Milan is the second largest city in Italy. It’s both a financial hub and a global capital of fashion and design. Located in Northern Italy’s Lombardy region, Milan draws people from all over the globe and it’s best to spend at least 2 days and follow a thorough itinerary for this beautiful and historic city.

A trip to Northern Italy is incomplete without visiting Milan. It’s one of the best places to learn about Italy’s rich history through touring the city’s major attractions. Milan also has some of the best hotels and dining options. Overall, Milan is one of the best places to experience the beauty of old-world Europe mixed with modern-day Italy.

In June 2022, I did a big summer Europe trip for my 31^st birthday with a few travel bloggers. I started my journey by visiting Barcelona, Spain. From there, I also enjoyed wine tasting in the Priorate wine region of Catalonia and savored delicious paella from its birthplace of Valencia.

After Spain, I made my way to the small country of Andorra, situated in the Pyrenees Mountains between Spain and France. Then, I spent a whole week exploring the French Riviera before heading to Northern Italy.

I concluded my European summer trip by spending two days in Milan with my friend Kimber of Wholistic Traveler. In this article, discover the best Milan 2-day itinerary for first-time visitors!

**Please note that this blog post uses affiliate links meaning that if you make a purchase via my affiliate link, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only promote and talk about products and services that I have used and like. During my time in Milan, Galleria Altido hosted me for two nights.

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How Many Days in Milan:

Milan is a fascinating city with much to see and do! From participating in a walking tour around the city to shopping through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Milan is the perfect city to enjoy a weekend trip.

With 2 nights in Milan, you can include all the city’s main tourist attractions, the best restaurants and everything the fashion district has to offer into your itinerary! It’s a good idea not to rush through Milan and enjoy everything the city has to offer, from its aperitivo culture to its historical landmarks.

Additionally, exploring Milan, Italy during spring, fall, or in the earlier or later summer months is key. It’s best to avoid this city during July and August due to the summer holidays and extreme heat.

I traveled to Milan in June and the weather was perfect. It was sunny and temperatures ranged between a high of the mid 80s° and low in the mids 60s° Fahrenheit.

Traveling to Milan, Italy for 2 Days:

Milan is one of the easiest Italian cities to get to. You can travel to Milan by flying to Malpensa Airport. It’s the largest international airport in Northern Italy. You can find affordable flights through Skyscanner!

The best way to get to the city center of Milan is by taking the train into Milano Centrale. From Malpensa Airport, you can take the Trenord train service T1 line to the train station. It takes less than an hour to get from the airport to the city center and costs around €13. In addition to public transport, you can use a ride-sharing app, like Uber or Bolt, and take taxis to get to your accommodation in Milan.

You don’t need your own vehicle to get around Milan since it’s a larger city with a lot of transportation options, but if you plan a day trip or travel to remote areas of Northern Italy, you must rent a car. Please note that you’ll need an international driver’s permit in addition to your regular license if you rent a car in Italy. If you live in the U.S., you can easily obtain one by visiting your local AAA office.

Getting around Milan is easy and affordable. During your 2 days in Milan, you can take the Milan Metro, bus and tram for only €1.50 per journey. Click here for the Milano Card. You’ll find subway stations at every popular place.

The city is also walkable and if you’re in the city center, everything is close to each other, from the Duomo di Milano to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.

I traveled to Milan from Piedmont, Italy, via train. It took me around two hours to get from Turin’s Porta Nuova train station to Milano Centrale.

Where to Stay in Milan for Two Days:

If you’re visiting Milan for 2 days, it’s best to stay in the heart of the city. Nothing is more epic than staying in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II; Milan’s famous shopping arcade boasts high-end fashion stores from Gucci to Prada.

Not only is Galleria Altido in a central location, but it is a modern, luxurious, smart aparthotel at the famous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II entrance. At Galleria Altido, you can stay in elegant rooms and suites as well as independent flats that overlook the beautiful shopping arcade.

At Galleria Altido, you can choose from twelve unique accommodations combining classic décor and modern technology. The best way to access the hotel is digitally and you can enjoy power bank sharing, high-speed WIFI, a smart TV and more.

During a stay at Galleria Altido, you can savor a great meal at the historic and famous Savini restaurant in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. It’s a Milanese bar founded in 1867 and offers a fine dining tasting and a la carte menu. Galleria Altido guests can have breakfast at a discount at Savini restaurant.

Another reason Galleria Altido is a great place to stay for 2 days in Milan is because it’s a short walk from the heart of the city’s fashion district, Piazza Duomo, the metro station, Piazza della Scala and Milan’s other main attractions.

The Perfect 2 Days in Milan Itinerary

Wondering what to do in Milan for 2 days? There is something for all to enjoy! Whether you love to shop, eat, explore or adventure, you won’t run out of the best things to do in Milan in 2 days. Here is the best itinerary for Milan!

Day 1 in Milan, Italy:

Shop through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II:

One of the most fascinating spots to see while following a Milan 2-day itinerary is the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. It’s an elegant, 19^th Century shopping arcade with prominent boutiques like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Tods, Yves Saint Laurent and more.

Overall, the Galleria is one of Milan’s main attractions and the perfect place to shop for that special purse, jewelry or dress you’ve been eyeing. It was built in the mid to later 19th Century and is shaped like a cross. Covered by glass windows, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is between the Duomo di Milano and the Teatro alla Scala.

Not only can you shop in the Galleria, but it also has a lot of swanky restaurants, luxury hotels and even a McDonald’s! One of the first establishments in Milan is Café Biffi, where you can enjoy pasta dishes, risotto, fresh fish and meat, plus great desserts.

It’s best to visit the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II on your first day.

Tour the Castello Sforzesco di Milano:

One of the most famous landmarks in Milan is the Castello Sforzesco or Sforza Castle. It was established as a fortress during the Middle Ages. The Duke of Milan resided in the castle and, in the 17^th Century, was recognized as one of the largest citadels in Europe. You must see this incredible castle during your Milan itinerary for 2 days.

Even though the first fortification was built in 1368, it was destroyed during the Golden Ambrosian Republic. The Sforza family rebuilt the castle only for Napoleon to order the demolition of it in 1800. It took a year for the Spanish bastions and towers to be destroyed.

During the later 1800s, the population was torn between keeping or destroying the castle. Sforza Castle ended up remaining in Milan and was later renovated. The restoration was completed in 1905, but the castle was, yet again, damaged during World War II. It wasn’t until 2005 that the Cortile della Ghirlanda and its halls were restored.

Nowadays, you can walk around the castle grounds and visit one of the many museums!

• The Museum of Ancient Art
• The Pinacoteca del Castello Sforzesco
• The Museum of Musical Instruments
• The Archaeological Museum of Milan
• The Applied Arts Collection
• The Antique Furniture and Wooden Sculpture Museum

The Castello Sforzesco di Milano is a 15-minute walk from the Duomo di Milano. It’s located by Sempione Park or Parco Sempione. A fun music festival occurred in the park when I visited in late June.

Situated around the corner from the castle is Trattoria Torre di Pisa, one of Milan’s best and most authentic restaurants! Not only can you enjoy homemade wine at this welcoming spot, but their pasta dishes are excellent. I loved the spaghetti puttanesca! (Thank you Marta Beker for the suggestion.)

See Leonardo DaVinci’s Last Supper at Santa Maria delle Grazie:

The next stop on your 2 days in Milan itinerary is seeing the beautiful Last Supper painting by Leonardo DaVinci. Located at Santa Maria delle Grazie, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is fascinating and you must book tickets in advance! (No photos are allowed on site.)

The Last Supper was painted between 1495 and 1497, measuring 252 inches x 346 inches. DaVinci used tempera and oil versus fresco to create this world-famous masterpiece. He made numerous sketches before painting the scene, to which he dedicated three years of his life.

The painting has been restored over the centuries but has regained some of its original beauty.

Have an Aperitivo at a Milan Rooftop:

You can’t visit Milan in 2 days and not go to one of the rooftop terraces. Even though rooftop bars and restaurants are scattered throughout the city center, the best ones overlook the Duomo di Milano. It’s a great way to make memories with friends!

In case you didn’t know, an aperitivo is a pre-dinner drink. The Italian tradition of having an aperitivo after work and before dinner was established in Milan, so you bet there are plenty of places to enjoy a spritz with a light snack in the city.

During your 2-day Milan itinerary, making reservations for the rooftops you want to enjoy is recommended. Below are the best rooftop bars to go to in Milan, including the ones I visited:

Terrazza Duomo 21: One of the top places to enjoy an aperitivo is Terrazzo Duomo 21. It’s a lively cocktail lounge overlooking the Duomo di Milano and the Piazza del Duomo.

In the afternoon and early evening, this rooftop lounge is a relaxing spot to sip and savor Italian specialties and once nighttime arrives, the terrace turns into a fun nightclub featuring worldwide DJs.

Obicà Duomo: Situated in the food hall of the Rinascente Milan in the Piazza del Duomo, Obicà is a mozzarella bar, Northern Italian restaurant, pizzeria and cocktail lounge that overlooks the Milan Duomo!

It’s a wonderful spot to enjoy a cocktail, glass of wine, fresh mozzarella and a delicious pasta dish! While at this lovely spot, I had refreshing mozzarella and tomatoes as an appetizer, pesto pasta for my main meal and tiramisu for dessert. Everything was incredible!

Other scenic bars to visit that offer panoramic views of the Duomo in Milan are below:

• Il Bar in Piazza Duomo
• La Rinascente Rooftop
• Terrazza Aperol
• The Dome Milano
• The Roof Milano

Day 2 in Milan, Italy:

Visit the Duomo di Milano:

Recognized as the largest church in the country, the Milan Cathedral is bigger than St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. It’s a Roman Catholic church that features Gothic and Renaissance architecture and boasts the most statues in the world.

The Duomo di Milano is one of the top tourist attractions in Milan, Italy and the best way to see it without major crowds (and for photo opportunities), is to visit right when the sun rises.

Like the Duomo in Florence, Italy, the Milan Cathedral is fascinating! Construction started in 1386 and it took over 600 years to complete. Thousands of people worked on the construction of this significant landmark. The church’s design represents the city of gods and power and you can enjoy its beauty outside, from the Piazza del Duomo; inside the cathedral, and on the rooftop.

A guided tour is one of the best ways to learn about the Duomo di Milano. During a tour, you can hear all about the cathedral’s history, architecture and significance. Additionally, you can purchase a ticket to access the Milan Cathedral rooftop terrace, where you can admire the stunning architecture and majestic views of the city. (Please note that visiting the Duomo di Milano rooftop is an extra cost.)

When you visit the Duomo in Milan there is a dress code, it’s important to remember that shoulders and thighs should be covered. If you visit Milan during the summer, you can bring a scarf to cover yourself if you wear shorts or sleeveless tops.

Additionally, the Piazza del Duomo is a beautiful location to grab a coffee and croissant (cornetto) in the morning before mass crowds arise!

Admire the Bosco Verticale:

The Bosco Verticale, or the Vertical Forest, are two towers that connect humans with plant species. These buildings are in the Porta Nuova area of Milan and are 262 feet and 367 feet tall. It’s a must to see this fascinating site during your 2 days in Milan itinerary!

Getting to Porta Nuova from the Piazza del Duomo can easily be done by taking the Line 3 subway. At this spot, you can enjoy a picnic on the lawn, walk through the gardens and grab a coffee and pastry. Bosco Verticale features around 800 trees, 15,000 perennials and 5,000 shrubs. Many birds flock to this epic Vertical Forest!

Overall, Bosco Verticale is a perfect landmark to visit during any season in Italy. It’s also recognizable from a distance, making it a new symbol for Milan.

Stroll through Gardini Pubblici Indro Montanelli:

One of Milan’s most peaceful and beautiful spots is the Giardini Pubblici Indro Montanelli. It’s a 15-minute walk from Bosco Verticale.

During a visit to the Indro Montanelli Garden, you can admire the beautiful, 17^th Century Palazzo Dugnani and walk through the Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Milano (Natural History Museum of Milan). The park also has walking trails, fountains, ponies, food stands and more.

A great place to enjoy lunch or a snack in Milan is Loste Café in Zona Risorgimento. It’s a 15-minute walk from the garden and offers a variety of delicious focaccia, lattes, pastries and more. This area is a residential neighborhood of Milan, but it’s lovely to walk through and there are plenty of gelato shops to enjoy on a warm summer day!

Ride the Old-Fashioned Tram during your 2 Days in Milan Itinerary:

Guess what? Lisbon, Portugal isn’t the only city with historic trams! The 1500 series trams in Milan date back to 1876 and are one of the best ways to get around and see the city’s historic buildings.

You must ride one of the trams during your Milan itinerary for 2 days. The Milan tram network has 18 lines that run until nighttime. You can purchase tickets at metro stops, kiosks and tabaccherias (tobacco shops) around the city.

Have a Negroni Sbagliato at Bar Basso:

Another one of the best things to do in Milan for 2 days, that will bring you back in time is to visit the famous Bar Basso for a Negroni Sbagliato®. This refreshing cocktail was invented at this Milanese bar by Maurizio (Mirko) Stochetto. He took the traditional negroni and substituted prosecco for gin, which was considered a “happy mistake” (sbagliato).

The best time to visit Bar Basso is in the afternoon for an aperitivo. It’s a sophisticated spot that offers over 500 cocktails, from the Bloody Mary to Manhattan’s and martinis to spritz. Another great drink you can enjoy at Bar Basso is the Rossini, a hazelnut ice-cream cocktail, also created by Stochetto.

Walk the Navigli Canals in Milan during your Weekend in Milan:

When you visit Milan in 2 days, you must include visiting the Navigli Canals in your itinerary. Inspired by the canals in Venice, the ones in Milan were made to connect the city to the River Po.

You can reach the Navigli Canals by taking the 2 tram from the city center. Once you arrive, you can grab a meal or drink along the canals, admire the beautiful churches and enjoy the beauty from all around. It’s the perfect place to visit during summer!

During your time in Navigli, you must visit Backdoor 43, the world’s smallest bar! If you plan to visit for an aperitivo, you must make a reservation in advance. A great restaurant to eat at in this area is Erba Brusca!

Include a Day Trip from Milan in Your 2-Day Itinerary:

Milan is centrally located in Northern Italy. Because of its location, there are many great cities and areas for you to visit. If you plan to spend an extra night in Milan, visit Lake Como, Verona, the Dolomites, Turin or the Piedmont wine region.

What is also great about Milan’s location is that you can easily travel to Cinque Terre, spend 2 days in Venice and also make your way down to Bologna and Tuscany.

Eat at the Best Restaurants in Milan:

Just like the rest of Italy, Milan has incredible eateries that you cannot miss out on. Some typical Milanese food is costoletta, a breaded veal (or chicken) cutlet; risotto, a creamy rice dish; ossobucco, a veal shank; minestrone, a vegetable soup with Ditalini pasta; panettone, a fruit cake typically served during the Christmas season; polenta, a cornmeal porridge; gorgonzola cheese and more!

Below are the best restaurants to eat at in Milan, Italy:

• Pizzeria Starita Milano
• Pasticceria Di Lillo
• Il Brutto Anatroccolo
• Langosteria
• 28 Posti
• Latteria San Marco
• Bistrò
• Bar Luce (Wes Anderson’s café)
• Il Solferino
• Antica Trattoria della Pesa

Click here to book a cooking class during your Milan itinerary for 2 days!

Love Milan? You’ll also love:

Rome, Italy

Madrid, Spain

Dubrovnik, Croatia

I hope you all enjoyed discovering the best itinerary for 2 days in Milan during your first visit. If you have any questions, please email me at info@browneyedflowerchild.com.

Basic Facts of Italy:

Currency: Euro, Capital: Rome, Time Zone: Central European Standard Time

*Anything could happen during your travels. Always make sure you are insured in case there are unforeseen circumstances such as lost luggage/theft, natural disasters, personal liabilities and more. Click here to get insured for your next trip.

In addition, a great and secure luggage storage to utilize during your summer Europe trip is Nannybag! It is easy to use; all you do is download the Nannybag app, type in the city that you will be visiting and when you plan to arrive and depart. At a small cost per luggage, Nannybag will list the stores, restaurants or hotels where you could drop your bag off at the city you are visiting.

Nannybag is also insured against theft, loss and breakage. It’s a convenient way to store your bags when you are traveling from one city to the next in Europe.

Shop my Milan Look:

Click here to shop my Poshmark closet!