Milan is a city that perfectly balances old-world charm with modern sophistication. It's a place where historic landmarks stand beside cutting-edge architecture, where world-class museums are right down the street from bustling aperitivo spots. Milan was truly one of my favorite cities to visit because I felt like it was so easy to become immersed in the local culture!

For us, Milan was the perfect starting point for an unforgettable journey through Northern Italy. Before setting off to explore the Tuscan countryside and the breathtaking Dolomites, we spent two nights soaking in Milan’s culture, history, and of course, its incredible cuisine. From iconic sights to local gems, this guide will help you make the most of your time in Milan—whether it’s a quick stop or a longer stay.

What We Did

The number one must see for me in Milan was the iconic Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci located in the Dominican covent of Santa Maria delle Grazie. The masterpiece was absolutely breathtaking and to be honest, one of my favorite experiences during our trip to Italy. Great measures are taken to preserve the masterpiece because Leonardo used an experimental painting technique, tempera directly on the stone wall, which resulted in poor adhesion to the wall and visible flaking. Our small group of 30 people was only allowed 15 minutes in the refectory and had to go though several chambers to regulate environmental conditions before entering.

How to Buy 8€ English Guided Tickets for The Last Supper

With a bit of planning in advance, you can avoid high (80€ +) ticket prices and third party websites to see The Last Supper. We bought our tickets for a guided tour in English directly though the Cenacolo Vinciaco website about 3 months in advance. They release tickets in quarterly blocks and have the release dates listed here. In my opinion, it was worth waking up early and planning not only to save a bit of money, but also know that I am directly supporting the museum!

We also visited the Duomo and bought tickets to the take in the city views from the rooftop! The architecture detail was incredible. On the way back down, we were fortunate to walk through the church during the Saturday vigil, and heard the magic created by the music within the ancient walls. It brought tears to my eyes.

Lastly, we walked around the famous glass-covered shopping center, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and shopped along Via Torino.

What We Ate

The food was amazing, but my favorite part about the cuisine in Milan was the aperitif culture. From 6-9pm, you will find the local people lining the patios to visit over a drink and small bites.

Breakfast

• We exclusively ate breakfast the three mornings we were in Milan at Il Re Italian Bakery. The assortment of pastries, excellent espresso / cappuccino, and welcoming service kept us coming back.

Lunch

• L'Uccellina - a great spot for Italian fare after visiting Cenacolo Vinciaco!

Drinks (aperitif)

• Pesa Pubblica - we came here a few times because it was always filled with local people meeting up for a drink before dinner. The service was excellent and the aperitif that came with our drinks was 1000/10.
• Colibrì - a super cute bookstore / bar with a beautiful outdoor patio and cozy interior. Located close to the Duomo, but felt very local.
• Magutt - a great spot to grab a beer and watch football on the street patio!

Dinner

• Gustin - live music, quick service and great Italian food!
• Al Conte Ugolino da Marino - excellent pasta!
• Ristorante Pizzeria La Ragazza - pizza

Where We Stayed

We stayed in Hotel Sanpi upon arrival and again before departing Milan. The service was FANTASTIC and I would highly recommend it to anyone traveling to Milan. The location is a 5-minute walk to the metro lines and in the middle of a very authentic, local feeling, part of the city.

Our Italy Itinerary

This trip was a whirlwind adventure through Northern Italy that stemmed from a destination wedding invitation from one of my college best friends! We started with 2 nights in Milan before heading south to Assisi for the wedding. On the way to Assisi, we stopped at the Ferrari Museum in Maranello and also at the race circuit in Imola to visit the Ayrton Senna memorial. Then, we spent a few days in the Tuscan countryside, visiting the Montalcino and Chianti Classico wine regions. After that we spent 3 nights in Florence and then headed back north to spend a few days in the Dolomites.