Milan

The best things to see in Milan in 1 day. A basic city tour

If you only have one day to visit Milan, you will know that time is very tight and that you will miss many of the charms that we can find in this beautiful Italian city, but here we are going to help you make an itinerary with the most interesting things to see in Milan in one day.

Milan is the capital of the beautiful region of Lombardy, with a spectacular historical heritage and culture that attracts millions of people every year who seek modernity as well as history.

The best thing to visit in Milan in one day can be done on foot and here we tell you the most important thing.

What to see in Milan in 1 day

The Piazza del Duomo and the Cathedral

The one-day tour of Milan should start at its main point of interest, Piazza del Duomo, the city’s main square located in the historic center and where some of the city’s most important buildings are located

One of them is the Milan Cathedral, also called the Duomo, which is one of the most beautiful churches in the world and the main place to see in Milan in one day. It stands out for its impressive white marble facade that will leave you speechless when you are in front of it.

But its facade is not the only thing you should see. You should also go inside to admire its Renaissance marble altar, the Nail of the Cross of Christ and the Statue of Bartholomew the Apostle. We also recommend going up to its terrace to have one of the most beautiful views of Milan.

Vittorio Emanuelle II Gallery

Milan - Galleria Vittorio Emanuele IIIWithout leaving the Piazza del Duomo we find another of the great buildings that we must visit in Milan in one day. We are talking about the Vittorio Emanuelle II Gallery, also known as the “Milan salon”, where we can find luxury shops, historic cafes, charming restaurants and a magnificent atmosphere.

Furthermore, in the imposing Galleria Vittorio Emanuelle II we must look down to surprise you with the incredible mosaics, the Bull of Torino and the She-wolf of Rome, and also up to see the impressive windows.

The Gallery dates from 1863 and is much more than a shopping center, it is one of the most spectacular places in Milan, which you should visit on your 1-day visit.

La Scala Theater

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Leaving through the opposite entrance to Piazza del Duomo, we access Piazza de La Scala, the next destination of our visit to Milan, where we will find a monument dedicated to Leonardo da Vinci and one of the most famous theaters in the world, the Teatro La Scale.

The most famous opera singers in history have performed at the Teatro la Scala, from Plácido Domingo to María Callas, without forgetting Luciano Pavarotti. Without a doubt, a very special place.

It has been open since 1978 and has since been rebuilt twice and today can be seen by taking a sightseeing tour or going to an opera performance.

Sforza Castle

Milan - Castello SforzescoOn the way to the next destination, we will arrive at the Quadrilatero d’Oro, where the most luxurious shops in Milan, a city known for its fashion, are located. They are expensive but it is worth strolling through its four streets.

The Sforzesco Castle, the next destination of our one-day visit to Milan, is a very interesting fortress built in 1368, although it was later destroyed by Napoleon, so it had to be rebuilt a century later. In the castle we must highlight above all the Sala delle Asse, which was decorated by Leonardo da Vinci himself.

If you still have time to spare, although if you only have one day it is difficult for that to happen, you could visit one of the museums that are inside the Sforzesco Castle.

The Sempione Park

After several hours walking and visiting the main places of interest to see in Milan in one day, you are probably already tired, so we recommend that you go to Sempione Park. Don’t worry, it’s next to the Sforzesco Castle, so you won’t have to walk far.

It is a perfect place to take a walk among nature and admire its trees and monuments. It is the most important park in Milan and it will surely not leave you indifferent.

Within the park is the Arco della Pace, which was built to commemorate Napoleon’s victories, and also the Torre Brancha where we can enjoy a viewpoint, which can be accessed by elevator, located 108 meters high and with views great.

The Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie and the Last Supper

You still have some essential places to visit in Milan and we will head towards one of the most incredible after our short break in Sempione Park.

We are talking about the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, inside which is one of the masterpieces in the history of painting and that you cannot miss if you go to Milan. It is The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci, a fresco painted on an old dining room wall that will leave you speechless.

Of course, getting a ticket to visit The Last Supper is difficult and you must make a reservation well in advance since to preserve the work, visits are very restricted.

You can find more information about Milan on its official tourism page.

If you have more days in this city, check out our 2-day tour of Milan.

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