Two days is enough to see the best of Milan without rushing. This itinerary keeps the walking sensible and groups sights by area — the historic centre on day one, then art, canals and the modern city on day two. Adjust the timings to your pace.
Day 1 · The classic centre
Duomo & rooftop terraces
Start early to beat the crowds. Visit the Gothic interior (free) first, then take the lift or stairs up to the rooftop terraces to walk among the spires with panoramic views over the city. Allow 1.5–2 hours for both.
Galleria & Piazza della Scala
Walk through the spectacular 19th-century glass-domed arcade — free to enter. Find the mosaic bull on the floor and spin on it for luck, then continue to Piazza della Scala and the world-famous opera house, whose museum (€9, open daily) is well worth the visit. 45–60 min.
Lunch in the centre
Head into the streets off the Duomo or towards Brera for lunch. Try a classic risotto alla milanese or a cotoletta, and stay off the main tourist piazzas for far better value.
Sforza Castle & Parco Sempione
Explore the great 15th-century Sforza fortress — the courtyard is free, while the seven museums inside (including Michelangelo's unfinished Rondanini Pietà) need a ticket. Unwind afterwards in Parco Sempione behind it, with the Arco della Pace at the far end. Allow 1.5–2 hours.
Aperitivo in Brera
Milan's evening ritual: a Campari spritz or Negroni served with complimentary snacks. Brera is the elegant choice — wander the cobbled artists' quarter and settle in on a side street at golden hour.
Dinner in Brera
Round off the day at one of the neighbourhood's candlelit trattorias, tucked along the quiet lanes away from the busy central square.
Day 2 · Art, canals & the modern city
The Last Supper
Leonardo da Vinci's fragile masterpiece in the refectory of Santa Maria delle Grazie. Each group gets exactly 15 minutes inside, so arrive 15 minutes early for your timed slot. The church exterior and Bramante's sacristy are free to visit.
Pinacoteca di Brera
One of Italy's finest galleries, in the heart of Brera — Raphael's Marriage of the Virgin, Mantegna's Lamentation of Christ and Hayez's The Kiss. Allow 2 hours, or swap it for the Leonardo science museum if you prefer hands-on exhibits.
Read the Pinacoteca di Brera guideLunch & a wander
Eat around Brera, then browse its design shops and independent boutiques along the quiet side streets.
Quadrilatero della Moda
Window-shop the golden rectangle of high fashion — Via Montenapoleone, Via della Spiga and Via Sant'Andrea — Milan at its most elegant, whether or not you buy.
Porta Nuova & Bosco Verticale
See Milan's future face: the award-winning Vertical Forest towers and the gleaming plazas of Piazza Gae Aulenti, a striking contrast to the historic centre.
Aperitivo on the Navigli
Finish beside the canals — the city's most atmospheric evening scene. Aperitivo from 6pm, dinner from 8pm; stroll along the Naviglio Grande and pick any of the restaurants on the water.
Practical tips
Let a local guide handle the highlights — and book the Last Supper before it sells out.