11 Ideas of What to Do in Milan in 24 Hours

Milan is one of the main hubs of Europe, and one of the fashion capitals of the world. This Italian city is very easy and cheap to get to, making it the perfect place for a stopover. Having less than 24 hours in Milan is common for travelers that want to use Milan for a layover, and has happened to us several times.

In fact, we use skyscanner all the time to find the cheapest flights throughout Europe, and continually find ourselves visiting this city over and over. It is the perfect place to give yourself a few hours, or full day or two. If you find yourself staying here on a layover, don't waste your time in the airport! Get out and explore this beautiful city.

Here are some of our favorite things to do with just 24 hours in Milan.

How to Get to Milan From the Airport

If you're flying into Milan and have a short layover, there are a few things to keep in mind. There are three airports in the area, some further from the city than others. Here is what you need to know for getting into the center from each airport.

How to Get to Milan City from Milan Linate

The closest airport to the city of Milan is Milan Linate, which is just 11 km from the city. In order to get to the center you can take a public bus 73, taxi, or Uber.

How to Get to Milan from Milan Malpensa

Milan Malpensa is the next closest option, at 51 km from the city, and is the major International hub. You can hop on the train straight into the center from the airport in little over than a half hour.

How to Get to Milan from Milan Bergamo

Bergamo Airport is only 1 kilometer further than Malpensa, but it much more inconvenient to travel from. That being said, you can still arrive into the city in less than an hour. Trains leave Bergamo and finish at the Terravision bus stop. 

From here, you can walk to the metro to get closer into town, which is just a. few stops away. The walk is about a half hour, but we're sure you don't want to do that if you are carrying luggage with you.

Want to know more about the transportation schedules and prices? Click Here.

What to Do in Milan, Italy

Now you've made it to Milan! Now What? Wondering what to do in Milan exactly? Here are 11 different ideas of how to spend a day in this trendy Italian city.

1. Visit the Famous Duomo

When people picture Milan, this is exactly the picture that comes to mind. The Duomo is one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the world, and is right in the center of the city. Entrance to the inside is free, and for an additional 13 euros you can access the gorgeous rooftop. 

Not only is the inside stunning, but the outside architecture has enough beauty in itself to make you want to stare at it forever. For a beautiful backdrop, there are surrounding cafes inside the plaza where you can relax and admire its beauty.

If you have a very short time in the city, and want to know what to do in Milan for the first time visiting, then this is it. Visiting the Duomo should definitely be the first thing you have on your list.

2. Take a Lucky Spin

Located right next to the Duomo, lies the beautiful Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. The Galleria is full of high end shops, and exquisite decor,  which is a reason in itself to visit. Legend has it, that if you take a spin on the picture of the bull on the floor, it brings you good luck!

With less than 24 hours this is something you can check out right after seeing the Duomo, with plenty of time to do other things in the area.

3. Have a Drink at the Aperol Spritz Cafe or Terraza Duomo

We're not going to lie- having a meal in the dead center of a city normally isn't on our list. The food is usually overpriced, and mediocre at best,

However, there is nothing like relaxing with an Aperol Spritz and having the stunning Duomo as your backdrop. Especially if you only have 24 hours in Milan, we definitely suggest maximizing your time and taking advantage of the center.

Both the Aperol Spritz Cafe and Terraza Duomo have a similar view of the Duomo, with balconies that face directly towards the breathtaking cathedral. Grab a drink and enjoy the view!

4. Walk Along Naviglio Grande

This beautiful canal is located about 15-20 minutes by metro from the center, or just 35 minutes by foot. The canal is a bustling area lined with plenty of shops, restaurants, and bars with outdoor seating. 

Every last Sunday of the month, there is also a market that takes places here, hosting around 350 different stalls. If you happen to visit during the end of the month, this would definitely be something cool to check out!

5. Have a Traditional Aperitivo

Want to know what to do in Milan in the afternoon? Well, he aperitivo might be one of our favorite things while visiting Italy. The aperitivo occurs between lunch and dinner hours, usually right after people get out of work, and is the Italian form of Happy Hour.

Friends and family get together and have a drink, whether it be the typical Aperol Spritz, a glass of wine, or a local beer. The best part about this, is that only in certain areas of Italy do they really do the aperitivo in the best way possible.

For just the price of a drink and cover charge, there is food included. Some places will bring you finger food and snacks, such as nuts or chips, and others will have a full buffet included.

Head over to Naviglio Grande for the best selection of restaurants hosting aperitivo each evening, for under 10 euros! Sometimes we end up eating and drinking so much that we actually end up even skipping dinner. This is definitely worth it though for a layover of just 24 hours in Milan.

6. Watch Opera at Teatro alla Scala

Teatro alla Scala is one of the most famous opera houses in the world. Being in Milan, it is definitely worth checking out this beautiful building, and if you have time, one of its great shows. We would definitely suggest this is you have a little more than a day and want to know what to do in Milan for fun.

7. Check out the Views from Torre Branca

Torre Branca is an iron panoramic tower located in Parco Sempione, which is the main city park of Milan. For just 6 euros, you can go to the top, and have some of the best views of Milan.

8. Visit Castello Sforzesco

This castle is located in the center of Milan. It is not too far from the Duomo, making it the perfect stop for a short 24 hours in Milan. You can walk 15 minutes, or take the M1 line on the metro for just 5 minutes. 

Castello Sforzesco was originally a Visconti fortress, and it now holds a palace, museum, and beautiful gardens. The castle is open from Thursday to Sunday, and has an entrance of just 5 euros.

9. Check Out the Vertical Forest

Designed by Boeri Studio, the Vertical Forest is a model for a sustainable residential building, that is covered in greenery. Bosco Verticale is located in the Porta Nuova district of Milan, hosting 800 trees, 4,500 shrubs, and 15,000 plants.

Take the metro to Porta Nuova, check out the shops and restaurants, and enjoy the view of these beautiful and environmentally friendly pair of towers.

10. Visit the Town of Monza

Already seen the highlights of the city and want to know what to do in Milan's surroundings? Located right outside of Milan, just a half hour by train, lies the cutest little Italian village. Check out the castle and gardens, or just enjoy the charming streets of this pretty little town.

We like this as a day trip if you have already seen the city another time, and looking for something a bit different for your 24 hours in Milan.

11. Take a Trip to Lake Maggiore or Lake Como

Have a long layover or a couple days, and wondering what to do outside the city? Then go outside and enjoy the beautiful nature that Italy's northern city has to offer.

These two lakes are located both just an hour and 1/2 from Milan, and make for the perfect day trips. Take a cable car to the top of Como, or island hop around Lake Maggiore. Both are great places to visit with their own charm, and deserve a full day each.

What to Do in Milan in 24 Hours

Milan itself may have less iconic places to visit within it's city limits than other cities throughout Europe, but it nonetheless is a place to add to the bucket list. Picking a few of these, you can easily make the most out of your stay of 24 hours in Milan.

Now that you know what to do in Milan, you can choose an itinerary that fits the amount of time that you'll be in town.

What to do in Milan: Our Suggested Itinerary

We suggest visiting the Duomo and Galleria  del Vittorio in the early morning when there are less people, and taking a trip to either Monza or one of the lakes during the day. Head back to Milan for the afternoon, grabbing an aperitivo by Naviglio Grande, and grab some drinks at night. 

If you have more time, we suggest spending one full day in Milan and Monza, and one each at the surrounding lake towns.

Now that you know what to do in Milan, you can plan for the rest of your travels!

We hope you're excited for your time in the fashion capital of the world. Italy has some amazing cities, and we have plenty of other guides for other awesome spots throughout the country. Want to also see more great cities in Europe? Click here!

Do you want help planning your trip? How about saving on your flights? Well, with Scratch Your Mapa Travel Planning Services we can help you build your dream trip for less. Want to learn more? Just click here to get started.

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