Are you in Milan for a short time and want to see as much of the city as possible? Here are the 10 places to see if you are visiting Milan for a day or a short weekend and want to take it easy.

Consider carefully how much time to devote to each place: there are monuments that deserve to be visited and explored in depth. Others are worth a quick glance. And then there are those that probably don’t interest you and you won’t even visit.

So here are the 10 places to visit in Milan in one day.

The Duomo and the Piazza

The starting point can only be Piazza del Duomo, with the church that is the symbol of the city. There is an entrance fee and there are different types of tickets: the cheapest ones only include access to the cathedral, while the more expensive ones also allow you to visit the crypt and climb up to the terraces to see the spires up close. The top version saves you from climbing the steps and takes you to the roof of the Duomo in a comfortable lift.

Even from the outside, however, Milan Cathedral impresses with its Lombard Gothic architecture and tall spires. The marble used to build it is quarried in Val d’Ossola, about an hour and a half’s drive from Milan: in past centuries, it was transported by water, using Lake Maggiore, the Ticino and the Navigli canals.

The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele

Next to you is the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, Milan’s “elegant living room”. While always paying attention to what is going on around you (pickpockets are a real danger here, especially when there are a lot of people), take some time to look at the floors, the decorations on the walls and, above all, the splendid ceiling.

Around you are luxury shops and restaurants. And don’t miss the people doing a pirouette with their heel on the spot on the floor where a bull’s testicles are depicted on a shield. Tradition says it brings good luck.

Crossing the entire Galleria from the Duomo, you arrive at Piazza della Scala, with its famous theatre (you can also visit Teatro La Scala). There is also a statue dedicated to Leonardo da Vinci with his four disciples (the smaller statues around him).

The Castello Sforzesco – Sforza Castle

On your way to the Sforza Castle, you will pass through Piazza Cairoli, with the Starbucks Roastery and a series of historic buildings, and Via Dante.

The Castello Sforzesco in Milan can be visited freely in the outdoor areas and courtyards. There is an entrance fee: the main attractions are Leonardo da Vinci’s Sala delle Asse and several museums, one of which displays the Pietà Rondanini, Michelangelo’s last unfinished statue.

Beyond the castle is Parco Sempione, one of the largest and liveliest green areas in the city.

Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper

Leonardo’s Last Supper is probably the most famous work of art in Milan. It is an iconic image that is very present in popular culture.

The Last Supper is located in the same complex as the Church of Santa Maria alle Grazie, but has a separate entrance. You need to buy an entrance ticket and it is advisable to book well in advance, as there is a maximum number of visitors allowed in every 30 minutes or so.

We recommend booking, but you can also try going to the ticket office and asking if there are any free places, perhaps due to a last-minute cancellation or a “no show”. This is more likely to happen when the site opens or closes.

Piazza Gae Aulenti and Porta Nuova

Here, the atmosphere changes completely. The Porta Nuova district, between Porta Garibaldi and Piazza della Repubblica, is undergoing redevelopment, which has led to the construction of several buildings that have become symbols of Milan.

Modern buildings and architecture that house the offices of large companies and shops. It is impossible not to notice the UniCredit Tower in Piazza Gae Aulenti, where there are several places to have a coffee, ice cream or quick snack.

A short walk away, you can also see the Bosco Verticale, a strange building resembling a wicker basket (the IBM Studio), towering residential buildings (the Torre Solaria) and several other modern offices.

Brera and the Pinacoteca

The Brera district, a stone’s throw from the Duomo, is a historic and predominantly pedestrian area of Milan. It is home to the famous Pinacoteca (recommended for art lovers, especially those interested in ancient and Renaissance art) and offers a pleasant stroll among craft shops, restaurants and bars.

It is very popular with both tourists and Milanese alike, a sign that it is truly a pleasant place to spend a few hours.

Via Montenapoleone

Lovers of luxury shopping, this place is for you. Via Montenapoleone is one of the four streets in Milan that make up the “Quadrilatero della Moda” (Fashion District), home to the most exclusive shops of Italian and international designers.

Whether it’s for shopping or window shopping, a visit to this area is a must for fashion enthusiasts.

The Navigli

Around these ancient waterways and the Darsena, there is plenty of life at all hours of the day and even most of the night. Bars and restaurants alternate. There are also some interesting hidden places, such as Vicolo Privato Lavandai, where you can see how clothes were once washed in Milan.

On the way to the Navigli from the Duomo, you will come across interesting churches and monuments, such as the Church of San Lorenzo with its Roman columns and the Basilica of Sant’Eustorgio.

CityLife

This is another recently built neighbourhood, the result of a property redevelopment that is still ongoing. Getting off at the MM5 Tre Torri underground station (or arriving on foot), you will find yourself surrounded by a park and three skyscrapers. Around them are some extremely modern luxury residential buildings.

There is also a shopping centre, called CityLife like the rest of the neighbourhood, with shops selling major brands and a food court full of options if you fancy lunch or a snack.

San Siro

Finally, one of the temples of Italian football. The Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, known as San Siro after the neighbourhood in which it stands, hosts the matches of Milan and Inter, the two main football teams in Milan.

Its architecture is well known to football fans: there have been discussions and political debates about the future of the stadium for years. San Siro is much loved in the city but is now quite old.

It is therefore worth visiting now, while it is still in full swing. There are organised tours that also include memorabilia and souvenirs of the teams.

If you prefer to enjoy a guided one-day tour of the city, here is a suggestion: