There is no denying that Milan is one of the most elegant cities in the world.
High-end fashion stores boast of the Milanese art of turning simple fabrics into works of art. In a state of constant flux, Milan embodies the drama.
With more than 2,000 years of turbulent human history, this northern Italian city was important during the Roman Empire, the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Milan was conquered by the French, Spaniards and Austrians before the unification of modern Italy in the 19th century. He founded the fascist Party during the First World Debate and was practically finished in the Second World Debate. It’s a lot of history that can be explored by humble tourists like you and me. Especially if you run out of time
We spent 1 day in Milan at the end of a lightning fast train ride through Italy and crammed as many sights as possible in 24 hours. This day tour visits Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper, climbs the Duomo and even takes some time to shop in the Golden Triangle.
Be warned, this plan is not for the faint of heart. Not even Milan.
The Last Supper by Leonardo Davinci and the Duomo of Milan in the best Milan tour
Start your day on the right foot with the take Walks tour of the best of Milan. The 3-hour small-group tour starts at 9 a.m. with a visit to Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, the Last Supper. The famous fresco exudes a noticeable magic that simply can not be captured in the photos. Perhaps it is due to its oversized dimensions, occupying an entire wall in the former dining room of the monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazi.
Leonardo da Vinci Museum
We walked back, past the Duomo and through the gallery to the Leonardo3-the world museum of Leonardo da Vinci. The museum displays reconstructions of Leonardo da Vinci’s inventions, including flying machines, weapons of debate and even a time machine (sorry, it is not functional). There are also digital displays explaining his most famous paintings, such as the Last Supper. I recommend buying tickets on GetYourGuide, which includes an audio guide in English to help you understand the meaning of what you see.
Window shopping in the Golden Triangle
The golden triangle is the global Mecca of fashion. 3 Streets in the center of Milan, Via Monte Napoleone, Via della Spiga and Via Sant’Andrea, are lined with the most prestigious designer fashion stores in the world, such as Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Gucci, Versace, Armani, and many, many more.
If your credit card limit allows you to make real purchases in these designer stores, by all means shop until they fall. As for the rest of us, we must be satisfied when we look through the interesting showcases.
Museum of Civic Archaeology
Walk or take the metro to the Museum of Civic Archeology, which is located in a historic building, a former monastery with ancient Roman walls still visible and 2 medieval towers. The museum displays artifacts, including Roman statues and sculptures, Ancient Greek sculptures and ceramics, as well as Etruscan archaeological remains.
The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9.00 to 17.30.
Sforza Castle
On the way to the Sforza Castle, take a short break at the most famous Milan café Marchesi 1824, which has been serving delicious pastries for almost 200 years.
Built in the XVIII century and restored at the end of the 18th century, it houses several museums and was the seat of power of the Dukes of Milan.
Entrance to the castle is free (from 7.00 to 19.30), but the museums cost and are open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9.00 to 17.30. The wall and ceiling fresco by Leonardo da Vinci, the Sala delle Asse, is very popular, so if you want to see it, temporary tickets can be purchased in advance (up to 50 people per time slot).
Since it is not possible to see all the museums in just 1.5 hours, I suggest that you focus on the Museo D’arte Antica, which contains a wealth of Renaissance art (including that of Leonardo da Vinci).
Walk along the canals
The canals are 15 minutes by taxi or 30 minutes on foot from the Sforza Castle. If you decide to go for a walk, stop at the Colonne di San Lorenzo to see ancient, well-preserved Roman columns.
Enjoy an aperitif
Choose a waterfront bar, such as BANCO, and treat yourself to a refreshing drink. I can not overtake a traditional Italian aperol spritz with orange liqueur aperol, prosecco and sparkling water.
