When preparing our stay in Milan, we were pleasantly surprised by the size of the city and the number of things to do.
Below, we detail the different neighborhoods we have visited and visit main activities to help you prepare for your trip! We also provide you with our favorite neighborhoods for accommodation in Milan, as well as our best hotel addresses – there’s something for every budget!
The best districts in Milan [carte]
We’ve listed below the areas of Milan we think are the most interesting to visit and therefore the nicest places to stay.
Milan’s metro system comprises 5 lines that criss-cross the city. We advise you to opt for a day ticket for just a few euros.
For accommodation, we recommend the city center, close to the main points of interest: the Duomo, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and La Scala theater (pink and orange districts on our map).
Another option for sleeping in Milan is to select a district with good public transport links, such as Navigli or Porta Romana(green and yellow districts on our map).
Finally, Milan’s northern districts (purple and blue on our map) are close to the main railway station, making them ideal for getting around Milan or visiting the surrounding area.
We’ll explain everything below!
1. Duomo: Milan’s historic center
Located right in the heart of Milan, this is the historic district you won’t want to miss on your visit.
This district is home to Milan’s magnificent Duomo cathedral, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and the La Scala theater.
It’s obviously the ideal area to stay in Milan, with immediate access to the main tourist attractions. Please note, however, that hotel prices may be higher due to the central location.
You can get there easily by metro, using the red or yellow line, stopping at “Duomo”.
Our favorite: INTOMILAN Aparthotel Galleria Duomo, just a few minutes’ walk from the Duomo. The hotel’s location is perfect for visiting Milan. Our room was spacious, clean and well decorated. We had an excellent stay.
2. Brera: the most beautiful district
This is one of Milan’s most charming districts, full of small boutiques, art galleries and cosy restaurants.
Don’t miss a visit to the Pinacoteca di Brera, an art museum featuring works by the great painters Raphael, Rembrandt, Tintoretto, Caravaggio, Boccioni and Modigliani, displayed in 38 rooms.
The district is ideally located north of the Duomo cathedral and next to Milan’s fashion district (Quadrilatero della Moda). This is Milan’s luxury district, the trendy area with all the capital’s chic addresses.
It’s also a great place to stay in Milan, as it’s less touristy than the Duomo, yet close to all the sights. Note that prices remain high in this neighborhood.
Brera apartments Alla Scala we had hesitated for a long time about this accommodation, which is also very well located and well decorated. It’s an apartment, so it’s easier to cook than in a hotel.
It’s one of our favorite neighborhoods. This is Milan’s most romantic district, the little Venice of Milan, famous for its canals, where we recommend you take a stroll. It’s a lively district with many bars and restaurants.
To get there, take streetcar no. 2 or metro line 2 to the “Porta Genova” stop. The neighborhood is a 30-minute walk from the Duomo, passing by the San Lorenzo Columns.
It’s a good place to sleep if you’re looking for a lively neighborhood, and therefore a little noisy in the evenings. We recommend a hotel just a 10-minute walk from the heart of Navigli, where you can enjoy a quiet night’s sleep and the evening entertainment.
VERSOVERDE HOTEL Alzaia Naviglio Grande: An excellent, quiet option just a 10-minute walk from the docks and restaurants. The brand-new hotel is truly magnificent and just 20 minutes from the Duomo.
Combo Milano: This is the ideal area to stay in a youth hostel. The welcome is great, it’s clean, quiet, the breakfast was excellent, the common areas are comfortable and it’s close to lots of bars.
21 House of Stories Navigli: a four-star hotel with a rooftop swimming pool offering a magnificent view of the city of Milan. A great place to treat yourself.
4. Isola: an ideal family neighborhood
It’s also a lively residential area during the day and quieter in the evening, so it’s a good option for a quiet night’s sleep in Milan, while still being a 30-minute walk from the Duomo and next to Milan’s Central Station.
This district is home to the 2 vegetal towers, known in Italian as bosco vertical. or vertical forest. This architectural project is often cited as an example of how to create more biodiversity in cities. We loved looking at these beautiful buildings filled with greenery.
Chinatown, the Chinese quarter, is right next door. If you’ve eaten enough pasta and pizza, you can take the opportunity to indulge in Asian dishes at low prices.
The area can be reached by taking the purple metro line to the “Isola” stop.
BePlace Apartments in Isola: beautiful apartments for 2 or 4 people. It’s ideal for families, as the accommodation is equipped with a kitchen. You can prepare your own breakfasts and meals if required. You’ll feel safe in the Isola neighborhood, and everything is within walking distance.
5. Porta Romana: where to sleep on a budget
Located in the southeast of Milan, it’s one of the oldest districts in Milan, with lots of charm and traditional Italian restaurants. The incredible Prada Foundation is located in this district.
This neighborhood is a great option for low-cost, quiet accommodation in a convenient location. You can easily reach the Navigli district next door.
The other advantage is that this district is located on the yellow line of the metro at the “Porta Romana” stop, which takes you to the “Duomo” station after 4 stops. We therefore advise you to sleep close to the metro.
YellowSquare Milan: a great hostel in Milan, with modern rooms, dormitories and common areas. A good option for sleeping on a budget.
7. Porta Nuevo: close to Milan’s main railway station
This is Milan’s business district, famous for its skyscrapers, including the Unicredit Tower, Italy’s tallest (including the spire).
Located in the north of Milan, this district offers a good alternative for staying in a quiet, low-cost area.
Located right next to the train station, this neighborhood is ideal for getting around Milan and the surrounding area, for example to visit Lake Como.
Brera Apartments in Moscova: Spacious, well-decorated, self-catering accommodation in a convenient location near the train station. A good option for small budgets.
8. Parco Sempione: green in the heart of Milan
In this district, you’ll find Parco Sempione, Milan’s largest park, as well as Castello Sforzesco, the Sforza castle, which houses several museums. It lies to the west of the Duomo, within easy reach on foot or by streetcar.
This district lies to the north of the Santa Maria delle Grazie convent, which boasts a single work of art, but not just any work of art: Leonardo da Vinci ‘s world-famous ” Last Supper“. If you’d like to learn more about its creator, the Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology is nearby.
There are very few accommodation addresses in this area.
Where to sleep in Milan? our top 3 accommodations
We advise you to book your accommodation as far in advance as possible, so that you can choose your area and the best hotels, as Milan is a tourist city in high season.
1. Favourites: Brera apartments Alla Scala we had hesitated for a long time with this accommodation, which is also very well located and well decorated. It’s an apartment, so it’s easier to cook than in a hotel. (Duomo district)
2. Budget apartment € : Brera Apartments in Moscova: Spacious, well-decorated apartment with kitchen, conveniently located near the train station. A good option for small budgets.
3. With pool: 21 House of Stories Navigli: a four-star hotel with a rooftop pool offering a magnificent view of Milan. A great place to treat yourself.
Are there any neighborhoods to avoid in Milan?
Milan is generally a safe city for tourists. However, it is always advisable to exercise caution and vigilance wherever you are in the city, especially at night or in less frequented areas.
We hope you enjoy your trip to Milan!
Feel free to leave us a quick note or 5 stars below, to tell us if you’re planning this trip, to ask any questions you may have, here or on Instagram, we’ll get back to you with great pleasure.
