Mandarin Oriental, Milan

The best time to visit Milan is from April to June and September to October, when the weather is mild and pleasant. July and August are the hottest and most humid months, while November is the rainiest. Winter, from December to February, is cold but less crowded, and the city is lively around the famous Christmas markets and the January fashion week.

Stay in the City Center (Centro Storico) for first-time visitors, close to the Duomo, Galleria, and Brera. The Stazione Centrale area suits those arriving by train, with easy transit links. Niguarda is a quieter residential choice, though farther from main sights. Hotels like Armani Hotel Milano and B&B Hotel Milano Duomo are in the center, while Hotel Berna and Starhotels Anderson are near the station.

Start at the Duomo di Milano, the city's iconic cathedral, and step into the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II for its historic arcade. Explore the Sforzesco Castle and its museums, then relax in Parco Sempione behind it. See the Arco della Pace at the park's edge, and don't miss the Pinacoteca di Brera for its art collection. The Basilica di Santa Maria delle Grazie houses Leonardo's Last Supper, a must-see if you can book tickets.

The full-day tours from Milan go to Lake Como, including Bellagio and Varenna, with a boat cruise, and to Lugano in Switzerland. Another tour heads to the Swiss Alps and St. Moritz on the Bernina Red Train. A separate trip visits Alba and the Piedmont hills for Barolo wine tasting. These are the main day trip options offered from the city.

Plan 3 days in Milan. In that time, you can see the Duomo di Milano, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Sforzesco Castle, Parco Sempione, and the Arco della Pace, plus visit the Pinacoteca di Brera and Basilica di Santa Maria delle Grazie. If you want to add a day trip to Lake Como or the Swiss Alps, plan for a fourth day.