chloedickensonLast Updated on 20th May 2025
This 2 day Milan itinerary contains affiliate links.
Milan is one of the most popular cities in Europe for a weekend break. Home to breathtaking feats of architecture such as the Duomo di Milano, world-famous works of art such as Da Vinci’s Last Supper and some of the best pizza and pasta dishes in the whole of Italy, Milan certainly packs a punch when it comes to a European city break.
From seeing the iconic sights of the city to exploring some of the lesser-known gems, 2 days in Milan gives you the perfect amount of time to eat, drink and tour your way around the city. If you have longer to spend in Milan, I’d recommend adding a day trip to Lake Como to your itinerary as it’s just a one-hour train ride to the town of Varenna on the lake.
For now, here’s my perfect 2-day Milan itinerary for first-time visitors, including where to stay, what to do and where to eat in Milan in two days!
MILAN TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
Flights: Kiwi.com
Accommodation: Booking.com / Hostelworld
Transport: Flixbus
Activities/tours: Get Your Guide / Viator
Travel insurance: SafetyWing
My backpacking essentials: Amazon
Where to stay in Milan for 2 days
When booking our trip to Milan, we didn’t realise that it was Milan Fashion Week and the Champions League game between Inter Milan and Porto, which meant that accommodation in the city was very expensive.
We managed to find this lovely Airbnb apartment for £264 for 3 nights which is more than we would have liked to have spent, but as we booked the trip so last minute and as everything else was extortionately priced due to the aforementioned events, I think it was a pretty good deal!
Find somewhere to stay in Milano here!
How to get to Milan
It’s super easy to get around Milan in 2 days as there are plenty of public transport options that you can take advantage of. A single metro ride in Milan is valid for 90 minutes and costs €2.20 and you simply tap your contactless card at the barriers when entering the station. The fare is also capped at the equivalent of four journeys or you can purchase a 24-hour pass for €7.60 if you plan to use the metro a lot.
Once you’re in the city centre of Milan, everything is relatively close together and within a reasonable walking distance, so you’ll probably only really need to use the metro if you’re staying out of the city centre or if you don’t want to walk too much.
What to expect from this 2-day Milan itinerary
Day one
- Check out the Teatro alla Scala
- Stroll through the beautiful Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II for a spot of window shopping
- Visit the magnificent Duomo di Milano (including a visit to the breathtaking rooftop)
- Enjoy a delicious hot chocolate at Venchi
- See Da Vinci’s Last Supper at the Santa Maria delle Grazie
- Dine at one of the best pizza places in the city (Da Zero)
Day two
- Eat a panzerotti brunch at Antica Pizza Fritta da Zia Esterina
- Take a tour of Castello Sforzesco and wander through Parco Sempione
- Admire the stunning Arco della Pace
- Visit the Pinacoteca di Brera art gallery
- Stroll through the Fashion District
- Enjoy dinner at Miscusi
- Take an optional bonus tour of the San Siro Stadium
Day one map – best things to do in Milan in 2 days
As you can see from the map above, there’s less than an hour of walking on day one’s itinerary as everything is within a relatively close distance. I’ve shown the distance and route if you plan to walk the entire day, but there are also several metro stops along the route if you’d prefer to use public transport.
Breakfast/brunch at Bar Caffè Mozart
The first day of your 2 days in Milan begins with breakfast/brunch at Bar Caffè Mozart.
You can dine inside the cafe or you can grab some pastries and a coffee to go and make your way to the first official stop of the day.
Piazza della Scala – 2 day Milan itinerary
In Piazza della Scala, you’ll find various famous buildings and monuments, including the Monumento ad Alessandro Manzoni, the Palazzo della Banca Commerciale Italiana and the Teatro alla Scala.
The Teatro alla Scala, also known as La Scala, is a world-famous opera house in Milan that’s renowned for its concerts, ballets and operas. If you time your visit correctly, you might be able to enjoy a live performance while you’re there.
Alternatively, you can book a guided tour of the theatre to learn all about its infamous performances, musicians and actors.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, also known as Corso Vittorio Emanuele, is one of Milan’s most famous landmarks as not only is it a truly beautiful sight to see, but it’s also the oldest active shopping mall in Italy.
Home to many designer stores, as well as plenty of smaller boutique shops, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele should definitely be on your itinerary for 2 days in Milan.
Of course, you don’t have to spend a penny to enjoy the delights of the shopping arcade, simply wandering through and marvelling at the gorgeous ceiling and ornate decorations is an experience in itself.
Duomo di Milano & Piazza del Duomo
The famous Milan Duomo, or Milan Cathedral as it’s often referred to, is one of the city’s greatest and most iconic attractions.
I’d seen many pictures of it over the years, but I was truly blown away when I saw it for the first time in real life; I couldn’t believe just how huge and breathtakingly beautiful it was!
The Duomo di Milano only officially opened in 1965, after taking almost six centuries to complete, and it’s now the number one tourist attraction in the city. Admiring the magnificent masterpiece from the piazza outside is an enjoyable experience in itself, but you can also head inside the massive cathedral to explore its grand interiors.
Ticket options for the Duomo di Milano
When visiting Milan’s iconic Duomo, there are several different ticket options you can choose from, including the Milan Cathedral & Rooftop ticket, the Rooftop-only ticket (no cathedral access) and a fast-track Cathedral & Rooftop guided tour.
I’ve included a brief description of the different tour and ticket options for visiting the Duomo below.
Cathedral and Rooftop Ticket
The Milan Cathedral and Rooftop ticket includes entrance to the cathedral, as well as the terraces, museum, the Church of St. Gottardo in Corte and the archaeological area.
You also have the option to select the stairs or elevator entrance.
Rooftop-only ticket
The rooftop-only ticket includes entry to the terraces and rooftop of the Milan Duomo and the option to choose the stairs or elevator access, but it doesn’t include entry to the cathedral itself.
Fast-track guided tour of the cathedral & rooftop
As the Duomo is Milan’s most beloved tourist attraction, the queues for tickets to the cathedral and the rooftop are often incredibly long, especially in the peak summer months.
Therefore, I’d highly recommend booking a fast-track guided tour of the cathedral and rooftop so that you can easily skip the queues and head straight inside to marvel at the impressive structure!
Museo del Duomo di Milano – 2 day Milan itinerary
If exploring the Duomo and its astonishing rooftop wasn’t quite enough, then perhaps a visit to the Museo del Duomo di Milano will sate your cultural appetite even further.
The Milan Cathedral Museum showcases various collections and exhibits relating to the Duomo, including stained glass windows, paintings and tapestries. It also includes a visit to the Church of San Gottardo in Corte.
Venchi
Once you’ve explored the Duomo and its museum, it’s time to head for a scrumptious hot chocolate at one of the best places in the city!
When finding the best hot chocolate in Milan, many people recommended Cioccolatitaliani, but we opted for an amazing chocolate shop called Venchi instead where we enjoyed the most luxurious hot chocolate!
If you’ve been to Angelina’s in Paris, you’re sure to enjoy the decadence of a hot chocolate from Venchi in Milan! We paid €3.70 each for a small hot chocolate which is pretty pricey, but once you taste it, you’ll be glad you got one (and a small one at that – it’s so rich and luxurious, you definitely don’t need a large one!).
Santa Maria delle Grazie (Da Vinci’s Last Supper)
After indulging in your hot chocolate, head to another one of Milan’s most famed attractions; Da Vinci’s Last Supper painting inside the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie.
It’s important to pre-book tickets in advance if you want to head inside the church and see the painting (we didn’t book ahead so we missed out!) as tickets sell out very quickly and it’s almost impossible to purchase them on the day of your intended visit.
Once you’re inside the church, you can enjoy one of Da Vinci’s most famous works of art; the portrait depicting the scene of the Last Supper of Jesus with the Twelve Apostles. The painting is thought to date back to the late 1400s and is one of the most widely recognised paintings in the world, hence why the queue is so long to catch a glimpse of it!
Dinner at Da Zero – 2 day Milan itinerary
Conclude the first day of your 2 days in Milan with dinner at Da Zero, a wonderful restaurant with the most delightful pizzas.
The menu is vast and extensive with plenty of smaller nibbles to enjoy, as well as hearty pizzas. We went for the classic Margherita and Diavolo and they did not disappoint!
Day two map – best things to do in Milan in 2 days
The second day of your Milan 2-day itinerary involves plenty of outdoor exploration of the best park in Milan, as well as some culture and fashion thrown in for good measure!
Brunch at Antica Pizza Fritta da Zia Esterina
After a busy first day, it’s time for an even busier second day on your 2-day Milan itinerary!
Begin with a typical Central/Southern Italian brunch dish known as panzerotti at Antica Pizza Fritta da Zia Esterina. These savoury delights are somewhat reminiscent of small calzones, though they taste more like a fried doughnut, as opposed to pizza dough.
The ones we ate at Antica Pizza Fritta da Zia Esterina were hearty, filling and delicious and while I don’t think they’d ever replace my beloved traditional pizza, they did make for a great alternative and an excellent brunch snack before exploring Milan on day 2.
Castello Sforzesco
From the panzerotti place, it’s just a 15-minute walk to the first stop of the day; Castello Sforzesco, an awesome medieval fortification that was originally built in the 15th century.
Once one of the largest citadels in Europe, Sforza’s Castle remains relatively well intact today and is one of the best sights to admire in Milan in 2 days.
Located adjacent to Sempione Park, it’s free to wander around the exterior of the castle complex, but you can also book a guided tour of the museum and art gallery inside the fortress walls.
There are several museums located within the castle, including the Museum of Ancient Art, the Egyptian Museum, the Archaeological Museum of Milan and the Museum of Musical Instruments, amongst others.
Parco Sempione – 2 day Milan itinerary
Once you’ve explored the fortification ruins, head further into Parco Sempione to discover one of the best and most beautiful outdoor spaces in Milan.
Covering an impressive 38.6 hectares, you could easily spend hours wandering through the park’s grounds, marvelling at nature and enjoying the peace and quiet away from the chaos of the city.
We were also lucky enough to experience an amusement park when we visited the park in February 2023, but I’m not sure if it’s a permanent structure or not.
Arco della Pace
On the opposite side of the park to the castle you’ll find Milan’s answer to the Arc de Triomphe; the Arco della Pace.
The Arch of Peace opened in 1838 and depicts scenes from the Battle of Leipzig. There’s a huge sem-circular area surrounding the arch that makes for the perfect place to sit and admire the view or enjoy a drink and some snacks as a respite from walking around the city.
Pinacoteca di Brera
Pinacoteca di Brera is the main public gallery in Milan for Italian paintings and collections from the 13th to the 20th century.
Art galleries aren’t usually my thing, but Pinacoteca di Brera was so beautiful even from the outside, that I couldn’t resist visiting and subsequently add it to my 2 days in Milan itinerary.
Quadrilatero d’Oro (Fashion District)
If fashion is more your thing, then you’ll feel right at home in Quadrilatero d’Oro, also known as the Fashion District. While Paris, New York and London often fight for the title, Milan is most notably famed for being the fashion capital of the world, so it’s no surprise that Milan’s fashion district packs a punch when it comes to designer stores.
Shopping isn’t my area of expertise at all, but I do love walking down expensive streets adorned with the richest and most lavish designer stores and the Quadrilatero d’Oro neighbourhood in Milan offers exactly that!
Dinner at Miscusi
No two days in Milan would be complete without a substantial bowl of pasta, so when we came across Miscusi, we knew we had to indulge in the delightful Italian cuisine!
There are several branches of Miscusi located around the city, so you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to finding somewhere to eat and even though the pasta dishes weren’t the best I’ve ever had, they were incredibly delicious and super affordable!
(BONUS) Tour of the San Siro Stadium or watch an Inter Milan or AC Milan football match at the stadium
I’ve included this part of my Milan itinerary as an optional added bonus activity as I’m aware that not everyone will want to watch a football match while in Milan.
We visited Milan during a Champions League match between Inter Milan and FC Porto and we were lucky enough to get last-minute tickets to the game which was such an incredible experience!
Both Inter Milan and AC Milan use the San Siro Stadium as their home ground, so you might be able to watch at least one of them play during your 2 days in Milan.
Alternatively, you can take a guided tour of the San Siro Stadium to see where both teams play!
Optional day 2 itinerary – how many days in Milan and Lake Como?
If you only have two days to spend in Milan, you might want to dedicate a full day to exploring the sights of the city centre and then another full day on a day trip to Lake Como.
I think it’s possible to see most of the top tourist sights in the city of Milan in just one day, leaving you another full day to take the train (or hire a car) to Lake Como.
Read more: The Ultimate One Day In Lake Como Itinerary – Golden Triangle
Can you spend 2 days in Milan on a budget?
While Milan isn’t necessarily the cheapest city in Europe, or indeed in Italy for that matter, I definitely think that it can be enjoyed on a budget.
There are so many great bakeries, cafes and coffee shops where you can enjoy a bite to eat and a hot drink for around €5-€7.
There are also plenty of places that sell individual pizza slices which make for an excellent lunch or dinner snack for around €6-€8. Antica Pizza Fritta da Zia Esterina is a great choice for this and we also had the biggest pizza slices from a place called Pizzeria Dallo Zio for around €7.50 each (it’s a little far out of the city but it was close to our Airbnb apartment).
Top tips for visiting Milan
- Two days in Milan gives you plenty of time to see the top sights such as the Duomo, Da Vinci’s Last Supper, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and the San Siro Stadium. I personally think you can get a great feel for what Milan has to offer in just one day and then you can use day two to take a trip to Lake Como.
- Book tickets to the top sights and attractions in advance, especially if you’re travelling during the peak summer or holiday months. You can book directly with the attraction or you can purchase an attraction pass.
- Purchase the Milan Pass City Card which includes entrance to attractions such as the Duomo Cathedral Rooftop, La Scala Museum and Theatre and the Navigli Canal Cruise.
- For a quick and easy way to get around Milan that allows you to see as many sights as possible, book a 24, 48 or 72-hour Hop-on Hop-off bus ticket.
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- The Best 2 Days In Brussels Itinerary
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Pin for later – 2 day Milan itinerary
Are you inspired to book a trip to Milan for two days after reading this itinerary? Let me know in the comments or in my Interrail Facebook Group!
