My Milan: What You Absolutely Can’t Miss in 2 Days I’m Nina from Town Homes Milan, and I’ve lived in Milan for many, many years, and I still discover something new every time I walk through the city center. But if you only have two days? Here’s what I’d tell a dear friend visiting for the first time: the Milan I love, through my eyes and my family’s stories.
“My favorite thing to do in Milan is visiting the Duomo rooftop. The 360-degree view is magnificent – on clear days, you can even see all the way to the Alps! But what I love most is seeing the incredible details up close. There are supposed to be over 3000 statues, 150 gargoyles, 96 giants, and 135 spires! Here you can buy fast-track tickets from the official site.
Here’s a local saying I love: ‘Lungh ‘me la Fabrica del Domm’ it is in Milanes dialect and translates to ‘long as the factory of the cathedral.’ Milanese use this saying when something takes forever to finish, because the Duomo has been under construction and restoration for centuries!
Inside the Duomo di Milano
Of course, you must also go inside the magnificent cathedral. I especially want to point you towards the five bronze doors of the main entrance – some of the newer artistic works on the Duomo.
The second door from the left holds a very special place in my heart.It opened in 1950 and was decorated by Milan artist Giannino Castiglioni. It shows the religious and political work of Sant’ Ambrogio.
Here’s the family story: When my mother-in-law Rosa first came to Milan, she worked various jobs to make ends meet – including wrapping panettone (where she met my father-in-law)! But she also worked as a model for some of Milan’s most renowned artists and sculptors, including the painter Achille Funi and sculptor Giannino Castiglioni.
Rosa posed for Castiglioni when he created this last bronze relief door on the Duomo. She also modeled for some of his funerary works at the Cimitero Monumentale, and for the statue of the Immaculate Madonna that stands atop the Università Cattolica di Milano.
Family legend says Castiglioni fell in love with her, but Rosa chose my father-in-law, Eugenio instead. Every time I pass through those doors, I think of Rosa and wonder which face in the bronze reliefs might be hers. We even named one of our apartments after her. You can take a look at Casa Rosy.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Next up is the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. This magnificent glass and steel arcade connects the Duomo to La Scala and is affectionately called ‘Il Salotto di Milano’ – Milan’s living room – by locals. Inaugurated in 1867, it’s probably one of the most luxurious shopping centers in the world, with Prada, Chanel, Gucci, and other high-end boutiques.
For food, you’ll find some of Milan’s most famous restaurants, including Michelin-starred chef Carlo Cracco’s restaurant and the historic Savini (definitely try their Riso al Salto con crema al Parmigiano Reggiano – it’s spectacular!).
Don’t forget the good luck ritual! Under the central dome, you’ll find a mosaic of the Turin coat of arms featuring a bull. Put your heel on the bull’s testicles and spin around three times for good luck. The tradition started as an ‘offesa’, an insult to the Turinese (Milan’s historic rivals) – but has since become a beloved Milanese tradition. For tourists, it’s now considered a wish to return to Milan, and the mosaic is actually worn down from centuries of hopeful spinning.
I must have walked through this Galleria thousands of times, and I still look up at that glass dome every single time.
A Quick Milanese Food Stop
If you want to try a classic Milanese ‘fast food’ to eat on the go, don’t miss the fried panzerotti from Luini – just a minute’s walk from the Duomo and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. Loved by locals and tourists alike, this place has been a Milan institution since 1949. My husband, Simone, as a teenager, came here with his school friends when they sometimes skipped school (Don’t tell him I told you that!). First, they’d hang around La Rinascente, the high-end department store in front of the Duomo, and then grab panzerotti at Luini, which was the high point of the day. You may need to stand in line for a while during lunch hours, but it’s absolutely worth the wait! You can check Luini’s official website for more information.
La Scala and Milan’s Love for Opera
Exiting from the Galleria, you’ll find yourself face to face with La Scala – probably the most famous opera house in the world. The real beauty of La Scala is inside, and is, of course, best experienced during one of their magical performances.
Many of Milan’s ‘Milano bene’ (the city’s upper social classes – think aristocratic circles, economic elite, refined lifestyle in exclusive neighborhoods like Brera) hold seasonal passes and attend most performances. And since Rosa is revealing herself to be the star of this blog post (to my surprise and joy!), I have to tell you: opera and classical music were her greatest passions in life. She and my father-in-law Eugenio were avid opera-goers with their own seasonal passes.
Rosa’s love for music is why Simone became a musician. For years, she sat next to him every single day during his piano studies – pointing out where he needed more practice and turning the pages for him. He wasn’t too enthusiastic about it as a kid, but now he’s extremely grateful for her dedication.
You can explore performances and tickets on La Scala’s official website.
Following Leonardo da Vinci Through Milan
Now let’s leave Rosa (there will be more of her in other blogs!) and concentrate on an Italian far more famous: the creative genius Leonardo da Vinci and his influence on the next places to visit – Castello Sforzesco, the Navigli canals, and The Last Supper.
Leonardo lived for almost 20 years in Milan, and those years were among the most productive of his life. Here, he painted ‘The Last Supper’ and made incredible studies on anatomy, engineering, and nature.
The Last Supper
The Last Supper / L’Ultima Cena. This masterpiece is exhibited at the Cenacolo Vinciano museum in the refectory of Santa Maria delle Grazie. Book tickets as early as possible – they sell out weeks in advance!
Castello Sforzesco
This huge Medieval-Renaissance fortress houses historical museums and art by both da Vinci and Michelangelo.
Leonardo da Vinci arrived in Milan in 1482, invited by Ludovico il Moro, the Duke of Milan who ruled from Castello Sforzesco. Leonardo wasn’t just a painter. Ludovico wanted him as an engineer, architect, and court artist.
Leonardo worked on several projects for the castle:
The Sala delle Asse – This is the most famous room decorated by Leonardo in the castle. He painted the vaults with an incredible interweaving of mulberry branches (the “moro” – a clever play on words with Ludovico il Moro’s name!) that create a natural pergola. It’s like standing under a magical tree!
Fortification projects – Leonardo designed defensive systems and canals to protect the castle. He was a military genius as well as an artist.
Before or after visiting the Castello, stop at LùBarino in Piazza del Carmine – a delightful kiosk that perfectly captures what I love about Milan. It’s the informal little sister of the renowned LùBar, where everyone – young and old, Milanese and tourists – gathers for a beer, wine, or artisanal gelato.
The Navigli Canals
The Navigli Canals Leonardo also worked on Milan’s canal system – the Navigli. He designed locks and hydraulic systems to improve navigation and irrigation. The canals he helped engineer were used to transport the marble from Lake Maggiore that built the Duomo! Today, the Navigli district is one of Milan’s most charming neighborhoods, perfect for an evening aperitivo along the water.
If you want to feel like a local, grab a drink from one of the many bars and sit down at the Darsena Navigli to enjoy the atmosphere by the water. Walk around the area and be sure to not miss ‘Vicolo dei Lavandai’ a very well kept old corner of old Milan where you can still see where locals once washed their clothes by hand.
On the last Sunday of every month, the Naviglio Grande transforms into a treasure hunter’s paradise! An antiques market stretches nearly 2 kilometers along the canal – over 380 carefully selected vendors selling everything from antiques to quality vintage. It’s the perfect Sunday morning activity before aperitivo along the water!
If you’re looking for even more local favorites and iconic attractions, explore our guide to the best places to visit in Milan.
Brera and the Pinacoteca di Brera
Pinacoteca di Brera & The Brera District After following Leonardo’s trail, explore Brera – Milan’s artistic soul. The Pinacoteca houses masterpieces by Raphael, Caravaggio, Mantegna, and artists influenced by Leonardo’s revolutionary techniques. The museum is housed in the beautiful Palazzo Brera, which also contains a botanical garden, astronomical observatory, and the historic Braidense Library.
But don’t just visit the museum – wander the Brera neighborhood! Its narrow streets, art galleries, and intimate cafés capture the bohemian spirit that has made this Milan’s creative quarter for centuries
And if you enjoy discovering cozy cafés while exploring the city, take a look at our guide to the best coffee in Milan.
Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology
And finally to complete our Leonardo section: Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology
The exhibition takes you through Leonardo’s life from 15th-century Florence to his time in Milan under the Sforza, highlighting his contributions to warfare, flight, waterways, and architecture. You’ll see wooden models built from Leonardo’s original drawings – his flying machines, war devices, hydraulic systems, and architectural innovations brought to three-dimensional life. It’s housed in a beautiful 16th-century monastery and you could easily spend half a day here.
Perfect for anyone who wants to understand Leonardo’s genius beyond his paintings. The museum is near the Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio and The Last Supper – you can combine all three in one area.
You can find more information on the museum’s official website.
Classic Milanese Dishes to Try
Please do not leave Milan without tasting some of these classic dishes:
Risotto alla Milanese – Creamy saffron risotto with those precious golden pistils. This is Milan’s signature dish, and when done right, it’s pure comfort in a bowl.
Ossobuco di Vitello alla Milanese – Slow-braised veal shanks that fall off the bone, traditionally served with saffron risotto. The marrow in the bone (osso buco means “bone with a hole”) is considered the best part!
Costoletta alla Milanese – The famous Milanese breaded veal chop, crispy on the outside and tender inside. Some say this is the grandfather of the Viennese schnitzel!
Our Favourite Local Trattorias
Our favorite authentic trattorias: We love Trattoria Masuelli and Trattoria del Nuovo Macello – both serve traditional Milanese cuisine the way it’s meant to be: honest, generous, and delicious. These are real neighborhood spots where locals eat, not tourist traps.
Final Thoughts
Milan has been home to my family’s joys, stories, and memories for generations. I hope in these two days, you experience not just the city’s beauty but some of its soul.
Two days isn’t enough to truly know Milan – but it’s enough to fall in love with it. And when you’re ready to come back you know where to find us – just 10 minutes from Milano Centrale, ready to welcome you home.
Stay with us at Town Homes Milano and let our family share more of our Milan with you. Our apartments are just minutes from Milano Centrale, making it easy to explore the city like a local. Take a look at our Milan apartments.
