48 Hours in Milano: A Comprehensive Guide

You’ve got only 48 hours in Milano. What should you do? What are the top spots to visit in Milan? What should you eat? 48 in Milan seems like a little time – it is – but if you plan your time well, you should be beaming with the satisfaction of putting this 48 hours into judicious use while here in Milan.

So I’m here you give you some suggestions on how to spend 48 hours in Milan, I will from covering topics from places to see in Milan to what to eat and where to shop local. Without ado, here we go!

WHAT TO EAT IN MILAN

Risotto alla Milanese

Risotto alla Milanese is made from a plain special kind of rice and coloured to yellow with  “zafferano”, a special kind of spice typical of Marche, Abruzzo, and Sardegna. It is cooked in meat broth with other ingredients till very soft and marshy.  

Panettone

A ‘traditional Easter egg’ in Milan. Panettone can be found all year round at most pastry shops and supermarkets in Milan. It is customary to eat them during special times of the year like Easter, Christmas and new year. I recommend you enjoy a slice of sweetly flavoured panettone with coffee, warm milk or as dessert.

Cotoletta

Often called the main Milanese dish. A boneless turkey deep-fried in coated breadcrumbs is almost what the Cotoletta is all about. I have seen many Italian cooking sites describe the cooking difficult as low, but the first few times I tried it, I created a very big mess. As simple as it may look, the crunchiness and the deliciousness you uncover as you bite it will leave you craving for more. Italians call it Orecchia di Elefante meaning Elephant ears.

Ossobuco

Even though I am not a big fan of meat, but any dish that has the Ossobuco in it is what I can never resist. I have tried it with Polenta. I recommend the risotto with Ossobuco (risotto con Ossobuco). You can also have it with vegetables.

Cassoeula

Prepared with different parts of pork meat with cabbage and vegetables, it is very typical in the countryside. Many refer to the meal as poor because the leftovers of the pork are used. You should enjoy this meal with a fine bottle of Italian wine.

Spezzatino

This is a beef stew that is slowly cooked over low fire. It is very tasty and has a strong beefy aroma. You can also combine it with potatoes and peas.

Polenta with Gorgonzola

Polenta is a cornmeal and gorgonzola is a type of cheese. The dish is plain and very filling. If you do not like really plain dishes like me, you can have a side (fish or beef) along with it.

Zuppa Inglese

Zuppa Inglese translated “English soup” is ironically not a soup but a dessert similar to tiramisu. It is made up of a combination of custard, sponge cake, and toppings. Though it did not traditionally originate from Milan, it has become one of the favourite desserts you can easily find in Milan.

Pizzoccheri con Verdure Miste

Pizzoccheri, a very rich dish made with a mix of different vegetables is a type of pasta typical of the Lombardy region. You can find some really good trattorias to enjoy the homemade tasty version. 

Risotto con Luganega

If you find yourself in Milan during the cold winter days, Risotto con Luganega is a good choice to keep you warm. Risotto con Luganega is the same as Risotto alla Monzese. I recommend complementing it with a glass of red wine. 

What are the typical Italian foods in general? Check my other post on that.

You can also follow my Instagram page to discover other Milanese Food in Milan I recommend and try.

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PLACES TO SEE IN 48 HOURS IN MILAN

Milan City Centre, Duomo

The Duomo Square (Piazza Duomo), Duomo Cathedral, and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping complex are undoubtedly the most visited areas in Milan by tourists and locals alike. These places are flocked all year round by people engaging in recurring activities like posing to take pictures with the pigeons in front of the cathedral, watching the street acts near the square, and window shopping by the panes of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele shopping complex.

As you may find out, choosing to explore the Duomo Cathedral will steal more of your time. The queue is often so long at the ticket office and entrance, hence you will need to set aside 2 or more hours for this activity. To fast-track the process, you can purchase the Duomo tickets online to see the church and access the terraces.

Just before you leave this area to my next suggested place, head to Panzerotti Luini at via Santa Radegonda (open in google maps), near the Space Cinema for a taste of its famous Panzerotto. At a cost of €2.70, you can get Luini’s classic Panzerotto made from flour, cheese, and tomatoes. Heads up, Luini doesn’t accept debit or credit cards, you can only pay with cash.

Castello Sforzesco, Cairoli

Castello Sforzesco is an old castle built in the 15th century by Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan. The Castello (castle) is difficult to miss, it’s a straight 5 minutes walk from the Generali building at Via Cordusio 2 (open in google maps).

Along the walk, you will find some famous Italian restaurants like SignorVino and clothing shops like Desigual. If you had like, you can stop by at SignorVino for a quick glass of wine, made in Italy, and some finger foods.

Attached behind the Castello is the Parco (park) Sempione, which can be accessed by the gate linking the park and castle. Taking viale malta (inside Parco Sempione), you will arrive at my next recommended place – Piazza Sempione (open in google maps).

Piazza Sempione

Piazza Sempione is also a good go-to spot. At the square is the famous landmark “The Arco della Pace”. The Corso Sempione street is also a well known aperitivo area of Milan. It hosts my favourite Brangrabar restaurant, even though Corso Sempione is not my favourite Aperitivo spot in Milan. Read on to find out my favourite aperitivo spot.

Brera District, Lanza

Next stop is Brera, near the Lanza Metropolitan Station. Spot the Piccolo Teatro, which is just outside the Lanza metropolitan station. Even if you visit the Brera District at a time when the Milan Design Week is not on, you can have a look at the glorious Brera – the heart of the Milan Design Week. Some famous places to look out for in Brera: Biblioteca di Brera (Library) and Pinacoteca di Brera (art gallery), both located at via Brera 28.

Corso Como

After exploring the Brera District, walk back to the Lanza station to take the metro to Moscova. Get off at Moscova and take the Corso Garibaldi street. I like to reach the Corso Como street through Corso Garibaldi because I enjoy reveling in the beauty of skyscrapers and the feeling of modernization I experience here.

You will find Eataly at the upper left of the Porta Garibaldi Arc, a historical landmark in Milan. You should endeavour to visit the Porta Nuova area (near Porta Garibaldi Metro Station). At Porta Nuova you can sight the renowned Bosco Verticale building covered in green. Also have a look at the  Porta Nuova square, a very lux business area with a lot of glass skyscrapers.

Navigli

I recommend this spot as the last place to visit because it’s at its peak during the evening/night. The nightlife in Navigli so vibrant! Navigli is dear to my heart and is my favourite aperitivo spot. I love the fact that it bustles with a lot of life. Many restaurants are lined up along the canal giving you dozens of options for an aperitivo (also called happy hour).

If you intend to have an aperitivo, it usually starts around 6 pm. The Darsena, a place where you will often find locals perform the ritual of drinking and chatting is also within reach.

You can buy the day pass urban ticket which gives you access to all the transport systems within the Milan Urban zone for a Price of € 4.50, valid for 24 hours after stamping.

Also, check my personal recommendations of events and things to do in Milan and Day Trips from Milan.

Milan guided map

WHERE TO SHOP LOCAL IN MILAN

Wait and See

In this eccentric shop, fashion expert – Umberta Zambeletti offers a curated selection of clothing, objects, accessories, stationery and vintage pieces sourced from all over the world!

Cavalli e Nastri

Cavalli e Nastri is a boutique that offers vintage clothing and accessories, all presented in a funky manner. This particular boutique focuses on women’s pieces. If you are in search of male clothing, there are two other shops on the same street, close to the Colonne di San Lorenzo – one of the stores have an array of only men’s vintage.

Fornasetti Store

This store features unusual objects made by Piero Fornasetti, a Milanese designer who created more than 10,000 pieces in his lifetime. Each of the rooms in the 3-level space offers a look at Fornasetti’s “pragmatic madness” with object. You will find plates, pen holders and larger furnishings – that serve their function and unique due to their form and design.

Six Gallery

Newly opened in the Navigli axis, here you will find iconic pieces from Italy’s most famous furniture designers as well as unique objects for the home, like Venetian glass vases or vintage ashtrays.

Il Salvagente Fashion Outlet

This outlet store is located east of the city center. It is home to dealings in Italian fashions from the most famous designers as well as from up-and-coming names – from Prada to Chiara Ferragni – since 1973.

DMAG Outlet

Buy designer wear at much lower costs here. It is an outlet with a boutique feel and one of the city’s most popular of its kind. It has other outlets scattered in the city with almost 3,000 national and international brands. Some of the brands you can find here are Valentino, Givenchy, and Yves Saint Laurent.

Rossana Orlandi

This is a multi-functional space focused on vintage, contemporary furnishings, and unique objects for the home. The large space has several levels and a leafy courtyard. It also hosts events and exhibitions.

Where to shop local in Milan first appeared on Localeur

I hope you find this helpful towards planning your 48 hours in Milan. Share your thoughts in the comment box below.