Where To Stay In Milan: The Ultimate Neighborhood Guide
It can be exciting deciding where to stay in a new city when you really do not know much about that particular place. After all, half the fun is preparing for a trip! Milan is best known for its cultural attractions, historical significance, and iconic shopping. Flying into Malpensa Airport? Where to stay when you are planning to spend a few days exploring this fantastic city?
Whether you want to be in the thick of things or are looking for a few quiet days looking out over a quaint neighborhood, there is an area in this incredible European city that will suit your needs perfectly. Some neighborhoods may seem a bit too far out of the way, but figuring out where to stay in Milan really is not as hard as it seems.
Come to Milan to explore the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Europe's oldest shopping mall or to see the Milan Cathedral in person. The Basilica di San Lorenzo is also a marvelous tourist attraction, as is the Natural History Museum, all located near the historic center of Milan.
Hoping to stay near a popular tourist attraction like a lovely and modern art gallery? Looking for a place near Milan Central Station, one of the city's transport hubs? Or if you prefer strolling through a small piazza and dining with the locals, you will find wonderful accommodations. Once you have decided where to stay in Milan, locate a luggage storage service nearby so you can spend more time exploring and less time worrying about your belongings.
Where to stay in Navigli
Many call this the party neighborhood! Located in the southern end of Milan, it is a rather lively neighborhood that is home to young professionals and college students. With three universities nearby, it is the perfect spot for students to find affordable housing and has been dubbed Milan's student quarter. During the daytime, Navigli is pretty quiet, but when the sun goes down it becomes a vibrant, energetic place.
There are several bars, nightclubs, and restaurants that stay open late throughout the week. On the weekend there is an exciting market that opens its doors and has several vendors selling vintage clothing, knick-knacks, and handmade items. Head to the Fiera di Senigallia flea market on the weekend for a fun, relaxing time.
The neighborhood sits between two canals. The canals were once used as main trade routes, but they are now lined with must-try restaurants, cafes, and bars. Stroll along by the cafes and spend the day enjoying the sunshine and shopping in the boutiques and shops scattered throughout the neighborhood.
There are several bed and breakfast options in Navigli for those looking for a quaint place to stay when in Milan. Check out Pitt Stop Navigli and Camere delle Rose. Make your reservations early and enjoy good prices. There are also fantastic hotels such as Residence Arami and Apart Hotel Bocconi for those more comfortable in a hotel setting. The Art Hotel Navigli is another wonderful option.
Where to stay in Porta Venezia
When you are in Milan for a shopping trip, you will definitely want to find great accommodations in Porta Venezia. Corso Buenos Aires is the longest shopping street in the city and cuts right through Porta Venezia. You will want to spend several days exploring all the amazing shops and boutiques that can be found on Corso Buenos Aires.
The neighborhood is easy to get to; the Metro line M1 has a metro station on the Corso Buenos Aires so you can move through the neighborhood, hop on the metro and head out to explore more of Milan. You will find affordable restaurants where you can sit and relax, looking out over the canal and watching as tourists and locals mingle.
Make reservations at the MM Venezia, a cozy hotel that is located near fabulous art galleries and museums such as the Padiglione d’Arte Contemporanea and the Galleria d’Arte Moderna. Spend time strolling through the Giardini Pubblici Indro Montanelli, a spacious, lush public park. It is near the central train station and is within walking distance to several terrific places.
Porta Venezia has a large LGBTQ community and is home to several gay bars so if you are not comfortable with this community, you will probably want to look for accommodations elsewhere. Otherwise, check out the affordable hotels or if you are looking for something a bit grander, there are a few luxury hotels in the neighborhood.
Where to stay in Brera
Filled with history and incredible architecture, Brera is the best place to stay when you are in Milan to soak up the history of the region. The neighborhood has kept its historical heritage even while becoming a more modernized neighborhood with luxury hotels and even some more affordable accommodations.
While in this neighborhood, head over to Via Brera to see the famous Pinacoteca, galleries filled with masterful works of art such as the Academy of Fine Arts and the National Gallery of Modern and Antique Art. Spend a weekend museum hopping and taking in the cultural experiences of staying in the Brera neighborhood.
For a neighborhood filled with several wealthy families, you would not expect to see local street markets pop up on the weekends. You can wander through these street markets and see several vendors and artisans set up showcasing artwork, clothing, and housewares. It is close enough to central Milan so you can spend the day exploring the entire Milan City Centre.
Brera is easily accessible to the rest of Milan. This is not the most budget-friendly neighborhood in Milan and most hotels will cost a considerable amount. There are more reasonable neighborhoods near Brera so if you need a less expensive hotel, head to the next neighborhood.
If you are planning to stay in Brera, you can check out some bed and breakfast options which are a little cheaper than most hotels. Make reservations early at Hemeras Boutique House – Montenapoleone or Brera Apartments early to ensure you have a room when you come to Milan. Hotel Ritter and Duomo Apart Hotel are also great options when you are looking to stay in a hotel rather than a B&B.
Where to stay in San Siro
When you want to experience Milan like a local, you will want to check out San Siro. It is within walking distance of the metro station and easily accessible. The neighborhood is very close to other residential neighborhoods including Wagner and De Angeli. It is also home to the San Siro Stadium which hosts several fun soccer matches throughout the year.
San Siro becomes a popular place when soccer matches are played at the stadium. Locals and tourists vie for seating at the restaurants, pizzerias, and bars and check out the shops in the neighborhood. There is a large city park and playgrounds for families to relax and watch the little ones play.
When you decide to stay in San Siro, make reservations at Antares Hotel Rubens. This is one of the best hotels and offers a terrific American style buffet breakfast. Located on Via Rubens, it is centrally located and you can easily get to the metro station. Plan your stay in Milan to include San Siro.
Where to stay in Moscova
Located between the Lanza station and Porta Garibaldi station, Moscova is best known for its upscale cafes and high-end boutiques. It really is one of the best places to stay in Milan but can be very pricey if you are not sure which hotel to stay in. Moscova is where you will find many young professionals hanging out after work dining and enjoying drinks with friends.
With modern skyscrapers dotting the neighborhood, you would not expect to find a fabulous green space, but Parco Sempione is right in the middle of the neighborhood and within walking distance of most places in the city. The annual Salone del Mobile is hosted in the Moscova neighborhood and draws people from around the world.
There are a few boutique hotels in Moscova that are great choices, especially the NH Palazzo Moscova. The grandeur of this hotel matches the vibe of the neighborhood and is an excellent choice, just remember to make your reservations early. You will enjoy your stay in Milan when you stay in the Moscova area.
Where to stay in San Donato Milanese
While not directly in Milan, San Donato Milanese is a municipality that is only about six miles to the southeast of Milan. It attracts several tourists visiting Milan as accommodations are less likely to be full and they are a bit cheaper, but still close enough to the train station to easily get into the city.
San Donato Milanese is home to many different industries with several companies having their headquarters here including Saipem and ENI, both large oil companies. You will find this area bustling with activity and home to quite a few affordable restaurants and attractions. It is an up and coming area filled with lovely shops and eateries.
While not a big tourist draw, San Donato Milanese is the ideal place to stay when you want to be close to Milan without being in the center of it all and dealing with the large crowds. You will find marvelous accommodations including the Santa Barbara Hotel located in the Piazzale Supercortemaggiore. The main attractions of Milan are only a short distance away by accessing the main train station.
Where to stay in Centro Storico
Filled with historic buildings, the Centro Storico neighborhood is the place to stay. The Duomo Cathedral is located nearby! This iconic cathedral was constructed during the 1300s with many additions and renovations throughout the year. With over 3,400 statues and 135 gargoyles, it truly is a sight you do not want to miss. Head to the rooftop of the Duomo for unparallel views of Milan.
There are several fantastic museums in the area as well including Palazzo Reale, the Galleria d’Arte Moderna, and Museo del Novecento. This neighborhood is also home to the Santa Maria della Grazie where you can see Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper.
Centro Storico is also home to Milan’s fashion week and is jam-packed during this time, so make your reservations early if you are planning on staying in Centro Storico during fashion week. This is one of the most expensive areas to stay in Milan due to the fantastic tourist attractions that are all within walking distance. Be prepared to spend a lot when you stay in Centro Storico.
Check out the Room Mate Giulia, Armani Hotel Milano, or the Antica Locanda Dei Mercanti when you are looking for clean, modern accommodations in Centro Storico. You do have to book well in advance to get a room in any of these hotels, but they are well worth the price to be so close to all the action.
Where to Stay in Milan
Finding a place to stay near the Milan City Centre can be challenging since many Milan hotels tend to fill quickly. You can still find a convenient location and modern hotel near the city center or fashion district at a reasonable price. You just have to know where to look. Or choose a beautiful place to stay in a central location, like near Piazza del Duomo where there is lots to do and see.
If you have not made reservations in advance, use the free wifi at the Milan Malpensa Airport and find a wonderful hotel nearby. Many offer an indoor pool, daily buffet breakfast, and private parking. Tourist crowds can be difficult to deal with so find a charming hotel that is only a short walking distance from the crowded central area.