Milan · Italy

Is Milan Worth Visiting? A Brutally Honest 24-Hour Review

Twenty-four hours in Milan, spent mostly on alert. An honest account of the one Italian city we would skip.

Personally verified · October 2024

The New York City Comparison

What People Mean When They Say It

When travel guides compare Milan to New York City, they’re highlighting:

All of this is true. But there’s another side to the comparison that’s less often discussed.

What They Don’t Tell You

Milan also shares NYC’s less desirable qualities:

I’ve been to New York many times. I appreciate it in doses. But when I’m on vacation in Italy, I’m not looking for that NYC energy. I’m looking to relax, explore history, enjoy food, and decompress.

Milan didn’t let me do that.

The Safety Question: Pickpockets Everywhere

The Constant Mental Load

From the moment we arrived at Milano Centrale station to the moment we left the next morning, I was on high alert for pickpockets.

Not because I’d been pickpocketed. Not because I saw someone get pickpocketed. But because:

This constant vigilance is mentally exhausting. Instead of fully enjoying the Duomo or Galleria, part of my brain was always running threat assessment:

Specific High-Risk Areas

Based on my experience and research, here are Milan’s pickpocket hotspots:

Milano Centrale Station: Extremely high risk

Metro System: High risk

Duomo Area: High risk

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II: Moderate to high risk

What We Did to Protect Ourselves

Our strategy:

  1. No back pockets: Everything in front pockets, always
  2. Zipped bags facing forward: Backpacks in front, not on back
  3. Constant checks: Touching wallet/phone every few minutes
  4. Divided assets: Split cash and cards between us
  5. Minimalist approach: Left passports at Airbnb, carried only what we needed
  6. Paranoid awareness: Exhausting but necessary

We weren’t pickpocketed. But we also never relaxed. That’s the trade-off.

What We Actually Saw in 24 Hours

The Duomo (Outside Only)

We visited the Duomo di Milano, the city’s iconic Gothic cathedral, but only viewed it from outside. Here’s why:

The line: Even in October (shoulder season), the line to enter was 45+ minutes

Time constraints: We only had a few hours for sightseeing

Decision: Spend time in line or see more of the city?

We chose to see more, which meant missing the interior. The exterior is undeniably impressive: the Gothic spires, the marble facade, the sheer scale. It photographs beautifully.

But I left feeling like we missed the main event. Seeing a cathedral from outside is like watching a movie trailer and calling it done.

What we should have done: Booked skip-the-line tickets in advance. Would have saved 30-45 minutes.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

The Galleria is Milan’s luxury shopping arcade, connecting Piazza del Duomo to Piazza della Scala. It’s architecturally stunning:

We walked through, took photos, and window-shopped. We didn’t buy anything (those price points aren’t for us), but it’s worth seeing as an architectural landmark.

Time spent: 20-30 minutes

Cost: Free to walk through

Worth it?: Yes, it’s right next to the Duomo and genuinely beautiful

Palace Walk

We did a walking tour through some of Milan’s historic palace areas and streets. Honestly, this part blurs together in my memory. Some beautiful buildings, interesting streets, but nothing that stopped me in my tracks.

This might be because:

  1. We were rushing (limited time)
  2. We were tired (train delays earlier)
  3. We were on edge (pickpocket awareness)
  4. Milan’s appeal is more modern/fashion/design than historical architecture

Or maybe the historic areas just don’t compare to Rome or Florence, where every corner has world-class art and architecture.

What We Missed

With only a few hours of sightseeing time, we missed:

Looking at that list, I realize we saw maybe 20% of what Milan offers. That’s what 24 hours gets you.

The Metro Experience: Cool But Stressful

The Tap Feature

Milan’s metro has a genuinely cool feature: you can tap your contactless credit card to enter and exit, and it automatically calculates and charges the fare. No need to buy tickets from machines or figure out pricing.

How it works:

  1. Tap your credit card at the entry gate
  2. Ride to your destination
  3. Tap the same card at the exit gate
  4. Charge appears on your card (€2 for single journey)

This is incredibly convenient and works with most international credit cards.

The Anxiety Factor

But here’s the problem: the metro is crowded, and pickpocket paranoia is at maximum alert level in those cramped cars.

The mental calculation becomes:

We used the metro twice. Both times we arrived at our destination safely, with all belongings intact, and completely exhausted from the vigilance required.

Night in Milan: Didn’t Feel Safe

The Evening Walk Decision

After dinner (more on that disaster below), we considered walking around Milan at night to see the city lit up. The Duomo at night is supposed to be beautiful.

We decided against it.

Two reasons:

  1. We were already exhausted from being on high alert all day
  2. Didn’t feel safe walking around after dark, even as two adults together

This wasn’t based on any specific threat. We didn’t see crime or have a dangerous encounter. It was a feeling, accumulated from:

Would We Feel Differently in Other Italian Cities?

Compare this to our experiences elsewhere in Italy:

Milan was different. Maybe it’s unfair. Maybe we were overly cautious. But safety is about perception as much as reality, and Milan didn’t give us that comfortable feeling.

Where We Stayed: Location Matters

The Airbnb

We stayed at an Airbnb on Via San Giovanni alla Paglia, 3, about 10-12 minutes walk from Milano Centrale station.

The apartment: Nice, clean, well-equipped, good value

The location: Convenient for the train station, but too far for a short trip

The Walking Distance Problem

A 10-12 minute walk doesn’t sound like much. But here’s why it mattered:

  1. Milano Centrale is huge: Getting out of the station takes 10-15 minutes by itself
  2. Real door-to-door time: 20-25 minutes from train platform to apartment
  3. With luggage: Felt even longer
  4. Short trip: Every minute of walking was a minute not exploring

For a 24-hour Milan visit: I wish we’d stayed closer, even right at Milano Centrale despite it being less charming. The time savings would have been worth it.

For a 3+ day visit: The location would be fine: residential, quieter than tourist areas, good restaurants nearby.

Food: The Taste of India Disaster

Why Indian Food in Italy?

Valid question. We’d been eating Italian food for days and wanted something different. We found Taste of India near our accommodation and decided to give it a try.

The Experience

The food: Very average. Not bad, but nothing special.

The authenticity: About what you’d expect from an Indian restaurant in Italy

The value: Overpriced for quality

Would I recommend it?: No.

What we should have done: Pushed through our Italian food fatigue and found a good local trattoria. We were in Milan for one night. We should have eaten Italian food, even if we were tired of pasta.

Called It an Early Night

After the mediocre dinner and the decision not to walk around at night, we just went back to the Airbnb. It was 9 PM. On our one night in Milan.

That should tell you something about our energy level and enthusiasm at that point.

The “Left a Lot to Be Desired” Feeling

What 24 Hours Really Means

When I say we had 24 hours in Milan, here’s how that actually broke down:

Arrival day:

Departure day:

Total Milan experience: About 5-6 hours of actual city time, mostly spent on edge about pickpockets.

What We Missed

Looking back, here’s what I wish we’d done differently:

  1. More time: 2-3 days minimum to properly see Milan
  2. Advanced planning: Skip-the-line tickets for Duomo, Last Supper booking
  3. Different neighborhood: Stay in Navigli or Brera for better vibe
  4. Mindset shift: Accept the urban energy instead of fighting it
  5. Better food choices: Research restaurants in advance

FAQ Section

Q: Is Milan dangerous?

A: Not dangerous in terms of violent crime. But pickpocketing is extremely common, and you need to be constantly vigilant. It’s more stressful than dangerous, but that stress is real and exhausting.

Q: Milan vs Venice or Florence, which should I visit?

A: For first-time Italy visitors, Venice and Florence are better choices. They’re more “classically Italian,” packed with unmissable sights, and feel safer. Milan is better for: fashion/shopping enthusiasts, modern architecture fans, or people who’ve already seen Venice/Rome/Florence.

Q: Is 24 hours enough for Milan?

A: No. You can see the highlights, but you’ll miss the depth. Minimum 2 days to properly experience Milan, ideally 3 if you want to include day trips or really explore neighborhoods.

Q: Should I skip Milan entirely?

A: Not necessarily. Milan has a lot to offer if you’re prepared for what it is: urban, modern, fashion-forward, with incredible design and some world-class art. Just don’t expect romantic, relaxed Italian vacation vibes.

Q: Where should I stay in Milan?

A: For tourists: Near Duomo or in Navigli/Brera districts for atmosphere. Near Milano Centrale is convenient for trains but less charming. For short trips (1-2 nights), prioritize location near major sights over neighborhood character.

Q: How much should I budget for Milan?

A: Milan is expensive. Budget €100-150+ per person per day including mid-range accommodation, food, sights, and transport. It’s noticeably pricier than Rome or Florence.

Q: Is Milan worth visiting just for the Duomo?

A: The Duomo is stunning, but flying to Milan just for one cathedral doesn’t make sense. Visit Milan if you’re interested in the overall package: fashion, design, modern Italian culture, plus the historic sights.

Q: Did the short visit ruin Milan for you?

A: “Ruin” is too strong, but it definitely left me unsatisfied. I feel like I judged Milan without really experiencing it. I’d consider going back for 3+ days to give it a fair chance.

Bottom Line: Managing Expectations

The Honest Truth

Is Milan worth visiting?

It depends what you want.

If you want:

Then yes, Milan is worth it.

If you want:

Then no, prioritize Rome, Florence, Venice, or smaller towns.

Our Verdict

My 24 hours in Milan left a lot to be desired, but that’s on the time constraint more than the city itself. I saw 20% of what Milan offers and spent most of that time anxious about pickpockets.

Would I go back?

Maybe. If I had 3+ days, stayed in a better neighborhood (Brera or Navigli), pre-booked the major sights, and adjusted my expectations to embrace the urban energy instead of fighting it.

But for most travelers planning their first Italy trip, I’d still recommend:

  1. Rome (unmissable)
  2. Florence (art and beauty)
  3. Venice (unique experience)
  4. Amalfi Coast or Tuscany towns (relaxation)
  5. Then Milan (if you have time)

Final Thought

Milan is the New York City of Italy. That’s not a compliment or an insult. It’s a description.

Some people love NYC. They thrive on the energy, the edge, the constant stimulation.

I respect NYC, I appreciate what it offers, and I’m glad I visit occasionally. But I don’t vacation there to relax.

Milan is the same. It’s worth experiencing, especially for what it uniquely offers. Just know what you’re signing up for.

And bring your pickpocket paranoia. You’ll need it.

Last Updated: November 2025

Author Experience: Personal travel experience, October 2024

What was your Milan experience? Did you love it or leave underwhelmed? Share your honest thoughts in the comments.