Ticking off 92 global cities (and counting), Shan has lived in Southeast Asia for six years, including Vietnam and Thailand. She has previously called New York and Durban home. A traveling creative soul, Shan has a serious penchant for delicious words.
No matter where you are in the world, Milan is renowned as one of the globe’s fashion hubs: Hello Milan Fashion Week!
Now, I am a fashion girlie through and through. Therefore, without being too biased, my time in Milan for a 2 days Milan itinerary is a little centered toward all things fashion and design — come on…It’s like visiting Rome and not checking out all of its religious/spiritually-centric sites…Am I right?
You’ll notice that many of the city’s districts boast museums, things to do, galleries, and shops that fill the cup of like-minded travelers. And when there’s fashion involved, there are trendy spots to wine and dine, so you’ll find plenty of these here, too.
Your days will consist of tasting traditional food from Milan and the region, because food is ingrained in Italian culture. But this agenda isn’t just limited to the fashionistas. I’ve also included iconic sites, from Milan’s famed stadium to the Duomo.
Travel tip: Avoid Milan fashion week periods (Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter) as prices go up for accommodation, even restaurants, at the city’s busiest times of year.
One of Italy’s most iconic designers has an entire museum dedciated to him here in Milan (Source: armanisilos)Try risotto, which originated in Milan (Source: vineriaderthona)The Gothic Duomo di Milano (Source: duomodimilano)
Navigli district is home to the city’s canals, which are swarmed with bars and restaurants on either side. It’s got a fab nightlife scene. Stay at Art Hotel Navigli or Milano Apartments Casale. Tortona is for the fashion-loving souls. If you’re a serious player during Milan Fashion Week, this is where to base yourself. But if not, strongly avoid this part of the city during this time. Check into Magna Pars l’Hotel à Parfum.
Centro Storico is the “heart” of the city, with many of Milan’s iconic attractions around this area. I find the accommodation in Centro Storico is more affordable than in other parts. Book accommodation at Hotel Brunelleschi, Duomo Smart Suites, or Missori Suites. Brera is for the artists during your 2 days Milan itinerary! Hotel Milano Castello or Antica Locanda dei Mercanti are lovely options.
(Source: italia.it)
How to get around Milan
Metro and Tram
The metro runs from 6 AM to 1 AM, and has four lines in the city.
The 17 tram routes operate a little earlier, starting from 4.30 AM, and the last lines run until 2.30 AM.
Local buses
Local buses are a wallet-friendly option and include 80 routes. The best tourist-friendly bus is bus 94, covering popular landmarks and the city centre. The bus runs from morning until late at night.
Taxis
Not one for public transport? Uber does work in Milan, or hail down a city taxi. It’s a more expensive option, but then again, taxis always are.
Bicycles and Scooters
The city is bicycle-friendly with a network of outlined bike lanes. Easily rent out one for your 2 days Milan itinerary.
Hiring a scooter is always my favorite way to go when traveling. Living in Hanoi for six years, I feel very comfortable on a moped, as roads can sometimes be confusing. You will need an international license.
Walking
The only free option, walk from A to B.
(Source: italia.it)
Day 1
Morning
Do like the Italians and start your morning with a cappuccino, or espresso, and a cornetto, i.e., the Italian version of a croissant. Fillings like Nutella and pistachio are mega popular. Sit down and enjoy, or grab both for on-the-go.
Milano travel tip: I recommend the latter, as you’ll want to arrive early at your first sightseeing landmark to a) avoid the crowds and b) actually get inside early enough so you don’t waste an entire day waiting in lines.
Bakeries/pasticcerie/coffee shops to visit for the first morning of your 2 days Milan itinerary?
(Source: orsonerocoffee)Paninis are one of the most popular breakfasts among Italians (Source: pasticceriagattullo)Pistachio filled pastries line the windows of most bakeries in Italy (Source: pavemilano)
Now — and I get the chills just thinking about it — are you ready to witness in person one of our world’s most famous paintings ever created…? I’m talking about none other than Leonardo da Vinci’s‘The Last Supper,’ safeguarded right here in Milan! DON’T be foolish and miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I’m sure you chose art/culture/food central Italy for a reason, right?
Kept at the city’s Santa Maria delle Grazie church within the refectory, it forms its own museum. Enter the church freely (doors open at 9 AM). But you have to buy tickets to enter the Cenacolo Vinciano museum, which opens earlier at 8.15 AM. I strongly suggest pre-booking tickets for this — and if you’re here in peak season, purchase these months in advance. Guided sessions are available for an in-depth examination of the painting. But even without a tour guide, it’s hard to pull yourself away from the artwork.
(Source: legraziemilano.it)
All in all, you’ll be here for about an hour. Once you’re done, hit up your next coffee stop at the…wait for it… Lavazza’s Flagship Store! I’m pretty certain any other coffee snobs like me reading this will get excited. After Nespresso, I’m a Lavazza gal through and through.
Mid-Morning
Between you and me, I always prefer to go shopping in the morning whilst I am buzzing and ready to GO! And I mean, you are literally in the fashion capital of Italy!!! From luxury brands to hidden gems, the options are delicious. Don’t pass up the opportunity during this 2 days Milan itinerary.
Start in Milan’s fashion district: Quadrilatero della Moda, also known as the “Quadrilatero d’Oro,” i.e., the Golden Triangle. (It’s a trifecta of a few streets lined with a.m.a.z.i.n.g. shops. These roads include Via Monte Napoleone, Via Manzoni, Via della Spiga, and Corso Venezia.) Don’t be surprised if you spot a sports car or two parked alongside the designer boutique-lined sidewalks. Most of the fancy brands, from Celine to Fendi, are on Via Monte Napoleone.
(Source: italia.it)
Designs are straight off the latest runway seasons. Then, about a ten-minute walk from here is the iconic Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping mall — open since 1877.
Fashionista tip: There are even walking tours of the Golden Triangle and Milan’s most iconic fashion-related spots.
Are markets more your jam? Pick up vintage items and collectibles from these treasure troves:
Milan is home to many cool districts. If you’re still up for more shopping/exploring during this 2 days Milan itinerary, or prefer to skip the high-end business, meander around the Navigli district. Set between two canals, discover vintage and second-hand shops, zany little boutiques, and galleries (as well as cool bars, cafes, and restaurants).
Afternoon
One thing is certain: shopping works up an appetite! I always love sampling the local cuisine in the form of street food for ultra-authentic bites.
Not so keen on the whole street food/market vibes and prefer to give your feet a quick rest? Some wonderful restaurant options for lunch during this 2 days Milan itinerary include: Langosteria (for seafood), Vineria Derthona (for traditional dishes), and Ristorante Il Pansón (run by husband and wife duo).
These three spots are all in Tortona. I specifically chose these eateries. Tortona is the next area up on the exploration agenda for our 2 days Milan itinerary.
When I said Italy was culture-filled, I meant it. Case in point: the Mudec museum. Centering on world cultures, explore all facets of the subject through a series of visual, performing, and sound arts, design, and costume. Spend a good hour or so here.
Create your own perfume during your 2 days Milan itinerary (Source: labsolue)Armani’s designs constantly rotate on exhbition here (Source: armanisilos)The museum highlights cultural aspects from around the world (Source: mudec_official)
Before winding down Day 1 of the 2 days in Milan itinerary, and if you’re just as fashion mad as I am, prepare to fall in love with all things Giorgio Armani at the iconic Armani Silos. (Insert heart eyes emoji.) Chronicling the Italian designer’s career, marveling over his garments on full display is indescribable!
Evening
Before I even get to dinner plans for your 2 days in Milan itinerary, I have a small suggestion…I recommend considering a concert or performance at La Scala, from the likes of Swan Lake to opera. Hop online to see what is showing for any specific date, and most shows are evening, starting around 8 PM.
(Source: teatroallascala)
This will determine/affect your dinner plans. But remember, in Italy, especially in summer, the local way is supper around 10 pm, anyway.
Now, onto tonight’s menu. Let’s start off with the traditional for a taste of classic Milanese-style plates/flavors of the surrounding regions.
Foodie tip: One thing about Italy is that, as a food capital, there are endless restaurants listed by the Michelin. This doesn’t necessarily equate to high prices. I always eat at a few spots where prices average your ordinary restaurant. Of course, the higher the accolade, the pricier things get.
The restaurant serves Milanese style traditional food (Source: trattorialatrebia)Dramatic interiors (Source: contrastemilano_)Milan’s only three Michelin starred restaurant is an experience in itself (Source: enricobartolinialmudec)
For diners after a Michelin experience during your 2 days Milan itinerary, here are some of my top recs.
For rooftop settings and quintessential fine dining feels, head to one-star Sadler.
Contraste is dramatic, classic, modern, and surprising all at once.
Whenever I am in Italy, my entire internal clock gets flipped on its head. I wake up later; go to bed later. You know…the pukka Italiano way. End your first day of your 2 days in Milan itinerary with drinks at a cocktail bar.
There’s only one drink to order from Moscow Mule Bar Milano (no brainer)…1930 Cocktail Bar is a legit hidden speakeasy (here’s the address, because not even maps can pick it up: Via Edmondo de Amicis 22). The mixologists at Backdoor 43serve you through a wooden door window, and the bar dubs itself the “world’s smallest bar.” Lastly, for the dreamers and fantasy-appreciators, grab a round at Nottingham Forest.
Negronis and oysters are a great combo (Source: 1930cocktailbar)Expect dramatic concoctions at this cocktail bar (Source: Nottingham Forest)The bar delivers drinks straight from this window door (Source: backdoor43_milano)
Day 2
Here’s hoping your time isn’t a rushed one and you’re not having to leave the city first thing in the morning.
Travel advice: I mentioned the same thing for Day 1, and it’s because I am speaking from experience. Don’t leave planning and bookings for any iconic city attractions to the last minute, especially the galleries/museums/duomos. I made this mistake my first time in Italy, and hardly got to sightsee any famous landmarks, except from the outside, as I couldn’t get tickets. Luckily, I’ve been back many times since and have never made the same mistake.
Morning
You have the same options for this morning. Grab a quick brekkie and head straight to your first activity for the day. If you don’t have flights to catch and sort of have the whole day to spare, book attraction tickets for a later morning time slot, sleep in, and then head to a cafe for a proper brekkie.
(Source: giacomo_milano)
Good to know: Bacon, eggs, and full English breakfasts are not really popular in Italy. Instead, this country favors sandwiches in all shapes, sizes, and forms, and pastries. I’m not the biggest bread person, and after a while, I started to legit order salad for breakfast.
Some lovely breakfast cafes (with the choice to sit down for breakfast, or enjoy something quick and easy/on-the-run) are:
Signor Lievito is famous for its pastries! Do yourself a favor…
The paninis and bagels from loste café are divine!
Vegetarians, head to fòla; they offer plenty of options.
If you prefer super savory vibes in the morning, try Nowherecafe’s Middle Eastern aubergine dish!
A Nutella-filled pastry (Source: fola.milano)Speck and mozarella sandwich (Source: lostecafemilano)Pastries and iced coffee; a classic Italian breakfast (Source: signor_lievito)
An alternative is to breakfast at Giacomo Caffe’s Literary Cafe, where the atmosphere and decor are a combination of a Viennese café and a French bistro. The best part is that it’s a two-minute walk from Milan’s Piazza del Duomo, which brings me to my next activity.
Constructed circa 1386, the Duomo di Milano is the most stunning example of Gothic architecture, and it is vastly different from some of Italy’s other iconic duomos. Entrance is free. However, the most enthralling parts require entry tickets. This includes its museum, archeological sites, and rooftop terraces for the best viewpoints of its iconic spires.
(Source: duomodimilano)
Completing a tour of the Duomo and exploring its different counterparts, as well as the time it takes waiting in queues, you’ll easily spend three hours here.
Afternoon
If any footie fanatics are reading this, don’t fret. I’ve got you covered for this 2 days Milan itinerary. The city is home to none other than AC Milan. I’m no football freak, but even I know this. Their home turf and training grounds are at San Siro Stadium.
Don’t miss the chance to tour the stadium. There are dedicated stadium tours available, too. Even better yet, you may even be in town during match day!
Art fans will enjoy this museum in Milan (Source: Pinacoteca di Brera)MIlan’s stadium is home to AC Milan (Source: getyourguide)Real life human skulls decorate the walls of this chapel (Source: sanbernardinoalleossa.it)
Soccer (football) not your thing? Tick off some of Milan’s other landmarks before you leave, such as San Bernardino alle Ossa church with its eerie side chapel adorned in real human skulls (not kidding!). Then, in the Brera art district, is the Pinacoteca di Brera art museum. If you still have time, exploring the rest of this creative district is worth it.
Beyond 2 days in Milan
Where are you off to next in Italy? Swap directions and veer down south to the iconic whitewashed conical trulli houses that await you in Puglia for a couple of days.
Swap coastlines and explore the Amalfi Coast in a week, including Positano and Ravello. Are you more of an inland kinda person? Bologna is culture central, especially when it comes to food. It’s less than two hours from Firenze. I highly recommend exploring Tuscany’s capital city. Here’s how to enjoy the ultimate 1-day in Florence.
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