Milan Cathedral
Historic Site
Start at the Duomo, whose marble façade and roof bristle with statues and spires. The terraces bring you among the stonework; choose a cathedral-and-terraces ticket if you want both parts of the visit.
Milan in 3 Days: Art, Architecture and the Navigli
Milan rewards an interest in art and design, from the Duomo's marble spires to Brera's galleries. This three-day route pairs the big sights with neighbourhood walks and evenings beside the Navigli canals.
3
Day 1 — Duomo route
Day 1 — Duomo route
Museo del Novecento
Museum, Art Museum
Across the square, this museum follows Italian art through the twentieth century, including Futurism. Its upper galleries also frame the Duomo, so there is little extra walking between the two visits.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Shopping Mall, Landmark
$$$
Walk through the glass-roofed arcade towards La Scala, looking up at the dome and mosaics. The architecture is the attraction here; a shopping stop is optional.
Teatro alla Scala
Theatre, Performance Culture
The theatre museum covers opera, performers and the history of La Scala. An evening performance is a separate booking; this daytime route is built around the museum.
Day 2 — Brera and Castello
Day 2 — Brera and Castello
Pinacoteca di Brera
Art Gallery, Museum
$$
Begin with the gallery’s Italian paintings, including works by Raphael, Mantegna and Caravaggio. This is the main indoor visit of the morning, above the courtyard of the Brera palace.
Brera
Suburb, Core Attraction
Walk the streets around the art academy after the gallery, then head west towards the castle. The small shops and lanes give this part of the day a different pace from the museum rooms.
Sforza Castle
Castle, Museum, Historic Site
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The fortress courtyards lead to several museum collections. Choose the collection that interests you rather than treating every museum as a compulsory visit, then leave towards Parco Sempione.
Sempione Park
Park, Garden
The park runs directly behind the castle. Cross its lawns and paths towards the Arch of Peace, with the castle towers behind you.
Arco della Pace
Monument, Landmark
Finish the walk at the neoclassical arch on the park’s western edge. The surrounding square is a good place to stop before returning to the centre.
Day 3 — Navigli route
Day 3 — Navigli route
Colonne di San Lorenzo
Monument
The Roman columns stand in front of San Lorenzo, at the northern end of today’s route. Look across the square to the basilica before continuing south towards Sant’Eustorgio.
Basilica di San Lorenzo Maggiore
Place of Worship, History Landmark
Step inside the basilica beside the columns for its domed interior and early Christian history. The two stops belong together, rather than as separate journeys across the city.
Chiostri di Sant'Eustorgio
Museum
The former monastery houses the Diocesan Museum, beside the church of Sant’Eustorgio. Choose a museum visit or continue through the surrounding streets towards Darsena and the canals.
Naviglio Grande
Park
From Darsena, follow the canal west past bridges, waterside houses and former workshops. This saved point is farther along the canal; the walk starts at the central dock, near Sant’Eustorgio.
Optional extras
Optional extras
Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio
Place of Worship, History Landmark
An alternative for an interest in Milan’s early history, with a Romanesque church and arcaded courtyard. It fits between the centre and Navigli rather than requiring an out-of-town journey.
Fondazione Prada
Museum, Museum Gallery
Choose this contemporary-art complex instead of part of the Brera day if modern work interests you more. It lies south of the centre and needs a separate metro or tram journey.
Triennale Milano
Museum
This design and art venue sits on the eastern side of Parco Sempione. Substitute its exhibitions for a castle museum visit, then continue through the park towards the Arch of Peace.
Santa Maria delle Grazie
Church, Art
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The church and adjoining refectory are separate visits. Leonardo’s Last Supper is in the refectory and requires an advance reservation; choose it as an alternative to another major museum.