italy. Even if you have only one or two days, you’ll want to read about these special places I’ve found in Milan. I’ve included in this article all my favorite photos that I took from each visit.
My itinerary is based on grouping sites in close proximity for each day. All of these places are reachable by walking if you don’t mind putting in the steps. Otherwise, you can use train or bus to get to each area.
Overview of Milan
Milan is located in Italy’s northern Lombardy region and is known as the global capital of fashion and design.
The renaissance genius Leonardo Da Vinci was called to Milan in 1482 by Ludovico il Moro, Duke of Milan, to improve the city with his talents and ideas. The Last Supper is among da Vinci’s most famous contributions to Milan.
Day 1 Itinerary in Milan
For your first day in Milan, I will focus on the ‘must-sees’ that make Milan an exceptional city.
Duomo di Milano
The first place to head to is the amazing Duomo di Milano in the central square of the city. The construction of the Duomo began in 1386 and ended in 1965. It was consecrated in 1418 but heavy construction continued for another 200 years.
The Duomo is the fifth largest Christian church in the world. It is said there are more statues on this gothic-style cathedral than any other building in the world. There are 3,400 statues, 135 gargoyles and 700 figures that decorate the Milan Duomo.
You should definitely go to the rooftop for amazing views across the city and even snow-capped peaks of the Alps on a clear day.
There are 52 pillars inside the Milan Cathedral, one for every week of the year.
The price to enter the cathedral and the rooftop varies between 18 to 23 euros. To skip the long lines, consider booking in advance the Cathedral and Duomo’s Terraces Entrance Ticket. If you prefer to have a guided tour, you can organize one with this ticket.
Be sure to visit the cathedral at night for a different vibe. A perfect place to go for a drink overlooking the piazza and the duomo is the Terrazza Duomo 21. I went there on my last visit and was thrilled to discover this hidden bar/restaurant with a great view.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Located next to the duomo is the elegant four-story Galleria shopping area. It is said to be the oldest active shopping center in the world. The building opened in 1877 after 12 years of construction. The complex is composed of four corridors laid out in a cross-shape, with a glass dome at the centre. The two longer corridors serve as a passageway between the Duomo and La Scala Theatre. The impressive structure is made of marble, iron and glass.
The Galleria is named after Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of the Kingdom of Italy. The king wanted to modernize the historic center of Milan in the 1860s in celebration of the recent unification.
In 1863, a project by Giuseppe Mengoni was chosen as the most pragmatic and elegant. From then on Mengoni supervised the works of hundreds of men involved in the construction of the gallery until the day it was completed.
The inauguration of the gallery took place in 1877 when the entrance arch was completed. But that day was also marked by a shock. Hours before the grand opening, Mengoni was found dead inside the gallery. Some say he fell from a scaffold while working until the last minute before the inauguration, but the cause of his death remains a mystery.
The center of the gallery’s floor mosaic artwork references Rome, Turin, Florence and Milan. Out of these four coats of arms depicted, Turin’s symbol of the bull receives the most daily attention. According to local tradition, spinning counterclockwise three times while maintaining the heel firmly placed over the bull’s testicles brings good luck and wards off evil. There were many people doing this when I was there, so of course I had to try it.
The gallery is nicknamed “il salotto di Milano” (Milan’s drawing room). A great way to enjoy the bustling ambiance of the interior is to have a drink or meal at the Camparino restaurant. They have an interior terrace where you can sit by the window and watch the people pass by. Be sure to try the Camparino cocktail, a pretty red drink but quite bitter.
Milan Starbucks Reserve Roastery
A different but interesting place to check out in this area is the Starbucks Reserve Roastery. My daughter and I went there to walk around the interior and have a cocktail at the upstairs trendy bar overlooking the floor.
The 2,300 square meter space roastery is the largest in Europe and opened in 2018. It’s a great place to learn about the bean roasting process, grinding, and brewing. Entrance is free and you can drink or eat there.
Teatro La Scala Di Milano
In the vicinity of the Duomo and the Galleria is the Teatro La Scala Di Milano opera house and museum. I paid the 12 euro entrance fee to see this unique building that seats 2000 people. The best seats cost $200-300 per person. I found it fascinating to think people have been coming here since 1778!
Built in neoclassical style, it is one of the most famous opera houses in the world. The theatre building was badly damaged in 1943 by the bombings during the Second World War and had to undergo extensive restoration.
To avoid the ticket line, you can book in advance your Entrance Ticket to La Scala Theatre Museum or better yet, book a Guided Tour to the La Scala Theatre.
Palazzo Reale
If you still have time on Day 1, you may be interested to visit the Palazzo Reale to see this beautiful neoclassical architecture building and interesting cultural exhibitions. The Royal Palace of Milan was the seat of government for many centuries. It is one of the city’s most visited exhibition spaces and located just next to the Duomo.
Day 2 Itinerary in Milan
For the Day 2 itinerary, I will propose lesser-known spots in Milan but definitely worth checking out.
Arco della Pace
The neoclassical Arco della Pace, or “Arch of Peace”, is a triumphant arch located at Porta Sempione, one of Milan’s many city gates. The arch was built by Luigi Cagnola under Napoleon’s rule (1802–1805) and meant to resemble the Arc du Triomphe in Paris.
Sforza Castle
Another nearby special building is the Sforza castle or Castello Sforzesco. The original castle was built by Galeazzo Visconti, Lord of Venice, in the 1300s. The castle was largely destroyed a century later but was rebuilt in the 15th centuryby Francesco Sforza, a new Duke of Milan who claimed power.
We walked around the outside of the castle. Since 1896, it has been home to one of the city’s most extensive art collections. Today, the castle is home to numerous museums, including the Pinacoteca del Castello Sforzesco, the Archaeological Museum of Milan, and the Rondanini Pietà Museum (showcasing Michelangelo’s last work).
I did not take a tour of the castle but you can purchase in advance a Sforza Castle Entry Ticket with Digital Audio Guide.
Parc Sempione
Close to the castle and arch is a nice park called Parc Sempione created in 1888. The 116-acre park & gardens were landscaped by Emilio Alemagna and include a tower, aquarium, theater & municipal library.
Brera Neighborhood of Milan
About a 10 minute walk from the Castle or 15 minutes from the Duomo, you’ll find a trendy neighborhood worth a quick stroll. Known for its picturesque cobblestone streets, bohemian atmosphere, and fashionable boutiques, Brera offers a glimpse of Milan’s’ unique blend of history, art, fashion and contemporary style.
Porta Nuova and Bosco Verticale
If you still have energy on Day 2, you are relatively close to a very scenic area called Porta Nuova where you’ll find the Bosco Verticale (translated to Vertical Forest). I had heard about these green buildings and wanted to see it for myself.
The Bosco Verticale, built in 2014, is a complex of two residential skyscrapers designed by Boeri Studio. The private residential buildings have a height of 116 and 84 meters. Bosco Verticale is a great example of engineering, architecture and nature working together. The vertical forest has 800 trees, 4,500 shrubs, 15,000 flowering plants, and 90 different species. If the vertical garden were spread over a horizontal area, it would be a 20,000 square meter forest.
Porta Nuova is an urban-renewal district known for its modern architecture & concentration of offices, shops & parks. The original Porta Nuova (translated New Gate) was built in 1810 and was designed by Zanoia. After many years of decay and a large area of unused train tracks and industrial sites, a new plan and design was approved in 2005.
The area is very close to the Milano Central Train Station, one of the most beautiful train stations in Europe.
Day 3 Itinerary in Milan
For Day 3, I will describe a couple more unique places that tourists may not know about.
San Lorenzo Basilica and Columns
The Basilica of San Lorenzo Maggiore is the oldest church in Milan, established during the 4th century. The early Christian basilica has been reconstructed many times over the centuries in many architectural styles, such as Renaissance, Byzantine and Romanesque.
Next to the basilica are the San Lorenzo (St. Lawrence) columns, one of the few Roman ruins that remain in the city. This archeological site is made up of 16 Roman marble Corinthian columns, next to remains of an amphitheater and baths. The columns have not always been at this location. When the church was rebuilt after various tragedies (fire, collapse of the large chapel), the columns were placed on the edge of the square in front of the church.
I visited the columns at night and found the lighting to enhance this special place.
The Navigli area of Milan is known for its twin canals and its cobblestone streets. You will find many restaurants, clubs, vintage stores and art galleries here. It’s a nice place to visit at sunset and see the night lights along the canals.
The neighborhood dates back to 1179 when the waterways were constructed to connect Milan to the nearby lakes. The canals are no longer used for shipping, but you will see tour boats floating by in the summer months.
Summary
In summary, I’d like to share one more place that I discovered in Milan. I found a great place to go for drinks at sunset, called The Roof Milano Bar. I went there with my daughter on my last visit. You can also eat at the rooftop restaurant as they have both outdoor and indoor seating.
The location is very close to the Duomo but would be hard to find if you didn’t know about it. The entrance is located in Piazza Giuseppe Missori, and you can access the bar from the Hotel Dei Cavalieri and going to the 10th floor.
If you get tired of Italian food while in Milan, try this unique Japanese/Brazilian cuisine restaurant called Temakhino. I found the decor to be cute and the food to be delicious.
One other place you could consider in your itinerary is Da Vinci’s Last Supper. I personally haven’t been here yet but check out this Guided Tour if you are interested.
I hope you’ve learned about Milan and enjoyed my 3-day itinerary. This city is fascinating and definitely worth a visit. If you are not able to walk to the areas I described, consider taking the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus around Milan.
The below map shows some of the places I included in my itineraries.
If you are looking for other Italian cities close to Milan to discover, you’ll want to check out my below blog posts:
For more info about Italy, you can find other articles here.
If you are looking for assistance to plan your next trip, I am here for YOU! I love to plan travel itineraries for myself and others. For more details on how I provide this service, please check out my Itinerary Planning page and drop me a quick email at jan@janadventures.com to get started!
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