In short
Three days in Milan: the Duomo and its rooftop terraces, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and La Scala on day one; Leonardo’s Last Supper, the Sforza Castle and the Navigli on day two; Brera, the fashion district and Porta Nuova on day three. The Last Supper (€15, 15-minute visits) must be booked weeks ahead: tickets go on sale quarter by quarter. Lake Como is an hour away by train.
Contents
Milan is about much more than fashion: its Gothic cathedral, Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper, its artists’ quarters and canals make it ideal for a long weekend. Here is a 3-day Milan itinerary, organised by area, with the bookings to plan ahead and 2026 prices.
With Guidly, every façade and every piazza tells you its story: the app finds the places around you and creates an audio guide based on your interests, in your language, and you can ask it questions as you go.
Day 1: the Duomo and the historic centre
Morning: the Duomo and its rooftop
One of the largest Gothic cathedrals in the world, which took almost six centuries to build. Don’t miss the rooftop terraces, among a forest of spires and statues, with the golden Madonnina at the top. Go up on foot or by lift: allow around twenty euros for the cathedral and the terraces by lift, a little less on foot. Book your time slot online.
Duomo and rooftop tickets with audio guide
Lunch: the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
This 19th-century covered arcade, topped by a glass roof, links the Duomo to La Scala. Tradition says you should spin on your heel on the mosaic bull for good luck. The restaurants inside the Galleria are expensive: eat in the nearby streets instead.
Afternoon: La Scala
The world’s most famous opera house can be discovered through its museum, which gives access to the boxes when there is no rehearsal. To see a performance, book well in advance.
Evening: aperitivo
In Milan, aperitivo is an institution: a spritz or a Negroni Sbagliato, invented at Bar Basso, served with a buffet or small bites. Then have dinner in Brera.
Day 2: Leonardo da Vinci and the Navigli
Morning: the Last Supper
In the refectory of Santa Maria delle Grazie, Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper is seen in groups of 33 people, for 15 minutes only. Tickets cost €15 (free for under-18s). Bookings open quarter by quarter on the official website and sell out fast: book as soon as sales open, and arrive 30 minutes before your slot.
Official Last Supper booking website
Lunch
Eat in the Magenta area, between Santa Maria delle Grazie and the castle.
Afternoon: the Sforza Castle and Sempione Park
The fortress of the Dukes of Milan houses several museums, including the Rondanini Pietà, Michelangelo’s last work, and a room decorated by Leonardo. Behind it, Sempione Park leads to the Arch of Peace.
Evening: the Navigli
The canals in the south of Milan, whose locks Leonardo da Vinci helped improve, come alive at aperitivo time. On the last Sunday of the month, a big antiques market sets up along the Naviglio Grande.
Day 3: Brera, fashion and modern Milan
Morning: Brera
The artists’ quarter, with its cobbled lanes and galleries, is home to the Pinacoteca di Brera: Raphael, Caravaggio, Mantegna and Hayez’s The Kiss.
Lunch: the fashion district
Via Montenapoleone, Via della Spiga and the windows of the great Italian houses, even if you are only window-shopping.
Afternoon: Porta Nuova and the Bosco Verticale
21st-century Milan: Piazza Gae Aulenti, the plant-covered Bosco Verticale towers and the Biblioteca degli Alberi park. Or, if you love science, the Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology and its models of his machines.
Tickets for the Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology
Evening: spa or trattoria
The QC Termemilano baths, near Porta Romana, are perfect for unwinding (booking recommended). Or try saffron risotto alla milanese and a Milanese veal cutlet in a traditional trattoria.
If you have more time
- Lake Como: about an hour by train to Como or Varenna, for lakeside villas and villages.
- Bergamo, its medieval upper town and its funicular, less than an hour away.
Practical tips
- Bookings: the Last Supper first, then the Duomo and La Scala. For the Last Supper, note the date when the quarter’s tickets go on sale.
- Transport: metro, trams and buses, which you can pay for by tapping a contactless bank card at the metro gates.
- When to go: spring and September–October. Avoid Fashion Week and the Salone del Mobile if you want a reasonably priced hotel.
Exploring Milan with Guidly
- Let the app locate you: it shows you every place around you, from the Duomo to the hidden courtyards of Brera, drawn from our database of 9 million points of interest.
- Listen to an audio guide created for you, based on your interests: Leonardo, the Sforza dukes, architecture, design.
- Ask your questions by text or by voice: “Why did the Duomo take so long to build?”, “Where can I get a good aperitivo nearby?”.
More Italian cities: Rome in 3 or 4 days • Capri • Bari in 3 days.
FAQ
What should I do in Milan in 3 days?
The Duomo and its rooftop, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, La Scala, Leonardo’s Last Supper, the Sforza Castle, the Navigli, Brera and Porta Nuova. With an extra day, add Lake Como.
How do I book the Last Supper?
On the museum’s official website, as soon as the quarter’s tickets go on sale: the 15-minute slots sell out within hours. Otherwise, agencies offer guided tours including entry, at a higher price.
When is the best time to visit Milan?
Spring and autumn, for pleasant temperatures. Summer is hot and humid, and many restaurants close in August.
How many days do you need in Milan?
Two days are enough for the highlights; three let you enjoy the neighbourhoods, and four let you add Lake Como or Bergamo.
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