Absolute must-sees in Milan

Besides the Duomo, Last Supper and La Scala, we thoroughly enjoyed the monument cemetery. Rick has it featured in his Milan video. Well worth seeing

How short is "very short"?
If you just have a few hours, visiting the Duomo and the Galleria Victor-Emmanuel II next to it is really the #1 must-do.

With a bit more time, there are several options depending on your interests: the Brera museum, a visit of the church where you can see Da Vinci's Last Supper mural (needs booking, independently or as a tour), a tour of the Quadrilatero d'Oro where fashion houses have their flagship stores, an aperitivo by the Navigli, a visit to the Monumental Cemetery (my favorite!) a tour of the Castello Sforzesco, La Scala... and that's all that springs to mind.

Agree with Balso’s list.

I have a question about the Monument cemetery. I had thought about trying to see it on my arrival day this time because photos look so interesting & beautiful, but I was just too tired from jet lag and would have been pushing my limit. How did you get from the train station to the cemetery? Did you walk through yourself or with a day tour? Any recommendations?

Michelangelo's Rondanini Pietà is housed at the Sforza Castle that's an attraction in itself.

If you get to Milano Centrale, take the green line of the metro and get off at Porta Garibaldi, there, change to the purple line and go to the "Cimitero Monumentale" station. You can look all of this on Google maps, it is very precise.

I would add a walk around Brera district, a beautiful neighborhood with shops and Botteghe, and Navigli, the water canals surrounded by restaurants and bars, it's perfect.for.a walk in the evening.

If you like modern architecture, you have to go Porta Nuova, and its square Gae Aulenti, and to City Life, where the characteristic "Tre torri" are, 3 buildings designed by 3 famous architects.
If you like more of an antique architecture, a walk around the "Cinque Vie".is very nice

For me, the Last Supper, the Duomo, and Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore, one of the most beautiful small churches I've ever seen.

I will add in Ambrosian Library, depending on how much time you have and second the recommendation of Castello Sforzesco.

A few weeks ago, we were in Milan for a "very short time" - 5 hours in between trains. We saw the roof of the Duomo (booked via advance tickets, we used the elevator), the interior of the Duomo, walked through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and had lunch at Al Cantinone. We stored our luggage at the Milano Centrale train station and found it convenient and easy to use, although not necessarily cheap (our group paid 40 euros for two suitcases, a duffle, and a small backpack for five hours).

Thank you, MR!

Definitely the roof of the Duomo. It’s fascinating to see the architecture up close. It’s one of my favorites!