In April, we embarked on a long weekend adventure to Milan, one of Italy’s most renowned cities. While we’ve explored various parts of Italy in the past, Milan had remained on our travel wish list. Famous for its thriving fashion industry and its status as one of Europe’s financial hubs, this trip was an exciting prospect.

Day 1

Our journey to Milan began early on a Thursday morning, filled with hopes of making the most of our first day. Choosing Linate Airport, conveniently located close to the city center and well-connected via public transport, enabled us to maximize our time. This airport is much more convenient than other ones around Milan (Bergamo and Malpensa).

Exploring Modern Milan & the Bosco Verticale

After checking into our hotel, we opted to start with the more contemporary side of Milan. Our first stop was the famous Bosco Verticale, a vertical garden building. Even though we had seen it countless times on Instagram, witnessing it in real life was captivating. We couldn’t help but wonder what it’s like to live there.

Mercato Centrale Milano

Our next destination was the central station, home to a well-known food market (Mercato). Italian cuisine never disappoints, and this market was the ideal place to sample a variety of dishes of exceptional quality. It’s the perfect spot for lunch, and the only dilemma was choosing from the incredible options available.

It’s essential to be aware that finding the Mercato Centrale Milano can be a bit of a challenge. We, too, encountered some difficulty locating it. We spent a fair amount of time circling the central station in search of its entrance. In the end, we discovered that it wasn’t situated inside the station itself but rather on one of the station’s walls. It’s worth noting that you don’t need to venture to upper or lower levels of the station; the market is situated on the ground level. Once you’ve located the correct entrance, you’ll be able to enjoy the culinary delights and diverse dishes it has to offer!

Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper

Following a delightful lunch, we made our way to see one of Milan’s most famous pieces of art, Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper. This mural is renowned worldwide, and it’s considered one of the most famous paintings of all time. It’s a masterpiece not only in terms of art but also for its historical significance, having miraculously survived the bombing of Milan during World War II. It’s a crucial piece of Renaissance art, known for its depiction of perspective and human emotions.

Access to the room with the mural featuring Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper is tightly controlled due to its exquisite historical significance, which requires special airlocks to maintain the proper environmental conditions. Furthermore, the painting’s global renown means that there is a restricted number of tickets available to visit it. Consequently, booking your tickets well in advance is absolutely imperative.

In our case, we hadn’t made advanced reservations, but we managed to secure a guided tour through the Get Your Guide app. To our pleasant surprise, this guided tour turned out to be an even more enriching and immersive experience than visiting the site independently. It’s important to note that these guided tours, just like individual visits, also require advance booking due to the limited availability of slots. So whether you decide to go solo or opt for a guided tour, make sure to secure your tickets well ahead of your planned visit to this iconic masterpiece.

Castello Sforzesco

En route to see the Last Supper, we strolled through Castello Sforzesco, once the residence of one of Italy’s most influential historical figures, Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan. The structure is truly impressive, and it was one of Europe’s largest citadels at a point in history. We decided to explore the area without entering the museums located inside, as you can experience a significant portion of the site without purchasing a ticket.

Evening in Naviglio

Naviglio is one of the trendiest areas in Milan, situated around a canal lined with numerous bars on both sides. The area exudes a relaxed vibe, and it’s the perfect place to sip on an Aperol Spritz and soak in the atmosphere. However, it can be challenging to secure a spot, and the quality of drinks in some bars might not be up to par, so checking Google Maps ratings can be helpful.

Trattoria Bolognese da Mauro

After a full day of exploring, we indulged in dinner at Trattoria Bolognese da Mauro, a restaurant we had booked several weeks in advance. This restaurant is a hidden gem, renowned for its affordability and the cozy ambiance that makes you feel as if you’re dining at your grandmother’s house. The food is some of the best we’ve ever tasted, served in generous portions reminiscent of a home-cooked meal. Due to its immense popularity, booking well in advance is essential to secure a table. The effort is undoubtedly worthwhile!

Day 2

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

On the following day, we set off towards Duomo, making a stop to visit one of the oldest shopping galleries in the world. Built in 1877, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is now home to mostly luxury brands, but its magnificent architecture also makes it a tourist attraction. Entrance to the gallery is free, so you can take a leisurely stroll through the grand space.

Il Duomo (Milan Cathedral)

The Milan Cathedral, known as Il Duomo, is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks and proved to be a highlight of our trip. We had purchased tickets well in advance, allowing us to explore the roof and basement in addition to the cathedral itself. The roof offers a fascinating perspective of the city, although there can be some waiting time to access it. The basement, however, may not be as captivating, so if time is limited, it’s an area you can consider skipping.

The cathedral is famous for the nearly six centuries it took to complete its construction. This extended period saw various architectural styles blended into the structure. The Milan Cathedral embodies the city’s history, reflecting both its prosperous eras and challenging times under foreign rule, when resources and time were scarce. It stands as a central point in Milan and is a must-visit for anyone exploring the city.

La Scala tour

La Scala is one of the world’s most renowned opera houses. Initially constructed in the 18th century as a place for the city’s elite to gamble (permitted only during performances), it evolved into one of Europe’s leading musical venues thanks to a series of accomplished conductors. While you can purchase tickets to attend an opera concert, there is a strict dress code to adhere to, depending on the event. If you don’t have formal attire on hand, you can opt for a regular visit. During rehearsals, you may have the chance to enter the balconies and catch a glimpse of the performance for a few minutes. Keep in mind that, during official performances or premier rehearsals, tourist entry may be restricted.

Brera district walk

To conclude the day, we explored Brera, the designer district of Milan. The area boasts numerous intriguing shops, although prices can be on the higher side. Nevertheless, it’s well worth the stroll, offering a glimpse into Milan’s exceptional design craftsmanship. Additionally, you’ll find several charming restaurants in the vicinity, though be prepared for potential wait times.

Day 3

On the third day, our initial plan was to venture beyond the city’s limits for a day trip to locations like Lake Como, Bergamo, or the Serravalle Designer Outlet for shopping. However, due to train-related issues, we were unable to make the trip to Lake Como and ended up losing a substantial amount of time. Consequently, we decided to remain in Milan and explore some of its less frequented areas.

Vintage shops

Our first stop, not exactly my preference, was a selection of vintage shops in the city center. Milan, a city passionate about fashion, offers excellent stores where you can purchase high-end brands at very reasonable prices. It might require some rummaging through the racks, but based on what I’ve heard, it’s well worth the effort. The best vintage shops can be found along Via Lambro.

Villaggio Via Abramo Lincoln

We then ventured to an area that resembled a place in Cuba with its colorful houses and palm trees. It was hard to believe we were still in Milan. It’s a really nice spot for some pictures!

Giardino delle Culture

Adjacent to Villaggio Via Abramo Lincoln, we discovered a small square adorned with captivating murals. It’s an interesting sight to behold if you’re in the vicinity, although it may not warrant a visit solely for this attraction.

Ambrosian library

To cap off the day, we headed to the Ambrosian Library. Unfortunately, we were running quite late and didn’t have ample time before closing. Nevertheless, we focused on the library’s primary highlight—a collection of sketches by Leonardo da Vinci. Viewing his work up close is an awe-inspiring experience, as the precision of his drawings appears almost computer-generated, rather than created by human hands. Additionally, the fact that he wrote and drew everything in reverse (as if in a mirror image) to deter others from understanding his work is a testament to his genius. I wholeheartedly recommend visiting this location and allocating more time than we had; we felt rather rushed, and there’s much more to see than just the sketches!

Day 4

Free City tour

On our final day, we participated in a free city tour booked through Sandemans. It proved to be an excellent choice, as it provided valuable insights into the history of Milan and its landmarks. Our guide was entertaining and offered intriguing information about the city, with a fascinating tidbit being that the artist who crafted the Statue of Liberty was inspired by a sculpture on the Duomo. We concluded our guided tour with a newfound appreciation for Milan.

After the tour, we returned to our hotel and made our way to the airport. Our few days in Milan were truly enjoyable, and we look forward to returning in the future. Milan, with its rich history, vibrant culture, and captivating landmarks, has a lot more to offer than meets the eye.