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Italy

Milan

Fashion, design and a landmark cathedral

Last reviewed: 3 September 2026

Recommended stay: 2–3 days
Best time to visit: April–June and September–October
Airports: MXP

Milan at a glance

Milan is design, fashion, business and art: landmark architecture, creative neighbourhoods and a city that moves on metro and trams. The historic centre is compact enough to walk; the wider city needs the network.

Quick information

Recommended stay2–3 days

Best time to visitApril–June and September–October

AirportsMXP

Budget travelAbout €100–200 per person per day, excluding flights; accommodation, shopping and reserved attractions affect the total most.

Spring and early autumn usually suit walking and outdoor dining. Summer can be hot, while winter is cooler and often works well for museums, shopping and cafés.

Plan your visit

Airport to centre

Malpensa Express

Direct train from Malpensa Terminals 1 and 2 to Milano Centrale and Milano Cadorna

Operator fareTransport

Must-see sights

Milan Cathedral and terraces

Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery

La Scala Theatre

Sights

One-day itinerary

Morning: Visit Duomo and its terraces with a reservation, then walk through Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.
Lunch: Stop for lunch on the way to Brera.
Afternoon: See Teatro alla Scala from outside and explore Brera; choose a gallery visit if time allows.
Evening: Walk around Castello Sforzesco and Parco Sempione before dinner nearby.

Itineraries

Best areas to stay

Centre and Duomo
Centro e Duomo
The landmark core puts major sights close together, with premium prices and daytime crowds as the trade-off.
Best for
First visit and maximum walkability
Brera
Elegant lanes near the Pinacoteca, within walking distance of the centre and castle.
Best for
Art, restaurants and evening atmosphere
Navigli
Lively evenings and waterside restaurants; choose a side street if late noise matters.
Best for
Canals, aperitivo and nightlife
Porta Venezia
A well-connected district with Liberty architecture, shops and a broad restaurant scene.
Best for
Transport, diversity and local dining
Central Station
Milano Centrale
Practical for trains and airport coaches; compare the exact street and recent accommodation reviews.
Best for
Rail connections and early departures

Approximate budget

Budget
€90–150
per day, per person
Simple accommodation, bakeries or quick meals, public transport and mostly free walks; excludes flights.
Mid-range
€160–280
per day, per person
Comfortable room, sit-down meals, transport and selected museums; accommodation usually drives the total.
Comfort
€320–550+
per day, per person
Central higher-end hotel, restaurants, taxis and several reserved cultural experiences.

Airports

Last reviewed: 3 September 2026

MXP
Milan Malpensa Airport
50 km from city centre

Airport to city transport

Last reviewed: 3 September 2026

OptionTimePrice

MXP

Malpensa ExpressMXPTickets are sold online, in the Trenord app, at machines and at authorised retailers. A Malpensa Express ticket does not cover travel around Milan or to stations outside the line.
Direct train from Malpensa Terminals 1 and 2 to Milano Centrale and Milano Cadorna
Operator fare
Details
Tickets are sold online, in the Trenord app, at machines and at authorised retailers. A Malpensa Express ticket does not cover travel around Milan or to stations outside the line.
Licensed taxiMXPUse the official taxi rank, or book through the 02 7777 service or the MiT app. Fixed fares apply to some journeys between the airport and Milan.
Road journey to the city; time depends on traffic
Fixed airport fare where applicable
Details
Use the official taxi rank, or book through the 02 7777 service or the MiT app. Fixed fares apply to some journeys between the airport and Milan.

Getting around

Last reviewed: 3 September 2026

OptionTimePrice

MetroThe quickest option for longer journeys. Use a valid ticket or contactless payment correctly at the gates and keep the same payment device throughout.
Frequent service across the main urban corridors
Use the current ATM urban fare
Details
The quickest option for longer journeys. Use a valid ticket or contactless payment correctly at the gates and keep the same payment device throughout.
Tram and busTrams are useful and atmospheric in central districts; buses fill network gaps. Validate or activate tickets as instructed before or when boarding.
Journey times vary by route and traffic
Use the current ATM urban fare
Details
Trams are useful and atmospheric in central districts; buses fill network gaps. Validate or activate tickets as instructed before or when boarding.
WalkingDuomo, Galleria, La Scala, Brera and Castello Sforzesco combine well on foot. Use public transport between the centre, Navigli and modern districts.
Best between central sights
Free
Details
Duomo, Galleria, La Scala, Brera and Castello Sforzesco combine well on foot. Use public transport between the centre, Navigli and modern districts.

Places to visit near Milan

Travel times are approximate and depend on traffic and timetables.

Nature
Lake Como and Bellagio
Lago di Como e Bellagio
Distance
Approximately 50–80 km depending on destination
Travel time
Approximately 40–90 min to the lake, plus ferry time
Best transport
Train to Como or Varenna, then ferry where useful
Como is the easiest rail day trip; Bellagio adds a ferry connection and needs an early, well-paced plan.
Lake scenery, elegant towns and ferry views make this the classic escape from Milan.
Lake views and a scenic full day
Full day
- Como waterfront
- Varenna or Bellagio
Culture
Bergamo
Distance
Approximately 55 km
Travel time
Approximately 50–70 min by train
Best transport
Direct regional train, then local bus or funicular
A practical rail day trip pairing the upper walled Città Alta with the lower modern city.
Medieval streets and broad views
Full day
- Città Alta
- Piazza Vecchia
Day trip
Turin
Torino
Distance
Approximately 145 km
Travel time
Approximately 1–1.5 h by fast train
Best transport
Direct intercity or high-speed train
A realistic but substantial rail day trip for arcades, cafés and a focused museum choice.
Museums and elegant urban architecture
Full day
- Historic arcades
- One major museum
Nature
Lake Maggiore
Lago Maggiore
Distance
Approximately 70 km to Stresa
Travel time
Approximately 1–1.5 h by train
Best transport
Train to Stresa, then seasonal boat services where operating
Boat routes and island access vary by season, so check official sources.
A calmer lake option centred on Stresa, promenades and views toward the Borromean Islands.
Waterfront scenery and a slower pace
Full day
- Stresa promenade
- Island views
Culture
Verona
Distance
Approximately 160 km
Travel time
Approximately 1 h 15–2 h by train
Best transport
Direct fast or regional train
A realistic full-day rail trip for the Roman arena, river views and a compact historic centre.
Roman heritage and a walkable old town
Full day
- Arena di Verona
- Adige river views

More ideas

Monza
A nearby city with a historic centre, royal villa and large park.
Distance
Approximately 20 km
Travel time
Approximately 15–30 min by train
Best transport
Regional or suburban train

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Milan at a glance

Quick information

Plan your visit

Airport to centre

Must-see sights

One-day itinerary

Best areas to stay

Centre and Duomo

Brera

Navigli

Porta Venezia

Central Station

Approximate budget