in Milan with Day Trips to Bergamo and Two Lakes
Stay near Milano Centrale and take day trains to Bergamo's Upper Town, Lake Como, and the Borromean Islands on Lake Maggiore.
One hotel throughout: three and a half days in the city cover the Duomo, Leonardo da Vinci, the Navigli district and the Fondazione Prada, and three full days go by train out of town—Bergamo's Città Alta, Lake Como with Varenna and Bellagio, and the three Borromean Islands from Stresa. The Centrale station area makes early trains easy, and on the last day it's also on the way back to Malpensa Airport from the Lake Maggiore direction. It suits travelers who don't drive and want a city base.
The palaces on the Borromean Islands are open roughly from late March to early November; winter is not a good time to visit.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrival and the Duomo
Milan（Milan Cathedral、Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II、Teatro alla Scala）
The Malpensa Express takes about 50 minutes to Centrale, where you drop your luggage. Take Metro Line 3 (yellow) to Duomo station and explore on foot.
Stay: Centrale Station Area
Day 2 · The Last Supper and Brera
Milan（The Last Supper (Santa Maria delle Grazie)、Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio、Sforza Castle、Pinacoteca di Brera）
Take the Metro to Conciliazione station, then walk via Sant'Ambrogio and the Castello Sforzesco to Brera, about 4 km.
The Last Supper must be reserved in advance.
Stay: Centrale Station Area
Day 3 · A Day in Bergamo's Upper Town
Milan（Bergamo Città Alta、Porta Nuova & Bosco Verticale）
Take a train from Centrale or Garibaldi station to Bergamo (about 50 minutes), then the funicular up to the Upper Town. Return to Milan in the evening to stroll the Porta Nuova area.
The Upper Town is compact; half a day to a full day is enough.
Stay: Centrale Station Area
Day 4 · Lake Como: Varenna and Bellagio
Lake Como（Varenna、Bellagio、Villa Melzi Gardens）
Take a train from Centrale to Varenna (about 1 hour), a ferry to Bellagio and back, and a train back to Milan in the evening.
In summer, set out before 9:00 to avoid the tour-group peak.
Stay: Centrale Station Area
Day 5 · The Navigli and the Fondazione Prada
Milan（Navigli、Basilica of San Lorenzo & Colonne di San Lorenzo、Fondazione Prada）
Take the Metro to Porta Genova to stroll the canals, walk to the Colonne di San Lorenzo, then take the Metro or tram to the Fondazione Prada.
The Fondazione Prada is closed on Tuesdays.
Stay: Centrale Station Area
Day 6 · Lake Maggiore and the Borromean Islands
Lake Maggiore & Stresa（Stresa Lakefront & Old Town、Isola Bella、Isola dei Pescatori、Isola Madre）
Take a train from Centrale to Stresa (about 1 hour), walk to the pier, and use the public ferry to link the three islands. Return to Milan by train in the evening.
The pier sells a day boat ticket covering all three islands; admission to the Isola Bella palace is bought separately.
Stay: Centrale Station Area
Day 7 · The Fashion Quadrilateral and Departure
Milan（Quadrilatero della Moda、Museo Poldi Pezzoli）
In the morning, walk or take the Metro to Via Montenapoleone and the Museo Poldi Pezzoli. In the afternoon, take the Malpensa Express to the airport.