Italy’s style-and-finance capital rewards more than a shopping stop — gothic spires, Da Vinci’s Last Supper and canal-side nightlife. Here are the best things to do.
The 8 best things to do in Milan
Italy’s gothic masterpiece — walk among the spires on the roof terraces.
Da Vinci’s fresco at Santa Maria delle Grazie — book weeks ahead.
The glass-domed 19th-century shopping arcade beside the Duomo.
The legendary opera house and its museum.
A vast castle housing museums and Michelangelo’s final Pietà.
The canals — Milan’s best aperitivo and nightlife after dark.
The arty quarter with the Pinacoteca gallery and elegant streets.
An hour by train to Bellagio, Varenna and lakeside glamour.
Suggested itinerary
Day 1: Duomo + rooftop, Galleria, Sforza Castle, Navigli aperitivo. Day 2: Last Supper, Brera, or a Lake Como day trip.
Tips for visiting Milan
- Book Last Supper tickets well in advance — they sell out
- Do aperitivo in Navigli — a drink comes with a generous buffet
- Trains from Centrale reach Lake Como, Venice and beyond fast
Milan FAQ
How many days do you need in Milan?
Two — the icons and Navigli, plus a Lake Como day trip.
Is Milan worth visiting?
Yes — the Duomo, the Last Supper and Lake Como access make it more than a shopping city.
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Written by
John Morrison is the founder and lead travel writer at Packzup. Over the past decade he has explored destinations across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania — always self-funded, never on a press trip.