Milan is one of Italy’s most stylish destinations, known globally as a capital of design, fashion, and finance. The city is often associated with luxury shipping, elegant cafes, and impressive architecture, but there’s much more to Milan that many visitors fail to realize. Milan is also a lively cultural hub filled with walkable neighbourhoods, delicious food, and interesting public art pieces. If you’re planning to spend one day in Milan, it’ll give you enough time to see the main historic attractions in the city, but it’s always a good idea to stay longer if you can.
What started out as a Roman settlement grew into an important medieval commune and later a Renaissance stronghold. Milan once attracted figures such as Leonardo da Vinci, and its long history as a centre of industry and trade helped to shape the city we see today. Despite its reputation for high-end fashion and wealth, Milan can in fact be a very budget-friendly place to visit in Italy – if you know where to look. Whether you spend one or four days in Milan, you’ll have a great time exploring the city.
Is Milan a budget-friendly city in Italy?
Milan is the financial centre of Italy, and it’s one of the global capitals of luxury fashion. Due to this, Milan has a reputation for being the most expensive city in Italy. However, that doesn’t mean Milan isn’t an affordable place to visit. Like a lot of larger cities in Europe, costs depend on where you stay, where you eat, and what attractions or activities you want to do. If you’re going to treat Milan solely as a shopping destination, you’ll miss out on other aspects of the city, which can often be enjoyed for free or at a low cost.
Saving money in Milan comes down to the neighbourhood you stay in, timing, and embracing local habits. I’d recommend staying slightly outside of the historic centre of Milan, but close to public transportation, so you can cut down on accommodation costs significantly. Instead of tourist-area restaurants, focus on local cafes, bakeries, and casual restaurants or street food to keep your food costs down. You can also take advantage of the city’s aperitivo culture where a drink is accompanied by a light snack before dinner.
Booking major attractions online, planning ahead for museum discounts, mixing famous landmarks with free experiences, and walking between the main historic sites in Milan will all allow you to enjoy the city without overspending.
How to spend one day in Milan
Breakfast at Mercato Centrale Milano
The best way to start your morning in Milan is by grabbing breakfast at Mercato Centrale Milano. It’s located on the ground floor of the main train station and it’s where you can find dozens of artisan food stalls under one roof. This market is perfect for sampling a mixture of pastries, fresh focaccia, and proper Italian coffee for affordable prices. They even have meal deals in the morning that will save you a bit of money too. I’d suggest ordering a breakfast sandwich and a pastry to share, alongside a coffee or freshly squeezed orange juice.
Alternatively, for something more traditional, you can step into any neighbourhood cafe to experience Milan like a local. There are a lot of great coffee shops in Milan, including very modern ones. I’d recommend Orsonero Coffee which is around a 15 minute walk from the central station.
The Duomo
The unmistakable symbol of Milan is the Duomo di Milano. It’s one of the largest cathedrals in Europe, dating back to the 14th century when it was built to show Milan’s political importance. The unique mixture of architecture on display comes from the countless craftsmen and sculptors who contributed to its design over the centuries. It’s very impressive to see from Piazza del Duomo – especially early in the morning when there are less tourists crowded in front of it.
If you want to go inside the Duomo, there’s of course an entry fee. You’ll need to pay extra to go to the rooftop as well but I’d highly recommend it as the view is incredible and you can see the spires and statues up close. Even if you only admire the Duomo from the piazza, you’re looking at over 600 years worth of history. The Duomo should be at the top of any list of how to spend one day in Milan.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Sitting next to the Duomo is the very impressive Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. It dates back to the 1860s and was built not long after Italian unification. The shopping arcade stands as a symbol of the new nation’s optimism, and was named after Italy’s first king. At the time it was built, the iron and glass dome was a huge architectural achievement and it very quickly became a meeting place for the city’s elite. Even politicians, writers, and business leaders gathered in the arcade’s cafes.
Today, visitors can walk through Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II at any time of the day for free. You can pop into one of the high-end fashion shops inside the gallery or grab something to eat at a cafe or restaurant too. If you’re only spending one day in Milan, you won’t want to miss walking through the gallery and admiring its design from the inside. Try to go earlier in the day if possible, as it gets very crowded midday.
Grab a slice of pizza from Spontini
After exploring some historic attractions in Milan, you’ll probably have built up an appetite. Around the corner from Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is a great budget-friendly place to eat in Milan – Spontini. This famous pizza spot serves soft-based Milanese pizza slices with a variety of toppings. Unlike Roman pizza, this pizza is cheesy, thick, and sold by the slice. Service here is designed for speed, and one slice is sure to fill you up for the next few hours. You can either eat standing or take your slice away with you for convenience. Each slice is cut into small pieces making it easy and quick to eat.
Piazza Mercanti
One of my favourite places to visit in Milan is Piazza Mercanti. It’s tucked away just a few steps from the Duomo, and it was once the true centre of medieval Milan. From the 13th century onward, Piazza Mercanti hosted public announcements, markets, and civic government. The buildings surrounding the piazza include what was once the city’s main law court and historic merchant galleries where traders sold goods.
Piazza Mercanti remains one of the few places in Milan where you can still clearly picture the medieval city layout, despite the modernization around it. Many people miss this piazza while spending one day in Milan, but it’s very easy to add to your itinerary if you’re wandering around the city centre.
Enjoy some tiramisu
You can’t spend a day in Milan without eating tiramisu. Even if you’re not a lover of this Italian dessert, it’s worth trying at least a spoonful from Spùn, located near Piazza Mercanti. This dessert shop in Milan serves only tiramisu in a variety of flavours, including traditional, peanut butter, pistachio, and Nutella. Their tiramisu comes served in individual boxes and fresh toppings are added to them right when you order. Spùn is a great budget-friendly dessert spot in Milan that’s conveniently located near attractions such as the Duomo, so make sure you stop by!
Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio
A great hidden gem to see while spending one day in Milan is Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio. This is one of the most important religious buildings in Milan, originally founded in the 4th century by Saint Ambrose – the city’s patron saint and one of the most influential bishops in early Christianity. Most of what we see today dates back to the 11th-12th centuries, and the basilica was a model for Lombard church architecture across the north of Italy.
What’s nice about visiting Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio is that access is completely free. The courtyard is a major highlight and a beautiful place to take photos in a quiet setting compared to the Duomo. The columns you see here were reused from Roman buildings – a fact many people don’t know when visiting. You can also go inside the basilica and see the crypt of Saint Ambrose.
Castello Sforzesco
Those of you who are interested in the history of Milan shouldn’t miss the chance to visit Castello Sforzesco. This impressive structure started out as a defensive fortress in the 14th century, but it was later changed into a Renaissance ducal residence in the 15th century. The castle once housed one of the most sophisticated courts in Italy, attracting engineers and artists such as da Vinci who worked on projects here.
Sadly, the castle fell into decline while under foreign rule, and in the 19th century it was even considered for demolition before it was officially restored as a national monument. There are several museums inside the castle today, but if you’re more interested in free things to do in Milan, you can stroll around its enormous defensive courtyards instead – free of charge. Don’t forget to walk through Parco Sempione and find the Arco della Pace.
Take a break at Mascherpa
Mascherpa is a unique place to try tiramisu in Milan, known for being the original tiramisu boutique. Their tiramisu are all handmade with fresh ingredients, and they’re served in convenient containers that you can easily take away. On top of traditional tiramisu, Mascherpa also has a variety of creative variations, and you may come across a tiramisu-themed gelato in the summertime too. There are a few places to sit inside, making it an ideal place to come for a dessert and a drink before continuing on your one day in Milan adventures.
Arco della Pace
The Arco della Pace sits at the far end of Parco Sempione, just a short walk from Castello Sforzesco. This arch was commissioned in 1807 during the Napoleonic era as part of a ceremonial route celebrating military victories. When Napoleon fell, the project was repurposed and it was eventually completed in 1838 as a dedication to European peace instead. It also marks the transition from the historic centre to the open green space of the park.
If you watched the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics in 2026, you’ll recognize this arch as the location of the Olympic flame in Milan.
Watch a sporting event
When people think of sports in Milan they instantly picture the iconic San Siro, and with good reason. The stadium is the home of both AC Milan and Inter Milan, and the atmosphere on gameday is hard to match. However, beyond football, there are plenty of other sporting events taking place throughout the year. We were fortunate enough to visit Milan during the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics where we got tickets for a women’s hockey game. If you’re a sports enthusiast, I’d recommend doing some research before you spend one day in Milan so you can see what events are taking place in the city.
Eat fresh pasta at Miscusi
There are endless places to eat pasta in Milan, but for freshly made pasta dishes at budget-friendly prices, you have to dine at Miscusi. This casual restaurant chain was founded in Milan, and they have several locations around the city, including near the central train station. We dined at Miscusi Bocconi since it was more convenient for us.
Miscusi has a fantastic menu, with plenty of fresh pasta dishes to choose from as well as the option to build your own. Don’t skip out on the starters and desserts either – they’re equally as tasty and impressive. You’ll also find the prices for a ½ litre jug of wine to be very reasonable. Miscusi is easily one of the best places to eat in Milan, especially for people visiting the city on a budget.
End the day at a spa in Milan
What’s the best way to finish spending one day in Milan? A relaxing spa, of course. This is especially true if you’re planning a trip to Milan in the winter, when the nights are longer.
QC Termemilano is the best spa in Milan, surrounded by historic walls and located not too far from Porta Romana. It features outdoor thermal pools, a vintage tram that’s now a sauna, steam rooms with different scents, and an underground spa circuit that’s reminiscent of a Roman spa. You’ll also find relaxation rooms with a variety of themes, a restaurant, and free drinks and snacks to enjoy throughout your stay.
Entry to QC Termemilano isn’t cheap, but if you purchase an evening ticket you’ll save a bit of money and not waste precious daylight.
Where to stay in Milan
One of the biggest expenses you’ll come across is accommodation in Milan. Hotels can be very expensive, especially if you plan to stay in a central location. For a different kind of overnight experience, I’d recommend Un posto a Milano. This guesthouse is located inside an 18th century farmhouse within the city, combining rustic charm with a sustainable atmosphere and an on-site restaurant that uses local ingredients. From this guesthouse it’s easy to reach the main attractions by public transportation too.
Alternatively, MEININGER Milano Garibaldi is a great hostel-hotel that offers private ensuite rooms as well as dorms. You also have access to a shared kitchen, making it a good option for short stays or solo travellers. Or, you can always opt for an Airbnb apartment, but that would probably be better for longer trips where having more space is beneficial.
Is one day in Milan enough time?
Spending one day in Milan is enough time to see the city’s major highlights and enjoy its food scene – if you plan yourself well. Whether you’re in Milan for a quick city break, using it as a stop between other Italian destinations, or you want to sample its incredible food, you don’t need a huge budget to enjoy this fashion and culture capital. To make the most of your time in the city, prioritize what interests you the most. Make sure you leave enough time to wander around the beautiful historic streets and shopping galleries too.
If you need any help planning your one day in Milan trip, or you’re thinking of spending four days in Milan or more, please feel free to reach out. You can get in touch through email or by using the contact form on my website. Don’t forget to follow along with my travels on Instagram and TikTok too, where you’ll come across even more travel tips and ideas about where to explore next.
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