See The Best of Milan in One Day
One day in Milan!? Is that all? So much to see, and so little time…
With Rome and Florence to compete with, Milan is one of the most underrated cities in Italy.
It is a great metropolis, where art and design collides with shopping. It also has some of the best restaurants and bars. Many travelers are in town for business or a short time, so make sure to use this itinerary to guide you for one day in Milan.
Tips for a perfect day in Milano
9:00am Breakfast
Head to one of the city’s historic bars and cake shops for a Milanese breakfast. Since the 1950s, the Pasticceria Cova (Via Montenapoleone 8) sits right by the famous opera house, La Scala on the fashionable Via Montenapoleone. Sip an espresso or cappuccino and order a brioche or cornetto.
10:00am Duomo di Milano
The famous Duomo di Milano (the monstrous cathedral that is the centerpiece of Piazza Duomo) has striking gothic spires that can be seen from a distance. It’s free to walk in every day between 7am-7pm. Head up to the terrace for unrivaled views of the city (€9 for the stairs, €13 for the elevator). On the same square, you won’t miss the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. It is one of the world’s oldest shopping malls with a glass dome, cast iron roof and mosaic tiles. A true architectural marvel.
1:00pm Lunch with a view
Right in the Galleria head to the Aperol Terrace for a lunch with a view that cannot be beaten! You can almost touch the Duomo from here (Piazza del Duomo, Milan). The classic Aperol Spritz costs €8, pasta and risotto ranges from €10-€14 and sandwiches from €8- €14.
4:00pm Fondazione Prada
Milan is Italy’s fashion capital. The famous Prada complex, Fondazione Prada (Largo Isarco 2, Milan), sits in a 24-carat gold-covered building of course! It’s as flashy as you’d expect from one of the most famous fashion houses in the world. It has an exhibition space, a museum and a café.
6:00pm Aperitivo at Ceresio 7
It doesn’t get more stylish than a rooftop bar complete with a pool. Enjoy an expertly mixed cocktail at Ceresio 7 (Via Ceresio 7), the view and the bars snacks.
8:30pm Dinner
Treat yourself with a special dinner in the fashion street Via della Spiga at the Caffe Baglioni (Via Senato 5), order a classics, Risotto alla Milaneseor or Cotoletta alla Milanese.
11:00pm Milan after dark
Check out the Navigli canal area in south west Milan for one of the best cocktails in town at Mag (Ripa di Porta Ticinese, 43, Milan).
Shopping
The Quadrilatero d’oro (the golden rectangle) is the most famous fashion district in Milan. All Italian and international fashion brands (Prada, Armani, Gucci, etc) have their stores there. For high street brands, visit Corso Buenos Aires or Corso Vittorio Emanuele II. For independent or alternative the Brera area.
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