Milan has worn many crowns—Roman outpost, Renaissance workshop, industrial powerhouse, and now a global capital of fashion and design. From the spires of the Duomo to Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper, the city fuses Gothic grandeur with modern swagger.

In two days, you can scale cathedral rooftops, walk elegant galleries, and slip into atmospheric neighborhoods like Brera and the Navigli canals. Museums here are superb, whether you favor Old Masters at the Pinacoteca di Brera or 20th‑century icons at Museo del Novecento.

Practicalities: Book Last Supper tickets weeks ahead, and note some sights close on Mondays. Milan runs on espresso by day and aperitivo by dusk—an easy, budget-friendly way to dine. Public transport is fast, but much of the historic center is best on foot.

Milan

Compact and walkable, central Milan strings together headline sights: Piazza del Duomo, the glass‑topped Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, La Scala, Brera’s cobbles, and Sforza Castle opening into Parco Sempione. It’s also full of “only-in-Milan” gems—San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore (nicknamed the city’s Sistine Chapel), the Monumental Cemetery’s sculptural avenues, and vintage wooden trams rattling past belle époque facades.

Food moves from saffron‑bright risotto alla milanese to hearty ossobuco, with modern trattorie and creative cocktail bars leading the evening scene. For shopping, the Quadrilatero d’Oro is hallowed ground, but independent ateliers in Brera and Isola feel more personal.

• Top sights: Duomo di Milano, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, The Last Supper at Santa Maria delle Grazie, Sforza Castle, Brera, Navigli canals, San Maurizio, Cimitero Monumentale.
• Great museums: Pinacoteca di Brera (Renaissance to 20th c.), Museo del Novecento (20th‑century Italian art), Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science & Technology.
• Unique activities: Duomo rooftop terraces, vintage Tram 1 ride, San Siro Stadium tour, aperitivo crawl in Navigli, Wes Anderson’s Bar Luce at Fondazione Prada.

Stay in Milan (mid-range budget friendly, with splurge and savings options):

• Room Mate Giulia (design, steps from the Duomo): Check availability
• UNAHOTELS Cusani Milano (between Brera and Sforza Castle): Check availability
• Ostello Bello (exceptional social/budget base near the center): Check availability
• Hotel Principe di Savoia (classic Milanese grand hotel—splurge): Check availability
• Browse more stays: VRBO Milan | Hotels.com Milan

Getting to Milan: For intra‑Europe flights or trains, compare on Omio (flights in Europe) and Omio (trains). For long‑haul flights into Europe, search Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Within Europe, you can also compare trains on Omio (Trip.com Trains is another option: Trip.com Trains).

Airport transfers: Malpensa (MXP) to Cadorna/Centrale via Malpensa Express in ~35–50 minutes (about €13–14). Linate (LIN) is ~20–30 minutes by metro/bus. Bergamo (BGY) coach to Centrale takes ~50–60 minutes.

Day 1: Duomo Spires, Galleria Glamour, and Brera by Night

Morning: Travel to Milan. If you arrive early, drop your bags and ease in with a cappuccino and cannoncino at Pasticceria Marchesi (1824) or a flaky croissant at Pavé—both local favorites known for superb pastries and espresso. Pick up a 90‑minute or 24‑hour transit ticket for flexibility.

Afternoon: Start at Piazza del Duomo, the city’s dramatic heart. Pop into the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II to admire the 19th‑century iron-and-glass arcades, mosaic floors, and classic cafes. Then head to your timed rooftop slot for sweeping views—on a guided visit:

Duomo di Milano: Guided Cathedral Tour & Rooftop Access Included

Afterward, art lovers can dip into Museo del Novecento beside the square to trace Italian modern art (cuts across Boccioni, Fontana, and more). For a quick lunch, try panzerotti (fried, stuffed pockets) from Luini near the Duomo or handmade pasta bowls at Miscusi (good quality and budget‑friendly).

Evening: Aperitivo hour is a Milan ritual. Choose historic Camparino in Galleria for a bitter‑bright Campari Seltz, or sip riverside at MAG Café on the Navigli. Dinner picks for a mid‑range budget: Ratanà (Isola; Milanese classics with a seasonal twist), Il Solferino (old‑school elegance in Brera), or Osteria del Binari (near Navigli; leafy courtyard, saffron risotto done right). Stroll Brera’s lantern‑lit streets for gelato at Cioccolati Italiani or a nightcap on Corso Garibaldi.

Day 2: The Last Supper, Castles and Courtyards, and a Canal-Side Farewell

Morning: See Leonardo’s masterpiece with an expert guide on a time‑efficient city highlights tour that also orients you through the center. These sell out weeks ahead—book first:

Milan Highlights: Guided Duomo, Last Supper & City Centre Tour

Post‑tour, wander Sforza Castle’s courtyards (free) and Parco Sempione, or step inside San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore to see radiant Renaissance frescoes—an under‑the‑radar gem that fits a short visit.

Afternoon: Grab a fast, tasty lunch: De Santis (gourmet panini on warm focaccia), Slow Sud (Calabrian‑Sicilian comfort plates), or a slice at Spontini (thick, crunchy‑edged pizza al trancio). If time allows before departure, choose one: the Pinacoteca di Brera (Raphael, Mantegna, Caravaggio) or the sculptural avenues of Cimitero Monumentale (astonishing funerary art). Then transit back to your airport or station—Malpensa Express or metro/bus as needed.

Evening (if you have a late flight or an extra night): Football fans can head to the west side for a behind‑the‑scenes look at Italy’s most storied stadium:

Milan: Official San Siro Stadium and Museum Tour

Round out the night with an aperitivo crawl in Navigli—Rita & Cocktails is a local favorite for balanced, inventive drinks—or go classic at Bar Basso in Porta Venezia, birthplace of the Negroni Sbagliato. For dinner on the canals, try Officina 12 (lofty industrial chic, Lombard staples) or Al Fresco (garden setting, market‑driven menu).

Insider tips: Many museums close on Mondays; Last Supper slots are strictly timed (15 minutes). The Duomo rooftop has stairs and an elevator option; come early or reserve a late‑afternoon slot for softer light and thinner crowds. Consider riding Tram 1 from the Duomo area to the Monumental Cemetery for a scenic, vintage loop.

Transport tools (save and compare): Omio (Europe flights), Omio (trains), Omio (buses) | Long‑haul flight searches: Trip.com, Kiwi.com

With its mix of blockbuster art, soaring Gothic architecture, and easygoing evenings by the canals, Milan rewards every hour you invest. This two‑day plan hits the icons and still finds time for neighborhood flavor—exactly what makes the city irresistible.