Exploring Milan in Half a Day: What to Do?

Greetings! I'm Lam Phương, currently an Aupair in the Netherlands. Join me on a 13-day journey to Italy!

When my host family mentioned a long vacation, I immediately started planning. Curiosity got the better of me: Why is Italy a top travel destination? Turns out, Italy's rich with historical sites from north to south. It was a call to adventure I couldn't ignore.

Aware that summer brings peak tourist season, with Europe flocking to Italy, and temperatures soaring to 38-39 degrees, similar to Vietnam, I was undeterred. Armed with my backpack and the spirit of youth, I was ready to embrace the best season for travel.

After setting my sights on Italy, I dove into research. Sifting through hundreds of articles and joining travel groups on Facebook, I painted a mental picture of Italy, surprisingly similar to Vietnam. The North boasted chilly mountainous regions and the fashion capital, Milan, while the Northeast sheltered romantic Venice. Central Italy was home to the stunning Florence and eternal Rome, the country's capital. Heading South, I planned to explore Naples, the breathtaking Amalfi Coast, and Instagram's darling, Positano.

13-Day Itinerary: A North to South Italian Adventure

Review the must-visit sites and pick your favorites. Pop them into Google Maps to see options for 'directions/start/call/save'. This helps plot an efficient route.

Bookmark each destination as 'Favorites', 'Travel Plans', or 'Wish to Visit' at your convenience. Don't forget to save your accommodation too. With everything marked on maps, it's easy to see what's near or far from your stay. Plan your route to explore distant spots first or start with the closer ones. This strategy has streamlined all my travels, offering a clear view of where attractions lie and enabling a hassle-free experience without backtracking unnecessarily.

Half a Day in Milan

About Milan

Milan, also known as Milano, thrives as Italy's bustling metropolis and the global fashion capital.

Transportation

Arriving in Milan on a summer afternoon in August, I took a train from Spiez in Interlaken. The journey to Milano Centrale took approximately 2 hours and 35 minutes, with a ticket price of 55 EUR.

After completing the payment, I received an e-ticket via email.

Booking tickets early during peak season, especially in summer, is advisable. For popular routes like Milan-Venice, Venice-Florence, and Florence-Rome, securing tickets early is crucial to avoid price hikes and missing out on preferred travel times due to sold-out second class (cheaper rate) seats.

For shorter, less popular journeys such as Monterosso-Florence, Florence-Pisa, and Pisa-Rome, ticket prices are generally stable. It's best to purchase upon arrival based on your schedule to keep your plans flexible, whether you decide to extend your stay or leave earlier than planned.

Key train station names in Italy's tourist cities:

Your ticket will arrive via email. Save it on your phone for easy access to show and have the QR code scanned by ticket inspectors.

Avoid attempting to ride without a ticket. On longer journeys, ticket checks are frequent, and fines for fare evasion can be several times the ticket price, which also tarnishes the reputation of our country abroad. Let's maintain integrity.

Accommodations

Upon arriving in Milan, I walked from the station to my hostel. I chose a reasonably priced hostel close to the station for convenience, as my stay in Milan was brief, planning to head to Cinque Terre the next morning.

I stayed at Central Hostel Milano, booked via Booking.com for 35€ plus a 3€ city tax (a common charge in Italy, collected by accommodations; you're not charged if you don't show up) for a bunk bed in a 4-bed female dorm.

The hostel was decent, felt safe for solo female travelers like me, though it wasn't as close to the station as I'd hoped. A 15-minute walk from the station turned into 25 minutes with luggage and map checks. Alternatively, a 6-minute metro ride is an option. It's a 10-minute metro ride from the hostel to the Duomo Cathedral.

Finding the hostel was a bit tricky as the door was securely locked. I had to ring the bell and wait for someone to open the door, pay the city tax, and then be led to the accommodation across the street. Despite visiting in summer, the lack of air conditioning made it hard to sleep due to the heat.

Sightseeing

Milan Cathedral

My main reason for visiting Milan was to witness the iconic Duomo di Milano, a symbol of Milan's culture and architecture.

Construction of the Milan Cathedral began in 1386, making it one of the most magnificent and sacred cathedrals in Northern Italy. It took five centuries to complete. The Duomo di Milano is the fourth largest cathedral in Europe, following Saint Peter's in Vatican, Saint Paul's in London, and the Cathedral of Seville in Seville, Spain.

I took a metro ride from my accommodation directly to the cathedral, and upon exiting the metro, the massive structure was immediately in front of me, surrounded by throngs of people.

Italy in summer, bustling with crowds everywhere

The cathedral and shopping center are adjacent to each other

You need to lift your phone high to get a clear shot, otherwise, it's just a sea of heads

Snapping quick pictures, feeling lucky to even have photos to share

Beware of the pigeons here; if someone offers you bread or food to feed them, they might ask for money afterwards.

The architecture at the top of the cathedral is stunning

2. Shopping at Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

This bustling shopping area, right next to the Duomo Cathedral, is always crowded. If you're hoping for a photo without the crowds, aim for a 7am visit.

An architectural marvel, this place is filled with world-renowned designer stores, restaurants, cafes, and bars. The glittering luxury brands and the shoppers with their designer bags offer a glimpse into the lavish lifestyle, making luxury shopping seem effortlessly accessible to everyone here.

Italy must be a haven for luxury shoppers given its attractive prices and efficient tax-refund system. Unlike in Vietnam, where entering a high-end store might feel intimidating, the touristy atmosphere here makes browsing through luxury goods very welcoming, regardless of your attire or appearance.

The restaurant was packed, but luckily, being solo, they quickly found me a spot outside.

Surrounded by lively groups enjoying cocktails, olive and cold cut cheese boards, I stood out dining alone, indulging in a hearty Lasagna. It seemed everyone else was in for a light snack, making me feel even more out of place. But it didn't matter; the anonymity was liberating.

Lasagna, with its layers of pasta, cheese, sauce, and meat or vegetables, is a quintessential Italian dish that caught my eye on the menu. Without hesitation, I ordered it, eager to taste this renowned Italian specialty.

I found the dish delicious, reasonably priced considering the location and view. I was content with my choice. Had I been with a friend, we would have lingered over the view of the Duomo, opting to enjoy the moment rather than venture into the crowded area below the cathedral.

Try the lasagna at least once in Italy; it's a must.

Took a photo at the restaurant after the meal. The dining spot offers a view of the Duomo.

3. A twilight stroll through the streets of Milan

With a full belly, I wandered Milan's streets, watching the sunset. I didn't follow any specific route, just went wherever the mood took me.

Ancient buildings, vintage trams, and newly lit shops. I leisurely enjoyed the sunset in Milan.

Sunset around 8 PM

The trams are quite vintage

I passed by a Starbucks, the world's third Reserve Roastery location. Housed in the stunning historic Poste building, this marks Starbucks' first European 'specialty' Reserve coffee shop, following Seattle in the USA and Shanghai in China.

After wandering solo until about 9:30 PM, I caught the metro back to the hostel. I lingered a bit before descending to the metro station, enjoying the sight of people dancing joyfully together. Reluctant to end the night but solo in a new city, I opted to return early for safety.

Thus concludes my half-day adventure in Milan. There's much more to see, like Sforzesco Castle, Teatro alla Scala opera house, and Santa Maria delle Grazie church. Also, day trips to Lake Como or the Dolomites are breathtaking. If time allows, these are must-visit spots!

Author: Nguyễn Lam Phương *This article is part of the Mytour Goglobal program

Mytour Goglobal is a blogging program showcasing beautiful destinations worldwide, part of the Mytour Go & Share initiative. Each approved article rewards 1.200.000 VND and a chance to become a Mytour collaborator. For more details, visit: https://trv.lk/goglobal