Milan, one of Italy’s most fascinating cities, offers a wide range of neighbourhoods in which to stay. Whether you are in town for work, tourism or special events, finding the right area for your hotel can make all the difference. Let’s have a look at the areas in which to get a hotel in Milan.

In a nutshell

• The Centro Storico is ideal for those visiting Milan for the first time, with attractions such as the Duomo and the Castello Sforzesco.
• Brera is perfect for those seeking a romantic and artistic setting, with boutiques and art galleries.
• Navigli is the best area for those who love nightlife and are looking for a lively and dynamic stay.
• Porta Venezia is a lively and inclusive neighbourhood, ideal for the LGBTQ+ community and those who love art and culture.
• The Central Station is convenient for those arriving by train and offers easy connections to the rest of the city.

1. Hotels in Milan city centre

Here you find our selection of the best hotels in the centre of Milan

The historic centre of Milan is the beating heart of the city, ideal for first-time visitors. This area offers a wide range of accommodation, from famous chain hotels to flats in historic houses, from small B&Bs to hostels. The main sights such as the Duomo, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the Teatro alla Scala and the Palazzo Reale are located here. Moreover, the area is well served by public transport, making it easy to get around the city.

A stay in this area provides a unique experience, surrounded by shops, big brand boutiques and restaurants. However, prices are not the cheapest and parking can be difficult, so it is advisable to find a property with parking space.

2. Brera

Brera is one of Milan’s most exclusive districts, located north of the Duomo. This district is famous for the Pinacoteca di Brera, an art gallery housing medieval and Renaissance works, especially from northern Italy. Strolling through Brera, one can discover small cafés, original shops and green corners that give the neighbourhood a unique atmosphere.

Brera is also known for its restaurants, clubs and art galleries, making it a lively and dynamic area. However, accommodation prices here are quite high, reflecting the exclusivity of the district. If you are looking for a luxurious and comfortable stay, Brera is definitely one of the best options in Milan.

3. Navigli

Give a look to our recommendations if you are looking for a good hotel in the Navigli district

The Navigli district is one of the liveliest and most charming in Milan. Situated around the canals of the Naviglio Grande and Naviglio Pavese, it offers a unique atmosphere thanks to the many bars, restaurants, and shops that line its banks.

Although far from the centre, the Navigli area is very well connected to the entire city thanks to the metro. The reference stops are Porta Genova and Romolo (M2), while the tram stops are those adjacent to the spectacular Arco di Porta Ticinese, from where lines 2 and 12 pass.

The area is perfect for those who want to explore Milan during the day and enjoy the nightlife at night. However, if you are looking for peace and quiet, it may not be the best choice. During the aperitif hour, in fact, the Navigli fills up with people and becomes very lively. But if you want an authentic and dynamic experience, this is the right place for you.

4. Porta Venezia

Porta Venezia is one of Milan’s most charming districts, perfect for those who want to breathe in the true Milanese atmosphere. On one side, we find Corso Venezia and Via Senato, streets full of shops and clubs, while on the other side there is history and culture with the Museo Civico di Storia Naturale and the Galleria d’Arte Moderna. In addition, the district is home to the Indro Montanelli Public Gardens, a large park ideal for walking and relaxing.

Porta Venezia is suitable for everyone, from families to young people. The area is well served by public transport, with the underground stations of Palestro and Porta Venezia (M1). Moreover, the proximity to the Central Station makes it easy to travel by train for excursions in the surrounding area.

Lately, however, the security situation is not the best, especially at night.

5. The Isola district

Isola is a district of Milan that has undergone a major transformation in recent years, becoming a lively and dynamic area. Located between Stazione Centrale and Stazione Porta Garibaldi, it is well connected thanks to several metro stops such as Isola, Gioia and Garibaldi FS, as well as numerous bus and tram lines.

This district is famous for its modernity and its skyscrapers, including the Bosco Verticale and the UniCredit headquarters building, the tallest in Italy. If you love modern atmospheres and skyscrapers, Isola is the right place for you.

6. The Sempione Area

The area around Parco Sempione is one of the most popular with fashionistas. Here you are close to the centre, but also to the new trendy area of Milan called CityLife. It is the perfect place for those who love trendy restaurants and bars. You can find many places to have an aperitif and drink excellent cocktails, but also elegant restaurants where you can enjoy refined dishes from all over the world.

The Parco Sempione district is considered the green lung of the city due to its many green areas. The area is also home to important attractions such as the Castello Sforzesco, the aquarium and the Palazzo dell’arte. A quiet area, well served by public transport and full of restaurants, Parco Sempione is ideal for those travelling with families or children.

7. San Siro

Going to San Siro? Find a room close to the Stadium thanks to our article

San Siro is a district located a few kilometres west of the centre of Milan. It is world famous for hosting the Meazza Stadium, home of the Milan and Inter football teams. This area is very green and offers a variety of informal restaurants and hotels.

San Siro is well connected to Milan’s public transport system with several metro, tram and bus stops. It is an ideal choice for away fans. However, staying at the San Siro when there are no matches may not be the best choice, unless there are extraordinary offers from some hotels in the area. In fact, you are quite far from the centre and the main attractions of the city.

8. Bicocca

Bicocca is a young and dynamic neighbourhood, thanks to the presence of the University of Milan-Bicocca. It is an ideal area for those looking for cheaper accommodation than in the centre. During the summer, many students return home, making the neighbourhood even more convenient. Families and couples can find several options to choose from, but those travelling with children may prefer to stay closer to the centre.

9. CityLife

CityLife is one of Milan’s most modern and innovative districts. Perfect for those looking for accommodation in a state-of-the-art area, this district offers numerous hotel and flat options. If you are looking for a hotel in the CityLife area of Milan, you will find many establishments with good availability and affordable rates. The area is well served by public transport, with metro stops such as Portello and Tre Torri (line 5) and Lotto Fieramilanocity (line 1 and 5). In addition, the Milan Domodossola railway station is a short walk away. CityLife is ideal for both business and leisure travellers, thanks to the presence of numerous services such as WiFi, workspaces and restaurants with flexible opening hours.

10. Stazione Centrale

Guess what? We have written a list of the best hotels near Milan Centrale Station

The Milan Central Station area is often underestimated, but it offers numerous advantages for those who decide to stay there. Sleeping near the central station allows you to be best connected with the city’s public transport: not only the train, but also buses, trams, and the metro. In fact, here you will find the Centrale FS metro station, where lines 2 and 3 run.

However, the area is not the most pleasant to visit at night, especially in the side streets or if you are alone. Despite this, there is nothing to worry about, but the feeling of not being in the centre is felt, even from the point of view of tourist attractions, which are practically non-existent.

11. Cheap Hotels in Milan: the best areas to save money

If you want a cheap room in Milan while saving a little money, the advice is to look a few metro stops away from the areas you are interested in, while still staying in a central district. The Corso Buenos Aires area is certainly well connected and offers a lot of choice as far as hotels are concerned: competition certainly helps to keep prices down.

The area around the Pagano stop of the metro line 1 Rossa is also a good compromise: a residential neighbourhood but full of shops, restaurants, and bars.

If you want to spend less, you can try the ‘business’ hotels around Viale Monza, in the Fiera area (MM Portello) and at the Ca’Granda stop on the Lilla line: you will be further away from the centre, but there are often interesting offers at weekends because these hotels are mainly used for business trips.