Travel Guide & 1-Day Itinerary for Milan, Italy (An Easy Day Trip from Lake Como)

Milan has a way of surprising you. It’s a city where grand history and everyday Italian life blend effortlessly—one moment you’re standing beneath the intricate spires of the Duomo, and the next you’re sipping an aperitivo along one of their canals. If you only have one day in Milan, don’t worry: it’s still enough time to experience the city’s highlights, from rooftop views at the Milan Cathedral and wandering the lively Navigli district, to grabbing an unforgettable sandwich at All’Antica Vinaio, exploring the Sforza Castle, and even rolling up your sleeves for a hands-on cooking class. This one-day itinerary focuses on the best things to do in Milan, helping you soak up its culture, food, and charm—without feeling rushed.

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Table of contents:

1. 5 Unforgettable Things to do in Milan.
2. 1-Day Itinerary for Milan.
3. Park & Ride + Train/Metro Tips for Exploring Milan
4. References
5. The Wrap up

1. 5 Unforgettable Things to do in Milan:

1. Take a tour of the Milan Cathedral and its roof top terraces:

Milan’s Cathedral, the Duomo di Milano, is one of those places that makes you stop mid-stride and just stare. Construction began in 1386 and stretched on for nearly six centuries, resulting in a stunning mix of Gothic ambition and Italian flair. Its beautiful 135 marble spires are crowned by the Madonnina, a golden statue of the Virgin Mary that quietly watches over the city. Built almost entirely from pale Candoglia marble—hauled in by canal—the Duomo isn’t just Milan’s most iconic landmark, it’s a symbol of the city’s patience, pride, and love of grandeur. Climb to the rooftop terraces and you’ll find one of the most unforgettable views in the city. This is a definite must do in Milan, we purchased our tickets through Get Your Guide, which included a timed entry, the terrace climb and the churches self-guided interior tour. We booked it early, so we could start out here. It is quite a one-of-a-kind sight. The Piazza del Duomo and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele ll (shopping centre) are both worth a little of your time, so while you’re here, make sure you at least take a quick look around. The grandeur of this area is amazing.

2. Explore the Navigli District:

We spent part of the day wandering around Navigli, and it felt like a calmer, more lived-in side of Milan. The canals are lined with colorful buildings, small bridges, cafés, and shops, making it an easy area to explore at a slow pace. Without the evening buzz, it was all about strolling, grabbing a coffee, and watching everyday life unfold along the water. It’s relaxed, charming, and a nice contrast to Milan’s busier, more polished neighborhoods. We really enjoyed our daytime exploration here; it gets quite busy and is most popular in the evenings for locals and tourists who want to have an aperitif by the water. It is walkable from the Cathedral, or you can take a metro to speed things up.

3. Visit Sforza Castle and Sempione Park:

Sforza Castle is a big reminder of Milan’s past, originally built in the 14^th century as a fortress and later home to the powerful Sforza family. Walking around the massive walls and through the courtyards, it’s easy to imagine how important this place once was to the city. Just behind it, Sempione Park feels like a complete contrast — a former hunting ground that’s now a wide, open space where locals relax and enjoy the outdoors. We loved how the area moves naturally from centuries of history straight into modern Milan life. Definitely worth a visit, you can either explore the castle from the outside an inner courtyard or if you have the time and interest, you can get tickets with an audio guide and explore the museums inside the castle.

4. Lunch at All’Antico Vinaio:

All’Antico Vinaio may have started in Florence, but its Milan location fits right in with the city’s fast-paced, food-loving culture. The original shop traces back to a historic wine business founded in 1865, with the iconic sandwiches coming later, built on simple Tuscan ingredients and freshly baked schiacciata (flat bread). Today, grabbing one in Milan feels like tasting a piece of Florence’s food history, just with a Milanese backdrop — busy streets, possibly long lines, but a sandwich that’s very much worth the stop.

5. Cooking Class:

We took the pizza and gelato making class at the Towns of Italy Cooking School located at the Mercato Centrale, which is located in the same building as the Milan central train station. We booked it though Get Your Guide. We did the 3:00pm 3 hours class, which included dinner (pizza and gelato) and lots of wine. Our instructor was great, fun, and informative, there were about 15 of us in the class, which worked well. We highly recommend this class; it makes a fun late afternoon activity. There are other times to choose from, you could pick a later 6:00pm class to spend more time exploring Milan during the day or choose the 11:00am class and spend the evening in the Navigli district, perfect for an aperitivo. They also have pasta making classes, as another option. You can also book through Viator or Expedia, all 3 are companies we use to book activities.

2. 1-Day Itinerary for Milan:

A Perfect 1-Day Milan Itinerary (With Walking & Metro Tips)

If you only have one day in Milan, the key is smart planning—and luckily, many of the city’s highlights are close enough to explore on foot or made a little faster by metro. This itinerary balances iconic sights, amazing food, and a hands-on cultural experience, all without feeling rushed.

Start: Milano Centrale Station

Milano Centrale is both your arrival and departure point. Start as early as you can, once you get to central station, allow a few minutes to orient yourself or grab a quick coffee inside the station. Depending on which Park & Ride you are using, it might make more sense to go straight to the Duomo Metro Station instead of Milan Central, so take a look at the Metro map before you go.

Getting to the city center:

• Metro: M3 (Yellow Line) from Centrale FS to Duomo
• Travel time: approximately 10 minutes
• Walking: optional (about 40 minutes)

Stop 1: Duomo di Milano (Cathedral, Terraces, Piazza & Galleria)

Estimated time: 2–3 hours.

The Duomo is Milan’s most iconic landmark and deserves a generous visit. Begin the tour by heading to the north side of the Cathedral, that is where the Terrace entrance should start, but always check your tickets for your meeting point, climb up to the Duomo terraces, where you can walk among the spires and enjoy panoramic views over the city. Next, you’ll work your way down into the cathedral interior, take time to admire the scale, stained glass windows, and intricate details. Tickets need to be purchased in advance, we used Get Your Guide.

Afterward, spend a few minutes in Piazza del Duomo, a lively open square, perfect for photos and people-watching. From the piazza, walk directly into the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Even a short stroll through the Galleria allows you to appreciate its glass dome, mosaics, and historic elegance.

Metro stop: Duomo (M1 Red Line or M3 Yellow Line)
Walking notes: All sights here are connected and walkable.

Stop 2: All’Antico Vinaio (Lunch)

Estimated time: 30–45 minutes.

From the Duomo area, head to All’Antico Vinaio (Via Lupetta 12) for one of Milan’s most popular sandwiches. Expect a casual, fast-paced experience with a possible line up, especially around midday, if you arrive late morning, you may beat the crowd. These sandwiches are large and filling, making this an ideal quick lunch before continuing the day. There is a piazza just down the street, which is a perfect place to stop and eat your sandwich.

Quick Tip: When you’re waiting in line, look up the menu for the sandwich shop on your phone and be ready to order, it makes things go faster and less stressful when there is a line-up of people behind you.

Getting there:

• Walking: approximately 5 -10 minutes from the Duomo
• Metro: not necessary, due to close proximity.

Stop 3: Navigli District

Estimated time: 1.5–2 hours.

Next, travel to the Navigli district, known for its canals, creative energy, and relaxed atmosphere. Spend time walking along Naviglio Grande, browsing boutiques, galleries, and second-hand shops, or stopping for a coffee and treat or aperitivo by the water. This area offers a slower pace and a nice contrast to the historic center.

Getting there:

• Metro: M1(Red Line) Duomo to the M2 (Green Line) Cadorna FS to Porta Genova FS (Navigli)
• Travel time: approximately 15–20 minutes from the Duomo area
• Walking: optional (about 25–30 minutes) We walked taking photos along the way.

Stop 4: Sforza Castle & Sempione Park (Optional Last Supper)

Estimated time: 1–2 hours.

From Navigli, head back toward the city center to visit Sforza Castle, one of Milan’s most important historical sites. Walk through the castle’s courtyards and admire the exterior or explore one of the museums if time allows. Continue directly into Sempione Park, located just behind the castle, for a relaxing walk or short rest in this pretty green space.

Optional addon stop: If time and interest allow, you could walk over to the Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Grazie (church) from the castle to see the famous painting by Leonardo da Vinci, The Last Supper. It’s about a 15 mins walk each way. You would need to purchase these tickets in advance. Address is Via Giuseppe Antonio Sassi 3.

Getting there:

• Metro: M2 from Porta Genova (Navigli) to Cadorna FN (Sforza Caslte)
• Travel time: approximately 10 minutes
• Walking: about 30–35 minutes

Stop 5: Mercato Centrale – Cooking Class with Towns of Italy

Estimated time: 3 hours.

Return to Milano Centrale Station for your late afternoon/evening activity at Mercato Centrale. A cooking class with Towns of Italy provides a hands-on introduction to Italian cuisine and doubles as dinner. This is a convenient and memorable way to end the day without needing additional travel. (The doors are on the NorthWest side of the building, and on the second floor).

Getting there:

• Metro: M2 or M3 from Cadorna (Sforza Castle) to Centrale FS (Cooking Class)
• Travel time: approximately 10–15 minutes
• Walking: about 40 minutes

End of Day Options

After the class, you can enjoy a drink near Milano Centrale, take an evening walk around the station area, or take the Metro back to the Navigli area for some good nightlife. Alternatively, after your class you could simply catch the train back to the park and ride or your accommodation.

One day in Milan might be short, but done this way, it’s unforgettable 🇮🇹✨

Book before you go:

For any activities or tours you’d like to do, like the Milan Catherdral tour, any of the Museums at the Sforza Castle, the Last Supper or the Cooking Class, they will have to be booked online in advance. Check them out on one of these trusted sites, Get Your Guide, Viator or Expedia. Or checkout the cities tourism website: yesmilano

3. Park & Ride + Train/Metro Tips for Exploring Milan:

Visiting Milan by car for the day can be much easier if you park outside the city and take the train in — Milan’s traffic and limited-traffic zones (ZTL) can be stressful and expensive to navigate. Rather than hunting for downtown parking, try one of these strategies:

Suburban Train Stations with Parking

Monza

Best overall option

• 10 minutes to Milano Centrale
• Very frequent regional & commuter trains
• Multiple parking garages near Monza station
• Super straightforward if arriving from the north or northeast.
• Very popular choice

Rho Fiera

Best overall from the west

• 20–25 min to Milano Centrale (it’s possible to take the M1 Red line straight to the Duomo stop)
• Trains + metro connections
• Huge, well-signed parking areas (built for events/fairs)
• Direct access from the A4 & A8 highways
• Best in the west

Saronno Station

Great from the north or west

• 30 minutes to Milano Centrale
• Regional connections (every 30 mins)
• Covered parking (Autosilo Saronno)
• Highway access

San Giovanni Station, Como

Great if coming from Lake Como

• 40 to 70 minutes to Milano Centrale
• Regional Connections
• Parking at and near station
• In the town of Como

We were staying in Lezzeno, so drove to San Giovanni Station in Como and took the train right into the Milan Central Station, we booked our tickets in advance on the OMIO app, which is what we use for all train travel in Europe. Worked well!

**When driving in Italy, make sure you get your International drivers license, before you go, if you every get stopped by the police when driving, that is what they will want to see.**

 Quick Tips for a Smoother Day

• Park at a station on a commuter rail line rather than right in the city — you’ll avoid traffic, parking headaches, and restricted zones.
• Consider timing: trains generally run early into the evening but check the last return time if you plan to stay late.
• If you’re staying near Lake Como, parking at a local station like San Giovanni, Como can be easier, then hop a train down to Milan for your day trip.

Milan Metro Lines & Ticket Tips

Milan’s metro system is clean, efficient, and easy to navigate, making it ideal for a one-day itinerary. Most major attractions are well connected, and using the metro will save you a lot of time and energy.

Metro Lines Used in This Itinerary

You’ll mainly be using three metro lines during the day:

• M1 (Red Line) – Historic center & shopping areas
• M2 (Green Line) – Navigli & Sforza Castle
• M3 (Yellow Line) – Duomo & Milano Centrale

Milan Metro Ticket Tips

• Single Ticket: Valid for 90 minutes, including transfers between metro, tram, and bus.
• Day Pass: A 24-hour ticket is usually the best value for a one-day itinerary like this, especially if you plan on 3+ metro rides, cost is 7.60 euros and 24 hours starts at first validation/use.
• Where to Buy:
  • Metro station ticket machines
  • Newsstands (edicole)
  • Or through the ATM Milano transit App

Helpful Tips for First-Time Visitors

• Validate your ticket at the station, before first use.
• Keep your ticket with you until it expires—random checks happen.
• Metro stations are color-coded and clearly signed, making transfers easy.
• During rush hours (8–9 am and 5–7 pm), trains can be crowded, and may have line ups to get on, but they move fast.

Using the metro strategically lets you spend less time commuting and more time enjoying Milan’s food, history, and atmosphere—exactly what a one-day trip should be about.

Passport Tip: Always carry your passports with you, but keep them somewhere safe, in your money belt, in a lockable backpack or travel purse. The police can randomly ask you for them and if you don’t have them, it can cause you problems. We got asked for ours in the Milan Central Station, luckily, we had them, so it was not a problem.

4. References:

When planning our Milan travel planning, we leaned on a mix of trusted guidebooks, including DK Eyewitness Travel Italy, DK Eyewitness Top 10 Milan, Lonely Planet Milan, and Rick Steves Italy, which helped shape our itinerary, neighborhood choices, and must-see sights. In addition to the books, it’s helpful to reference official tourism websites, (yesmilanoit/en.) museum and attraction sites, public transportation resources (like Milan’s metro maps and fare info), and a few local food or culture blogs. Travel forums, Google Maps for driving and walking distances, and tour apps for the activities. As well, this is the itinerary we used for our fun day in Milan, and enjoyed how well it worked.

5. The Wrap up:

Milan proves that even a single day can deliver iconic sights and unforgettable flavors if you plan it right. Begin at the stunning Duomo di Milano, then refuel with a legendary sandwich from All’Antico Vinaio before heading to the canals and lively atmosphere of the Navigli district. In the afternoon, explore Sforza Castle and unwind in the surrounding park, and finish the day on a high note with an Italian cooking class for a hands-on cultural experience. For logistics, avoid driving into the historic center if possible—park at a metro-connected garage outside the ZTL and use Milan’s efficient metro system to move easily between stops. It’s a perfectly balanced one-day itinerary that captures Milan’s history, energy, and love of food. Thank you for taking this journey with us, we hope this helps you plan your own amazing adventure!

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Thank you,

Beth de Verteuil

Wild Meadow Studio

Plan. Travel. Capture.

www.wildmeadowstudio.com