If you only have one day in Milan you may be wondering exactly what you can see and do. The answer is that you can see a lot even in that short time frame.
If your Italy travel itinerary only allows one day in Milan these are the top 4 sights I would suggest visiting in the city.
- The Duomo
- Galleria Vittorio Emanuele 11
- La Scala Opera House
- Santa Maria delle Grazie and The Last Supper
In this article, you will find my own 1 day in Milan itinerary based on a stopover we had in the city whilst travelling from Venice to Zurich.
An itinerary for one day in Milan
The Duomo
Start your day at the Piazza del Duomo!
The Duomo in Milan is one of the world’s largest cathedrals. Construction was started in 1386. The cathedral was consecrated in 1418 building works continued for another 200 years.
There are 52 pillars inside the cathedral to mark each week of the year and a sundial on the floor to help keep track of time. The marble floor is original and very beautiful. Spot the signs of the zodiac as you walk along.
There are also 3,400 statues that adorn the cathedral including the famous Statue of St Bartholomew flayed.
Tips for visiting the Duomo
- Expect to be searched when entering – no liquids are allowed into the cathedral.
- The queues will be very long in summer so I would highly recommend that you purchase a ticket to skip the line!
Recommended tour option
Enjoy a 1.5-hour tour of the Milan Cathedral complex, including the terraces and the archaeological area beneath the cathedral. Discover the history of this famous monument with your expert guide. You’ll also have access to the Duomo Museum and San Gottardo Church.
Skip the lines and enter the cathedral. Admire this stunning example of Gothic architecture and the artworks that decorate its interior. Continue to the rooftop terraces by elevator, for breathtaking views over the city. Then explore the archaeological area beneath the Duomo, where the ruins of the Baptistery of San Giovanni alle Fonti were found.
After your guided tour, you can visit the Duomo Museum and San Gottardo Church on your own.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
A short 3-minute walk from the Duomo you will find the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele 11. What can I say? It is a shopping mall but like no other, I have ever seen. and is truly stunning.
The centre opened in 1877 and really is worth a visit though I wasn’t sure if anyone actually does any shopping in it or if it is just full of tourists taking photographs all the time!
It is really lovely and the forerunner of all our present-day shopping malls and ‘gallerias’.
Tips for visiting
- I f you want to take a photo of the famous (and very beautiful) tiled floor you need to get up early in the morning before the tours arrive.
Teatro Alla Scala – La Scala Opera House
La Scala Opera House in Milan is one of those iconic buildings with which we are all familiar (opera fans or not) and it is worth visiting as it is only a few minutes walk from the Galleria. The building may not be too impressive from the outside but once you are inside you will find it is very beautiful.
La Scala is situated in the Piazza della Scala a few minutes walk from the Galleria. Make sure you don’t miss the statue of Leonardo Da Vinci which stands in the centre of this square.
The theatre opened in 1778 and has been renovated a number of times since it opened. During WW2 it suffered significant damage.
Santa Maria Delle Grazie and the Last Supper
Da Vinci’s mural “The Last Supper” is painted on one wall of the refractory attached to the church of Santa Maria Delle Grazie. The mural was painted by Da Vinci between 1495–1498. The mural has been restored numerous times over the years and narrowly escaped destruction when it was bombed during the Second World War.
If you want to see what is arguably one of the greatest pieces of art in the world I would recommend that you book ahead of your arrival in the city. Tickets can be purchased up to 3 months in advance on the official website but they can sell out quickly particularly during the busy summer months.
If you are unable to book tickets through the official website I would suggest booking a third-party tour. This is what we did and we found it a great way to ensure we could see the painting on the date we were in Milan.
Visitor numbers to view the painting are limited to only 25 people at a time. There is one entrance in and another out and you pass through a humidity-controlled chamber before entering. Once in the room, you have 15 minutes to enjoy the painting.
Tips for visiting the Last Supper
- There are many websites posing as the official site for the Last Supper.
- If you aren’t able to book tickets for the day you want I would suggest booking a tour.
Guided tour to the Last Supper
Your guide will take you inside the old Refectory of an ancient Monastery where you can admire the Last Supper painting. Spend 15 minutes in front of the painting and learn all about the incredible history behind it.
FAQs – Planning a day in Milan
Suggested itinerary for 1 day in Milan plus map
Morning
Duomo, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and La Scala
Lunch
Afternoon
The Last Supper
How to get around Milan
Most of the sights are within walking distance of each other. If you haven’t booked a tour to The Last Supper and have to travel to Santa Maria Delle Grazie independently I would recommend taking the Metro or calling an Uber.
Tips for visiting Milan
- We visited Milan in August which is the busiest time of year. If you are visiting during the height of the tourist season book tours, hotels and tickets in advance or you may find it difficult once in Milan.
- Wear comfortable shoes as you will be walking a lot!
- Stay near to a metro station as this is the the easiest way to get around the city.
- Beware of pickpockets and scams when you are on trains or in busy areas. I recommend using an anti-pickpocket bag to protect your belongings. I never travel in Europe without one as pickpockets are unfortunately all too common.
- Iif you are planning to visit the city for more than one day perhaps consider adding some of Milan’s hidden gems to your itinerary.
Plan your visit to Italy
There are further articles to read to help plan your trip to Italy. If you enjoy reading my list of the best books about Italy which includes both fiction and non-fiction choices.
If you enjoy watching TV shows & movies filmed on location around the world my guide to the best Italian movies and best Italian series on Netflix and Amazon Prime provide hours of viewing inspiration
- Venice – Tips for first-time visitors plus our guide to where to stay (areas and accommodation)
- Florence – Best of 2 days in Florence Itinerary
- Milan – One day in Milan itinerary