Milan, once the Roman capital of northern Italy, blends 2,000 years of history with modern design and fashion. Gothic spires crown the Duomo, while cutting-edge architecture rises in Porta Nuova. Leonardo da Vinci sketched engineering marvels here and left the city its most coveted treasure: The Last Supper.

Beyond the headlines of high fashion and furniture fairs lies a city of cloisters, hidden courtyards, and canal-side evenings. The aperitivo ritual—bitter-sweet cocktails and elegant nibbles before dinner—was perfected here, and you’ll taste why. Spend two days discovering masterpieces, strolling storied neighborhoods, and eating extremely well.

Practical notes: Churches enforce modest dress (cover shoulders and knees). Book The Last Supper weeks ahead or use a guided tour with guaranteed entrance. Pickpockets can target crowded areas—keep bags zipped. Navigating is easy by metro and tram, and the Malpensa Express simplifies airport transfers.

Milan

Milan’s heart beats around the Duomo and the Belle Époque elegance of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Walk to Sforza Castle and leafy Parco Sempione, then drift through Brera’s cobblestones and artisan shops. At sunset, follow locals to the Navigli canals, where the aperitivo tradition began.

• Top sights: Duomo & rooftops, Galleria, Sforza Castle, Santa Maria delle Grazie (The Last Supper), Brera, Quadrilatero d’Oro, Navigli.
• Classic tastes: Risotto alla Milanese, ossobuco, cotoletta, panzerotti, Negroni Sbagliato, and old-school pasticcerie.
• Fun fact: The Duomo took nearly six centuries to complete; its pink Candoglia marble glows at golden hour.

Where to stay (curated picks):

• Room Mate Giulia — Steps from the Duomo and Galleria, playful mid-century design, excellent for walkers and first-timers.
• UNAHOTELS Cusani Milano — Between Brera and the Castle; spacious rooms, easy tram/metro access.
• Hotel Principe di Savoia — Old-world glamour near Porta Nuova with a panoramic spa and indoor pool.
• Ostello Bello — Social hub with private rooms and dorms, free welcome drink, and nightly pasta—great value close to the center.

Compare more stays on Hotels.com or browse apartments on VRBO.

Getting to Milan and around:

• Flights: For Europe routes, compare on Omio. Flying in from outside Europe? Check Trip.com and Kiwi.com for global deals.
• Trains: High-speed Frecciarossa/Italo connect Italy and Europe; search schedules and fares on Omio. From Malpensa Airport, the Malpensa Express to Milano Cadorna/Centrale takes ~50 minutes (~€13).
• Local transport: Metro M1–M5 and vintage trams cover most sights; a 24-hour ticket is cost-effective. Linate Airport connects by M4 metro to the Duomo area in ~20–25 minutes.

Day 1: Duomo, Galleria, and Golden-Hour Rooftops

Morning: Travel to Milan. If you arrive early, drop bags and shake off jet lag with an espresso at Marchesi 1824 inside the Galleria—pistachio cream croissants are legend. A quick orientation stroll around Piazza del Duomo helps you get your bearings.

Afternoon: Check in, then wander the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II for soaring glass, mosaic floors, and window-shopping at Prada and curated bookstores. Spin on the mosaic bull for good luck, then head to your timed entrance for a skip-the-line Duomo experience and rooftop views at sunset:

Milan Super Saver: Skip-the-Line Duomo and Rooftop Guided Tour — A guided deep-dive into the cathedral plus rooftop access by lift, ideal for short stays.

Expect 1.5–2.5 hours; budget for a post-rooftop golden-hour photo session across the spires.

Evening: Do aperitivo at historic Camparino in Galleria (since 1915) for a bitter-sleek Campari Seltz and savory bites, or opt for locals’ favorite Bar Basso for the original Negroni Sbagliato. For dinner, choose classic Milanese at Trattoria Milanese dal 1933 (saffron risotto and ossobuco), contemporary Lombard cooking at Ratanà (in a restored railway building), or a cheerful pizza at Piz near Via Torino (they hand you a slice while you queue). Cap the night with creative cocktails at Nottingham Forest or a pistachio gelato at Pavé Gelati & Granite.

Day 2: Leonardo’s Last Supper, Sforza Castle, and Brera

Morning: Start with specialty coffee and a flaky maritozzo at Pavé (breakfast tilts artisanal and generous). Then make your way to Santa Maria delle Grazie for a timed entry to see Leonardo’s masterpiece; tickets sell out fast, so a guided slot is the safest bet:

Experience Da Vinci's Last Supper: Tickets & Guided Tour — 75-minute tour with guaranteed access and expert context, perfect for art lovers with limited time.

Afterward, walk 10 minutes to Sforza Castle for courtyards, museums, and a breather in Parco Sempione. If you prefer art over castles, the Pinacoteca di Brera houses Caravaggio, Raphael, and Mantegna.

Afternoon: Lunch like a local: grab warm panzerotti from Luini near the Duomo (the fried tomato-mozzarella original is the move), or sit down in Brera at Il Solferino (old-school service, impeccable veal cutlet) or Rovello 18 (seasonal Milanese with an excellent wine list). Stroll the Quadrilatero d’Oro (Via Montenapoleone, della Spiga, Sant’Andrea) for window-shopping, then pick up your bags. For airport rides: Malpensa Express (~50 min), M4 metro to Linate (~20–25 min), or a fixed-fare taxi to Malpensa (~€95) and Linate (~€55).

Evening: If you have a late flight or extra night, catch sunset along the Navigli canals. Aperitivo at MAG Café (inventive bitters) or Rita (precision cocktails), then dinner at Osteria del Binari (garden seating, slow-cooked brasato) or Al Pont de Ferr (modern Italian; book ahead). End with a canal-side stroll and gelato at Ciacco.

Optional add-ons (if you extend your stay):

• Cooking class: Hand-make pizza and gelato with a chef: Milan Cooking Class: Authentic Pizza & Gelato Making.

Practical tips: Reserve The Last Supper well in advance (or use the guided tour above). For the Duomo, shoulders and knees must be covered; bring a light shawl. Many museums close on Mondays; restaurant booking is advised Friday–Sunday. City tax is payable at hotels.

Two days in Milan deliver a concentrated hit of art, architecture, and appetite—from spires and sfogliatelle to canals and cocktails. You’ll depart with camera-roll gold, a deeper appreciation for Leonardo, and a new love for aperitivo done right.