Milan Travel Guide: The Duomo, Brera, the Navigli and Pavia

By Blaise Jaeger · Updated October 14, 2026

Milan, the capital of Lombardy, is Italy’s economic and fashion capital, but also a city of art: the Gothic cathedral and its rooftop terraces, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the Brera district and its museum, the canals of the Navigli, and Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper. It is also the gateway to the lakes, Lake Como first among them, an hour away.

I first came to Milan in 2012 and returned many times in the following years. This guide follows my last stay, in March 2026, when I arrived by car from France before continuing to Pavia and Lake Como, with what I would recommend for a first visit.

The white marble Gothic facade of Milan Cathedral on Piazza del Duomo — Milan Cathedral, March 1, 2026

Milan at a Glance

Where: in Lombardy, northern Italy, between the Alps and the Po plain.
Main station: Milano Centrale, for high-speed trains to Florence, Rome and Venice; Cadorna and Centrale for the airport trains.
Must-see: the Duomo and its terraces, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Brera, the Navigli and the Last Supper.
How long: one or two days for the centre, more with the museums and a day trip to Lake Como or Pavia.
Book ahead: the Duomo terraces and, above all, the Last Supper, which sells out weeks in advance.
Getting around: on foot in the centre, with the metro and the trams for longer distances.

My Day in Milan

Morning: the Duomo and its rooftop terraces

On Sunday, March 1, 2026, we were on Piazza del Duomo shortly after 9:00 AM. The cathedral, begun in 1386 and only completed in the 19th century, is one of the largest Gothic churches in the world, entirely covered in white and pink Candoglia marble. We had booked a ticket for the terraces with the lift in advance, which avoids the climb and the queue for tickets.

Up on the roof, you walk among the spires, the flying buttresses and the statues, up to the main spire topped by the golden Madonnina. From the top, the view extends over the piazza and the rooftops of Milan.

The marble spires and rooftop terraces of Milan Cathedral — The terraces of the Duomo, March 1, 2026

Blaise Jaeger on the rooftop terraces of Milan Cathedral among the spires — Me on the terraces of the Duomo

We then visited the inside: five naves separated by huge pillars, and some of the largest stained-glass windows in the world.

The nave and pillars inside Milan Cathedral — Inside the Duomo

Midday: lunch facing the Duomo and the Galleria

For lunch, we went up to the top floor of the Rinascente department store, next to the cathedral, where the restaurants have a terrace facing the spires of the Duomo. Then we crossed the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the glass-roofed shopping arcade of the 19th century that links Piazza del Duomo to La Scala. In the centre, under the dome, tradition has it that you spin on your heel on the mosaic bull for good luck; there is always a queue.

View of Piazza del Duomo and the side of Milan Cathedral from the Rinascente department store — Piazza del Duomo from the Rinascente

Visitors in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan around the mosaic bull — The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Afternoon: Brera and the Navigli

In the early afternoon, we walked up to Brera, the old artists’ district, with its cobbled streets, its galleries and the Palazzo Brera, home to the Pinacoteca, whose courtyard is guarded by a bronze statue of Napoleon after Canova.

A cobbled street with plants and cafes in the Brera district of Milan — The Brera district

At the end of the day, we went to the Navigli, the canals in the south-west of the city, which come alive at aperitivo time. Along the Naviglio Grande, the bars serve a spritz with snacks, on terraces by the water.

The Naviglio Grande canal in Milan lined with bars and restaurants — The Naviglio Grande, March 1, 2026

One evening, we also had a drink at the Terrazza Aperol, on Piazza del Duomo, facing the illuminated cathedral.

Milan Cathedral lit up at night — The Duomo at night

Day Trip to Pavia

On March 2, on our way to Lake Como, we stopped in Pavia, about 35 km south of Milan. The old university town has a cathedral with one of the largest domes in Italy, the Romanesque basilica of San Michele Maggiore, where Frederick Barbarossa was crowned King of Italy in 1155, and the Ponte Coperto, the covered bridge over the Ticino.

The Ponte Coperto covered bridge over the Ticino river in Pavia — The Ponte Coperto in Pavia, March 2, 2026

My Other Visits to Milan

Between 2012 and 2017, I came to Milan many times. I visited the Triennale design museum, Pirelli HangarBicocca with Anselm Kiefer’s Seven Heavenly Palaces, the Galleria lit up at night, and the Duomo several times, by day and by night. I also took the train from Milano Centrale to Lugano, in Switzerland, just over an hour away.

The steel and glass train shed of Milano Centrale station — Milano Centrale station

Where to Stay in Milan

For a first visit, stay near the Duomo or in Brera to do everything on foot. The Navigli are lively in the evening, and the area around Milano Centrale is practical for trains. See all the hotels in Milan.

Getting to and around Milan

By car: we came from the French Alps through the Mont Blanc Tunnel, with a car rented in Paris; you can compare rentals in Paris on Discover Cars. In Milan, the centre is a paid traffic zone (Area C) and parking is expensive.
By plane: Malpensa is linked to Cadorna and Centrale by the Malpensa Express train; Linate is connected to the centre by metro line M4.
By train: high-speed trains link Milano Centrale to Florence and Rome; see my Florence itinerary and my Rome travel guide.
To Lake Como: trains to Como in under an hour, or about an hour by car. See my Lake Como travel guide.

Practical Tips for Milan

Duomo: book the terraces online; shoulders and knees must be covered inside the cathedral.
The Last Supper: tickets go on sale several weeks ahead and sell out quickly.
Aperitivo: from around 6 PM, many bars serve snacks with your drink, especially in the Navigli and Brera.
Driving: avoid driving into the centre; leave the car in a garage and walk or take the metro.

Italy travel guide: my trips and itineraries in Italy.
Lake Como travel guide: Como, Bellagio and Villa Carlotta.
Florence itinerary: two days in the cradle of the Renaissance.
Cinque Terre in one day: the five villages by train.

Milan FAQ

Is Milan worth visiting?

Yes. Beyond fashion and business, Milan has one of the most impressive cathedrals in Europe, the Galleria, Brera, the Navigli and the Last Supper, and it is the gateway to the Italian lakes.

How many days do you need in Milan?

One full day is enough for the Duomo, the Galleria, Brera and the Navigli. Add a day for the museums or a day trip to Lake Como or Pavia.

Should you go up to the Duomo terraces?

Yes. Walking among the spires is the highlight of a visit to the cathedral; the lift saves the climb.

What is the best area to stay in Milan?

Around the Duomo or in Brera for walking everywhere, the Navigli for the evenings, and near Milano Centrale for the trains.

Can you visit Lake Como from Milan?

Yes, Como is under an hour by train, and the ferries and speed boats continue to Bellagio.