Milan is Italy’s engine of design and style—a Roman-founded city that grew into Europe’s fashion capital and a modern architecture showcase. Yet beneath the gloss, you’ll find Gothic pinnacles on the Duomo, Renaissance genius in Da Vinci’s Last Supper, and family-run trattorie serving recipes older than high fashion itself.

Beyond the city, Lombardy unfolds into cinematic landscapes: Lake Como’s villas mirrored in calm waters and the high drama of the Swiss Alps reached by the red-liveried Bernina Express. In a single week, you can admire Gothic spires at sunrise, toast with a Negroni Sbagliato at aperitivo, and stroll cobbled lake towns by afternoon.

Practical notes: Milan has three airports (MXP, LIN, BGY) and a terrific metro. Book Last Supper tickets well in advance. For day trips, pack layers; Alpine weather changes fast. And come hungry—this itinerary includes beloved bakeries, trattorie, and a hands-on cooking class to take a little Milanese magic home.

Milan

Italy’s chic powerhouse rewards the curious. Wander the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, climb the Duomo’s marble rooftop, trace Leonardo’s brushstrokes, and linger in Brera’s lantern-lit lanes. Evenings belong to Navigli, where canals, jazz, and the ritual of aperitivo set the tone for long dinners.

• Top sights: Duomo & rooftop terraces, Santa Maria delle Grazie (Last Supper), Sforza Castle & Parco Sempione, Pinacoteca di Brera, Museo del Novecento, Fondazione Prada, Pirelli HangarBicocca.
• Neighborhoods to explore: Brera (galleries, wine bars), Navigli (canals, vintage shops), Porta Nuova & Isola (contemporary architecture), Quadrilatero d’Oro (high-fashion boutiques).
• Essential flavors: Risotto alla Milanese, ossobuco, cotoletta, panzerotti, and the city where the Negroni Sbagliato became icon—try it where it was born, Bar Basso.

Where to stay (Hotels.com affiliates):

• Hotel Principe di Savoia — grand classic with a top-tier spa and polished service near Porta Nuova.
• Room Mate Giulia — vibrant boutique steps from the Duomo and Galleria; walk everywhere.
• UNAHOTELS Cusani Milano — comfortable base between the Castle and Brera, ideal for sightseeing.
• Ostello Bello — beloved social hostel with nightly pasta and a fantastic location.

Browse more stays: Hotels.com Milan | Apartment-style: VRBO Milan

Getting to Milan: For flights from within Europe, compare on Omio Flights (Europe). From outside Europe, check Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com for competitive fares. Train travelers can book Italian and cross-border routes via Omio Trains (Europe)—e.g., Rome–Milan ~3h10, Venice–Milan ~2h20, Zurich–Milan ~3h45.

Airport transfers: Malpensa Express to Cadorna or Centrale (37–52 minutes, ~€13). Linate city bus 73 to Duomo (~30 minutes, ~€2.20). Bergamo shuttle to Centrale (~50–60 minutes, ~€12). Taxis: MXP to center ~€95–110 fixed fare; LIN ~€21–25; BGY ~€90–120.

Local transport: Metro/tram tickets ~€2.20 (90 minutes). Consider a 3-day pass if you’ll ride often.

Day 1 — Arrive, First Espresso, Sunset over Spires

Morning: Travel day. If you land early, revive at Pavé (buttery croissants, seasonal cakes) or Pasticceria Marchesi 1824 (old-world Milanese pastries and perfect cappuccino).

Afternoon: Check in and take a gentle orientation walk: Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Piazza del Duomo, and a quick espresso at Camparino in Galleria—temple of bitter-sweet Milanese aperitivo culture. Pop up to Rinascente’s rooftop food hall for a panoramic peek at the Duomo’s marble forest.

Evening: Navigate to the canals for your first aperitivo: MAG Café (creative cocktails) or Rita (modern spritzes). Dinner at Osteria del Binari (ivy-draped courtyard; try the saffron risotto) or Al Pont de Ferr (inventive canal-side plates). Gelato at La Gelateria della Musica to close.

Day 2 — Duomo to Da Vinci, Brera by Night

Morning: Join a guided small-group experience that unlocks two icons without the queues.

Milan Duomo & The Last Supper Skip-the-Line Small Group Tour — Skip the line at the cathedral and stand before Leonardo’s masterpiece with expert context.

Afternoon: Linger in Brera. Visit the Pinacoteca di Brera (Caravaggio to Mantegna), then espresso or spritz at Bar Brera while street musicians play. Quick lunch options: Panzerotti at Luini (since 1888) or fresh pasta at Miscusi.

Evening: Classic Milanese dinner at Trippa (succulent tripe and seasonal mains; book far ahead) or Da Giacomo (old-school elegance; veal cutlet is superb). Nightcap at Bar Basso, birthplace of the Negroni Sbagliato, served in its signature goblet.

Day 3 — Castles, Parks, and Design Culture

Morning: Coffee at Orsonero (specialty roaster), then explore Sforza Castle’s courtyards and the adjacent Parco Sempione. If you love design and science, the Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology is a short hop away.

Afternoon: Art meets skyline at Museo del Novecento (20th‑century masters and Duomo views). Shop the Quadrilatero d’Oro: Via Montenapoleone and Via della Spiga for couture, 10 Corso Como for curated fashion and books, and Cova Montenapoleone for a refined pastry break.

Evening: Aperitivo at Nottingham Forest (theatrical cocktails; arrive early). Dinner in the Isola district at Ratanà (Lombard cuisine in a restored 19th‑century building—risotto here is a benchmark) or Berberè (slow-fermented pizza with killer toppings). Post-dinner amaro at Deus Café.

Day 4 — Lake Como & Bellagio (Full-Day)

Trade urban glamour for glassy waters and mountain horizons on a small-group day trip. Stroll Como’s historic center, ferry to storybook Bellagio, and glide past villas on a private boat cruise before returning to Milan in the evening.

Lake Como & Bellagio Day Trip with Private Boat Cruise

Good to know: Expect 9–10 hours door-to-door. Bring sun protection and a light jacket for breezy boat sections. If you’d rather rail it independently, Milan–Como S. Giovanni trains are ~40 minutes; book on Omio Trains (from ~€5–10 each way).

Back in Milan (late): Simple, superb pizza at Piz (fast, friendly) or Spontini (iconic, cheesy slices). If you still have energy, stroll the Duomo by night—less crowded, more atmospheric.

Day 5 — Contemporary Milan, Fondazione Prada, and a Hands-On Dinner

Morning: Breakfast at Cafezal (ethically sourced beans, meticulous pours). Explore Porta Nuova’s vertical gardens (Bosco Verticale) and the sleek Piazza Gae Aulenti. Wander Isola’s indie boutiques and murals.

Afternoon: Head to Fondazione Prada for adventurous exhibitions; pause at Bar Luce (Wes Anderson’s pastel dream) for a mid-afternoon pastry. Alternatively, Pirelli HangarBicocca hosts monumental installations (like Anselm Kiefer’s towers) in an old factory space.

Evening: Tonight, cook your own feast with wine included.

Milan: Pasta and Tiramisu Small Group Cooking Class with Wine — Learn to handcraft pasta and Italy’s most famous dessert, then sit down to enjoy your creations.

Alternative dinner if not cooking: Langosteria (seafood temple; reserve), Casa Tua Osteria (intimate, seasonal), or Trattoria Masuelli San Marco (since 1921; Piedmontese roots).

Day 6 — Bernina Express to St. Moritz (Full-Day)

One of Europe’s most spectacular rail journeys carries you across spirals and viaducts to the Engadin Valley. Expect glaciers, high lakes, and Swiss villages—plus time to wander chic St. Moritz—before returning to Milan at night.

St Moritz & Swiss Alps Day Trip with Bernina Red Train from Milan

Tips: Bring your passport (Switzerland). Weather shifts quickly—pack layers and sunglasses. It’s a long but unforgettable day (12–13 hours); plan a light, late supper back in Milan—Gino Sorbillo (Navigli) or a deli board and wine at N’Ombra de Vin (Brera).

Day 7 — Last Bites and Design Finds, Departure

Morning: Sweet sendoff at Marchesi or Cova Montenapoleone. Pick up edible souvenirs at Eataly Smeraldo or browse Mercato Centrale Milano (inside Centrale Station) for cheeses, cured meats, and olive oils that travel well.

Afternoon: Quick lunch near the center: De Santis (gourmet panini), All’Antico Vinaio (overflowing schiacciata sandwiches), or a final slice at Spontini. Head to the airport or station. If you’re Europe-based, compare departures on Omio Flights or Omio Trains; for long-haul, check Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Evening: In transit. If you have a late flight, linger over one last aperitivo at Camparino in Galleria and watch the city glow—Milan loves a stylish farewell.

Optional add-ons if you swap a day:

• Duomo di Milano: Guided Cathedral Tour & Rooftop Access Included — great if Last Supper tickets are sold out.
• Italy and Switzerland Day Trip: Lake Como, Bellagio & Lugano — two countries in a day with boat time.
• Milan Gourmet Tour with Starry Dinner and Exclusive Tastings — an indulgent food-forward evening.

From Gothic grandeur to Alpine horizons, this 7-day Milan itinerary balances headline sights with neighborhood flavor, both literal and figurative. You’ll return with a camera roll of spires and lakes—and recipes, tastes, and stories that stick.