Looking for the best area to stay in Milan?
Follow the guide, we have listed and detailed for you the best districts in Milan as well as the best accommodation.
I’ve written this article to help you choose the best area to sleep in this enigmatic city and to inspire you to travel to this metropolis, which stands out for the beauty of its fabulous landscapes, its monuments and its top-of-the-range restaurants.
Milan is also the world capital of fashion and design in all its forms
, which can even be seen on the magnificent shop fronts and windows of the most illustrious luxury shops.
You don’t know where to start, or which district to choose for your accommodation during your stay in Italy. That’s why, here, I’ll reveal the best addresses to help you make the right choice. I’ll also tell you what each district has to offer.
So get ready! Whether you’re interested in monuments, walks, nightlife attractions, trendy boutiques or cafés, here you’ll find all the clues you need to choose the best area to stay in Milan. Follow the guide!
If you have an early morning flight or arrive late at night, check out our recommendations on where to stay near Milan airport.
⏰ Don’t have time to read everything?
Here are our 3 favourite accommodations sorted by price category:
🚨 These hotels are among the most popular so don’t delay in booking. Plus, they offer free cancellation, so don’t worry if you change your mind.
(€) Grand Hostel Coconut. Located just 400 metres from Milano Centrale train and metro station, and a 5-minute walk from Buenos Aires shopping street. Book here.
(€€) Apart Hotel Mi Casa. This well-located apartment hotel, 1.5 km from the centre, offers spacious, fully-equipped flats. Book here.
(€€) ❤️ Lancaster Hotel. A 30’s style hotel located in a quiet area of Milan, just 15 minutes walk from the city centre. The owner speaks French and the breakfast is top notch! Book here.
🌃 F ind other accommodation at the best price 👈
Table des matières
Where to stay in Milan for the first time: Centro Storico
Milan’s historic centre is in a way the beating heart of this sublime city, where you can find most of the emblematic sites.
These include classics such as the La Scala opera house, the sumptuous Quadrilatero – an upmarket shopping district – and the impressive Duomo di Milano, which has stood since the 14th century and houses the famous Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin.
For those who want to be at the heart of the action and stay in the centre, discover the best hotels in Milan city centre.
It’s also palazzo dell’Arengarioque, where you can explore the Museo Museo 900, dedicated to modern art, which houses some 400 works from Braque and Matisse to Klee, Kandinsky and even Picasso.
This area in the heart of Milan is essentially a pedestrian precinct, which makes your visit much easier, meaning you don’t have to rely too heavily on public transport to get around.
This is also home to a wide range of shops, restaurants and cafés, cafés is a convenient place to stay, especially if you’re visiting for the first time.
But I won’t hide from you the fact that the district’s reputation comes at a price. If your budget allows, then yes, this is a place I would recommend for a unique experience. The hotels in Centro Storico are, for the most part, luxurious and full of character, and many of them are housed in heritage buildings that offer an even more authentic atmosphere.
Here are our 3 favourite accommodations in the centre of Milan, sorted by price category:
Note: Don’t delay in booking as these hotels are among the most booked in Milan.
(€) Grand Hostel Coconut. Located just 400 metres from Milano Centrale train and metro station, and 5 minutes’ walk from Buenos Aires shopping street. Book here.
(€€) Apart Hotel Mi Casa. This well-located apartment hotel, 1.5 km from the centre, offers spacious, fully-equipped flats. Book here.
(€€) ❤️ Lancaster Hotel. A 30’s style hotel located in a quiet area of Milan, just 15 minutes walk from the city centre. The owner speaks French and the breakfast is top notch! Book here.
🌃 F ind other accommodation at the best price 👈
Brera, The select district where to stay in Milan
Brera a lively, bustling district that never sleeps from morning from morning to night. Located in the northern part of the city, Brera is a great place to stay in Milan if you’re a tourist stay in Milan if you’re an unconditional art enthusiast or if you like a bit of aesthetic architecture.
As you stroll along the paved streets of Brera, you’ll never feel the time pass, as the landscape is so varied and ever-changing, dotted with art shops, fortune-tellers (are you surprised? I was too at first, but that’s undoubtedly part of Milan’s charm), shops, bars and discos. As well as pleasant, budget hostels, there are equally interesting select hotels to choose from in Brera to enjoy the nightlife.
If you’re looking for a luxurious experience, don’t miss our selection of the finest hotels in Milan.
Nowadays, the Brera Academy of Fine Arts and the Brera Art Gallery, both housed in the same building Brera Art Gallery, both located in the dynamic Plaza Brera.
Brera has another face, a bohemian side that is just as seductive and authentic some even associate it with Montmartre, where art students and intellectuals meet to to remake the world in their own way.
It’s true that accommodation prices aren’t very affordable, but I think it’s a perfect place to stay if, as a modest epicurean, you like to party the night away and sample the delights of the many restaurants and bars in the area.
Here are our 3 favourite accommodations in the Brera district, sorted by price category:
Note: Don’t delay as these hotels are among the most booked in Milan.
(€) Grand Hostel Coconut. Located just 400 metres from Milano Centrale train and metro station, and a 5-minute walk from Buenos Aires shopping street. Book here.
(€€) Apart Hotel Mi Casa. This well-located apartment hotel, 1.5 km from the centre, offers spacious, fully-equipped flats. Book here.
(€€) ❤️ Lancaster Hotel. A 30’s style hotel located in a quiet area of Milan, just 15 minutes walk from the city centre. The owner speaks French and the breakfast is top notch! Book here.
🌃 F ind other accommodation at the best price 👈
Where to stay in Milan with your family: Fiera and San Siro
The two contiguous districts, Fiera and San Siro, are located to the north-west of milan city centre, in a mainly residential area. You so you can imagine that the environment will be more relaxed, more laid-back, perfect for accommodation if you’re travelling with children.
There’s no shortage of public parks to stroll around and play in, such as the Parco del Cave, a former quarry that was closed and then transformed into a park in the 1970s. The park now boasts a children’s playground, a 4km jogging track, a fitness trail and countless cycle paths. There are, of course, countless areas for playing football, basketball and pétanque, and there are even bridle paths.
For those travelling with the family and looking for suitable accommodation, here are our suggestions on where to stay in Milan with the family.
If you’re a football fan, perhaps a fervent AC Milan supporter, I don’t think you’ll want to leave your family behind think you won’t let the action pass you by without visiting the Giuseppe-Meazza stadium, commonly referred to as the San Siro stadium.
On the other hand, both the Fiera and San Siro districts offer reasonably priced accommodation in more contemporary buildings. You won’t be far from the centre, so you can enjoy life without spending too much.
Here are our 3 favourite accommodations in these Milanese districts, sorted by price category:
Note: Don’t delay in booking as these hotels are among the most booked in Milan.
(€) Grand Hostel Coconut. Located just 400 metres from Milano Centrale train and metro station, and 5 minutes’ walk from Buenos Aires shopping street. Book here.
(€€) Apart Hotel Mi Casa. This well-located apartment hotel, 1.5 km from the centre, offers spacious, fully-equipped flats. Book here.
(€€) ❤️ Lancaster Hotel. A 30’s style hotel located in a quiet area of Milan, just 15 minutes walk from the city centre. The owner speaks French and the breakfast is top notch! Book here.
Where to stay in Milan to go out: the Navigli district
This is a picturesque and lively district that I particularly recommend for several reasons. In the past, it was home to a network of canals called Navigli – hence the name – which were used to transport goods around Milan.
Today, the Navigli district is particularly renowned for its nightlife. I think you’ll love the craft shops, vintage boutiques and design studios.
Navigli is also home to the monthly antiques market – Navigli Gio Pavese – and old old churches such as the Basilica of Sant Eustorgio, which dates back to the 4th century a.D., which I recommend you visit if you want to soak up more of the the solemnity of this place. The area is relatively peaceful, attracting students, artists and artists and tourists to enjoy a good cup of coffee.
At nightfall, Navigli wakes up and its countless bars and restaurants lining the canal the canal bring a hustle and bustle that’s hard to resist.
So why not sit down along the banks of the two canals that have stood the test of time and and enjoy your dinner before dancing the night away in one of its clubs, such as Porto Alegre.
Here are our 3 favourite accommodations in the Navigli district, sorted by price category:
Note: Don’t delay as these hotels are among the most booked in Milan.
(€) Grand Hostel Coconut. Located just 400 metres from Milano Centrale train and metro station, and a 5-minute walk from Buenos Aires shopping street. Book here.
(€€) Apart Hotel Mi Casa. This well-located apartment hotel, 1.5 km from the centre, offers spacious, fully-equipped flats. Book here.
(€€) ❤️ Lancaster Hotel. A 30’s style hotel located in a quiet area of Milan, just 15 minutes walk from the city centre. The owner speaks French and the breakfast is top notch! Book here.
🌃 F ind other accommodation at the best price 👈
Porta Romana
Visit visiting this district, you’re sure to be impressed by the opulence opulence, as this is where some of Milan’s wealthiest people live Milan. Despite this, Porta Romana retains its rustic charm. It is a warm and welcoming neighbourhood that is not necessarily as refined as Brera, but no less beautiful.
There dozens of chic cocktail bars to explore. Grab a table under umbrellas and watch the world go by.
This was once a distillery complex that has been transformed into an elegant elegant, pedestrianised area of Milan.
This district is perfect for budget travellers, couples, culture lovers, gourmets, digital nomads and shopping aficionados.
Here are our 3 favourite accommodations in the Brera district, sorted by price category:
Note: Don’t delay in booking as these hotels are among the most booked in Milan.
(€) Grand Hostel Coconut. Located just 400 metres from Milano Centrale train and metro station, and a 5-minute walk from Buenos Aires shopping street. Book here.
(€€) Apart Hotel Mi Casa. This well-located apartment hotel, 1.5 km from the centre, offers spacious, fully-equipped flats. Book here.
(€€) ❤️ Lancaster Hotel. A 30’s style hotel located in a quiet area of Milan, just 15 minutes walk from the city centre. The owner speaks French and the breakfast is top notch! Book here.
If Milan is on your list of destinations, get ready for an unforgettable experience. Whether you want to satisfy your taste buds, spend a memorable evening or discover the city’s historical treasures, we’ve got you covered. For food lovers, discover the best restaurants to eat in Milan. If you want to experience the Roman nightlife and discover the city’s trendiest spots, check out our guide to the best bars and clubs in Milan. And of course, for a cultural and historical immersion, don’t miss our must-see activities and visits on what to see in Milan.
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