11 Best Things to Do for One Day in Milan

Milan is bursting with vibrant works of art, stunning architecture, upscale shopping, and a rich history that runs deeper than its reputation as a fashion capital suggests. In this guide you’ll find the 11 best things to do in Milan when time is limited—the Duomo, world-class art galleries, iconic fashion houses, and everything in between—so you can make every hour count.

Chris and I are huge Amazing Race fans, and Milan has been on our travel radar ever since watching contestants race through the city—the Duomo, The Last Supper tour, and the ATMosfera dining tram. Some destinations just call to you through a television screen.

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11 Things to Do for Just One Day in Milan

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The Milan Cathedral rising above a busy square, showcasing top things to do in Milan in one day. — The Milan Cathedral towering over a lively city square. Photo credit: Jolayne Kline/Just Wander More

If you have more than one day to spend in Milan, surely you will be able to visit gardens and parks, shop for the latest fashion trends, or allow more time to visit museums.

However, if you only have one day in Milan, you will want to do a little advance planning to ensure that you have reservations to the most sought after experiences. A trip like this starts long before you board the plane—my international trip planning guide will make sure you’re ready. There is so much to do in Milan in one day, but you don’t want to spend most of it waiting in a line or walking away disappointed because the attraction is sold out—da Vinci’s The Last Supper often sells out months in advance. My Italy day trips guide is a great companion resource as you build out the rest of your Italian itinerary.

Duomo Cathedral and Rooftop (highly recommended Viator tour)
Da Vinci’s The Last Supper (must see Viator tour)
Day Trip Viator Tours from Milan to Lake Como, Cinque Terre or Pisa and Florence (if you have an extra day or two)

You may not be able to fit in ALL of these adventures, so pick and choose what works best for your interests and schedule. Let’s get your day started.

1. Visit the Milan Cathedral & Rooftop

The view from the top of the Duomo in Milan, Italy. — Stunning architecture on the roof of the Duomo. Photo credit: halpand/DepositPhotos

Milan’s Cathedral or Duomo rises majestically in the heart of the city. Surrounded by the Piazza del Duomo, the area is usually buzzing with tourists excitedly posing for pictures and snapping selfies. If you want a photo of the Duomo without all the extra people, consider visiting early in the morning or later in the evening.

While there is plenty for you to see inside and outside of the Cathedral, your best views will come from visiting the rooftop. You will need tickets to access the stairs or elevator to the rooftop, but the views are totally worth it. If you are looking for epic things to do in Milan, access to the rooftop should be at the top of the list.

Be sure to get your Milan Duomo tickets in advance!

2. Pose for Pics in the Piazza del Duomo Milan

Pigeons are accustomed to the tourists around the Duomo in Italy. — Pigeons aren’t afraid to land on tourists. Photo credit: Jolayne Kline/Just Wander More

Chris and I have visited the Piazza del Duomo Milan in the evening when it is a dark as well as in the day time when tourists and pigeons seem to flock to the cathedral.

You’ll even see people posing with the pigeons! Ummm, no. It makes for some great people watching though. It is a popular place for locals and tourist to hang out.

3. Book a Tour to See The Last Supper Painting

The Last Supper by Da Vacini in Milan, Italy. Photo credit: Jolayne Kline/Just Wander More

Would you agree that Da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” is one of the most famous paintings in the world? Get your tickets in advance! You’ll be amazed that some enterprising soul in 1652 proposed a doorway that encroached on the painting. Can you believe it? While the renovations years ago altered the painting, the door has since been sealed shut.

The window to the left and above the painting, once considered a light source for “The Last Supper”, has also been closed to protect the masterpiece from fading.

4. Enjoy the Canals and Nightlife of the Navigli District

Though today many of the Milan canals are gone, many years ago the canals linked the entire city. The Navigli remains a canal-based neighborhood with two major canals: Naviglio Pavese and Naviglio Grande. If you are looking for a hopping nightlife in Milan, you’ll love the restaurants, cafes, bars, clubs and vintage shops in the Navigli District.

Top 10 Restaurants in Milan according to TripAdvisor:

Marea Seafood & Beverage
Cantine Milano
Primé
Mabuhay Restaurant
Panzer
Pizzaut
Cantiere Hambirreria Milano
La Bufalotta
Damot’
BLUE M Milano – Bottega Marchigiana

You will also find the Science and Technology National Museum Leonardo da Vinci in the Navigli District where his inventions are showcased.

5. Enjoy a Variety of Tours of Milan

You’ll find a variety of available tours in Milan that offer a little something for everyone. Whether you fancy food tours, walking tours, museum tours… they are on the list of epic stuff to do in Milan.

6. Spin Your Heel in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan Italy

The Galleria, a covered area which was used as a shopping area when it was built, is Italy’s oldest active shopping gallery still in use today. It houses high end shops such as Rolex, Chanel, Prada, etc. Window shop, enjoy a snack, or indulge in a dessert as you peruse the gallery.

In the center of the shopping center, there is a mosaic art of a bull inlaid on the floor. Tradition suggests that if you spin your heel on the bull three times, good luck will be in your future. You can tell that a lot of people have spun in that particular spot as there is a divot in the mosaic art.

In fact, the mosaic tiles that make up the bull have had to be replaced multiple times over the years as they get worn out quickly by the number of people spinning on them every single day.

7. Explore the Teatro Alla Scala

If you enter the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II from the Piazza del Duomo and walk the entire length of the gallery, you’ll exit into a small courtyard of Piazza della Scala where you will find a statue of Leonardo da Vinci. Across the street is the Milan Opera House—Teatro alla Scala.

The opera house was founded in the late 18th century by the Archduchess Maria Theresa. It remains today as one of the finest opera houses in Europe. Plan ahead for tickets to a performance or a skip the line behind-the-scenes tour showcasing original costumes, instruments, and sets as well as a peek at the theater.

8. Find the Leonardo da Vinci Statue

Statue of Leonardo da Vinci in Milan, Italy

Leonardo da Vinci was a pivotal figure in Milan between 1482 and 1499. Not only did he created masterful works of art, he also consulted on Milan’s canal system, implemented irrigation systems, created architectural drawings, studied military architecture, designed machinery, and created amazing inventions.

You will discover that Leonardo’s handiwork is all over Milan. The statue is located in the Piazza della Scala.

9. Wander Through the Sforzesco Castle (Castello Sforzesco)

This famous landmark of Milan, the Castello Sforzesco, dates back to the 15th century. It is currently home to one of the best museums in the city (see below #12 The Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology) as well as multiple art collections and historical exhibitions

What was once a moat around the fortress is now a grassy area. Chris and I wandered through the castle whilst it was being prepared for a concert. The courtyards and architecture give a sense of the history.

10. ATMosfera: Dine Onboard an Old-fashioned Tram

If you are a fan of The Amazing Race, you may remember the season when race participants had to dine onboard an old-fashioned tram looking for clues along their route while eating. You too can embark on this fun dining experience in Milan without the stress of finding clues.

This 1920’s era tram car trundles past the city’s highlights as you dine. The transportation authority in Milan has converted two historic trams into restaurants on wheels. ATMosfera offers Milanese specialties as you take a seat and watch the city go by.

Advance Online Bookings are required. You can view the menu options and tram route as well.

11. Visit the Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology

The Leonardo section of the Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology (Museo Nazionale Scienza e Tecnologia Leonardo da Vinci) is home to about 170 models—all built using Leonardo’s original designs. This is one of the largest collections of da Vinci models in the world and includes:

Flying machines
A parachute
An odometer for wheelbarrows
Distillation stills
Yarn spinning and weaving machines
An underwater diving suit
Excavation tools
A printing press
A tank
Cannons
Military weapons

Schedule Your Private Tour with Viator.

Day Trips From Milan

If you happen to have a few extra days while visiting Milan, not only can you spend more time exploring the city, but you are also close enough to a few destinations that are pretty amazing and make the perfect day trips from Milan.

Day Trips to Lake Como from Milan

Lake Como is less than an hour and a half from Milan by car or train. If you plan to spend time exploring beautiful Lake Como, Bellagio sits in a central location with easy access by ferry to many of the small towns hugging the sides of the mountains surrounding the lake.

If you happen to arrive in Bellagio in the morning hours during the off season, you will find the streets are not terribly crowded with tourists. Perfect as your camera may never be at rest for long if you wish to take tourist-free photos. Be sure to spend time exploring the colorful alleyways and shops and wear good walking shoes as many of these alleys are full of steps.

Cinque Terre Day Trips from Milan

View of Monterosso in the best things to do in Cinque Terre — Monterosso al Mare in Cinque Terre

As soon as you exit the train to Cinque Terre from Milan (three hours), you’ll walk right out to the waterfront area of the “newer” section of Monterosso. You can’t help but stop and take some pictures. You’ll be immediately enamored with the views of the coast and the Mediterranean Sea. Plan to make a long day of your exploration of Cinque Terre before returning to Milan.

Better yet, plan an overnight stay in Cinque Terre before returning to Milan!

Day Trips from Milan to Switzerland

The picturesque city of Lugano on Lake Lugano is one of the locations in Switzerland that makes a perfect day trip from Milan. It takes about an hour and a half by train.

The path along the lake offers stunning views. Stroll at your own pace and bring along your camera for all of the picturesque moments as you take in the beauty of Lake Lugano or plan a hike down from Mount Bre.

What to Pack for One Day in Milan

Colorful luggage — Photo credit: billiondigital/Depositphotos

No doubt, if you are visiting Milan for just one day, it is a stopping point between other amazing destinations in Italy and Europe. What should you pack? Check out my International Travel Planner which includes a packing list of all the essentials.

Not only will you want to include your passport, but also some of these great packing essentials from my Amazon Storefront that include:

Get Your Camera Ready for ALL of the Picturesque Moments for One Day in Milan

Be sure to have your camera ready to make some stops. Seriously, when you have two photographers along for the ride as we did, you’ll hear, “Pull over!” quite often.

Whatever your skill level with a camera, be prepared for some amazing photos as you explore the city of Milan, Italy. Be sure to stop at the Duomo, take a tour to see the Last Supper painting, and discover all of the amazing architecture.

Here are a few camera suggestions if you are wondering which one to choose for your skill level:

Canon Powershot G1 – This camera is great if you are comfortable leaving the camera in AUTO mode and work well with a point and shoot. It gives you options for some manual photos if you want to begin expanding your skills.

Canon T8i – If you are a beginner with your photography skills and want to switch back and forth between Auto, Aperture Priority, or Manual Mode, this is a great entry level DSLR.

Canon 6d Mark II – This is a great camera for advanced photographers who are comfortable with shooting in Manual Mode. You’ll get some outstanding shots with this DSLR.

Smartphone – The camera on your phone nowadays is amazing. If this is your picture-taking device of choice, you will surely capture some amazing images. I usually “tourist” with my DSLR around my neck and my Smart Phone in hand! And yes, I probably don’t “blend in” that well.

You may even wish to begin early in the morning for the best “people-free” photo opportunities and to give yourself plenty of time to take in all the sites on your one day itinerary for Milan.

Whatever you choose as your camera as you discover Milan, you will want to have the battery charged and ready to go for the day (maybe bring a backup battery just in case).

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are there pink flamingos in Milan?

Discover the “Quadrilatero del Silenzio” next to Milan’s fashion district. Here you’ll find flamingo-filled ponds, secret gardens, and plenty of quirky architecture.

Is public transportation easy to use in Milan?

Yes. For your one day in Milan, you can purchase a 24-hour ticket for a minimal cost to explore the city during your visit. You can also schedule a Hop On Hop Off bus tour through Viator.

Is one day in Milan enough?

Yes. You’ll be able to visit some of the popular tourist sites. Will it inspire you to come back? Likely.

Is Milan a walkable city?

Yes. Wear good walking shoes to discover all of the fun stuff to do in Milan and amazing sites. And when you find yourself with tired and aching feet, hop aboard an old-fashioned tram—wooden seats and all!

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