Milan in 3 days

Start at Piazza del Duomo to visit the Duomo di Milano; reserve skip-the-line tickets for the cathedral and the rooftop terraces for panoramic city views. From there walk a few minutes to Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II to admire the 19th-century arcade and browse luxury shops and historic cafés like Camparino in Galleria.

After lunch, head to the nearby Teatro alla Scala museum to see opera costumes and instruments, then stroll to the Piazza Mercanti and through the narrow medieval lanes toward the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana to view works by Leonardo and Caravaggio. If you booked ahead, conclude the afternoon with the Last Supper (Cenacolo Vinciano) at Santa Maria delle Grazie—strict timed entry is required.

For dinner, choose a traditional trattoria in the Brera district (nearby) and then explore Brera’s charming streets and art-filled atmosphere. Finish with an aperitivo in the Brera bars or a short walk back toward the Duomo to see the cathedral beautifully lit at night.

Begin in the artistic Brera district with a visit to the Pinacoteca di Brera to see Italian masterpieces and then enjoy coffee at a café on Via Brera. Wander the boutique-lined streets and visit the Orto Botanico di Brera (small botanical garden) for a quiet break.

Walk west to Castello Sforzesco, explore the courtyards and pick one museum inside such as the Museo d’Arte Antica or the Museo degli Strumenti Musicali. Exit into Parco Sempione for a relaxing stroll toward the Arco della Pace and, if interested, climb or visit the Triennale di Milano design museum near the park.

Dine in the trendy Porta Nuova or Corso Como area, where contemporary restaurants and wine bars abound. After dinner consider an evening drink with skyline views at the rooftop bars near Piazza Gae Aulenti.

Start at the Navigli canals and walk along Via dei Magazzini and Ripa di Porta Ticinese, browsing antique shops and small galleries; visit the Fondazione Prada if you prefer contemporary art (reachable by tram or short taxi). For a morning coffee, try a canal-side café in Navigli.

Spend the afternoon shopping along Corso Buenos Aires for mid-range fashion or return to the Quadrilatero della Moda (Via Montenapoleone, Via della Spiga) for luxury window-shopping and boutiques. Alternatively, visit Museo del Novecento near the Duomo for 20th-century Italian art if you want more museum time.

Enjoy a classic Milanese aperitivo on the Navigli — many bars offer generous aperitivo spreads — followed by dinner at a canal-side restaurant serving risotto alla Milanese or ossobuco. If you have energy, take a leisurely nighttime stroll along the illuminated canals to cap the trip.