So, is Milan worth visiting?
Okay, I’m going to be completely honest here.
I have now been to Milan three times. And every single time I went, I thought: okay, maybe I just didn’t give it a fair chance last time.
Maybe it was the season. Maybe I stayed in the wrong area. Maybe I was just unlucky with the crowds.
I’ve been in March, June and September, so I’ve basically tried Milan in different seasons.
And after three visits?
I’m sorry, but I just don’t like Milan.
There. I said it.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go. In fact, if you’re flying into Milan, I actually think you might as well stay for a day and see the highlights.
But would I plan an entire Italy trip around Milan?
Absolutely not.
So, Is Milan Worth Visiting?
My honest answer is: yes, but only for a short visit.
Milan has some genuinely beautiful places. The Duomo is obviously impressive, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is beautiful, Navigli is a fun area for an aperitivo and there are plenty of museums, churches and neighbourhoods worth exploring.
But for me, Milan is more of a “I’m already here, so I might as well see it” destination than a place I would specifically travel to.
And honestly, I think that’s completely fine.
Not every city has to be your favourite.
Why I Don’t Love Milan
It feels incredibly overwhelming
The biggest problem for me is simply how overwhelming Milan feels.
And I don’t mean this in a cute, exciting big-city way.
I mean there are SO MANY PEOPLE.
I’ve been in Milan in March, June and September, and every single time I felt like the city was absolutely packed.
Especially around the main sights, it sometimes felt like there were so many people around me that I could barely breathe.
Maybe I’m just not a big-city person, but after visiting three times, I can’t really blame it on bad timing anymore.
Milan is a major tourist destination and one of Italy’s biggest cities, so obviously the most famous parts can get busy. And the Duomo area is undeniably one of the main places visitors come to see.
But for me personally, the crowds really take away from the experience.
I want to be able to wander around a city, stop somewhere for a drink, walk down a random street and actually enjoy being there.
In Milan, I often felt like I was just trying to get through the crowd.
And Then There Are the Prices…
Another thing I struggle with in Milan?
The prices.
I’m sorry, but where am I supposed to find a normal-priced Aperol Spritz?!
We are in Italy.
I do not want to pay €22 for an Aperol.
Obviously, you can find cheaper places if you get away from the most touristy areas, and prices vary hugely depending on where you go. But around the main tourist areas, I found Milan noticeably expensive.
And when you combine that with the crowds, it just doesn’t make me want to stay longer.
I would rather spend those extra days somewhere else in Italy where I can sit outside, drink something without feeling robbed and actually enjoy the atmosphere.
But Milan Does Have Some Really Nice Places
Okay, I’ve complained enough.
Because Milan does have some places I really like.
The Duomo is absolutely worth seeing. You can visit the cathedral itself, but I especially recommend going up to the rooftop. You can actually walk across the terraces and get incredible views over the city.
The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is also beautiful and right next to the Duomo, so you can easily see both together.
And I actually really like Navigli.
This is probably the area where I would spend the most time if I had to choose. The canals, bars, restaurants and aperitivo atmosphere make it feel much more relaxed than the busiest parts around the Duomo. Navigli is also one of the city’s main areas for going out in the evening.
So it’s not that Milan has nothing to offer.
It definitely does.
I just don’t think there is enough here for me personally to make me want to stay for several days.
Is Milan Worth Visiting for One Day?
Yes. Absolutely.
Actually, this is probably the way I would recommend Milan to most people.
If you’re flying into Milan because it’s convenient and affordable, stay for a day and see the highlights before moving on.
You can see the Duomo, walk through the Galleria, explore a little bit of the city centre, maybe visit Castello Sforzesco, wander around Navigli and have an aperitivo.
And then…
Move on to the next place.
Because Northern Italy has SO many places I personally enjoyed more.
Lake Como, Lake Maggiore, Turin, Genoa, Florence…
I would much rather spend three extra days exploring somewhere like that than extending my Milan stay.
If you’re planning a bigger Northern Italy trip, you can also check out my Northern Italy Travel Guide for the route I travelled and all my tips for getting around.
How Many Days Do You Need in Milan?
For me?
One full day is enough.
If you really want to take your time, you could stay for two nights, especially if you’re travelling slowly or want to explore museums and neighbourhoods.
But I definitely wouldn’t recommend staying in Milan for four or five days just because you think you need that much time to see the city.
You don’t.
For a first visit, I would focus on:
- Duomo di Milano
- Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
- Castello Sforzesco
- Navigli
- Brera
- One museum or church
- A proper Italian aperitivo
That will give you a good feel for Milan without spending days fighting through crowds.
What I Would Do If I Were Visiting Milan for the First Time
If I had just one day in Milan, this is what I would do.
Start at the Duomo in the morning and go up to the rooftop. From there, walk through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and explore the surrounding city centre.
Grab lunch somewhere away from the busiest tourist streets, then walk towards Castello Sforzesco.
In the afternoon, either explore Brera or find a quieter church or museum.
And then head to Navigli in the evening.
Have an aperitivo by the canals, get some food and enjoy the city for a few hours.
And the next morning?
Bye Milan.
Is Milan Worth Visiting Compared to Other Places in Northern Italy?
This is where my answer becomes a very strong no, at least for me.
If you have limited time in Northern Italy, I would personally prioritise other places.
Lake Como is absolutely gorgeous and feels completely different from Milan.
Lake Maggiore was one of my favourite stops because it was much more relaxed.
Turin surprised me in the best way and felt less touristy.
Genoa gives you the city, the sea and easy access to places like Portofino.
And then you have Florence, which is also extremely touristy but still felt much more worth it to me because of the history, architecture and atmosphere.
So if you’re asking me:
“Saar, I have five days in Northern Italy. Should I spend three of them in Milan?”
Girl, no.
Go see Milan for a day and then keep going.
My Final Verdict: Is Milan Worth Visiting?
After three visits to Milan, I think I’ve finally accepted that this city and I are just not meant to be.
I kept giving it another chance because I thought maybe I had just caught it on a bad day.
But I’ve been in March.
I’ve been in June.
I’ve been in September.
And every time I had the same feeling: way too many people, way too overwhelming and way too expensive for what I personally get out of the city.
That doesn’t mean Milan is a bad destination.
It just means I don’t love it.
And I actually think that’s important to say when writing travel guides. You don’t need to love every popular destination just because everyone else does.
So, is Milan worth visiting?
For a day? Yes.
As a convenient place to fly into and then travel onwards? Definitely.
For a longer stay? Not for me.
See the Duomo, wander through the Galleria, have an aperitivo in Navigli and then go explore somewhere else.
Because honestly, there are so many places in Italy that I would rather spend my time in.
And Milan?
I’ve given you three chances, girl. We’re done.
Planning Your Trip to Italy?
Planning a trip to Italy can be surprisingly difficult, especially when you’re choosing between huge historic cities, beautiful coastlines, charming smaller towns, mountains, lakes and islands.
That’s why I’ve created my Italy Travel Guide, where I share destination guides, things to do, local tips and my personal experiences from travelling around Italy.
→ START HERE: Italy Travel Guides
FAQ: Is Milan Worth Visiting?
Is Milan worth visiting for one day?
Yes. I think one full day is enough to see Milan’s main highlights, including the Duomo, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Castello Sforzesco and Navigli.
Is Milan worth visiting for a weekend?
You can definitely spend a weekend in Milan, especially if you enjoy museums, shopping, food and nightlife. Personally, I wouldn’t stay much longer than one or two nights because Milan wasn’t my favourite city in Italy.
How many days do you need in Milan?
I recommend one full day for the main highlights. Two nights can also work if you want a slower pace or want to visit several museums.
Is Milan expensive?
Milan can be expensive, especially around the main tourist areas and popular attractions. Accommodation, restaurants and drinks can add up quickly, so I’d recommend comparing prices and exploring away from the busiest tourist streets.
What is Milan best known for?
Milan is best known for the Duomo di Milano, fashion, design, shopping, art, architecture and its aperitivo culture. The Duomo and Galleria are two of the city’s most iconic sights.
Should you visit Milan or Lake Como?
If you have limited time, I would personally choose Lake Como. Milan is convenient to fly into and easy to combine with other destinations, but Lake Como was much more my kind of place.
Is Milan overrated?
I think this depends completely on what you want from a city. Milan has some genuinely beautiful sights, but personally, I found it too crowded, overwhelming and expensive. After visiting three times, I still wouldn’t choose it over many other places in Northern Italy.
