Milan or Florence: Which Italian Destination Should You Go to Next?

Traveling to Italy soon and can’t decide, Milan or Florence? This post will help you make the right decision for your travel needs!

Italy is one of the most iconic and visited countries in Europe. From incredible food, fantastic sceneries, and rich history! There are so many awesome places you can visit that will guarantee a great time.

With so many places to choose from, you are probably wondering where to go next in Italy. If you have already visited Rome and are planning a trip to the north, you are likely stuck between visiting Milan or Florence.

They are both major Italian cities and are very different with so much to explore. The decision can be hard, so we asked our friend Paola at Corporate Millennial to help narrow down which city to visit since she was lucky enough to go to Milan and Florence.

Milan

If you are an art lover and are looking to explore one of the fashion capitals of the world, with incredible architecture, history, and nightlife, You will love visiting Milan. 

Milan is the second largest city in Italy (Rome being the 1st) and home to the country’s major fashion brands and some of the biggest European companies, so you can imagine it is a very wealthy and stylish city! 

Although it is known to be an expensive place to visit, there is so much to do and see when you create a budget-friendly itinerary to have a great experience. 

Things to do in Milan

Duomo Di Milano

This was by far one of the best experiences with the most astonishing and surprising view. 

Duomo Di Milano is one of the biggest cathedrals in the world and it is located in the heart of Milan. While the inside is pretty incredible, the most astonishing part is visiting the top for a panoramic terrace. Buy the tickets ahead of time to avoid making a line. 

Tip: To avoid taking the small narrowed stairs,  take the elevator to the top. It might cost you a little bit more, but it is worth it!

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

This is a huge shopping center located right next to the Dome. It is home to one of the oldest shops and restaurants in Milan. The center is absolutely beautiful surrounded by incredible architecture. This is a great place to walk around and eat gelato right before or after vising the Dome.  

As you walk through the gallery you can also visit the famous mosaic bull, there is a legend that if you spin 3 times, it will bring you luck. 

Visit the Last Supper Painting

Located in Santa Maria Delle Grazie, this is a world-famous painting you will not want to miss. Tickets do sell out fast so buy them first. 

If you buy a “skip the line” tour it will be much faster! Especially if you are in a time crunch.

>> Book Your Skip the Line Last Supper Tickets Here! <<

Parco Sempione

A unique activity to do in Milan is to visit Parco Sempione and sit by the water while listening to locals play music. This park is located right outside Sforzesco Castle.

It’s best to visit the castle first and then make your way through the park. The park is not crowded, but has a lot of green areas and food carts! You can buy a snack and sit in the grass while you enjoy the music!

Navigli District

Navigli district is one of the best for nightlife. This area has interconnected canals with multiple restaurants and bars on the edge, it has a fantastic view and fun environment.

Getting to this location was a bit farther than the center, but it is definitely worth the visit. 

Budget for Milan

Milan is considered an expensive city! But there are always genius ideas you can find to budget well if you plan ahead or you can travel during the off-season. 

For 3 days in Milan, you can expect to budget similarly to this:

• Hotel: €110 per night. This will vary on where you are staying! When you travel with friends or family, everyone can pitch in to help split the hotel cost. 

• Transportation: €12.50 for the 24-hour metro pass. Milan is a fairly walkable city, but it is also fairly large. You will need to take public transportation to get around to see most of the sights. When you buy the full-day passes, you actually end up saving!

• Food: €35 per day on average. Although food does vary depending on where you eat, too! This average is mostly for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Extend your budget for gelato, snacks, or drinks along the way.

• Train: €46 one way. From Milan to Florence, this is the cost of a one-way trip. Keep in mind that the price will vary depending on where you are coming from.

• Activities: €100 Total. If you are planning to visit the great supper and Duomo, you will need to purchase entrance tickets.

Getting around in Milan

Getting around in Milan is very simple! Like many big cities in Italy, they have a great metro and bus system. It is very user-friendly, efficient, and cheap.

When you purchase the 24 or 48-hour metro ticket, this will end up being much cheaper than paying for each trip. The card will also be useful for the trams if you do not want to use the metro. 

You can also use UBER if you prefer, the app works internationally too! But this will be a more expensive option. 

Milan is also a very walkable city! But you will end up walking a lot and your feet will hurt if you do not have the right pair of shoes! 

Food in Milan

If you are a foodie while in Europe then you will love your time in Milan. Aside from being the fashion center, Milan is also known to be one of the best culinary cities in Italy.

Whether you are looking for a traditional pasta feast or a more unique cuisine, the food is absolutely amazing! As part of Milan’s signature dishes, here are some highly recommended dishes:

• Cotoletta Alla Milanese: Fried breaded veal. It is known as one of the oldest traditional meals in Milan. Anything that is breaded and fried is always delicious–this has nice toasted breadcrumbs with a soft veal. 

• Risotto Alla Milanese: Creamy yellow risotto that you will find in many restaurants in Milan. This dish is full of flavor and it is one of my favorites! I am a huge risotto lover, so If you are too, you will love this dish. 

• Cassoeula: Pork stew. At first, I was a bit hesitant to try, while it does not look the most appetizing! Trust me you will love it. This dish is seasonal, so you will mostly see it during the winter. 

Where to stay in Milan

Whenever you are traveling, book your stay based on proximity to public transportation and near the main attractions.

If you are planning to visit typical “tourist” spots in Milan, I recommend you stay near the Duomo. However, staying in this area will be quite expensive, so here are some alternative hotels for a great price.

• B&B Hotel Sant’Ambrogio: This is where I stayed while I visited Milan. I was looking for inexpensive hotels with great reviews! Overall, my experience was great! The rooms were spacious enough and it is 8 minutes away from a metro station. If you are going to the center to visit the Duomo, you will get there in 16 minutes. 

>> Check best prices for B&B Hotel Sant’Ambrogio! <<

• Hotel Cavour Milano: This is by far the best walkable location to the Duomo. Only a short 15-minute walk and you are in the dome or the gallery. You can also walk for about 6 minutes and you will arrive at a metro station! If I were to visit Milan again, I would choose this hotel for its price and proximity to the main attractions. 

>> Check best prices for Hotel Cavour Milano! <<

• Hotel Berna: This hotel has a great price and good amenities. But the best part is its proximity to the metro, in only a short 5-minute walk you can get to the station. This location is farther from the Duomo, but it is closer to some other areas like Navigli. 

>> Check best prices for Hotel Berna! <<

Is Milan worth visiting?

ABSOLUTELY!

Milan is a beautiful city and you must see it at least once. Whether you choose to visit Milan or Florence, you will have an incredible time.

There is so much culture in Milan and something for everyone. Whether you like to see the history, architecture or just walk through the city. You will enjoy your time here!

Florence

Known for its renaissance art and architecture, Florence is a spectacular place and one of the 4 most visited cities in Italy. Not only is it the art capital of the world, but it is filled with gorgeous views, culture, and incredible food. 

“Firenze” aka Florence is a smaller city when compared to Milan or Rome, but there is a lot to see. This city has a calmer and quieter environment and If you are looking for a romantic place, I would definitely recommend you go to Florence. 

Things to do in Florence 

Ponte Vecchio 

Ponte Vecchio is a famous medieval bridge. It is widely known for the shops built around it! You will find a lot of artisan shops, souvenir sellers, and a lot of food! 

This also has an incredible view, so prepare to take lots of pictures. One of my favorite things to do is eat gelato while walking the bridge. 

Uffizi Gallery 

This gallery is absolutely huge! It is a building that has ancient paintings and sculptures. You will see some famous paintings like the birth of venus or medusa. 

There are so many incredible things to see! Allocate at least 2 hours here and you can purchase the tickets at the gallery. 

Duomo

When visiting Firenze, you will not want to miss the Duomo. The cathedral itself is beautiful, but if you climb to the top you’ll see the amazing city from this viewpoint. 

For the climb to the roof, there is a ticket you have to purchase and the journey up the Duomo is quite long! There are about 500 steps to climb and you will be walking through extremely narrow hallways. But the view will be worth it!

Galleria Dell’Accademia

This Galleria Dell’Accademia museum is located in the center of Florence and is home to one of the most famous works of art in the world, one of them being the David by Michelangelo. 

If you visit Florence, you will not want to miss this unique experience. For the best experience, buy the tickets ahead of time to avoid the lines. 

The Boboli Gardens

The Boboli Gardens is an extension of the Pitti palace and has become a historic park. Located past the Ponte Vecchio, you will see the balance. As you go in and past it, there is a huge garden separated by green areas and different fountains. 

It is easy to get lost here, so definitely plan to be here for a little more than 1 hour. If you have time, this will be a great experience. 

Budget for Florence

Unlike Milan, Florence is not considered to be as expensive! For 3 days in Florance, you can expect to budget similarly to this:

• Hotel: € 100 per night. This hotel was about 3 minutes away from the Dome! The location was amazing. 

• Transportation: €0. I only walked in Florence! This is 100% a walkable city, rarely do you need a metro or bus. 

• Food: € 25 per day. The food here is a lot cheaper and you can find good local boutique shops to eat at. This would include your basic breakfast, lunch, and dinner! Gelato or drinks are not included. 

• Train: €37.34 from Rome to Florence. The train is easy and efficient. If you are coming from a nearby city, it is highly recommended that you always use the train in Italy. 

• Activities: €100 total. You can choose to purchase tours, however, this covers the cost of entrance to each gallery and a ticket for the Duomo. 

Getting around in Florence

The best way to get around in Florence is by walking! Florence is small, so you can pretty much get anywhere in less than 15-20 minutes.

They do have a bus, but sometimes getting to the stop will be the same as walking to your destination.

Food in Florence

• Bistecca Alla Fiorentina: This is Florence’s most famous dish! It’s a simple dish that has a T-Bone steak accompanied by potatoes. This steak is very flavorful and if you are a meat lover, you will enjoy this dish. 

• Tagliatelle Funghi Porcino e Tratufo: This is an incredible mushroom truffle pasta! This is a seasonal delicacy and is usually served after the truffle season. 

• Schiacciata: This is a flatbread that has grapes within the bread and is also used for sandwiches or enjoyed on its own. 

Where to stay in Florence

If you are planning a trip to Florence, the best place to stay is in the heart of the city near the Duomo. Florence is very walkable and you can get anywhere quite quickly, but the center is close to the iconic museums, plazas, and restaurants. 

• Hotel Perseo: I personally stayed in this hotel while visiting Florence, and the location is fantastic! Only a 2-minute walk to the Duomo. Getting there was a bit confusing, as the hotel is located on the second floor of the building. But the hotel is in a great location and has fantastic prices! The rooms also have a balcony overlooking the city! 

>> Check best prices for Hotel Perseo! <<

• Il Terrazzino Sulla Cattedrale: Just a few steps from Piazza del Duomo, this hotel has a fantastic location at a great price! The rooms are not remodeled, but it is a cute little B&B! The staff is super helpful and nice. 

>> Check best prices for Il Terrazzino Sulla Cattedrale! <<

• San Firenze Suites & Spa: If you are looking to stay at a nicer hotel, this is one of the best options. The location is right next to the Duomo but the amenities are a lot nicer! Breakfast is also included, but they have many restaurants nearby as well. 

>> Check best prices for San Firenze Suites & Spa! <<

Is Florence worth visiting?

YESS!!

Florence is one of my favorite cities in Italy and you must stop here if you are in the country. Not only will you see amazing art and sculptures, but the city is absolutely beautiful! 

The best thing about Florence is walking through the streets! There is a charm about the city that is quite hard to put into words. It is a calm and peaceful environment, yet contains a romantic, and mysterious, air in it too.

FAQs: Milan or Florence?

How many days is enough for Milan or Florence?

If you are visiting Milan or Florence, plan to spend 3 days! Any less than that and you will feel rushed! Plan the itinerary ahead of time and buy all the entrance tickets to avoid wasting time waiting in line!

If you are planning a longer trip to Milan or Florence, this 2-week complete itinerary will help you have a fantastic trip to Italy.

When is the best time to go to Milan or Florence?

The best time to go to Milan or Florence is during the off-season! If you are traveling during peak time, the hotel prices can skyrocket and you will also be spending a lot of money. The heat can also be intense, so it’s better to go when temperatures have started to cool down!

April – May is a great time to visit! It is right before summer! The temperature is perfect (around mid-60° F), but it is not as hot as in August. During this time, there is a bit of tourism but not as much as in the summer! 

September – October is also a great time! Right after peak season, so prices are not as high, and while it is still a bit hot! The temperature is perfect, you can definitely wear summer clothes and might be a bit chilly at night. 

Make sure you pack for the right weather with this travel checklist!

How do you get from Milan to Florence?

When getting from Milan to Florence, or vice versa, taking the train is the easiest and fastest way! The cities do have airports, but traveling to the airport itself is not as easy and you will end up wasting more time!

The train station in Florence is really close by and you can easily walk there! For Milan, you can take a metro and you will be able to get to the main station.

Traveling via train in Italy is the cheapest and fastest option. My train from Florence to Milan was less than 2 hours! There is also Wifi, food, and snacks on the train! 

>> Book your train tickets from Milan to Florence! <<

Final Thoughts: Milan or Florence? 

Europe is an incredible continent to visit! There are so many beautiful counties like Italy, or even Spain, that have so much art, culture, and extraordinary experiences.

When planning your trip to Italy, you can’t go wrong with either Milan or Florence.

Milan is known as a fashion and business hub, while Florence is known for its art and history. They both have so much to offer from incredible food, nightlife, architecture, and culture.  

Ready to head to Milan or Florence? Check out my packing essentials to get started!

About the Author: Paola is the creator and writer from Corporate Millennial where she talks about trips and tricks to navigate every aspect of adulting and sharing a love for traveling while balancing a 9-5 corporate job. 

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