Several years ago in 2008, I took a several-week tour of Italy and passed through this must-see city, Milan, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe along with Paris. In this article, I will talk to you about what to do in Milan in 3 days?
📋 The essentials to remember: Milan can be visited in 3 intense days. My must-sees: Duomo (Gothic cathedral with rooftop access), Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II (the most beautiful shopping gallery in the world), Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper at Santa Maria delle Grazie (book 2 months in advance), Navigli (canals), Brera district. Average budget: 110-150 €/day.
What to do in Milan? A week in Milan
3 days in Milan: What to do in Milan!
Do you love art? Are you a true fashion victim? Do you dream of moments of pure relaxation in the style of dolce vita? Do you want to savor dishes more delicious than the others? You absolutely must take advantage of your next vacation to take a trip to Italy! If you already know Rome, Florence, or Naples and want to discover the north of the country, all that’s left is to visit Lombardy! Book a hotel room in Milan, the regional capital, and explore the economic capital of the country.
If you decide to spend a week in Milan and its surroundings, you will be able to discover the many faces of a region known mostly for its “gray” and serious side, but much less for its cultural heritage and the vitality of its inhabitants.
Whether you choose to stay in central Milan or in a luxury hotel on the shores of Lake Como, discover the monuments, places, and attractions not to be missed to have an incredible vacation in Northern Italy!
3 days in Milan: The very best of Milan
🗣️ My experience: My best moment in Milan: aperitivo in the Navigli. The Italian concept (€5-12 per drink + all-you-can-eat buffet from 6pm to 10pm) allows you to eat for €0. At Spritz Hugo or Mag Café, you can have a real dinner without ordering anything else. Young, bohemian, lively atmosphere. The well-kept secret for tight budgets in Milan.
Your visit to Milan must begin with discovering the symbol of the city, the famous Duomo. This cathedral with a Gothic façade is the third largest church in the world after St. Peter’s in Rome and the cathedral of Seville. The square surrounding it forms a very large rectangle and houses several monuments, notably the famous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a historic shopping gallery in a neoclassical style with baroque tendencies from the 19th century.
🌍 Did you know?
The Duomo of Milan was built over nearly 600 years (1386 to 1965). It is the 5th largest cathedral in the world, with 3,400 statues and 135 spires. The statue of the Madonnina at the top, gilded in fine gold, overlooks the city at 108.50 m. Milanese tradition: no building should exceed this height.
How can you talk about the Lombard capital without mentioning its shops?
For a successful shopping weekend in Milan, here are the street names you must not miss: Via del Gesù, Via S. Andrea, Via della Spiga, Via Borgospesso, and the luxurious Via Montenapoleone.
🍀 Milan
- Sublime architecture (Duomo, Galleria)
- World capital of fashion and design
- Aperitivo: almost free meal
- Perfect air hub for Central Europe
🔻 Limits
- Less charming than Rome or Florence
- Industrial in some areas
- Severe winter smog
- Crowds at The Last Supper and the Duomo
For a holiday discovering Italian cultural heritage, visit the magnificent Sforza Castle, a fortress built in the 15th century by Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan, on the ruins of a citadel erected at the same site by Galeazzo Visconti and now transformed into a museum. Also make a detour to the Brera Art Gallery, a museum of ancient and modern art, but above all, don’t forget to go admire Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper at the Dominican convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie.
After a long day of sightseeing, head to one of the world’s most important opera houses, La Scala in Milan, and spend an evening in absolute luxury. If you want to dive into a younger, trendier atmosphere, go have a drink by the Navigli, artificial canals surrounded by fashionable bars and restaurants. You can take this opportunity to taste the delicious regional specialties, notably saffron risotto or the Milanese-style cutlet.
⚠️ Classic trap
Wanting to see The Last Supper (Cenacolo) upon arrival. Tickets are booked 2 to 3 months in advance on the official site cenacolovinciano.org. On the day: everything is sold out. If you forget, some private guided tours (€60-80) may still have slots, but it’s expensive for 15 minutes in front of the artwork.
All the treasures of Lombardy
To extend to other Italian cities, Europe weekend ideas offers combos like Milan + Lakes. The most beautiful cities in Europe ranks Milan among the world’s top. And cheap destinations in Europe provides more economical alternatives.
A region of lakes, Lombardy invites you to escape the chaos of Milan to spend moments of pure relaxation by the water. Lake Como, famous for its celebrity homes, Lake Garda with its legendary beauty, and Lake Maggiore with its delightful Borromean Islands, welcome you with open arms for a romantic weekend in Northern Italy. But that’s not all! Other small Lombard towns, notably Bergamo, Pavia, or Brescia, hold great surprises between castles, abbeys, and incredible museums. It’s up to you to decide!
How many days to visit Milan?
What is the best time for Milan?
What budget for 3 days in Milan?
| Place | To see | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Duomo + Rooftops | Cathedral + panoramic view | 15-25 € |
| Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II | Historic shopping gallery | Free |
| The Last Supper (Cenacolo) | Leonardo da Vinci fresco | 15 € (booking 2 months in advance) |
| Castello Sforzesco | Castle + museums | Free / 5 € |
| Navigli | Canals, bars, restaurants | Free walk |
| Quadrilatero della Moda | Luxury boutiques | Free window shopping |
| Brera | Bohemian district, art gallery | 15 € art gallery |
