What to see in Milan in one day: the essentials

A day in Mian

One of the best cities in Italy es Milan, for some time now a very popular getaway destination from southern Europe.

An exquisite combination of luxury, elegant architecture, art and museums makes its culture a true treasure. But if you only have 24 hours, What is there to see in one day in Milan? Here is the essential.

Milan Cathedral

Milan

For many it is the most popular attraction of all the city has. Cathedral It is one of the largest churches in the world, really high. Right in front is the enormous plaza which is where you should stop to appreciate the magnificence of the religious temple.

The entrance to the Milan Cathedral is free and you can access the roof or enjoy a tour If you want to dive more into its history and how it was built. It really is a spectacular building and what you cannot miss is the roof, from where you have some great views. Furthermore, as it is in the heart of the city, the truth is that it is a great point to plan the rest of the activities from there. 24 hours in Milan.

Namely, there is the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the beautiful arcades with many designer shops; the Palazzo Reale di Milano, today an art gallery, and La Scala, the most famous theater in Italy.

Castello Sforzesco and Parco Sempione

Castello Sforzesco, in Milan

The Arco della Pace is in the city park, and it is the triumphal arch par excellence of Milan. In addition, it houses many museums and sculptures. At the same time, it is part of the medieval castle from Sforzesco, with a history dating back to XV century and today it is a very interesting museum to explore local and country history.

Parco Sempione, among what you have to see in a day in Milan

It is also true that it is a very green place, so if you go in summer or spring it is great to walk and relax, take some time calmly.

Vertical Forest

Bosco Verticale, in Milan

The Vertical Forest is a modern development that is composed of two towers covered with trees and plantss. This is an innovative project that gives this ancient city a new touch of biodiversity and creates, hand in hand with design and botanicals, a fabulous spectacle right in the center of the city.

Inside there are even apartments, although they are private and we will not be able to see them, but the exterior alone is enough to awaken the imagination and marvel. And there it is BAM, a curious bookstore where you can stop.

Milan Museums

Prada Foundation, in Milan

Of course they are always an option and you must choose which one or which ones to meet in your unique 24 hours in Milan. 

What do you like? So, you have the Leonardo Da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology, he is beautiful Renaissance Museum or Fundazione Prada, of contemporary art and curated by the heirs of the brand.

Da Vinci Museum, Milan

There is also the Leonardo Museum3, specialized only in the brilliant Italian artist and inventor, and finally the Museo del Novecento which celebrates 20th century Italian art and has great views of Milan Cathedral.

The Last Supper by Leonardo Da Vinci

The Last Supper, tickets

We are going to dedicate a special section to this famous work. It was painted by Leonardo during the time the artist lived in Milan and is world famous. In this mural that describes the last supper of Jesus with his apostles. It has been inside the convent of Santa María delle Grazie since the end of the 15th century when it was commissioned by the Duke of Milan.

Visits to this mural are controlled because it is a very fragile work of art. Tickets are sold three months in advance and literally fly by. It is best to apply to a tour, tickets are sold closer to the date of visit and is great if you want more flexibility.

La Scala Museum in Milan

La Scala Museum in Milan

You can visit the building, the museum and the theater, in one guided tour that lasts one hour more or less, but reserve a little more time to wander around quietly contemplating how wonderful the theater is, one of the most important in the world.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

It is one of the most iconic buildings in the city. It is in the center of Milan, in the square, and It has the most expensive stores in the city. The structure is part of the sector dedicated to fashion in the city, right next to the Cathedral. If you can't buy, you can make window shopping, as they say in English to the walk window shopping.

I think that by visiting these places you can have a very good time 24 hours in Milan. It's a short time, of course, and you'll see everything from a bird's eye view, but I think it's enough for a first look.

The truth is that Milan is a city that can be explored on foot, it is flat, it is small, you can walk or you can even take advantage of the subway or bike system. Everything is close, everything is done quickly.

Finally, the councilThere are never too many well-intentioned people, so here are some to enjoy Milan:

  • It is not enough to buy train tickets in advance. It is a good idea to arrive at the station a little earlier to get to the station without rushing, and also, remember validate the ticket before going up because the inspection is strict.
  • Be careful with the opportunistic thieves that reach into your purse, backpack or pocket. Especially at the train station.
  • Carries comfortable shoes, you are going to walk a lot. And warm, if you are going to go in winter since Milan is a cold city.
  • We recommend you use the metro if you don't want to walk a lot. You can buy tickets for each trip, but you will save money by purchasing the 24 hour pass for just under 5 euros.
  • You can use your cell phone's GPS to move around, although before wandering around aimlessly we advise you to prepare a small plan to avoid wasting time.
  • And if you already know what sites you want to see and they are the most popular, then online booking. Much more so if you only have one day in the city because the lines to enter museums and attractions can be eternal.
  • If you arrive by plane to Milan you can take a taxi or a bus. The taxi takes only 20 minutes and costs around 40 euros. The bus is number 73 and it leaves you at Piazza Duomo for 1.50 euros, taking one hour. Or you can also take a shuttle bus They run every half hour, take 25 minutes and cost 5 euros.

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