Optional add-on: Visit Santa Maria delle Grazie, best known as the home of Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, The Last Supper. Advance reservations are essential, as visitor numbers are strictly limited.

Begin the day with a traditional Italian breakfast of cappuccino and a brioche (Italian croissant) at a local café. Then head to the Duomo di Milano, the city’s Gothic masterpiece and one of the largest churches in Europe. Explore the cathedral interior before ascending to the rooftop terraces, where intricate spires, statues, and panoramic views reveal the scale and artistry of the building.

Requirements for respectful/modest attire apply at churches, synagogues, and other religious sites. Visitors should avoid disrupting religious observances and remain mindful of posted customs.

Step into Piazza del Duomo, Milan’s grand central square and the traditional heart of the city. Admire the surrounding architecture and then continue into the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, an elegant nineteenth-century shopping arcade known for its soaring glass dome, mosaic floors, luxury boutiques, and historic cafés. Look for the mosaic bull on the floor, where many visitors participate in the local tradition of spinning on its heel for good luck.

Optional add-on: Explore the Quadrilatero della Moda, Milan’s fashion district. Wander along streets such as Via Monte Napoleone and Via della Spiga, home to luxury boutiques, flagship stores, and some of Italy’s most prestigious fashion houses.

Head to Brera for lunch. Consider trying risotto Milanese (saffron risotto) or cotoletta alla Milanese (breaded veal cutlet).

Continue to Castello Sforzesco, a Renaissance fortress that once served as the residence of Milan’s ruling Sforza family. Explore the courtyards, historic defenses, and museum collections. If time permits, enjoy a walk through Parco Sempione, a popular green space located behind the castle with shaded pathways, ponds, and monuments.

Spend the evening in the canal district of Navigli, one of Milan’s most popular destinations for aperitivo. Enjoy drinks beside the canals and sample local specialties such as mondeghili (Milanese meatballs). Consider trying a Negroni Sbagliato (Campari, sweet vermouth, and sparkling wine).

Optional add-on: Attend a performance at Teatro alla Scala, one of the most prestigious opera houses in the world. For centuries, La Scala has hosted many of the greatest names in opera, ballet, and classical music.