We only had half a day to spend in Milan before our night flight, so we had to be very selective with our time.
We’re showing you exactly what we managed to see, what we think is actually worth doing, public transport you can take if you don’t have a car and what we wouldn’t miss if you only have a few hours in Milan.
And we’re ending with one of the best views of the Duomo, so make sure to read until the end.
Milan Italy in Half a Day?
We were doing a road trip around Lake Como and had a night flight from Milan, so we decided to drive into the city early and spend a few hours exploring before heading to the airport.
Mom and Dad had actually visited Milan a few years ago, but my brother and I had never been, so we were excited to finally see it for ourselves.
Some of the places we were visiting today, they had already seen on their last trip and were really excited to take us and see them again. So you know they must be worth going back to.
Our first stop was Milan’s main train station. They didn’t get to see it last time, but we’d heard it was worth visiting even if you aren’t catching a train.
So we found a parking spot nearby and headed inside.
Train station: Milano Centrale
Milano Centrale was officially opened in 1931 and is now Milan’s main railway station. One of the most important stations in Italy. It has around 600 trains passing through every day, connecting Milan with cities like Rome, Florence, Venice, Lake Como, Switzerland and even Paris. It connects to the city’s metro lines M2 & M3, making it one of Milan’s main transport hubs.
The outside is massive, but once you step inside it looks even bigger. The main roof has a 72-metre-wide span and the front facade is 200m wide.
The main entrance leads into the Galleria delle Carrozze. A huge covered area that used to be accessible to cars and taxis but is now a pedestrian space. From here, you can head into the main station and towards the platforms.
Inside the station…
Inside, the first thing you’ll notice is the enormous main hall. Look up and you’ll see the huge arches and vaulted ceilings. The main train shed has a 72-metre-high arch, the largest of its kind in Italy when it was built. There are also marble and granite details, tall columns, large decorative murals and sculptures throughout the station.
There are also plenty of lounges looking over the platforms, similar to airport lounges. Shops, delis, cafés and restaurants like Pret A Manger, Five Guys and Wagamama. So you can easily spend some time here even if you’re not catching a train.
Shoah Memorial
Another important part of the station is Platform 21, underneath the main station. During World War II, this was used to deport Jewish people and political prisoners to Nazi concentration and extermination camps. Today, the area is the Shoah Memorial, with an original railway carriage and a memorial dedicated to those who were deported. It costs 5-10€ and is open everyday except for Fridays from 10 am to 4 pm.
Parking and Heading to City Centre
After a quick visit to the train station, we headed back to the car and looked for a parking spot closer to the centre. Where we parked was only a 8 min walk to our next stop and a 10 min walk to the Duomo di Milano. If you have time, this parking lot is also right next to the Sforzesco Castle which is a huge medieval fortress with museums and art by da Vinci and Michelangelo, and only costs 10€ to enter.
Starbucks & Italy’s coffee culture
We walked along Via Dante, a shopping and walking street, with stunning old buildings, that connects Piazza del Duomo and Sforzesco Castle. My brother is a big soccer (or football) fan, so we had to stop by the official Inter Milan shop to get him the shirt of the new kit as a souvenir. After that we walked to our next stop which was the Starbucks Reserve Roastery.
If you don’t know what a Starbucks Reserve is, it’s not just a regular Starbucks, it’s more of a coffee experience and Milan has one of five in the world (also in Tokyo, New York City, Seattle and Chicago). It’s a place where you can see coffee being roasted, try many types of coffee and it even has a shop with beautifully designed merch. Coffee mugs, espresso cups, pins, magnets, tumblers, clothes… They also have food, pastries and, in some locations, like this one, cocktails. Milan’s has a designated floor upstairs with a bar when you can sit and enjoy an Aperol Spritz or whatever you like.
We absolutely love coming here, it has such a cool vibe. Just keep in mind it does get very busy and it might take you some time to hunt down a table. We are four people so it usually takes us longer, but we were able to find one under 5 mins at 18:30 on a Tuesday.
Italians are very particular with their coffee, and rightfully so, we’ve had some of the best coffee we’ve ever had in Italy. Italy only has around 60 starbucks across the whole country compared to over a 1000 in the UK or just under 300 in France. So when Italy accepts opening an American coffee chain like Starbucks, you know it’s most probably gonna be good.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is one of Milan’s most famous landmarks. They started to build it in 1865 and it was officially opened in 1867. It was designed by architect Giuseppe Mengoni and connects Piazza del Duomo with Piazza della Scala.
It’s one of Italy’s oldest active shopping arcades, and the huge glass-and-iron roof was very impressive for the 1800s. The central dome is around 47 metres high, so make sure you look up when you’re inside.
Today, you can walk through the Galleria, admire the architecture, browse some of the world’s biggest luxury brands, or stop for a coffee or pastry. You’ll find names like Prada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Giorgio Armani, Loro Piana and Tiffany & Co. inside. Prada has actually had a shop here since 1913, so there’s a lot of fashion history in this one building
The Galleria has also had its Hollywood moments. It was featured in the 2021 film House of Gucci, starring Lady Gaga and Adam Driver. And if the Galleria looks familiar in Wonka, that’s because it was actually used as inspiration for the film’s Galeries Gourmet set.
Marchesi 1824
One of the cafés we recommend visiting inside is Marchesi. It’s one of Milan’s most historic pastry shops, and it has been around since 1824. They’re known for their pastries, cakes, chocolates, panettone and coffee.
But honestly, the interiors are worth visiting on their own. Think pastel green, marble, gold details, chandeliers and beautiful pastry displays. It has that classic, elegant Milanese feel.
There are a few in Milan, but the Galleria location is especially pretty because you can sit inside the café and look straight out into the Galleria.
Duomo di Milano
The Duomo is probably the most famous landmark in Milan. Construction began in 1386 under Gian Galeazzo Visconti, the ruler of Milan at the time, and it took almost 600 years to complete. It was built using Candoglia marble instead of the traditional brick, with the marble brought in from quarries in northern Italy.
Today, the Duomo is one of the world’s most famous Gothic cathedrals and is a symbol of Milan. It has more than 3,400 statues and 135 spires. And right at the top is the famous golden Madonnina statue.
If you have limited time, I’d definitely see it from Piazza del Duomo. If you have more time go inside and, if you can, head up to the rooftops. You can walk among the spires and statues while getting some great views over Milan.
Tickets can be bought online, and prices start at €10 for the cathedral and museum. Rooftop tickets start at €16 by stairs or €18 by lift, while combination tickets with the cathedral start at €22.
Pro tip: Avoid the rooftops around the Duomo
There are quite a few rooftop bars and restaurants around Milan with incredible views of the Duomo. The downside is that many of them are quite expensive and can feel like tourist traps.
You are mainly paying for the view, so if that is what you are looking for and you don’t mind paying a bit more, it can still be worth it.
We went to Terrazza Aperol a few years ago for an Aperol Spritz and actually really enjoyed the vibe. So if you just want to have a drink with a great view of the Duomo, this can be a good option.
We always recommend checking the latest Google or Tripadvisor reviews before going somewhere we haven’t tried. It is a simple way to make sure the experience is still worth the price.
What if I don’t have a car in Milan?
If you don’t have a car like we did when visiting Milan, don’t worry. While most of these places are within walking distance to each, there are plenty of public transport options you can choose from. We suggest using the trams and trolleys or renting city bikes.
One thing we love about Milan’s trams is how many different types you can see around the city. You have the old-fashioned trams, which almost reminded us of the ones in Lisbon, alongside much more modern ones, and they can all be running on the same lines. In the few hours we spent in Milan, I don’t think I saw two trams that looked the same!
We recommend downloading the Milan Metro app, which has maps and information for the metro, buses and trams. But if you have the time, we recommend taking the tram or even renting a bike. You get to see much more of the city than you would underground. For the city bikes, which are all over the city, download the app bikeMi. You can get a day pass for 4.50€, valid for 24h, with unlimited use for up to 2 hours each. The service is available every day from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.
Is it worth it if you just a short time?
Even if you only have a few hours, we highly recommend visiting Milan. Most of the main sights are within a short walking distance of each other, so you can still see quite a lot in a short amount of time.
Personally, if we have the chance to visit a new city, even if it’s just for a few hours, we take it. You don’t always need to spend several days in a city to enjoy it.
That being said, Milan is also a great base for exploring more of Italy, with trains connecting you to places like Rome, Florence and Lake Como.
As we mentioned, we just did a road trip around Lake Como, so stay tuned for that because we’ll be sharing it soon.
Visiting Rome from Milan?
And if you’re planning to visit Rome from Milan, read all about everything you need to do if you only have one day in Rome.
Safe travels!
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