Is it worthy to spend only one day in Milan? It surely is!
Milan is one of the best Italian cities, full of art, culture and sites to visit besides being the city of fashion.
If, for various reasons, you have only 24 hours, this is the city centre walking tour I recommend to spend one day in Milan.
What do you need to enjoy one day in Milan? The answer is simple, just a pair of comfortable shoes!
(At the end of the post you'll find the map with the itinerary)
One Day in Milan: walking tour of the city centre
1. Santa Maria delle Grazie and the Cenacolo Vinciano, be careful tickets must be taken online months before. Finding yourself in front of this masterpiece is an amazing feeling.
2. A few steps from Santa Maria delle Grazie, I recommend visiting the Church of St. Maurice at the Maggiore Monastery, one of the most beautiful churches in the city, thanks to the numerous and wonderful frescoes known as the "Sistine Chapel of Milan"
3. Piazza del Duomo is the main square and vital centre of Milan. A majestic square where you can admire different architectures: the equestrian monument of Vittorio Emanuele II, the imposing Gothic facade of the Duomo, the Arengario towers (20th century), the entrance to the Vittorio Emanuele Gallery (20th century), Royal Palace (14th century), Palazzo dei Portici (19th century), Archbishop's Palace (end of the 15th century).
I believe that the Duomo of Milan needs no introduction, it's a unique masterpiece!
4. Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery, it's not just a luxury shopping gallery but a real gem of neo-Renaissance architecture.
5. Walkig along the Gallery you arrive in Piazza della Scala, home of the famous and homonymous Theater and Marino Palace (municipality).
6. Brera District, one of the most beautiful areas in the city. Here, we find the Pinacoteca di Brera, wherein a couple of hours you can admire the most famous works, but ideally, you should spend at least a whole day!
In any case, it is worth at least looking into the atrium if you don't have the time or if you aren't a museum lover.
7. In Piazza (square) del Carmine, in the Brera District, we find the pretty Church of Santa Maria del Carmine. The façade has a beautiful nineteenth-century rose window. In front of the church, in the middle of the square, there is a large sculpture. The atmosphere is really suggestive and recalls Classicism.
The sculpture called Grande Toscano is by Igor Mitoraj, also known as half-breasted. We find ourselves facing a contemporary work that has its roots in the classical tradition.
8. Sforzesco Castle and Sempione Park - the Medieval Milan. The Castle is among the main symbols of the city, built in the fifteenth century by Francesco Sforza as a stronghold, today it's home to the Civic Museums.
>>> For a delicious stop in the neighbourhood, there is the Starita Neapolitan Pizzeria in 1, Gherardini street.
Sempione Park was built in the 19th century, a green area in the city centre in the romantic English style. The area is very large with a rich arboreal collection. Ideal to escape from the busy city centre and enjoy nature.
9. Arch of Peace or Porta Sempione, is among the most beautiful symbols of the city, the beginning of its construction dates back to the early 800s. Neoclassical monument in granite and covered with marble. In this monumental work, you can admire various bas-reliefs made by different artists.
10. Basilica of St. Ambrose (Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio), dedicated to Milan's patron saint and Archbishop, St. Ambrose. The Ambrosian Church is considered the II for importance in Milan.
Unfortunately, I found it closed, but it is worthwhile to walk into the courtyard and admire the façade and the arcade.
11. The Temple of Victory, a Fallen/War Memorial, is a monumental complex near St. Ambrose's Basilica.
12. Columns of St. Lawrence, an ancient late-Roman construction, here we also find the St. Lawrence Basilica Maggiore and the Porta Ticinese (city gate). In this place, time seems to have stopped, the atmosphere is really impressive.
13. The Navigli District, is best known for its nightlife and Italian aperitif. Full of typical and characteristic spots where you can meet, eat & drink with family and friends.
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