Visiting Milan in 48 hours
Milan is renowned as a hub for finance and fashion, but the city offers much more than just these two aspects. It was once the capital of the Western Roman Empire and played a significant role during the Italian Renaissance. As Italy’s second-largest city, Milan attracts travellers with its accessibility and charming Italian atmosphere.
There’s plenty to see in Milan, even if you only have 48 hours. To make the most of your visit to Milan, grab this city guide and put on your walking shoes to explore!
Duomo di Milano
The Duomo is likely Milan’s most iconic landmark and a perfect starting point for your trip. Be cautious of the pigeon seed scammers in the square outside.
I would recommend going inside the Duomo if you have time- its interior is magnificent. Tickets need to be bought online but you can also go up on the roof (terrace) which I loved- I got full-on Hunchback of Notre- Dame vibes. It’s also a great spot to check out views over Milan. You can take the stairs or elevator to the roof- we chose the stairs as it was cheaper.
The Navigli
Think you need to visit Venice to enjoy Italian canals? Think again! The Navigli are a great place to visit after wandering around the city. Take a gentle stroll and enjoy them with an aperitif. You can get there by taking tram number 2, metro 2 and bus 91 and 98. I suggest visiting here in the evening, as the canals look beautiful after dark.
The Italian Lakes
You might need longer than a day in Milan to do this, but this is probably my favourite thing I did whilst in Milan. Lake Como is less than an hour away from Milan and is worth a visit. We went with a tour company, but it is possible to visit via train.
We stopped off first to take a boat trip across Lake Como. This was stunning and worthwhile. I recommend bringing a jacket as it can get chilly on the water!
We also spent some time in the charming little town of Bellagio. My advice is to grab a coffee and spend time looking out at the clear waters.
Lake Lugano
Milan is well-located if you want to nip over the border to Switzerland and enjoy some of the lovely towns and cities there. Lugano is also close enough to Lake Como to see both in one day. Lake Lugano is a lot less touristy than both Milan and the Italian Lakes, but still very pretty. Make sure you visit one of the chocolatiers dotted around the town centre.
Sforzesco Castle
Built as a fortress in the fourteenth century, Sforzesco Castle is one of Milan’s most important landmarks. It houses several museums including the Museo d’Arte Antica (Museum of Ancient Art) and temporary exhibitions, but seeing only the outside and the interior garden is also quite interesting. The fountain is beautiful and looks impressive lit up at night.
The closest Metro stops to the castle are Cadorna and Cairoli on the M1 line or Lanza on the M2. Cairoli will bring you out at the park entrance, whereas Cadorna and Lanza are close to the gates.
Park Sempione
This is a super cute green space around the back of Sforzersco Castle. It is home to Arco della Pace or Arch of Peace, which was built as a tribute to Napoleonic victories. Great for relaxing in when visiting the city centre and something that can definitely be fitted into 48 hours in Milan.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
A gorgeous shopping centre which serves as the backdrop to many Instagram photos. The interior is stunning. Just be warned that it gets very busy, so do be mindful if you want to take pictures. Even if you’re not into shopping (like me), it’s worth visiting alone for its architecture.
Brera district
This was an unexpected treat. I loved wandering the Bohemian district of Milan, which reminded me of Montmartre in Paris. Explore the winding streets of this quarter and enjoy the romantic charm. There are plenty of cafes and shops to enjoy, so I suggest you head here for lunch.
Sant’Ambrogio Basilica
This church was a great find, worth visiting for its stunning mosaics. You don’t need too long here, so very easy to fit in if you only have 48 hours to visit Milan.
Home page – Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio (basilicasantambrogio.it)
Milanese cuisine
Risotto alla Milanese is one of Italy’s most well-known dishes that I particularly wanted to try. I managed to sample one in Osteria Italiano. It was velvety smooth and full of flavour, which is characteristic of any Risotto all Milanese.
Other typical Milanese dishes include Cotoletta alla Milanese, which is covered in egg and breadcrumbs, as well as. Ossobuco (veal shank). Also whilst in Milan, you should try Mondeghili. They are rolled meat, bread and eggs and come from the Milanese tradition of not throwing anything away.
Tips for visiting Milan
- Milan is handily served by the Metro, so make a point of using it.
- Tickets for Leonardo Da Vinci’s most famous work The Last Supper need to be booked a couple of months in advance. Therefore, I haven’t included that here.
- Don’t order a latte if you actually want one- you’ll end up with a glass of milk instead. If you want a coffee with milk, make sure you order a cappuccino (more foam) or caffé latte (less foam), a caffé macchiato (espresso with a little milk), or a latte macchiato (hot milk with a little coffee).
- There are some beautiful old-school trams in Milan- try and take one if you can.
What would you suggest doing in 48 hours in Milan? Let me know in the comments below!
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