Milan

01

The Duomo and its terraces

Begin with the cathedral, then climb to the terraces among the spires and pinnacles, where the roof gives a close view of the marble carving and a wide one over the piazza and the city. Tickets are sold for the cathedral and the terraces, with access on foot or by lift.

• Allow 1.5–2 hours
• Book Tickets and time slots in advance
• Official Duomo di Milano ↗

02

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Walk through the glass-roofed arcade that links Piazza del Duomo with Piazza della Scala. It is a passage as much as a destination, lined with cafés and shops beneath its iron and glass dome.

• Allow 30 minutes
• Map Galleria ↗

03

Piazza della Scala

At the far end of the Galleria, Piazza della Scala faces the opera house. If you want to go inside, the Museo Teatrale alla Scala covers the theatre's history and, when rehearsals allow, opens onto a view of the auditorium.

• Allow 15 minutes; 1 hour with the museum
• Official Teatro alla Scala ↗

04

Brera and the Pinacoteca

Continue north along Via Verdi and Via Brera into Brera, a district of narrow streets, galleries and small shops. It is worth treating as three separate things.

First, the neighbourhood itself: walk Via Fiori Chiari, Via Madonnina and the streets around Via Brera, which need no ticket. Second, the Pinacoteca di Brera on the upper floors of the Palazzo di Brera, a major collection of Italian painting that deserves at least ninety minutes. Third, the Orto Botanico, a small historic garden behind the palazzo, with its own entrance and opening hours.

• Allow 2–2.5 hours with the Pinacoteca
• Know The Pinacoteca and the Orto Botanico keep separate hours; check both before planning the afternoon.
• Official Pinacoteca di Brera ↗

01

Leonardo's Last Supper

Leonardo's mural of the Last Supper covers the end wall of the former refectory of the Dominican convent beside Santa Maria delle Grazie. Visitors enter in small groups at a fixed time, so plan the morning around your slot; the church itself can be visited separately.

• Allow About an hour including arrival
• Book Required; see below
• Official Museo del Cenacolo Vinciano ↗

03

Parco Sempione and the Arco della Pace

Behind the castle, Parco Sempione opens out towards the Arco della Pace, a natural pause between the fortress and the Neoclassical arch at the far end. Cross it at an easy pace, then take the metro or a tram towards the Navigli.

• Allow 45 minutes
• Map Arco della Pace ↗

04

The Navigli and the Darsena

Arrive in the late afternoon at the Darsena, the old harbour basin where the canals meet. From there, a simple route follows the Naviglio Grande: walk along the south bank to the Vicolo dei Lavandai, the old washing place with its covered stone basins, then continue along the canal for as long as you like before choosing somewhere for aperitivo or dinner.

• Best Late afternoon into the evening
• Getting there Metro M2 to Porta Genova or Sant'Agostino, or a tram towards Porta Ticinese
• Map Darsena ↗