72 hours in Milan: How to explore this beautiful city

I haven’t been back to Italy in 14 years, but when I found an opportunity on my last trip to stopover strategically, even if only for 72 hours in Milan, I jumped at the chance. Italy is fabulous – from the food, the culture, the sights, the history. I mean, how could you not love it? It’s one of the most popular destinations in Europe for good reason but it’s taken me a long time to get back there.

But let me tell you, it was perfection. I had just missed the peak of a heatwave, where the days were long and summer was in full force. I hadn’t planned much, but I knew a few things I wanted to cover and left the rest to roam and wander. 

Milan has much to offer. It’s not just about fashion. There is so much history and beauty, with many gems hidden in plain sight. You need to either be in the know or go and explore to see what you find.

You also need to give yourself the time to get lost and wander freely to appreciate its beauty. Adopt the Italian philosophy of la dolce far niente, the sweetness of doing nothing and immerse yourself in Italian life. 

Is 72 hours in Milan enough time?

72 hours in Milan is a good amount of time for a first time visit to this beautiful city. There’s plenty to see and do within the city itself, especially if you take your time and enjoy it at a leisurely pace. You’ll have the opportunity to see the main sights, wander into various neighbourhoods and soak in the culture.

I personally wouldn’t use this short amount of time to rush into day trips such as Lake Como. Whilst a bucket list destination for many, I didn’t want to spend my day in queues with hordes of tourists doing the same thing. I prefer to see a city slowly, experience what it would be like here and just go with the flow.

Milan is often thought to be less typically Italian, expensive and primarily focused on fashion, but I disagree. I found it to be charming, beautiful and the exact type of city I would want to return to. It even reminded me a little of Melbourne, Australia and interestingly when I looked it up, I discovered that Milan and Melbourne are sister cities. 

How to get to and around the city

Getting to Milan

There are 3 airports serving Milan, and where you land will depend on where you’re coming from and which airline you’re flying with.

Bergamo (BGY) – the budget carrier hub, roughly 50km northeast of the city, reachable by express bus in 50-70 minutes depending on traffic.

Malpensa (MXP)– Milan’s main international and long-haul airport, about 50km northwest of the centre. The Malpensa Express train connects directly to Milano Centrale in around 50 minutes or Milano Cadorna in around 40 minutes, which is convenient if you’re heading towards the Duomo or Brera.

You can buy Malpensa Express tickets using the Trenord app or at the train station and tickets cost 15 euros but best to check the current fare before travelling. It’s also worth checking in advance which stations the Malpensa Express actually departs from, as Cadorna and Centrale are the main ones. I had assumed it was possible to catch it from a nearby station based on Google Maps, but ended up having to backtrack, so it’s worth confirming before you travel.

Linate (LIN) – the closest airport to the city centre, just 7km away, mainly serving short-haul European and domestic routes. Since the M4 metro line opened, it’s now just a 12-15 minute ride into San Babila, right near the Duomo. 

If you’re travelling from elsewhere in Italy or Europe, Milan is also a major rail hub. Milano Centrale connects directly to cities like Rome, Venice, Florence or even Zurich.

Getting around Milan

Milan has an excellent public transport network so it’s easy to get around using trams, metro or simply on foot.  One thing I particularly appreciated was the ability to use a contactless card rather than having to buy tickets. Being able to simply tap on and off makes getting around much easier when you’re just arrived in a new city.

72 hours in Milan itinerary

Here’s how I spent my time here. Use it as an example of how to structure your days.

Day 1

No trip to Milan is complete without a visit to the iconic Duomo. It is enormous and built largely from marble, a sheer feat of human ingenuity and no photo can do it justice. Right next door is the also very famous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the oldest shopping mall in Europe with high-end designer shops, boutiques, cafes and restaurants. You’ll see people crowded around one section of the floor, taking turns spinning three times around on the bull’s testicles for luck! Don’t forget to look up and marvel at the frescoes.

This entire area and the square that surrounds it is buzzing with locals and tourists alike day and night. Here you could also visit the Museo del Novocento or continue down Corso Buenos Aires for some shopping and indulge in some food along the way. 

Day 2

As I was staying near CityLife, it was a nice opportunity to walk through the neighbourhood and make my way to the shopping centre and surrounding gardens. This area is home to 3 skyscrapers designed by well renowned architects, has a stadium and outdoor spaces. The shopping centre itself is small but very modern and has a great food court upstairs with lots of options. 

From here make your way to Arco della Pace, wander through the lovely Parco Sempione and then explore the surrounds of Castello Sforzesco. 

In the early evening, make your way to Navigli for an aperitivo. This area is very popular along the canals for dinner and drinks. Note that if you buy a drink such an Aperol spritz for example, it generally comes with a variety of free snacks, sometimes even a buffet.

Day 3

Get lost in Brera. That’s what a local advised me on the flight over. After a leisurely morning, I made my way to the winding cobblestone streets of Brera which started to come alive by lunch time. The Pinacoteca di Brera is a must and then visit the Palazzo Citterio for fantastic Modern Art and stop by the Popup cafe for lunch. 

In the afternoon, wander through the city, maybe visit the Santuario di san Bernardino alle Osso, a 13th-century Catholic Church which has an ossuary lined with human skulls & bones and make your way back towards the Duomo for a final glimpse at its glory, grab a gelato and call it a night. 

72 hours in Milan – where to stay

Many visitors will choose to stay in the centre, which is sensible given proximity to sights, if that’s your priority. However, if you look further afield, you might find better accommodation options that meets your needs and are well connected.

I chose to stay at the Enterprise Design hotel on Corso Sempione near CityLife, about a 20 minute tram ride into the city. It was a more residential area, quiet, green, local restaurants and the old tram (stops 1 and 19) stopped almost right outside. Not to mention the hotel itself was beautifully designed with well sized, clean and nicely decorated rooms. The AC worked well (given the heat this was important). I didn’t opt for breakfast but went for a wander to see what I could find nearby.

Food options in Milan

Italian food is one of my favourites and it’s so much more than pizza and pasta! When you come to Milan, indulge in the classics and try some Milanese specialities like Risotto all Milanese or Cotoletta, as well as whatever else catches your eye.

Breakfast in Italy or colazione is quite simple, usually coffee and a croissant which is perfect for me and there are lots of cafes and pasticcerias where you can find this. 

For lunch and dinner, eat what your heart desires. These are leisurely meals enjoyed slowly. A few standout meals for me were:

• Coffee – find the bar/cafe where you have a quick coffee at the bar standing up amongst the locals. 
• Aperitivo – wine with a meal or in true Milanese fashion, an Aperol Spritz with free snacks is a quintessential happy hour activity, especially in the Navigli area. 
• Risotto alla milanese at Locanda Sempione 
• Pesto Cassarecce & Calamari Fritti at Come na Vorta Pasta e Vino
• Pasta all Norma & Prawn Salad at Antica Focacceria San Francesco
• Tea & Pastries at Starbucks Roastery. I have to add that this Starbucks is stunning. 
• Gelato at Ciacco – the best vegan pistachio and dark chocolate gelato hands down. 

Don’t forget to check out Italian supermarkets for snacks, especially the biscuit aisle. 

72 hours in Milan – what I missed

Given I only had 72 hours in Milan, I didn’t want to waste it in transit on day trips, which meant missing out on the stunning Lake Como. Sights I simply didn’t have time for but would love to explore next time include: 

• The Last Supper at the Basilica di Santa Maria Delle Grazie – this must be booked well in advance and is quite expensive.
• Museo del Novocento – I didn’t have time to visit but it’s free on the first Sunday of every month, and apparently has excellent rooftop views of the Duomo rather than going up the Duomo itself. 
• Other neighbourhoods like Isola to see the Bosco Verticale.

It’s ok not to see everything in one visit, in fact I would argue it’s better not to. You might think well I might not ever return here and whilst that may be true, you don’t want to miss out on the magic that lies in giving yourself time to wander with no plan and let a city unfold in front of you. This is really what slow travel is all about.

FAQs

Is 72 hours enough to see Milan?
Yes, 3 days is a great introduction to the city – enough time to see the main sights and explore a little deeper and simply enjoy the city. 

Do I need to book the Duomo or Last Supper in advance?
Yes to the Last Supper, months in advance and if you want to do the duomo rooftop, probably best to book as well especially during busy periods. 

Is Milan just about fashion and shopping?
Not at all. Milan has plenty beyond fashion and shopping from historic sights, interesting architecture, parks, neighbourhoods and great food. 

What’s the best time of year to visit?
Spring and Autumn are generally good times to visit due to milder temperatures. I visited during summer and found that it can get incredibly hot in Milan. 

Is Milan easy to get around?
Yes, Milan has an extensive public transport network from trains, trams and buses, and many of the central sights can be explored on foot.

Is Milan expensive?
I found Milan to be quite moderately priced. Having said that I had just come from Scandinavia so it’s all relative. However, compared with Melbourne local prices, it was reasonable. 

Should I take a day trip from Milan if I only have three days?
Not necessarily. With only 72 hours, I chose to stay in Milan rather than use one of my days for a day trip. There’s plenty to explore in the city itself, particularly if you want to experience more than just the major sights.

Milan is a destination in its own right

Milan isn’t just the Duomo – it’s so much more. Much of what makes Milan special isn’t immediately obvious. You need time to explore, wander and stumble upon things that aren’t necessarily on any list. It’s not just about designer fashion either, but more about design and beauty in general. It’s understated and elegant and its history is well known, whilst continually evolving into a more modern city.

Don’t make the mistake of skipping Milan in favour of other cities. While Italy has so much to offer, Milan deserves a spot on your itinerary in its own right and there’s so much joy in being a part of its heartbeat, even if only for a few days. 

Planning your next trip?
If you’re mapping out your own trip, I’ve created a free 6-question checklist to help you figure out what you actually need from the trip. Get the checklist here.