If you’ve been planning a trip to Italy, chances are you’ve seen mixed opinions about Milan. Some travellers absolutely love it, while others say to skip it altogether in favour of Florence, Venice or Rome.
Before I moved to Milan, I’d heard all of those opinions too. Many people described it as grey, busy and lacking the charm of Italy’s other famous cities. But after living there, I couldn’t have had a more different experience.
Would I tell someone to skip Milan? Absolutely not.
That said, I also don’t think it’s the right destination for everyone.
Milan isn’t a city that tries to impress you with an endless list of famous landmarks. Instead, it’s a city that slowly wins you over through incredible food, beautiful neighbourhoods, cafe culture and the feeling that you’re experiencing everyday Italian life rather than just visiting a tourist destination.
If you’re wondering whether Milan deserves a spot on your Italy itinerary, here’s my honest opinion after calling it home.
Quick answer: Is Milan worth visiting?
Yes – but probably not for the reasons you expect.
Milan isn’t Italy’s prettiest city, it doesn’t have the romantic atmosphere of Florence or Venice, and if you’re only chasing postcard views, you’ll probably leave disappointed.
But if you love incredible food, aperitivo culture, stylish neighbourhoods, day trips, cafés, shopping, and experiencing what modern Italian life actually feels like, Milan quickly becomes one of Italy’s most rewarding cities.
It’s also home to Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP), one of Italy’s largest international airports. If your flight already arrives or departs from Milan, I’d absolutely recommend spending a couple of days exploring the city instead of heading straight elsewhere. It’s a fantastic introduction to northern Italy and an ideal base for day trips to places like Lake Como, Bergamo and Lugano.
⭐ My verdict: If you have 2+ weeks in Italy or you’re already flying through Milan, it’s absolutely worth adding to your itinerary.
Already convinced? Check out my 48 Hours in Milan: Perfect 2 Day Itinerary
Why do some people think Milan isn’t worth visiting?
One thing I realised after moving there is that most criticism of Milan isn’t necessarily wrong – it’s just based on different expectations.
It’s not the Italy many people imagine
When most people picture Italy, they imagine colourful villages, ancient ruins, Renaissance art and winding cobblestone streets.
Cities like Florence, Venice and Siena fit that image perfectly.
Milan doesn’t.
Large parts of the city were rebuilt after World War II, giving it a much more modern feel than many other Italian destinations. You’ll find contemporary architecture alongside historic churches, sleek business districts sitting next to centuries-old neighbourhoods, and trams weaving through wide boulevards rather than tiny medieval alleyways.
If you’re expecting another Florence, Milan can feel surprisingly different.
Many visitors only see the tourist centre
This is probably the biggest reason people leave underwhelmed.
Most visitors arrive at Milano Centrale, head straight to the Duomo, walk through Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, maybe visit Sforza Castle, and then catch a train to Lake Como or Venice.
There’s nothing wrong with those attractions – I definitely think they’re all worth seeing – but they only show you a tiny part of what makes Milan enjoyable.
Some of my favourite memories weren’t at famous landmarks at all. They were mornings wandering Brera before the crowds arrived, evenings along the Navigli canals during aperitivo, or finding another neighbourhood cafe to work from for a few hours.
The best parts of Milan often aren’t the ones you’ll find on a checklist.
Milan is a city to experience, not conquer
Rome overwhelms you with history. Venice stuns you with its canals. Florence feels like an open-air museum.
Milan is different.
It’s a city where the experience comes from sitting outside with an espresso, lingering over lunch, browsing independent boutiques, walking home through quiet streets after dinner and discovering neighbourhoods that each have their own personality.
If you’re someone who loves slowing down and soaking up a city’s atmosphere, Milan has plenty to offer. If your favourite style of travel is racing between major attractions, it may not leave the same impression.
What surprised me most about Milan
The food was some of the best I ate in Italy
I’ll happily admit that before moving to Milan, I assumed the food would be better elsewhere in Italy.
I was wrong.
From tiny neighbourhood trattorias to modern brunch cafes, bakeries and incredible aperitivo spots, I ate ridiculously well while living there. Some of my favourite meals in Italy happened in Milan, and many of them weren’t at places I’d seen on TikTok or in guidebooks.
The city also has a fantastic international food scene, making it easy to eat something different every day if you wanted to.
If you’re planning your own trip, I’ve put together a guide to all of my favourite restaurants, cafes and aperitivo spots in Milan.
→ Where to Eat in Milan: 25 Places I Loved After Living in the City
It feels like a city people actually live in
This might sound like a strange compliment, but it’s one of the biggest reasons I loved Milan.
Unlike some of Europe’s most famous destinations, Milan doesn’t feel like it’s existing purely for tourists.
You’ll see locals rushing to work on the trams, students studying in cafes, friends catching up over aperitivo after work and families enjoying the parks on weekends.
That everyday energy made me fall in love with the city. Rather than feeling like I was visiting somewhere designed around sightseeing, I felt like I was experiencing a real slice of modern Italian life.
It’s the perfect base for exploring northern Italy
Even if you only spend two or three days in Milan itself, it’s hard to ignore how well connected it is.
From Milan, you can easily visit Lake Como, Bergamo, Verona, Turin, Bologna and even Lugano in Switzerland as day trips.
If you’re planning a northern Italy itinerary, I actually think Milan makes one of the best bases in the country.
→ Best Day Trips from Milan (By Train): 3 Easy Escapes I Actually Recommend
Who should visit Milan?
I think Milan is perfect for travellers who enjoy destinations beyond simply ticking off famous landmarks.
You’ll probably love Milan if you:
- enjoy finding great restaurants and cafes
- love shopping, whether that’s vintage stores or luxury fashion
- like exploring neighbourhoods on foot
- appreciate modern cities alongside historic architecture
- want to experience everyday Italian life
- are planning several day trips around northern Italy
- enjoy travelling at a slower pace
Who might want to skip Milan?
As much as I love the city, I don’t think it’s the best choice for every itinerary.
If you’re visiting Italy for the first time and only have five or six days, I’d probably prioritise Rome, Florence and Venice before adding Milan.
Similarly, if your dream Italy trip revolves around ancient ruins, Renaissance masterpieces and postcard villages, Milan probably won’t be your favourite stop.
That’s not because the city isn’t worth visiting – it’s simply offering something different!
How many days should you spend in Milan?
One day: Enough to see the highlights, but not enough to understand why people love the city.
Two days: My recommendation for most first-time visitors. You’ll have time to see the major attractions, explore a couple of neighbourhoods and enjoy aperitivo without feeling rushed.
Three to four days: Ideal if you want to include a day trip while also spending more time exploring Milan itself.
A week or longer: This is when Milan really shines. It’s one of the easiest cities I’ve ever settled into, and the longer I stayed, the more I appreciated its rhythm and local atmosphere.
If you’re only visiting for a weekend, I’ve already mapped out exactly how I’d spend two days in the city.
Final thoughts: Is Milan worth visiting?
If you’d asked me before moving to Milan whether it was worth visiting, I probably would’ve hesitated.
Now, after living there, my answer is an easy yes.
No, I don’t think Milan is Italy’s most beautiful city.
No, I don’t think it has the country’s most impressive list of attractions.
But I also don’t think that’s what makes Milan special.
What stayed with me wasn’t just the Duomo or the Last Supper. It was starting my mornings with a cappuccino at a local cafe, wandering through Brera without any particular destination, meeting friends for aperitivo along the canals and realising that I genuinely looked forward to everyday life there.
Milan doesn’t try to compete with Florence or Venice, and I think that’s exactly why it works. It’s confident in being a modern, stylish, lived-in city with incredible food, beautiful neighbourhoods and endless opportunities to explore northern Italy.
If that sounds like your kind of destination, then yes – I think Milan is absolutely worth visiting.
Alexx
Ready to plan your Milan trip?
If you’ve decided Milan deserves a spot on your Italy itinerary, here are my other guides to help you plan the perfect visit:
- 🍝 Where to Eat in Milan – 25 Places I loved to Eat at in Milan.
- 📍 48 Hours in Milan – My ideal two-day itinerary after living in the city.
- 🏨 Where to Stay in Milan – The best neighbourhoods for first-time visitors.
- 🚆 Best Day Trips from Milan – Lake Como, Bergamo, Turin and more.
- 🎟️ Book Tours & Attractions in Milan – Last Supper, Duomo Rooftop, Lake Como Tours ect
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tours, hotels and services that I’ve personally used or genuinely believe will add value to your trip.
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