Milan doesn’t shout; it glides. Former Roman capital and modern engine of Italy’s finance, fashion, and design scenes, the city weaves Gothic spires with glass-and-steel skylines. You’ll find Da Vinci murals a short stroll from runway-ready storefronts—proof that Milan has always mixed intellect, artistry, and commerce.

Beyond the Duomo and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Milan rewards curiosity: a Renaissance fortress hiding Michelangelo’s final sculpture; canals masterminded by Leonardo; and neighborhoods where trattorie and third-wave coffee bars share corners with cutting-edge galleries. It’s a city best tasted between an espresso and an evening aperitivo.

Practical notes: book Last Supper slots weeks ahead (tours often secure access when tickets are gone), cover shoulders for churches, and rely on the metro/trams for easy, inexpensive travel. With a modest budget (34/100), you’ll still eat remarkably well—panzerotti, pizza al trancio, and generous aperitivi are Milanese superpowers.

Milan

Why go now: Rooftop views from the Duomo, the revived blue M4 metro to Linate, and lively Navigli sunsets make short trips rewarding. Milan is compact, culturally dense, and delicious on a budget.

• Top sights: Duomo and rooftop, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Sforza Castle and Parco Sempione, Brera district, Santa Maria delle Grazie (Last Supper), Monumental Cemetery, Navigli canals.
• Local flavor: Aperitivo hour along canals; panzerotti from Luini near the Duomo; pizza al trancio at Pizzeria Spontini; Chinatown’s Via Paolo Sarpi for dumplings and noodles; Brera’s cobbled lanes and galleries.
• Fun fact: The Negroni Sbagliato—a “mistaken” Negroni with sparkling wine—was born at Bar Basso in the 1970s.

Getting there and around:

• Flights (Europe): Compare prices on Omio.
• Flights (outside Europe): Search deals on Trip.com.
• Trains in Europe to Milan: Check times and fares on Omio.
• Buses in Europe: Budget routes on Omio.
• Airports → city: Malpensa: Malpensa Express to Cadorna/Centrale (about 37–52 minutes, ~€13). Linate: M4 metro to San Babila (about 12 minutes, metro fare). Bergamo (Orio al Serio): shuttle buses to Centrale (45–60 minutes, ~€10).
• Local transport: ATM metro/tram/bus is fast and cheap; plan ~€2.20 per single ticket or ~€13 for a 3-day pass. Tap-in with contactless cards on newer gates.

Where to stay (budget to mid-range, plus a splurge):

• Ostello Bello (top-value hostel with social vibe, near Duomo): Check availability.
• Room Mate Giulia (stylish, steps from the Galleria—great location for walkers): See rooms.
• UNAHOTELS Cusani Milano (between Brera and Sforza Castle; easy tram/metro access): Book a room.
• Hotel Principe di Savoia (classic Milanese grandeur; splurge): View rates.
• Prefer an apartment? Browse VRBO Milan for budget-friendly stays.
• Compare hotel neighborhoods and deals on Hotels.com.

Day 1: Arrival, First Espresso, and Brera at Dusk

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off travel with a quick circuit around the Duomo square to admire the marble façade and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II’s glass dome. Snack on panzerotti at Luini (fried or baked pockets; classic mozzarella–tomato is budget-friendly and filling). Coffee fans: swing by Pavé for custard-filled maritozzi and excellent espresso.

Evening: Wander into Brera, Milan’s art quarter, where ivy-draped palazzi shelter galleries and wine bars. Aperitivo at N’Ombra de Vin (generous pours in a vaulted cellar) or La Prosciutteria (boards piled with cured meats and cheeses; share to keep costs low). Dinner ideas: Piz (charity-minded pizza with soft, blistered crusts; go early) or Trattoria Torre di Pisa (Tuscan staples; look for the daily menu).

Day 2: Duomo, Galleria, Sforza Castle, and Navigli by Night

Morning: Take a guided visit for context and fast entry:

Duomo di Milano: Guided Cathedral Tour & Rooftop Access Included

From flying buttresses to citywide views, the rooftop reveals Milan’s stone forest up close. Afterwards, cross into the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II; look up at the iron-and-glass vaults and grab a budget cappuccino standing at the counter (it’s cheaper than table service).

Afternoon: Stroll to Castello Sforzesco and leafy Parco Sempione. Art lovers can deepen the visit with a focused tour:

Sforza Castle and Michelangelo's Pietà Rondanini guided experience

Free alternative: visit the Monumental Cemetery (astonishing sculpture garden). Quick, tasty lunch: Spontini (thick-cut pizza al trancio) or Ravioleria Sarpi in Chinatown (handmade dumplings to-go).

Evening: Reserve a boat seat along the canals for golden-hour Milan:

Sunset Navigli Boat Tour in Milan with Optional Aperitivo

After the cruise, sip an aperitivo at MAG Café (creative cocktails) or budget-friendly bars offering a snack spread with your drink. Dinner: Trattoria Madonnina (home-style Milanese fare: cotoletta, mondeghili) or the casual stalls of Darsena Market if open.

Day 3: Da Vinci’s Last Supper and a Budget-Friendly Lake Como Escape

Morning: Secure access with a guided slot (tickets sell out far in advance):

Milan: Exclusive Access with Last Supper visit & Guided Tour

The Cenacolo in Santa Maria delle Grazie rewards close looking—your guide unpacks its composition, perspective, and the mural’s fragile survival. Coffee after at nearby cafés, then set out for Lake Como.

Afternoon: DIY day trip: take a regional train to Como Lago (roughly 1 hour, about €5–€6 each way; check Omio for times). Explore the lakeside promenade and Como’s cathedral, then ride the funicular to Brunate for grand alpine views. For a short cruise feeling without the tour cost, hop a quick ferry to Cernobbio and back (20–25 minutes each way), then return to Milan before dinner.

Evening: Back in Milan, dinner in Isola: try Berberè for naturally leavened pies or Casa Ramen Express for comforting bowls on a budget. Nightcap at Bar Basso, inventor of the Negroni Sbagliato—stand at the bar to keep it affordable. Tip: If your Last Supper slot falls in the afternoon, swap the Como outing for a slower city day browsing Brera’s Pinacoteca and the indie shops of Corso Garibaldi.

Day 4: Stadium, Skylines, and Departure

Morning: Football fans, don’t miss this self-guided access:

Milan: Official San Siro Stadium and Museum Tour

Prefer architecture? Head to Porta Nuova to see the Bosco Verticale (Vertical Forest) and Piazza Gae Aulenti’s fountains and skyways. Coffee at Orsonero Coffee or a buttery brioche at Gelsomina.

Afternoon (departure): Graze at Mercato Centrale Milano near Centrale station—try Trapizzino pockets or arancini, plus gelato for the road—then aim for your airport transfer. If flying within Europe, compare airport routes and flights on Omio; for long-haul, check Trip.com.

Optional add-ons (if you have extra time or want swaps):

• Duomo deep-dive or evening rooftop: Small Group Duomo Cathedral and Terraces Tour with Skip-the-line
• City overview without walking miles: City Sightseeing Milan Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

Budget tips tailored to a 34/100 spend: stand at café counters to save, seek daily “pranzo” menus at trattorie, time aperitivo for an early light dinner, use the 3-day transit pass, and choose one or two paid marquee sites (Duomo/Last Supper) while balancing with free highlights (parks, churches, markets).

Note on scheduling: Many museums in Milan close on Mondays; the Last Supper is typically closed on Mondays as well. If your dates hit a Monday, swap the Last Supper to Day 2 or 4 and keep Day 3 as a full Milan city day.

Quick booking hub: Hotels: Hotels.com Milan | Apartments: VRBO Milan | Flights/trains/buses in Europe: Omio | Long-haul flights: Trip.com

In four focused days, you’ll take in Milan’s essentials—Duomo rooftops, Da Vinci’s masterwork, castle ramparts, and canal sunsets—without overspending. Balancing marquee sights with neighborhood bites and parks keeps the pace easy and rewarding. You’ll leave with camera-roll panoramas and the calm certainty that Milan is best savored, not rushed.