Milan and Lake Como 6-Night Itinerary

Late Morning — Porta Nuova

After checking in or dropping your bags, head to Piazza Gae Aulenti for an easy 45-minute leg-stretch among the fountains, cafés and glass towers. From there, walk about 10 minutes through Porta Nuova to see Bosco Verticale from the surrounding streets; the leafy balconies are best appreciated from outside, as the towers are private residences.

Lunch — Porta Garibaldi

Continue to Eataly Milano Smeraldo, a few minutes’ walk away, for a flexible first meal: choose from the counters or sit down, and allow about an hour. Budget roughly €15–30 per person. Check the branch’s hours before setting out, especially if your arrival is late; it’s generally open daily, but individual counters may vary.

Late Afternoon and Evening — Navigli

Take the M2 from Garibaldi to Porta Genova—around 10 minutes on the train—then stroll the canals of Navigli at an unhurried pace. Allow about 1.5 hours for a wander and aperitivo; the Naviglio Grande is a good stretch for choosing a bar, and many places serve a drink with snacks or a small buffet. A standard city transit ticket is roughly €2.20; validate it before boarding and check current fares and service times with ATM Milano.

Morning — Duomo di Milano

Start at Piazza del Duomo and allow about two hours for the cathedral and, if you’ve booked it, the rooftop terraces. The cathedral generally opens daily from around 9am, but entry is ticketed and the rooftop can have separate hours or weather-related closures; check the official site and reserve a timed ticket in advance. Budget roughly €15–€25 depending on access and whether you take the stairs or lift. Dress modestly for entry, and keep your ticket handy for any checks.

Late Morning — Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

From the cathedral, cross into the elegant Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II for a half-hour wander beneath its glass dome. It’s free to enter, though its cafés and boutiques can be expensive. Then walk a few minutes to Luini for a quick panzerotto lunch; allow around 30 minutes and about €5–€15 per person. It’s popular, so expect a queue at peak lunchtime, and check its hours before setting off—opening days can vary.

Afternoon — Teatro alla Scala and Rinascente Milano

Walk from Luini to Teatro alla Scala for the museum and a look into the historic opera house; allow 1–1.5 hours. The museum typically opens during the day, often until late afternoon, but access to the auditorium may be limited by rehearsals or performances, so check the day’s details and ticket price ahead. Finish at Rinascente Milano, back by the square: browse the design and fashion floors, then head up for a rooftop drink and a cathedral view. Give yourself about an hour, and check the terrace’s opening hours and reservations before you go.

Morning

Your timed reservation at Santa Maria delle Grazie is the anchor for the morning: arrive 15–20 minutes early, as late arrivals can lose entry, and expect about an hour including the viewing of Leonardo’s The Last Supper. Tickets are limited and must be booked in advance; check the official site for current prices and entry instructions. From there, walk around 15 minutes to Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio for a quieter change of pace. Allow about 45 minutes to see its Romanesque architecture and peaceful cloisters. Church access can pause around services, so check the day’s visiting hours before setting out.

Lunch and Afternoon

Walk roughly 10 minutes to Trattoria Milanese near Sant’Ambrogio for a leisurely traditional lunch; budget about €30–50 per person, and reserve if you can. Try a Milanese classic such as risotto alla milanese or cotoletta, then take the Metro or a taxi to Brera—allow around 15–20 minutes door to door. Spend about two hours at Pinacoteca di Brera, where the collection rewards an unhurried visit; admission is generally around €15, but check current hours and ticket details, as opening days can vary.

Late Afternoon

Finish nearby at Orto Botanico di Brera, a small, restful garden tucked behind the gallery. Give yourself 30–45 minutes to wander among its beds and old trees; entry is usually free. Its opening schedule can vary by season and day, so confirm before you go. If the garden is closed, keep the same easy pace with a wander through Brera’s lanes and cafés instead.

Morning — Arrive and explore the cathedralOnce you’ve arrived in Como and dropped your bags, head into the historic center for Como Cathedral. Allow about an hour to admire the Gothic façade, Renaissance details and grand interior; entry to the cathedral is generally free, though special areas or exhibits may charge. Opening times can vary by season and around services, so check locally before you go.

Afternoon — Old-town pause

It’s a short stroll through the lanes to Piazza San Fedele, a characterful square framed by old buildings and cafés. Take half an hour to sit for a coffee or simply soak up the slower pace; if you fancy a longer break after the morning’s travel, the surrounding streets are an easy place to wander without adding much to the schedule.

Evening — Dinner and lakeside walk

For dinner, Osteria del Gallo serves traditional regional dishes in a warmly old-fashioned setting. Budget around €25–45 per person and reserve ahead if you can; dinner takes about 90 minutes. Afterwards, walk to the Como lakefront promenade for an unhurried 45-minute stroll beside the water—especially lovely as the town lights come on.

Morning — Ferry to Bellagio

Take a morning ferry from Como to Bellagio; the crossing can take roughly 1–2 hours depending on whether you catch a faster or slower service. Check the current Navigazione Laghi timetable the day before, and get to the dock early—services and journey times vary. Once in Bellagio, walk along the waterfront to Villa Melzi Gardens. Allow about 1.5 hours to wander the lakeside paths, admire the planting and enjoy the mountain views. The gardens are seasonal, so check that they’re open for your visit; admission is usually around €10.

Lunch and an afternoon walk

Head back into Bellagio’s historic center for a relaxed lunch at Ristorante Bilacus, tucked among the village lanes. Budget about €25–45 per person and 1–1.5 hours; booking ahead is sensible in busy periods. After lunch, make the short walk to Punta Spartivento, where you’ll get broad views across the lake. Allow around 30 minutes, including time to linger at the point.

Late afternoon — Back to Como

Return to the Bellagio dock with a comfortable buffer for your ferry to Como. Check the last sailing before you set out in the morning, since the timetable varies by service and season; missing it can mean a much longer route back. Once in Como, it’s an easy walk from the dock into the center.

Morning — Ferry to Varenna

Take a morning ferry from Como to Varenna; allow roughly 1–2 hours, depending on the service. Check the Navigazione Laghi timetable before you set out, since routes and sailing times vary by season, and arrive at the dock with a little time to spare. Choose a departure that leaves plenty of time in Varenna—and confirm the return sailing before boarding.

Late Morning — Villa Monastero

From Varenna’s landing, walk along the lakeside to Villa Monastero. Give yourself about 1.5–2 hours for the villa and its long botanical garden, where paths run beside the water and invite a slower pace. Opening days and hours vary through the year, so check ahead; admission is paid, with garden-only and combined tickets sometimes offered.

Lunch and Afternoon — Varenna and Castello di Vezio

For a leisurely lunch, Albergo del Sole is near Varenna’s central square; budget around €25–45 per person and allow 1–1.5 hours. Then walk uphill to Castello di Vezio—the approach is steep, so wear comfortable shoes and leave about 1.5–2 hours for the climb and visit. The castle’s opening schedule can be seasonal; check before setting off.

Late Afternoon — Back to Como

Return by ferry from Varenna to Como, checking the day’s timetable again and leaving a comfortable buffer before the final sailing. Services may be less frequent later in the day, and the crossing can take around 1–2 hours depending on the boat and route.

Morning — A final stroll through Como

Start with Basilica di San Fedele, a compact Romanesque church tucked among the lanes of the old town. Allow 30–45 minutes to look around; opening times can vary, so check locally and avoid visiting during services. Then stop at Pasticceria Monti for coffee and pastries—budget about €5–15 per person for a light breakfast, and allow around 30 minutes.

Before you leave

Walk on to Porta Torre, the imposing medieval gate on the edge of the historic center. It’s a quick stop for a look and photos, with time to wander the nearby streets before collecting your bags. Head to Como San Giovanni station with enough margin to retrieve luggage and find your platform.

Onward connection

Trains from Como San Giovanni to Milano Centrale usually take about 40 minutes; check the live Trenord timetable and ticket details before setting off. If you’re flying from Malpensa, continue from Milan on the Malpensa Express and leave generous time for the station transfer, airport check-in and any delays.