Milan to Rome Italy Itinerary via Florence

Arrival from Dublin and Milan’s historic center

Fly from Dublin Airport to Milan Malpensa Airport, allowing roughly 2½ hours for the flight plus baggage and airport formalities. From Malpensa, take the Malpensa Express train to Milano Centrale—around 50 minutes, with services usually every 20–30 minutes and tickets costing about €13. From the station, take the M3 metro to Duomo; the city-centre journey is generally 10–15 minutes. Aim to leave Dublin early enough to reach Duomo di Milano by mid-afternoon, and keep your first afternoon light in case of flight delays. The cathedral is usually open into the early evening, while rooftop access may have separate hours and a ticket of roughly €15–€20; book online if you want the terraces, as sunset slots can sell out.

From Duomo di Milano, walk straight into Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, taking time to admire the glass roof, elegant cafés, and mosaic floor before continuing towards Teatro alla Scala. The opera house museum and theatre tour typically take about an hour and generally run from late morning until early evening, though hours can change around performances; check the official schedule before travelling. If you have energy after the flight, take a short break around Brera before returning to Luini near the Duomo for its famous panzerotti—usually €4–€7 each, ideal as a quick, inexpensive dinner. The queue moves quickly, but it is primarily a takeaway stop rather than a long sit-down meal.

Evening in Navigli

After Luini, take the M2 metro from Cadorna or Sant’Ambrogio towards P.TA Genova FS, then walk a few minutes to the Navigli canals; allow around 20–25 minutes door to door. Stroll along Naviglio Grande and Naviglio Pavese as the lights come on, then settle at a canal-side bar for an aperitivo, budgeting €15–€30 per person for a drink and snacks. February evenings are cold, so bring a warm layer and expect outdoor seating to be limited. If your flight or luggage takes longer than planned, shorten the canal walk rather than rushing the cathedral and La Scala—the Navigli area is particularly pleasant for an unhurried first-night wander.

Morning

Start at Santa Maria delle Grazie in Magenta for Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper. This is the one stop today that must be booked ahead: entry is by timed slot, the viewing lasts only about 15 minutes, and the whole visit usually takes around an hour. Aim for a morning admission, arriving 15–20 minutes early with your booking confirmation and photo ID. Tickets are commonly around €15–€20, though availability for February can be limited. From central Milan, take the M1 metro to Cadorna and walk about 10 minutes, or use tram 16 toward Stadio San Siro.

Walk east for roughly 15 minutes to Castello Sforzesco, entering through the grand Torre del Filarete. Allow about two hours for the courtyards and a selection of museums rather than trying to see everything; the Museo Pietà Rondanini and the castle’s Renaissance rooms are especially worthwhile. Museum opening is generally Tuesday–Sunday, around 10:00–17:30, with last admission earlier, and a combined ticket is usually about €5–€10. Check the official schedule shortly before travelling, as individual collections sometimes close on different days.

Afternoon

From Castello Sforzesco, continue straight into Parco Sempione for an unhurried 45-minute walk. Follow the paths past the pond and under the trees toward the Arco della Pace; February can be crisp and damp, so comfortable shoes and a warm layer are useful. Rather than rushing onward, take a coffee break near the park or in nearby Brera, then enter Pinacoteca di Brera for the afternoon. Reserve a timed ticket if available—this compact gallery is popular even in winter—and allow about two hours for works by Raphael, Caravaggio, Mantegna, and Piero della Francesca. It is typically open Tuesday–Sunday from approximately 08:30 to 19:15, with last entry earlier; admission is usually around €15, and the gallery is closed Mondays.

Evening

Finish in the surrounding Brera lanes, where the cobbled streets and warm-lit façades are at their best after the galleries close. Have dinner at Trattoria Torre di Pisa, a long-established, atmospheric restaurant on Via Fiori Chiari, known for Tuscan-style food such as ribollita, pappardelle, and grilled meats. Expect roughly €35–€60 per person before drinks. Book ahead for a February evening, especially if you want an early dinner before the kitchen gets busy, and leave time afterward to wander the nearby streets rather than adding another major attraction.

Morning and Lunch

Take an early Frecciarossa or Italo from Milano Centrale to Firenze Santa Maria Novella, ideally departing between 7:00 and 8:00 so you reach Florence before 10:00. From the station, Mercato Centrale Firenze is about a five-minute walk through the San Lorenzo district. Leave luggage at your hotel or use the station’s left-luggage facility before exploring. The market’s ground floor is best for browsing produce, cheese, bread, and local specialties; the upstairs food hall is convenient but livelier and more tourist-oriented. Allow about an hour and budget €10–25 per person for lunch. Keep valuables secure around the market and nearby Via dell’Ariento, especially at busy lunchtime.

Afternoon Exploring

Walk roughly 10 minutes through San Lorenzo to the Galleria dell’Accademia, where a timed reservation is essential for Michelangelo’s David; the museum generally opens Tuesday–Sunday from 8:15am, with last entry in the early evening, and admission is usually around €16–20 including booking fees. Spend about 90 minutes, then continue 10 minutes south to the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. The cathedral itself is free to enter, while the dome, bell tower, baptistery, and museum require a combined pass—usually around €15–30 depending on the option. Admire the complex from Piazza del Duomo unless you already have a pre-booked climb; climbing the dome is strenuous and takes considerably longer than a quick cathedral visit. From here, a pleasant 10–15-minute walk along Via dei Calzaiuoli leads to Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio. Spend the late afternoon among the outdoor sculptures and arcades; if you enter the palace, allow extra time and expect admission of roughly €12–18.

Evening

Walk back toward San Lorenzo for dinner at Trattoria Mario, a small, traditional restaurant near Via Rosina known for straightforward Florentine cooking such as ribollita, pasta, and bistecca. It is informal, cash-friendly, and commonly busy, so arrive close to opening or be prepared to wait; hours can vary seasonally and it may close on Sundays or holidays. Expect about €25–50 per person, and ask about the day’s steak portion before ordering, as it is often priced by weight. After dinner, Firenze Santa Maria Novella is about a 10-minute walk away, making the area convenient if you are staying near the station or want an easy early start for tomorrow’s train to Rome.

Morning

Take an early high-speed train from Firenze Santa Maria Novella to Roma Termini, aiming to arrive around 9:00–:00. Reserve seats in advance and, if your accommodation is not ready, use luggage storage at Roma Termini or a central facility near Monti. From the station, take Metro B two stops to Colosseo; allow about 20 minutes including the walk and station time. Head straight to the Colosseum for a timed late-morning entry. Choose a ticket including the arena, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill—roughly €18–25 depending on the access level—and allow about 1½ hours inside. Bring photo ID if required by your ticket and avoid unofficial “skip-the-line” sellers around the entrance.

Afternoon

Continue directly into the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, where the same combined ticket normally applies. Allow around two hours for the temples, basilicas, and viewpoints over the Forum; comfortable shoes are essential, as the paths are uneven and exposed. Afterward, walk through Monti and across toward Campo de’ Fiori—roughly 25 minutes, or take a short taxi if you are carrying luggage. Have a late lunch at Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina, one of Rome’s best addresses for cacio e pepe, carbonara, cured meats, and an excellent wine list. Reserve ahead, particularly for the dining room; expect about €40–70 per person. If the restaurant is full, ask about a place at the counter rather than replacing it with another venue.

Evening

From Campo de’ Fiori, stroll through the narrow lanes of the Centro Storico to the Pantheon, about 15 minutes. Entry is usually around €5, with visiting hours generally extending into the early evening but varying by day and religious services, so check the official schedule before setting out. After admiring the dome and oculus, continue for another 10 minutes through Via del Corso toward the Trevi Fountain. Arrive after dinner-time crowds begin to thin, when the fountain is considerably more enjoyable; it is free and open around the clock, though the surrounding area remains busy. Keep valuables secure in both the metro and the fountain square, and use a licensed taxi or walk back to your accommodation rather than accepting rides from touts.