Where to Stay in Milan – What You Need to Know
Milan is the second most populated city in Italy, as well as one of the main business destinations in the world.
Milano, as it is called in Italian, is incredibly important for the fashion industry worldwide since it is the headquarters of renowned brands such as Versace, Armani, Prada, Dolce & Gabanna, among others.
The metropolis of Lombardy exhibits skyscrapers such as the Pirelli, 127 metres high, department stores and shopping malls as impressive as Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, located next to the cathedral of Milan.
January and February attract ski lovers, as the city is close to the beautiful winter landscapes of the Alps. Nonetheless, it is precisely the geographical location of Milan that makes the winter in the city much colder than in other Italian cities, so it is recommended to bring the right clothes.
Milan is a city that can be visited throughout the entire year. However, you must take into account that, from spring to summer and at Christmas, the cost of accommodation is usually higher than usual.
Similarly, if you plan a trip to Milan to attend events such as Fashion Week, you must book a hotel well in advance.
When looking for a place to stay in Milan, you have to consider your budget, as well as the reason for the trip and how you will be in the city. If it is a short stay, staying in the Old Town (Centro Storico) will make it easier to get around the main attractions of the capital of Lombardy (See accommodation in Milan’s Old Town). On the other hand, if you have a smaller budget, staying in the vicinity of the Central Train Station will allow you to find cheap hotels in Milan (See hotels in Stazione Centrale)
Accommodation Options in Milan
Hotels in Milan
The best hotels to stay in Milan
Hostels in Milan
Hostels and cheap stays in Milan
Apartments in Milan
Would you like independence? Book an apartment in Milan
Bed & Breakfast in Milan
Inns, B&Bs and guest houses in several areas around Milan
Best Areas to Stay in Milan, Lombardy
1. Best area: Centro Storico (Old Town)
The Old Town or Centro Storico of Milan is the heart of the city and, therefore, it concentrates the most important attractions of the capital of Lombardy, including the Duomo or Cathedral.
This area has a great artistic heritage that includes the Museo del Novecento (Museum of the twentieth century), Castello Sforzesco (the palace where Michelangelo’s last work is located), and the Dominican convent of Santa Maria Delle Grazie, where the legendary painting of The Last Supper can be seen, which was created by Leonardo Da Vinci.
Another attraction of the Old Town is the Galleria Vittorio Emanuel II, where prestigious fashion firms such as Prada, Gucci and Louis Vuitton exhibit their most opulent windows. The gallery also has nice cafes like the old Cafe Biffi and fast food restaurants.
Moving in and out of the Old Town is simple because, besides being pedestrian-friendly, it has metro and tram stations.
The Old Town is the best area to stay in Milan because of its historical importance, and proximity to the attractions of the city.
However, it must be taken into account that most hotels in the area are luxury and, therefore, the cost of accommodation tends to be quite high throughout the year.
What makes this the best area to stay in Milan
- Historical area
- Galleria Vittorio Emanuel II
- Milan’s cathedral
- Good food
- Pedestrian-friendly
- Best area for sightseeing
Hand-picked hotels in this area
- Our Top Pick
Brunelleschi Hotel, is located just 50 metres from Missori Metro Station and a 2-minute walk from Milan Cathedral, it offers air-conditioned rooms with free Wi-Fi.
- Budget Option
London Hotel offers excellent service in the historic centre of Milan, a 10-minute walk from the Duomo. The Cairoli Castello metro station is right next to the hotel.
- Midrange Option
Hotel Ariston has been renovated following the principles of sustainable architecture. It enjoys a central location in Milan, near the La Scala Theater and the Catholic University of Sacro Cuore, and offers rooms with free Wi-Fi and parquet floors.
- Luxury Option
NH Collection Milano President is an elegant hotel with free Wi-Fi located in the historic centre, just 500 metres from the Cathedral and Via Monte Napoleone, Milan’s famous shopping street. San Babila Metro Station is a 5-minute walk away.
2. Near Stazione Centrale (Milan’s Central Railway Station)
Milan’s central railway station or Stazione Centrale was inaugurated in 1931 and is located in Piazza Luigi di Savoia, near the Old Town.
It is one of the largest railway stations in Europe and is one of the best areas to stay in Milan if you are looking for cheaper hotels than in the most visited neighbourhoods.
In addition, from the station, it is easy to move to attractions such as the Modern Art Gallery of Milan, the Monumental Cemetery of Milan, the Pinacoteca di Brera and the Poldi Pezzoli Museum.
Eating in the surroundings of the station is also very budget-friendly, with small restaurants of Italian cuisine, fast food places and cafes considerably cheaper than in the Old Town.
Similarly, the station is surrounded by department stores and boutiques for shopping lovers who do not have the biggest budget during their stay in Milan.
Hand-picked hotels in this area
- Our Top Pick
Best Western Madison Hotel offers spacious and comfortable accommodation in an excellent area, just 5 minutes walk from the central station. The breakfast room on the ground floor overlooks the church of Sant’Agostino.
- Budget Option
Hotel Paradiso is just a 5-minute walk from the Milano Centrale train station. It offers rooms with a private bathroom, air conditioning and free Wi-Fi. Breakfast is served in the garden.
- Midrange Option
UNA Hotel Century offers spacious suites with TV and free Wi-Fi, and a varied American breakfast. It is just 200 metres from Milan Central Station, which provides excellent connections to Malpensa and Linate airports. – from €99.
- Luxury Option
Excelsior Hotel Gallia – Luxury Collection Hotel is a luxurious hotel located in the heart of Milan, just in front of the central station and close to a famous street with designer shops. It houses the Shiseido Spa, with 1000 m² of space, and a rooftop restaurant.
3. Porta Venezia
Porta Venezia is one of the old access to the walled city of Milan, known in medieval times as Porta Orientale because it is located in the east of Milan.
This area is located northeast of the Old Town and offers accommodation of different types at affordable prices, especially considering that it enjoys a relatively central location.
Today, this is one of the most trendy areas in Milan, with many high-end bars and restaurants, as well as shops ranging from boutiques of emerging designers to department stores.
In Porta Venezia, you can also find the gay area of Milan, with bars aimed at the LGBT community where delicious appetizers are served with cocktails.
Like the main tourist areas of Milan, Porta Venezia connects with the rest of the city through metro, tram and bus.
Hand-picked hotels in this area
- Our Top Pick
Ai Suma Hotel offers accommodation in Milan, a few steps from the Porta Venezia metro and train station and 300 metres from the Indro Montanelli public gardens.
4. Città Studi
Cittá Studi is a district in the north of Milan that brings together much of the intellectual history and academic achievements of Italy.
The atmosphere of this neighbourhood is more relaxed than in most of Milan, with parks, green areas and gardens that become recreational centres for university students.
Città Studi is the headquarters of study houses such as the Università degli Studi di Milano, which is one of the 21 most prestigious institutions in the League of European Research Universities.
This is one of the best areas to stay in Milan for young travellers, as it also has bars, restaurants, movie theatres and art galleries with very interesting exhibitions.
Città Studi has several bus stops, tram and metro stations that connect it with the rest of Milan.
Hand-picked hotels in this area
- Our Top Pick
Hotel Gran Sasso is located 400 metres from Piola Metro Station, which offers connections to Milan Central Station, it offers air-conditioned rooms with free Wi-Fi. A buffet breakfast is served daily.
5. Navigli
Navigli is the most charming and romantic neighbourhood in Milan. The canals that surround it, its terraces and monuments of medieval architecture make Navigli a very different area from the rest of the capital of Lombardy.
The Navigli channels were created in the 12th century to connect Milan with the rest of Europe. Through them, it was possible to transport each block that was used to build the Duomo. The iconic Leonardo Da Vinci participated in the redesign of the channels in the fifteenth century
Navigli is also one of the hipster neighbourhoods of Milan par excellence, with vintage markets and second-hand shops where you can find vinyl records, clothing from different eras, as well as all kinds of treasures and curiosities.
Navigli is one of the best areas to stay in Milan for romantic getaways or to get to know a different facet of the city, away from the hustle and bustle of the Old Town.
Hand-picked hotels in this area
- Our Top Pick
Art Hotel Navigli is located in Milan, in the lively area of Navigli, and has a collection of paintings and sculptures of modern art. The rooms have free Wi-Fi, minibar, coffee and tea making facilities, and there is also private parking. – from €109.
6. Fiera Milano City
Milan has two congress complexes strategically located, of which the most important is Milano City.
It is the oldest convention centre in Milan, with more than 43 thousand exhibition spaces where events are constantly held, which makes its surroundings one of the best areas to stay in Milan for business.
An advantage of staying near Fiera Milano City is that the cost of hotels is lower than in other areas of Milan.
Therefore, this is a good place to stay in Milan when travelling on a budget.
Similarly, although there are not many attractions in the vicinity of Fiera Milano City, it has a good location and public transport connections that make it easy to move to other neighbourhoods.
Hand-picked hotels in this area
- Our Top Pick
Hotel Fiera Congressi is ideal for exhibitions and fairs since it is only 300 metres from the Fiera Milano exhibition centre. It is a 5-minute walk from the Amendola Fiera metro stop, which connects to the Expo 2015 exhibition centre.
- Budget Option
Hotel Amendola Fiera is close to Fiera Campionaria di Milano and the Meazza stadium, making it ideal for guests wishing to attend football matches. There are many restaurants in the area and several nightclubs.
7. Sempione
Sampione is one of the best areas to stay in Milan for sightseeing since most of the historical attractions of the city are nearby.
This area revolves around the Sempione Park, one of the main vegetable lungs of the capital of Lombardy. Within the park is the Torre Branca, from where you can get excellent views of Milan, as well as an aquarium, a theatre and a library.
Very close to the park is the Castello Sforzesco, an architectural symbol of the fourteenth century that serves as a starting point to the Old Town.
Sampione is, mostly, a luxury area, so staying here is usually more expensive than in other neighbourhoods of Milan. However, for its many attractions, great hotels and proximity to the Old Town, it is one of the best areas to stay in Milan, especially for a first visit.
Hand-picked hotels in this area
- Our Top Pick
Casa Calicantus is located in a 19th-century villa, just a 10-minute walk from the exhibition centre of the city of Milan. It offers a quiet garden, free Wi-Fi and rooms with a balcony and garden views.
8. Stazione Garibaldi
The Stazione di Milano Porta Garibaldi railway station is located north of the Garibaldi Historic Port, and is the second busiest in the city, below the Stazione Centrale.
This station has trains that connect it with other cities in Italy and Europe, which makes the area one of the best areas to stay in Milan for those who make a train tour.
The station is opposite the Piazza Gae Aulenti, surrounded by modern skyscrapers with interesting architectural styles and very different from those seen in the Old Town. One of the most interesting buildings in the area is the Bosco Verticale, a residential complex lined with real trees.
The surroundings of the Stazione Garibaldi are among the best areas to stay in Milan for its relatively central location, as well as its shops, restaurants and hotels for all types of travellers.
Hand-picked hotels in this area
- Our Top Pick
AC Hotel Milano, a Marriott Lifestyle Hotel is 300 metres from Porta Garibaldi Station, which provides connections to the Rho Exhibition Centre and is well connected by tram with other areas of Milan. All rooms have air conditioning, satellite TV and a minibar. Free WiFi is available in all areas.
9. Loreto & NoLo
Loreto is located northwest of Città Studi and is a mostly residential and quiet area that, over the last few years, has gained a new interest for its alternative nightlife, especially in the area known as NoLo or North of Loreto.
As its name suggests, NoLo is located in the north end of the neighbourhood, and it is a very hipster and gay-friendly area, ideal for young travellers who seek to know a different side of Milan in its bars and streets decorated with graffiti.
Similarly, Loreto has its own metro station in front of Piazzale Loreto, which makes moving to the central area of Milan and the Old Town, not a complicated task.
Loreto and NoLo are among the best areas to stay in Milan for its wide gastronomic offer, with affordable costs compared to the most touristic places in the capital of Lombardy.
Hand-picked hotels in this area
- Our Top Pick
Red Line Apartments Milano is located in Milan, a 3-minute walk from the Pasteur metro stop, and offers modern apartments with a balcony. There is also free WiFi access.
10. Aeroporto Malpensa
Aeroporto Malpensa is the largest airport in the metropolitan area of Milan, and is located northwest of the city centre and the Old Town, next to the Ticino River.
This airport concentrates the highest percentage of international traffic in Italy, and is the second in terms of passenger movement, below Rome-Fiumicino.
The surroundings of the airport are home to many kinds of accommodation, especially business-type hotels, which makes it one of the best areas to stay in Milan for business travellers.
Similarly, the airport connects with the rest of the city by bus and train.
What makes this the best area to stay in Milan
- Airport hotels
- Best area duringa stopover
Hand-picked hotels in this area
- Our Top Pick
Idea Hotel Milano Malpensa Airport is just 5 minutes by car from Milan Malpensa Airport and offers a free shuttle service to terminals 1 and 2 (scheduled time).
Read this post in other languages:
Leave a Reply
View Comments