Milan in 3 Days: tips, what to see, and much more

Many tourists think that it is too little time to visit the museums, parks, castles and other attractions of the Italian city. However, if you make a list of daily activities and start your sightseeing early in the morning, you'll be on time. On the first day, you can explore the main sights of the historic centre. The next day, do some shopping and sample the city's great gastronomic variety and, finally, you'll be in time to visit Milan's Porta Nova neighbourhood.

The best way to get to know Milan is to spend a whole day touring the historic centre of the city. You will be amazed by the architectural beauty of its squares and buildings.

Be dazzled by the Duomo of Milan

Your adventure begins at the Duomo of Milan, considered one of the architectural jewels of the city. You will be able to contemplate from the very first moment the predominant gothic style in its doors, the roof and the external and internal walls. It is a true example of history and art.

The cost of tickets for the Duomo of Milan may vary depending on the area you are going to visit. In this regard, you will be able to choose between:

• General admission to the Duomo of Milan.
• Walk or take the lift up to the terrace of the Duomo to enjoy the panoramic view of the entire Piazza.
• Tour the Duomo, the San Gottardo church and the archaeological area.
• Buy a combined ticket that includes all of the above activities together with another interesting monument, for example: the guided visit to the Sforzesco Castle and the Duomo in Milan or the guided visit to the Duomo and La Scala Theatre in Milan.
• Enjoy a guided tour of the Duomo in Milan.

Of course, I recommend you to book your tickets to the Duomo of Milan in advance because it is a very visited moment. Without a doubt, everything you are going to see inside the Duomo makes it worth the expense, especially if you decide to go up to the terrace to enjoy the views.

Visit the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is an ancient building built in the period from 1865 to 1877 that displays the architectural majesty of the 19th century. It offers an elegant setting for dining, shopping, photography and is included in many of the guided tours of Milan. At the end of your tour of the Duomo, you can connect directly to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, as the two sites are close to each other.

When you enter this shopping arcade, you will enjoy the luxury and beauty of its structure: a pair of perpendicularly designed arches, which have been covered by a splendid vault that combines iron and glass. In addition, the dome incorporates an amazing mosaic that pays homage to the continents: African, American, Asian and European.

In the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, you will find shops of famous Italian designers and fashion houses. Also, world-famous restaurant franchises and other iconic Milanese establishments.

Enter the Museo Teatrale alla Scala

To continue your first day's tour of the historic centre of Milan, you should walk in the direction of Alessandro Manzoni. This way you will find the Museo Teatrale alla Scala, the only one in the city dedicated to opera and theatre, open to the public from 9 am to 5.30 pm.

If you book your visit to the Teatro alla Scala you will enter its rooms and see real relics from the world of opera, such as:

• The first spinet used by the romantic composer Giuseppe Verdi.
• The beautiful baton with instructions obtained by the composer after the success of his opera Aida.
• The original scores, in Verdi's own handwriting.
• A series of antique instruments preserved in the Museo Teatrale alla Scala.
• Portraits made of the actors of the theatrical works, sketches of the scenographies used and manuscripts.
• A large collection of oil paintings, which decorate the walls of the building and reflect the close relationship between theatre and opera.

Don't miss the Sforzesco Castle

If you still have some time left, you can go to via Dante to visit the Milan Castle, which opens its doors from 7 am until 7.30 pm. You can enter the imposing Sforzesco Castle and tour it for free. Alternatively, you have the option of paying an entrance fee and seeing the internal museums. In the latter case, it is best to book a ticket for the Sforza Castle in advance.

During the tour, you will see all the surroundings of the walls and contemplate the predominant medieval architecture. You will also take a walk through the beautiful courtyards of the castle, which change according to the season: in winter they are covered with snow and Christmas lights, while in other months they are green and flowery. On the other hand, if you have at least four hours for the visit, you should ideally enter the five museums:

• Instrumental Museum: there, you will get in the rooms antique instruments representative of the European scene.
• Archaeological Museum: in these rooms you will find samples of prehistoric art.
• Ancient Museum: this is a space that houses the last works of Michelangelo and other Renaissance artists. There is also the Pietà by Rondanini.
• Furniture Museum: you will find handcrafted pieces made between the 15th and 21st centuries.
• Art Gallery: you will be able to see more than 1,500 pieces representative of Italian painting from the 13th to the 18th century.

Visit the Pinacoteca of Brera

Visit the Pinacoteca of Milan, located in Piazza Pio XI in the historic centre, and have an encounter with art. You will enjoy a total of 24 rooms within this gallery. All of them chronologically arranged, starting with the famous collection of Cardinal Federico Borromeo, and continuing with works by Da Vinci, Titian, Botticelli, among other exponents of the Renaissance.

In the museum, open from 10 am to 6 pm, you will discover approximately 1500 works on canvas, wood and copper, among which stand out:

• Panel of the School of Athens. This is one of the largest surviving paintings from the Italian Renaissance period, belonging to Raphael.
• Madonna del Padiglione by Sandro Botticelli.
• Adoration of the Magi by Titian.

Definitely an activity suitable for the whole family, which you can include among the 10 things to do in Milan with children. Besides, since the museum closes early, you will have time to eat at a restaurant. For example, if you walk towards the Duomo, you will find Al Mercante Restaurant, which closes every day at 10pm.

Visiting Porta Nuova after visiting the historic centre of Milan will allow you to contrast the medieval and modern architecture of the city. It will be a unique experience, which will make you feel like you have travelled from the past to the present.

Marvel at the Alberi Library

Your day trip to Porta Nuova can begin at its well-known green lung, the Biblioteca degli Alberi, a public park with an area of more than nine hectares and a surprising geometric design that combines beautiful circular woods, linear paths and large irregular fields. In addition, this natural space is home to 135,000 plants and 500 trees. One option to tour it is to book the Milan bike tour.

Entering the "Library of Trees" as this botanical park is known, you will enjoy a peaceful atmosphere where you can breathe fresh air and relax while admiring nature. Also, if you visit Milan at Christmas time and approach the park, it will be covered with snow and sparkling lights.

Also, during the tour, you will be able to see a series of botanical phrases and informative plaques, which will help you to quickly learn about and identify each of the 100 species of plants and 21 species of trees that exist in the park. In general, you will see shrubs, vines, hedges, aquatic and ornamental plants, birches, poplars, cedars, oaks, among others.

Stroll through Piazza Gae Aulenti

In the vicinity of the Biblioteca degli Alberi, you will find Piazza Gae Aulenti, which stands out for its peculiar architectural design and sustainable lighting system. A must-see area that provides a truly futuristic atmosphere. You can get there comfortably if you book the Milan sightseeing bus.

When you arrive at Piazza Gae Aulenti, the first thing that will catch your attention is its circular podium shape, whose height reaches 6 metres above the street. From there, you will see the imposing skyscrapers such as Unicredit and some modern buildings. Moreover, if you visit this square after the sun goes down, you will enjoy an incredible spectacle that combines water and a system of LED lights. All of this is activated by photovoltaic technology.

And if you stroll through this important Milanese square at Christmas time, you will see a huge Christmas tree and a fabulous skating rink. All these are reasons enough to make this tour part of your list of 10 things to do in Milan at night.

Do your shopping in Corso Como

Corso Como is a popular pedestrian street with a lot of tourists, where you will discover a different atmosphere from the rest of the city. It is usually one of the stops if you book a guided tour of Milan. During daylight hours, you can shop in the fashionable shops and eat in luxurious restaurants or cafés. And when the sun goes down, the nightlife starts in all the bars and nightclubs. This area has undergone several architectural renovations, with the aim of making it the avant-garde face of Milan.

You can also sit comfortably on a terrace of a café or restaurant to relax and admire the surroundings. After a long afternoon of shopping, you'll have the chance to try one of the famous Milanese aperitifs to warm up a bit before partying in a nightclub - and keep your eyes peeled, because if you're lucky you might bump into a celebrity!

How to get there: At the end of your visit to Piazza Gae Aulenti, just cross a footbridge and you'll arrive on Corso Como.

See the UniCredit and the Vertical Forest

The UniCredit building is considered the largest skyscraper in Italy, an imposing 231-metre high building that is part of the city's renovation phase. It is a true landmark of Milan's architectural history. It has a pinnacle of approximately 80 metres in height that complements the structure. In addition, the spire-shaped area is covered with LED lights, which at night is very visually appealing.

Similarly, in the city's youngest district you will see the Vertical Forest, a pair of towers whose exterior has been covered with approximately 2,000 species of plants. These towers with fully habitable flats promote a sustainable type of architecture, which benefits man, respects nature and provides a beautiful view to behold.

See the nightlife in Porta Nuova

Porta Nuova is where you'll find the best of Milan's nightlife. While the rest of the city sleeps, this trendy district is the place to be. You'll find dozens of clubs and bars at your disposal.

For example, after booking a street food tour of Milan, you can move on to Corso Como and, once there, there's the:

• LoolaPaloosa, Hollywood Rythmoteque and 11Clubroom: three of the most popular clubs that have their doors open until dawn.
• Lounge Bar: 14 minutes away from Piazza Gae Aulenti and 9 minutes from the Vertical Forest.
• Cost Discopub: 6 minutes from Piazza Gae Aulenti and 9 minutes from the Vertical Forest.

After touring the Centro Storico and Porta Nuova, you'll be familiar with the streets, allowing you to move from one district to the next without a hitch. That being the case, you can spend the third day of your trip wandering around the city doing some shopping and enjoying the aperitivo culture.

Stroll through Milan's Chinatown

Visiting Milan's Chinatown will give you a multi-ethnic experience you will always remember. This district offers a wide range of Asian and Italian products. Moreover, during your visit you will enjoy a colourful atmosphere, thanks to the Chinese lamps hanging from the ceilings along the street.

During your tour, you will be able to shop in the food markets, taste East Asian gastronomy and traditional Italian dishes. You also have the option of sampling street food or drinking a delicious cup of green tea with dangos.

Afterwards, you can head to the cultural centre inside Chinatown, where a contemporary art exhibition is usually on display. Afterwards, enjoy an aperitif at the legendary Cantine Isola.

Wander through Milan's Monumental Cemetery

A few streets away from Chinatown, you will find the Monumental Cemetery. This is an imposing construction that you must visit, especially if you are an enthusiast of necro-tourism or cemetery tourism. You will be able to contemplate amazing sculptures over the tombs, made by Renaissance artists.

During the visit you will discover the historical, architectural and artistic heritage of this precinct. You will walk through more than 250,000 square metres, where you will discover obelisks, funerary sculptures, some temples designed in a Greek style and much more.

For example, among the most famous tombs are:

• Trajan's Column to scale.
• Tomb of the Campari family with a life-size representation of the Last Supper.
• Tomb of the famous fashion designer Antonio Bernocchi with the representation of the life of Jesus in a white tower.
• Tomb of the Bruni family with the representation of an Egyptian pyramid.

You will also find a special section with an exhibition of old photographs, which will show you how the cemetery has evolved historically. In addition, you will see some funeral cars from the 1920s and a sort of hall of fame, where you will find out which are the most visited tombs along with a small review.

• Opening hours: The Monumental Cemetery is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 8am to 6pm.
• Price: Admission is free.

Visit the Canals of Naviglio

Next on the itinerary is the guided tour of Navigli, named after the canals that run through it. A district visited daily by tourists and locals alike, due to its picturesque and lively atmosphere. There, you will find markets where you can buy some souvenirs and a wide variety of products. You will also find bars and restaurants for an aperitif.

If you are lucky, your stay may coincide with the Sinigaglia Fair, which takes place every Saturday of the year on the Naviglio canal. You can get local food to take away or eat on the spot. You'll also find new and second-hand goods at the market : ethnic women's clothing, shoes, handbags, accessories, collectible comics, many handicrafts, among others.

Also, if you stroll along one of the sections of the Naviglio canal on the last Sunday of every month, you'll come across more than 400 exhibitors, which make up the district's famous antiques market.

Explore the Fashion Quadrilateral

Near Piazza Duomo between the streets Corso Venezia, Via della Spiga, Via Montenapoleone and Via Manzoni, you will find the Fashion Quadrilateral, so named because the streets surrounding the shops form a geometric shape.

The Fashion Quadrilateral is a luxurious neighbourhood where you will find famous designer houses such as Versace, Dior, Gucci, among others. There are also boutiques, hairdressers, restaurants and cafés. Without a doubt, it is a district you should not miss. You will be amazed by the architectural beauty of the buildings and the fashionable shop windows. However, keep in mind that this is a very expensive place, visited by celebrities from all over the world.

Three days will definitely be enough to enjoy all there is to see and do in Milan. You just have to organise your schedule and remember that in one day you can visit several places, as I have shown you.