Planning a Milan itinerary that’s perfect for a first-timer? Enjoy 3 days in Milan and Lake Como like I did!
By Karen Mae | May 30, 2025
How many days do you need in Milan to truly experience its magic or how many days to visit Milan, read on—you’ll find that 3 days is just the right amount to experience its charm and fall in love with Italy’s fashion capital!
Are you a young adult seeking an easy-to-plan trip to Milan that’s packed with exciting adventures, leisure activities, and new experiences to share with others? You don’t have to look any further! I will be sharing my 3 days in Milan itinerary from my trip.
If you’re traveling to Milan for the first time and/or a solo female traveler, this blog especially post is for you where I share what to do in Milan for 3 days.
I created this Milan itinerary that’s easy to recreate and will help you travel smoothly!
I traveled for 3 days in Milan as a solo female traveler and had the best time as a first-time visitor because of the experiences I will be sharing on my trip to Milan!
In this guide, I will show my ultimate itinerary for Milan in 3 days, perfect for a long weekend or a quick city getaway including my Milan travel pictures!
From exploring the renowned Milan Cathedral and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II to a day trip cruise to Lake Como and the charming village of Bellagio, this Milan weekend trip plan covers what to see and do in Milan
that some first-timers miss!
Milan Itinerary
This is a first timer’s guide on 3 days Milan itinerary — how to plan a trip to Milan and how to travel in Milan as a tourist.
| Is Milan safe for tourists?
Is Milan safe to travel alone? |
Yes, but I wouldn’t recommend traveling alone at night |
| Travel Requirements & Visa | For U.S citizens, find info here |
| Best Time to Visit Milan | Early November (when I visited) |
| Transportation | Getting around Milan |
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| Where to Stay in Milan | Where I stayed – comfy + affordable price (short walk from metro station)
Best Hotels in Milan City Center (4-star)
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| How many days in Milan? | 3 days |
| Is Milan expensive? | Budget |
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| Top things to do in Milan
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| Most unique and unexpected visit |
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| My favorite Milan activities | |
| Shopping in Milan |
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| Where to eat in Milan |
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| What to wear in Milan |
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| Connectivity | Purchase e-sim with Airalo |
Hello! My name is Karen. 🙂 Here’s the most ideal Milan travel itinerary I’ve created, done, and experienced during my solo trip to Milan, Italy. It’s perfect if it’s your first time in Milan as a tourist and/or solo traveler!
I experienced this Milan itinerary myself and am happy to share it to make your Milan trip planning and travel go smoothly.
Day 1: Intro to City Highlights + Exploration
- Arrival at the airport
- Morning Free Walking Tour
- Sforzesco Castle
- The Last Supper
- Explore inside Milan Cathedral
- Storm Spa
My Hotel + Transportation:
- Accommodation ~ Where I stayed ~ I recommend ~ Book discounted links below:
- Travel Tips: I recommend choosing a hotel that is only a 3-5 minutes short walk from the metro station and/or provides FREE complimentary shuttle service to/from the airport.
- Transportation: Book airport transportation HERE.
- Must Know: There are 3 airports in Milan:
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- Malpensa Airport
- Linate Airport
- Bergamo Orio al Serio
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- How to travel Milan? Taking the Metro (subway), buses and Uber/Taxi
- MORE Travel Tips: Download the ATM Milano App for public transport routes, and tickets. Ask your hotel front desk staff for physical maps and how to get to few places.
3 Days in Milan Itinerary Breakdown ~ Day 1
Morning: Arrival + Free Morning Walking Tour
Book in advance a free walking tour if you’re arriving in Milan in the morning and have time for a free walking tour.
Learn about the popular sites and undiscovered routes early on to help you make better plans for the remainder of your days.
- Alternative ~ Last Supper Guided Tour ~
- Must Know: The Last Supper Tickets sell out FAST! No Same-Day Entry. Pre-booking is mandatory.
- >>> BOOK MONTHS IN ADVANCE HERE <<<
Afternoon through after sunset: Lunch + explore Milan Cathedral Square + Sforzesco Castle
After eating, explore the Milan Cathedral Square before heading to Sforzesco Castle, and enjoy more sightseeing and window shopping as you walk your way there!
Consider a guided tour of Sforzesco Castle to discover more about the rich history of the medieval building. Walk around the interior and courtyard of the castle to see the magnificent artifacts and artworks including the Pieta Rondanini sculpture by Michelangelo.
- Alternative(s)
- Arco Della Pace
- Starbucks Reserve Roastery (for coffee lovers)
- I simply went past it when strolling around Milan because I don’t drink coffee. However, for coffee lovers who want to see the art and science of coffee, including the brewing and roasting processes, it’s a must-visit.
Evening: Light candles and pray inside Milan Cathedral +/- Storm Spa + dinner at your hotel
Spend some time having a serene and reflective experience by lighting a candle and saying your prayers inside Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milano). It’s always been my tradition that whenever I travel and visit a new cathedral, I always light up candles, pray, and have moments of expressing my gratitude and wishes.
Travel Tip: Bring cash to give a small donation next to the candle stands.
If you have more time before heading back to your hotel, consider experiencing a unique spa in the city center of Milan!
- Alternative
Highlights | Book your experiences:
3 Days in Milan Itinerary Breakdown ~ Day 2
Day 2: Lake Como & Bellagio Day Trip from Milan +/- Dinner show or Pizza and Gelato-Making Class
Morning: Enjoy a scenic coach and boat ride from Milan to Lake Como
Afternoon: Lunch at Bellagio + explore the charming town and churches + buy a souvenir
This Lake Como trip I booked includes a stop at the charming village of Bellagio where you can eat lunch, explore lovely churches and mountain sceneries, eat dessert, and buy a souvenir! I highly recommend it!
There were plenty of places to see on the tour in Lake Como and Bellagio, as well as chances to spend time alone and interact with other travelers.
There’s a restaurant in front of the church where you can take a rest, enjoy a drink, and dessert while taking in the scenery. I personally enjoyed a hot chocolate since it was cold when I went.
Alternative:
If you prefer to stay exploring the city of Milan, you may enjoy…
Evening:Conclude the day after dinner at your hotel | Alternatives: Dinner show OR Cooking Class
Travel Tip: Based on my experiences traveling solo, I don’t recommend traveling alone at night as a woman. In addition, most travelers are tired after a long 10-hour day tour. Similarly, I was exhausted, so I went straight back to my hotel and had dinner at the restaurant there.
If you still have the energy in the evening, you may want to consider the following and book in advance…
Alternatives:
- Maison Milano Dinner and Show in Milan
- Travel Tip: If your itinerary happens to be on a Friday or Saturday evening, consider adding to your experience this spectacular dinner show with a 3-course dinner. Please note at least 2 participants are required for this activity when booking.
Highlight | Book your experience:
- Lake Como & Bellagio Day Trip with Private Boat Cruise
- Milan Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus + Audio Guide
- Maison Milano Dinner and Show
- Pizza and Gelato-Making Class with Dinner and Wine
3 Days in Milan Itinerary Breakdown ~ Day 3
Day 3: Milan Photoshoot + Mosaic Turin Bull + Chapel + Mass + Luini Panzerotti + Prada Cafe + Terraces of Milan Cathedral + shopping + Milanofiori Mall
Morning: Enjoy Milan Photoshoot + Spin on The Mosaic Turin Bull + Attend (11am) mass at Duomo di Milano
After breakfast at the hotel, head a bit early in the morning for a fun photo shoot!
If you want high-quality photographs of the main tourist attractions in Milan, I recommend booking a private professional photoshoot!
As a fashion capital with amazing architecture and an elegant atmosphere, Milan offers distinctive backdrops you should NOT miss to capture!
During your photoshoot, don’t miss spinning around on an old mosaic bull artwork built into the floor as it’s believed to provide good luck! A mosaic displaying a bull can be found at Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. It is customary to spin three times on its you-know-what to bring good luck.
Travel Tip:To get a clear shot, avoid crowds, and not have to wait in line, arrive a bit early in the morning.
If you want to experience mass inside the famous Milan Cathedral, consider going during your trip! Every time I travel overseas, I like to attend Catholic mass since it’s a peaceful and reflective time. When I went, which began at 11:00 am, I was surprised to find that it was only brief—less than an hour. Please note the mass was delivered in Italian. Nevertheless, I was glad I went and enjoyed the experience. Please check their official website for updated mass schedules.
Afternoon: Taste the famous Luini Panzerotti and desserts at Prada’s Bakery Pasticceria Marchesi + Visit the church filled with human skulls/bones + Milan University
As a first-time visitor to Milan, a stop at Luini Panzerotti is a must!
Location: 2-3 minutes walk from the Duomo di Milano
Enjoy your panzerotto and meal on the go or find a nearby spot to sit. This is a must-try for tourists as it’s reasonably priced for an authentic taste of southern Italy snacks.
Panzerotto is a classic Italian food from the Apulia region. Similar to a tiny calzone, it is usually deep-fried giving it a crispy outside and a soft, tasty inside. Although tomato and mozzarella are typical fillings, many varieties include ham, ricotta, spinach, and even sweet alternatives like chocolate and strawberries.
Must Know: Takeaway only and the line is typically long during lunch hours.
After a visit to Luini, head to Prada’s Cafe Pasticceria Marchesi and experience the elegance and the view from top while enjoying Milanese pastries!
Taste the traditional baked delicacies, chocolates, and desserts inside a retro-chic style with marble-topped tables and green velvet chairs overlooking Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Location: Above the Prada boutique in Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II (1-minute walk from the Duomo di Milano). It’s only a 3-4 minutes walk from Luini.
Want to visit something unexpected and unique in Milan? Visit Santuario di San Bernardino alle Ossa
This church, which is a brief walk from the Duomo, is well-known for its ossuary chapel (which holds the skeletal remains of the dead) that houses human skulls and bones arranged in intricate Baroque patterns.
If you still have time, before heading Terraces of Milan Cathedral, stop by University of Milan and see the campus!
Travel tip to save money in Milan: It’s cheaper to purchase souvenirs at mini-shops in the train stations close to Duomo!
Before/At Sunset: Terraces of Milan Cathedral
Travel Tips: Check the weather prior to booking! Avoid rainy days! Visits around sunset are particularly stunning because of the golden light!
- Must book your experience in advance : Cathedral and Duomo’s Terraces Entrance Ticket
Evening: Dinner + shopping at Milanofiori Mall
I had an early flight the next day, so I decided to head back to my hotel NH Milano Congress Centre (4-star), and had dinner nearby at Milanofiori Mall which was only a few minutes walking distance from my hotel.
The mall offers a variety of shopping, entertainment, and dining options!
I had fresh pasta at Miscusi, which I found unique as it offers fresh, customizable made-to-order pasta dishes by selecting your preferred pasta type, sauce, and toppings. It’s my first time to experience this kind of restaurant!
After eating, I went shopping at a few Italian clothing brands for new clothes since I still had room in my luggage!
Highlight | Book your experiences:
- Private Professional Photoshoot in Milan
- Cathedral and Duomo’s Terraces Entrance Ticket
- Book airport transfer HERE
Staying in Milan for 4 days?
Consider a day trip to Switzerland while in Milan
- Book your experience:
Summary: Milan Itinerary for 3 days
| Milan Itinerary | Plan Your Visit | Book Your Experiences: |
| Day 1 |
Alternatives:
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| Day 2 |
Alternatives: |
| Day 3 |
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| Optional ( Day 4) |
Highlights: Milan Trip Pictures
Thank you for considering these Milan travel ideas!
I hope I have sparked your Milan Italy trip planning!
May this Milan itinerary for 3 days with travel tips help you travel safely, wisely, smoothly, and at peace!
Kindly share in the comments what you found helpful and
any other considerations/tips NOT mentioned and must be included.
Be safe and enjoy! I hope you’ll have an amazing and fancy first trip to Milan, Lake Como and Bellagio in Italy!
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