As one of Europe’s most popular cities, Milan offers a potent blend of culture and history. With an exhaustive number of churches, museums, parks, and other attractions, the city draws tourists by the millions each year with many repeat visitors. There’s much to pack into a short trip, so we’ve compiled a shortlist of ‘What to do in Milan over 3 days’, which will help you navigate this visually stunning city by day and at night.
What to do in Milan in 3 days: sorting out your travel arrangements
Milan is a busy city most times of the year and is one of the most sought-after destinations for continental travel. We recommend booking your reservations several months in advance. This affords the advantage of obtaining the cheapest available fares and rates for flights, accommodation, and car hire. Plus, you have the luxury of time to change plans should the unexpected occur. Below, are some essential links to assist with sorting out your travel arrangements.
Things you should know before travelling to Milan
Pick up some Euros to avoid unnecessary charges on your debit/credit card and have a universal adaptor for charging your electronic devices. We also recommend purchasing a handy tourist map and a 3-day MilanoCard for unlimited free rides on all forms of municipal transport (rail, metro, tram, and bus). Spring and autumn seasons are ideal for escaping the summer crowds and heat with average temps between 10-20°C, though April and May are among the wettest months.
Entrance fees are required at several of the city’s top attractions, but the MilanoCard offers discounts on many choice sights. Restaurants usually offer service from 20:00-23:00, with several clubs and bars open until 03:00 or later.
What to do in Milan for 3 days. Day 1: Afternoon
Milano Centrale Station is the perfect place from which to launch your city adventures. The terminal provides handy left luggage facilities and important transport links all over town. Montanelli Gardens near Porta Venezia Metro Station is a short ride from Milano Centrale, and within its boundaries are Milan Natural History Museum and Milan Planetarium.
Also nearby are Galleria d’Arte Moderna and Palazzo Castiglioni. The prestigious art gallery Pinacotera di Breca is a short walk west, and houses several masterpieces including works by Della Francesca, Bellini, and Raphael. Majestic Castello Sforzesco at the southern end of Parco Sempione ranks as one of Milan’s most iconic and cherished landmarks and also holds several important collections. Apertivo (pre-dinner drinks) is a serious ritual in Milan, so wrap up your explorations by 18:00 then head to the nearest cafe and enjoy some refreshments Milanese style.
Day 1: Evening
Milanese cuisine is renowned all over the world and there’s no shortage of eateries whether you’re hugging a shoestring budget or relishing the urge to splurge. Risotto and tiramisu reign supreme at most city establishments.
A cluster of restaurants surrounds the magnificent Duomo as a perfect backdrop for your dining pleasure. Eataly and Ristorante Valentino Legend easily come to mind, but if you want to eat with the locals try the pizza at Da Pino. An evening stroll is a great way to aid digestion.
If you’re lacking the energy for a late-night romp, a boat ride along the Navigli Canal prepares you for bed and an early morning start. For those with a taste for night-time excitement of a different sort, sign up for the Milan Dark Ghost Tour on Foot to discover some of the eerie episodes in the city’s history or take the family on a Milan Treasure Hunt.
What to do in Milan over 3 days: Day 2: Morning
After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast, it’s time to really get down to exploring Milan. If you lack the mood to contend with crowded exhibits and such, there are several places offering spectacular vistas of the city. The Duomo terraces provide fascinating views of its awe-inspiring towers and much more.
Similarly, the panorama from the observation deck at Palazzo Lombardia shouldn’t be missed. As an outdoor alternative, climb up San Siro Mountain and feel the wind in your hair while enjoying the beauty of the natural surroundings.
Day 2: Afternoon
The afternoon period is generally the time to go shopping since most people are either sitting at cafes or taking a break to enjoy a siesta. Iconic names like Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, and Armani permeate the Quadrilatero del Moda fashion district but there are several reasonably priced boutiques to be found elsewhere.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele is another of the city’s premier attractions, in addition to being the oldest and most visited shopping centre in Milan. It offers breath-taking design architecture, as well as multiple floors of stores and outlets. You can also locate several restaurants and cafes at the Galleria for some much-needed refreshments after completing your rounds.
Day 2: Evening
Give yourself a few hours of downtime before heading out to enjoy your second evening in town. Milanese love their sports and the city has two championship Serie A teams in A.C. Milan and Inter Milan, so check the schedules to see if there are any evening matches at San Siro (Stadio Giuseppe Meazza) to catch either team in action. Post-dinner, take a Milan Segway Activity Tour by Night as a unique way to observe the city’s activity and architecture under the lights and save your legs to savour the pulsating Milan nightlife.
VibeRoom throbs with reggaeton and RnB while Alcatraz and Tunnel Club trip out on EDM and techno. If you have less stamina for an all-nighter, the Best of Milan Walking Tour with Skip-the-Line Ticket to Duomo and ‘Last Supper’ is a cool way to see the city at night and check a few items off your must-see list.
What to do in Milan for 3 days. Day 3: Morning
We wouldn’t blame you for having a late start after the previous night’s blowout, but there’s still much to see and do in the remaining hours. Souvenir shopping or relaxing in a city park is ideal.
At the northern end of Parco Sempione, you can find a plethora of shops to pick up souvenirs and other bric-a-brac for family and friends, then take a few selfies at Arco della Pace. Pallazina Appiani Museum and Basilica Corpus Domini are two attractions just steps away, but further inside the park are Ponte delle Sirenette and Anfiteatro del Parco, which are delightful treasures.
Just outside of Arco della Pace are several restaurants you can choose to sit for lunch. ParcoMilano serves great pizza and Pisco Cucina di Mare excels at seafood.
Day 3: Afternoon
In addition to its many museums, Milan also has several spectacular churches. West of Zone 1 near the Duomo you can start at Basilica San Lorenzo Maggiore then make your way north to Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio before making your way to Santa Maria delle Grazie.
San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore may appear unassuming on the outside, but inside you’ll marvel at its collection of frescoes and vaulted-ceiling chapels. Depending on the time of your flight you may have time to discover more of Milan’s attractions or tidy up your shopping list before making preparations for the departure home.
We hope this list inspires you to discover some of the very best the city of Milan has to offer. The city is a wonderful weekend break or short trip whether traveling solo, either with your significant other or the entire family.
Don’t stress yourself out if you’re not able to complete your itinerary or discover other fascinating sights and activities that couldn’t fit on your list. Now you have the perfect opportunity for a longer follow-up visit to get it all done. Enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of magnificent Milan and make your time there memorable.
