Things we wish someone had told us before going to Milan
The essentials
- Visa: Schengen
- Currency: Euro
- Getting around: Metro + tram, contactless payment
- Day trip: Lake Como, ~1 hour by train
- Our number one tip: The line in front of Luini, just behind the Duomo, looks long but moves quickly. Grab your panzerotti and sit on a nearby bench to eat them piping hot.
Many people think of Milan as a layover or a shopping stop. But with the right plan, it’s a city where you can walk the Duomo’s rooftop, grab aperitivo in Navigli, and escape to Lake Como the next day.
1Buy your Duomo rooftop ticket in advance
Exploring the terraces on the cathedral’s roof is one of Milan’s most impressive experiences. Buy tickets online; taking the stairs is cheaper than the elevator. Remember that shoulders and knees must be covered to enter the cathedral.
Book this tour: availability and prices on GetYourGuide (discount code GEZSEKDEDIK5)
2Book The Last Supper weeks ahead
Leonardo da Vinci’s fresco at Santa Maria delle Grazie can only be seen in small groups during short timed visits. Tickets sell out very fast, so follow the official sales calendar or join a guided tour.
3Sitting down comes with a cost: coperto
It’s normal for restaurants to add a per-person “coperto” (bread and service charge) to your check. Drinking your coffee standing at the bar is also cheaper than at a table.
4Aperitivo is a way of life
In the late afternoon, snacks arrive alongside your drink order. The bars lined up along the Navigli canals are the best-known spot. And let’s not forget that Campari was born in this city.
5Spin on the bull in the Galleria
It’s said that spinning once on your heel over the bull mosaic on the floor of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II brings good luck. Be ready to join the line, everyone tries it!
Places in this story
- Luini (Duomo, Milan) — Street Food. A small shop right behind the Duomo, frying panzerotti since 1949. The line looks long, but it moves quickly. Must try: Mozzarella and tomato panzerotti
- Camparino in Galleria (Galleria, Milan) — Bar & Aperitivo. The classic bar for an aperitivo at the entrance to Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, in the city where Campari was born. Must try: Campari Seltz
Frequently asked questions
How do I get up to the Milan Duomo rooftop?
Buy tickets online in advance; the stairs are cheaper than the elevator. Remember to cover your shoulders and knees to enter the cathedral.
Do I need a reservation to see The Last Supper?
Yes. The fresco at Santa Maria delle Grazie is viewed in small groups during short timed visits, and tickets sell out very quickly.
What is coperto at Milan restaurants?
It’s a per-person bread and service charge added to your check; it’s a normal practice in Italy.
Authors
This story was written by Tuğba & Burak. We have been traveling together for 13 years and we visit every place we recommend ourselves. Instagram: @gezsekdedik