Let’s say you have one day in Milan. I’d hope for more time in this fabulous city, but if I had to do all my favorite things in one day, this would be how I’d spend it.

6:30am

Start your morning in the center of the city at the Duomo. This is one of the most crowded, touristy areas, so the best time to get a picture is at the very beginning or end of the day. It’s not worth the tourist prices to eat directly in this area unless you’re just grabbing a quick coffee and pastry.

8am

Head to Bar Luce at the Fondazione Prada for a real breakfast. Designed by movie director Wes Anderson, this spot is perfectly aesthetic without adding a premium to food costs. I recommend the chocolate cake. If you have time and are into modern art, go inside the Fondazione and see their exhibits. It makes for some very instagrammable photo ops. They also have a great student discount.

10am

Porta Romana is a great neighborhood to stay in while you’re in Milan, or at the very least to walk around and check out. The “Romana” does indicate the presence of Roman ruins, and it’s not just any pile of rocks. The gate here marked the beginning of the ancient road to Rome! In addition to the ruins, this is a great place to go around shopping, grab a coffee, and see Italy’s top university, Bocconi.

12pm

Backtrack towards the city center and walk through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. The Piazza del Duomo is packed now, but the fancy shops of the Galleria are open. People watching here is amazing. If you’re a huge Starbucks fan (or just want another place to grab a coffee), check out Milan’s Starbucks Reserve Roastery. If nothing else, it’s a beautiful building with the rare opportunity to find a chai latte inside.

1:30pm

For an authentic Italian lunch experience, just wander in somewhere nearby and grab a slice of pizza. This should only cost around €3. If I’m writing a whole day plan, maybe I should give a specific recommendation, but part of the fun of travel is stumbling onto something great without any help.

2:30pm

Keep heading northwest to see Castle Sforzesco and Parc Sempione. Walk through the castle and check out its museum collections if you’re interested. The park has a lot of open space and beautiful views of Milan’s Arco della Pace. It’s also a great place to listen to street performers.

4pm

Everyone should visit Basilica di Santa Maria delle Grazie to see The Last Supper. This is the one thing that must be reserved in advance – weeks, if not months, in advance. You don’t get much time with this deteriorating masterpiece, due to preservation efforts placing controls on tourism, but it’s worth the time and effort to see it in person. The scale will surprise you.

5pm

While you’re in the neighborhood, another historical space in Milan is the Vigne di Leonardo – a museum and garden/vineyard that belonged to Da Vinci himself. The garden here was recommended to me by a local, and I have to admit it’s cool to feel like you’re walking in Da Vinci’s footsteps.

6pm

Grab some gelato before the sun sets. I recommend taking a walk from the Porta Magenta area down towards Porta Genova. Rivareno is one of my favorite spots to get gelato. If you want to walk and eat, take a look at the Colonne di San Lorenzo and the Basilica di San Lorenzo Maggiore. This is one of my favorite spots in the city, and probably the most underrated. Just a block from the columns and the beautiful church, check out the Wall of Dolls. It’s a powerful and eerie street art memorial to victims of violence against women. You won’t find anything else like it.

8pm

For dinner, head to Navigli for aperitivo – one of the city’s most beloved traditions. Aperitivo involves ordering the drink of your choice and enjoying a buffet for a set price. The canals of Navigli are lined with great places to try this and you shouldn’t have to pay more than €10. I recommend Manhattan for aperitivo because they serve the best vegetarian options and generous cocktails, but you can’t go wrong with just about anything in the area. Even if aperitivo isn’t your thing, Navigli is still a good place to grab dinner. Ai Balestrari is my top choice for a sit down dinner with a classic Italian menu. Order the carbonara for an amazingly satisfying pasta.

10pm

Navigli also has some great bars to pass the time and pregame before going out. If you ate a carbonara, you’re definitely going to need to walk along the canals for a while before grabbing a drink. I love PS… for their wide range of cocktails and for the nostalgia of being there with friends. Their prices are also unbeatable in the area at €5 or less for anything on the menu.

12am

Show up at a club for dancing! The dress code is typical for anywhere in Europe. You can expect to pay a cover of about €10-15, regardless of gender. This will likely include a free drink. If you’re an international student on Erasmus, check for deals through that organization. On a student budget, Hollywood, The Club, and Old Fashioned are all fun options if it’s a going-out night. If you’re willing to get fancier or want an older crowd, Just Cavalli is another choice.

3am

You can use Uber or the Free Now app to call a taxi to take you home. Metro lines are limited after midnight, but trams and buses go a little longer. A few routes in the center run 24 hours. It might be exhausting, but Milan deserves your attention.

There’s so much more to see in the city – Piazza Gae Aulenti, Chinatown, and Cimitero Monumentale, just to name a few things – but with one day, this is what I’d return to.