Milan, Italy 3-Day Trip Guide – Best Things to Do & See
Of Italy’s many beautiful cities, Milan is one of the most well-known thanks for being the home of Italy’s stock exchange and fashion and design capital, which attracts visitors from all over the world. Popular for its high-end shopping and dining, the city is also full of historical attractions and monumental sites. With plenty of attractions, no one can be bored of Milan. From culture and art to history and nightlife there is so much to see. With our curative Milan 3-day itinerary, there are numerous destinations in this city to explore. With so much to cover in just 3 days, you can book a rental car and make the most of your time there.
Complete Milan, Italy 3-Day Itinerary
Day 1 : Piazza del Duomo
Start your Milan trip with one of the city’s most magnificent spots, the Piazza del Duomo. This great wide square sits in the heart of the city center and has a glorious Milan’s Duomo. This lavish Gothic cathedral almost took 600 years to complete and contains over 3,000 statues, 700 figures, and 135 gargoyles. The Cathedral is one of the largest churches in the world, and its elaborate Gothic architecture is a delight to watch. The exterior of the cathedral is as beautiful as its interior. On clear days, you use the stairs or take the escalator to the rooftop and get the breathtaking views across Milan.
Sforzesco Castle and Parco Sempione
Dated back to the 15th century, Milan Castle is a museum nowadays. You can walk around the old walls and towers and also learn about its history. Visiting the castle garden is free, however, you need to pay to visit the exhibitions. In front of Sforzesco Castle is a beautiful fountain.
At the back of the castle is Parco Sempione- the biggest urban park in Milan. It is a great place to play, relax, and drink with friends. Explore it on foot and then enjoy by bringing a bottle of wine with you or buy some beers from the shops.
Piazza Dei Mercanti
Located near the Duomo, Piazza dei Mercanti is another of Milan’s picturesque squares. Once the heart of medieval life in the city, the square was a bustling city and home to the city’s commercial and governmental center. The Piazza is surrounded by and home to some of the most prominent medieval buildings in the world like the Loggia degli Osii and the Palazzo Della Ragione.
Da Vinci’s Last Supper
Head to the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria Delle Grazie to see Leonardo Da Vinci’s masterpiece, The Last Supper. This 15th-century painting is one of the top things to see in Milan. You can admire its beauty by getting your tickets in advance. So plan it well, and visit the official website where you have all the information about tickets, visiting time, and the rules you need to follow to visit this priceless piece of history and art.
Day 2 : Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Opened in 1867, the gallery of Vittorio Emanuele II is a must-see place in Milan and you can’t avoid being in awe of such a majestic structure. Nestled beside the Duomo Cathedral, this four-story double arcade mall has the most luxurious shops and restaurants in Milan. Go for the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II Rooftop to get the best views of Milan.
Basilica San Lorenzo Maggiore
Visit another church, Basilica San Lorenzo Maggiore, which dates back to 402 A.D. and is one of Milan’s most important cathedrals. Outside the church, you’ll find the Colonne di San Lorenzo- another historic landmark worth checking out. This row of columns is ancient Roman ruins which were actually relocated here back in the 4th century and are still standing in such good condition.
Bosco Verticale
In the Porta Nuova Isola, the area stands one of Milan’s coolest new additions, the Bosco Verticale (Vertical Forest). These two towers that are respectively 80 and 112 meters high are just as many vertical hanging gardens as they are residential buildings. The towers house a total of 800 trees, 5,000 shrubs, providing an amount of vegetation equivalent to 30,000 square meters, concentrated on 3,000 square meters of urban surface. It’s an extremely cool concept and looks even cooler in real life, with lush greenery bursting from the white balconies of these twin looming towers.
Teatro Alla Scala
To class things up a little in Milan, plan a night at the opera at Teatro Alla Scala. This 18th-century opera theater in Milan was part of the Habsburg Empire and was founded by Archduchess Maria Theresa back then. While you could go during the day to take a tour of this grand establishment, it’s not quite the same as seeing people fill its glorious balconies and witness a world-class performance in person.
Day 3 : Lake Como
Spend your last day in Milan shopping and seeing attractions that are little outside the city. One such attraction is Lake Como of northern Italy, which has become very popular recently. This lake has become popular by being a setting in one of George Clooney’s many homes and the James Bond film Casino Royale. You catch a glimpse of the high life along with some breathtaking scenery to marvel at. Take a stroll through the town’s narrow streets of town Como before bursting out onto its wonderful waterfront.
Bergamo
Plan a visit to the small city of Bergamo. Not only it is convenient to be there, but also because it is a fantastic place to see. Divided into a historic upper district and a modern lower district, Bergamo is a perfect destination to discover on foot.
You can visit the Città Alta, Bergamo’s historic quarter. Passing through its narrow streets, pay a visit to the city’s many monumental landmarks, that include Bergamo Cathedral. Head to the Torre Civica bell tower to get the stunning views from the top. There’s also Viscontea Fortress, which has a wonderful history and views worth checking out. There are many local boutique stores and art galleries in the streets of Bergamo. At last, pay a visit to the Torre dei Caduti, a tower that honors the fallen soldiers of WWI.