Visit Milan in 2 days

Where to Stay in Milan

For a two-day stay in Milan, location matters more than anything else: you want to spend your time inside the ring of historic streets rather than fighting traffic. The centre is compact and pleasantly walkable, so choosing a base near the Duomo area lets you step out and reach the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the Royal Palace of Milan and the theatres within minutes. Staying centrally means mornings for museums and afternoons for wandering charming streets, with evenings spent in one of Milan’s lively squares or quiet inner courtyards.

Understanding how the city is organized helps pick the right neighborhood. Milan’s heart is a cluster of distinct quarters radiating from the cathedral: elegant shopping avenues and grand arcades to the south, refined residential streets and museums to the east, and lively cafés and galleries to the north. Public transport — a dense network of metro lines, trams and buses — fans out from this core, so even if your room isn’t just off the piazza you can be there in ten minutes.

If your priority is immediate access to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and the Royal Palace of Milan, aim for the Duomo/Centro Storico area where centuries of architecture sit side by side. If you prefer a slightly quieter, more atmospheric base with narrow streets, galleries and café culture, the Brera district sits a short stroll away and is perfect for afternoons spent exploring House Manzoni and nearby art attractions. For businesslike convenience with quick links to the stock exchange and historic banking quarter, the Cordusio/Piazza degli Affari area places you close to trams, metros and iconic façades.

Transport tips are simple and practical: choose lodging within a short walk of a metro station (lines M1, M3 cover the central spine) or a major tram stop so you can hop back to your room quickly between excursions. Taxis are plentiful but traffic can be slow; if you arrive by train, the central station gives excellent metro connections. If you stay a little farther out, opt for places with easy luggage storage and clear check-in instructions so your first and last day remain stress-free.

Finally, trust your comfort: for two days, a small boutique hotel, a family-run B&B or a serviced apartment near the centre will maximize sightseeing time. Look for rooms facing inner courtyards or quiet side streets for better sleep, and pick accommodation with flexible check-in when possible — that one thoughtful detail will make your short Milan stay calm, efficient and delightfully local.

Getting Around Milan

Milan’s public transport is surprisingly friendly for visitors — compact, frequent and easy to read once you know the basics. The heart of the city is served by an obvious network: the Metro lines link major sights, elegant surface trams glide through historic streets, and buses fill in the gaps. The operator, ATM, keeps signs clear and maps printable at stations, so even if Italian isn’t your strong suit you’ll find color-coded lines and station names that match your smartphone. I love how approachable it feels: on my first afternoon I hopped off the metro, followed the signs to the Galleria and instantly felt at home among the bustle. 🚇

Practicalities are simple. You can buy a single ticket from station machines, tabaccherie or the official app, and you must validate that ticket when you board or pass through turnstiles — in Milan the rule is to validate once and your ride is good for 90 minutes. If you plan several hops in a day, consider a 24/48/72-hour pass or the tourist MilanoCard which bundles transport with museum discounts; prices vary but a single ticket is roughly €2.20 and day passes often start around €7, so a quick math check often pays off. 🎫

Use Google Maps like a local guide: switch to the transit layer, pick your departure time and watch step-by-step directions that include platform names, walking times and scheduled departures. It will tell you whether it’s faster to walk from the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II to your next stop or to wait two minutes for a tram. I always check live departures so I’m not standing on a windy corner — and Maps’ walking directions through Milan’s arcades are great for discovering shortcuts and arcaded streets you’d otherwise miss. 🗺️

Money-saving tip: if you’ll visit several museums and move around the center, a multi-day pass quickly pays for itself. Buy tickets in advance on the app to skip queues, validate every ride to avoid fines, and remember that many attractions — including the Royal Palace of Milan area — are close enough to combine walking with a single short ride. Small choices add up: a little planning saved us several euros and gave us more time to sip espresso instead of queuing.

Personal note: once, weary after a morning at the Duomo and Galleria, we wanted to reach the House Manzoni without dragging luggage. We scanned a digital single ticket on the ATM app, hopped on a tram that showed up in two minutes, validated on board with the little machine and enjoyed a scenic five-minute ride across the fashion district. It felt effortless — with a validated ticket, clear signs and Google Maps in my pocket, navigating Milan quickly becomes part of the fun. 💡

What to Pack for Milan

Two days in Milan is a sprint of churches, arcades, squares and cafés — I always treat it like a stylish city scavenger hunt. On my last short trip I was out for 10+ hours each day and walked about 12 miles (19 km) total, so I pack for comfort, pickpocket smart, and a little flair. Below are the essentials I actually use and why each one matters in real Milan situations.

1. Comfortable walking shoes (required — e.g., New Balance 574 or ECCO Soft 7): I learned this the hard way after a day from Duomo to Navigli where I walked 15 miles and regretted fashion heels instantly. Stiff soles and good cushioning saved my second day. Milan has cobblestones and long indoor arcades; breathable, supportive shoes keep you exploring all day.

2. Cross-body bag (zippered, worn in front): I carry a compact cross-body with a secure zipper and inner pocket — once I felt a hand on a crowded tram near Centrale, and having the bag worn in front prevented a pickpocket attempt. It’s hands-free for maps and espresso runs and the best way to protect phone, wallet and metro ticket in busy Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.

3. Weather-appropriate clothing for Milan (light layers + a smart jacket): Milaners dress sharp but the weather shifts—during one spring visit mornings were cool and afternoons were sunny. I bring thin layers, a lightweight waterproof jacket, and a scarf. Layers mean you’re comfortable inside stylish cafés and outdoors in the square without looking out of place.

4. Power adapter (Type L for Italy, 230V): My phone and camera ran dead mid-afternoon on day one until I used a proper Italian adapter. Cafés don’t always have convenient sockets, so a small Type L adapter avoids hunting for a charger and keeps your devices ready for photo-heavy museum-free days.

5. Power bank (10,000 mAh+): I carried a 10,000 mAh power bank and topped up phones between stops — essential when you're out for 8–12 hours taking photos, using maps and checking tram times. Choose one that can fully recharge a smartphone at least once or twice.

6. Optional extras — compact umbrella & sunglasses: Milan’s weather can flip; a compact umbrella fits a small bag and saved me from a sudden shower. Sunglasses are a must for sunny piazzas and reflective shop windows. Both are small, practical additions that kept me comfortable and camera-ready.