Where to Stay in Milan: Best Areas, Hotels, Hostels from Centro Storico to Sempione

Where to stay in Milan? Discover the best neighborhoods, hotels and hostels for every style: from Centro Storico to Navigli and beyond.

Last updated: 14 April 202522 minute read

Wondering where to stay in Milan? Whether you're here for a quick city break, a romantic escape or a foodie trip, choosing the right neighborhood makes all the difference.

In this guide, you’ll discover the best areas to stay in Milan, with tips on what to expect and hotel suggestions for every budget.

Let’s find your perfect Milan base! 🇮🇹

Quick Overview: Best Areas in Milan by Travel Style (with Hotel Picks)

The Best Areas Where to Stay in Milan

Milan is a city with many sides: elegant, modern, historic and full of style. The best part? There’s a neighborhood for every kind of traveler.

Whether you love art, nightlife, shopping or green spaces, Milan has the perfect spot for you. In the next sections, we’ll explore the best areas to stay in Milan, with local highlights, pros and cons, and hotel ideas for every budget.

🏛️ Centro Storico

Best for: first-time visitors, sightseeing, iconic landmarks

If it’s your first time in Milan and you want to be right in the middle of everything, Centro Storico is hands-down the best area to stay. It’s the city’s historic and cultural core: most of the places on your Milan bucket list are right here. We’re talking about the Duomo, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and the Teatro alla Scala.

The best part? You can walk to pretty much everything. You’ll wake up and see the Duomo’s spires from your window, have lunch steps away from the Galleria and end your evening with an aperitivo in a buzzing piazza. It’s perfect if you’re staying just a couple of nights and want to make the most of your time without worrying too much about transports in Milan.

Of course, being in the heart of the action has its trade-offs. Centro Storico is busy, especially around the Duomo, and hotels here tend to be on the pricier side.

🌆 What’s Nearby Centro Storico

• The Duomo di Milano, one of the most iconic cathedrals in the world
• The stunning Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, perfect for luxury shopping or people-watching over a coffee
• The Castello Sforzesco and Museo del Novecento, ideal for art and history lovers
• The world-famous Teatro alla Scala for a touch of culture
• And with a short tram ride, you can reach Santa Maria delle Grazie to see The Last Supper

🛏️ Where to Stay in Centro Storico

💎 Luxury – Room Mate Giulia
A design-forward boutique hotel just a few meters from the Duomo. Bright rooms, quirky details and super friendly staff.

🎯 Mid-range – The Street Milano Duomo
Modern, central and stylish: this is a great option if you want to stay right in the action without spending a fortune.

💰 Budget – Hotel Rio
Simple, clean and just around the corner from the Duomo. A basic stay with friendly staff and unbeatable location: ideal for budget travellers.

🎒 Budget/Hostel – Ostello Bello
One of the most loved hostels in all of Italy! It’s just 10 minutes from the Duomo, offers both dorms and private rooms, and has tons of great perks: free breakfast, a shared kitchen, rooftop terrace and daily events to meet other travellers.

🎨 Brera

Best for: art lovers, stylish strolls, romantic city vibes

If Milan had a soul, it might just live in Brera. This elegant neighborhood blends art, charm and timeless beauty in a way that’s hard to resist. Imagine cobbled streets, ivy-covered buildings, antique bookshops and old-school cafés where artists used to sketch for hours (and still do it today).

Brera is Milan’s artistic heart, home to the famous Pinacoteca di Brera, one of Italy’s most important art galleries, as well as the Academy of Fine Arts. But it's not all museums and history. The neighborhood is full of stylish boutiques, concept stores, hidden courtyards and some of the best aperitivo spots in the city. It’s a place that invites you to wander slowly and take it all in.

It’s also one of the most romantic areas in Milan: perfect for couples or solo travelers who enjoy a quieter, more sophisticated atmosphere away from the big crowds.

🖼️ What’s Nearby Brera

• Pinacoteca di Brera, a must for Renaissance and classical art lovers
• Orto Botanico di Brera, a hidden botanical garden right in the center
• Palazzo Brera, home to several cultural institutions
• Boutiques, artisan shops and vintage stores all over the place
• Tons of little cafés and wine bars where locals linger

🛏️ Where to Stay in Brera

💎 Luxury – Bulgari Hotel Milano
A quiet 5-star hotel hidden in a private garden. Stylish, peaceful and perfect if you want to treat yourself with a special stay.

🎯 Mid-range – The Unique Milano
A stylish boutique hotel with modern comforts, right in the heart of Brera. Think flat-screen TVs, balconies and elegant vibes at a fair price.

💰 Budget – YellowSquare Milan
Just outside Brera, this hostel-hotel offers colorful rooms, a rooftop bar, coworking space and daily events: perfect for social, budget-minded travellers.

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🌊 Navigli

Best for: night owls, boho vibes, aperitivo lovers

This vibrant, bohemian neighborhood is where the city’s creativity flows (quite literally) along its historic canals. Once used for trade and transport, today the Naviglio Grande and Naviglio Pavese are flanked by a buzzing scene of bars, vintage shops, art studios and buzzing terraces.

Navigli is the perfect place to sip a spritz at sunset, browse flea markets or catch live music in an indie bar. It's where Milanese students, artists and curious travelers meet for the famous aperitivo.

🖼️ What’s Nearby Navigli

• Naviglio Grande, the main canal, lined with restaurants and bars
• Darsena, Milan’s old port, now a lively waterside hangout
• Mercato dell’Antiquariato, a popular vintage market on the last Sunday of the month
• Via Tortona, the design and fashion street, great during Milan Design Week
• San Lorenzo columns & Corso di Porta Ticinese, for streetwear shops and cool hangouts

🛏️ Where to Stay in Navigli

💎 Luxury – Magna Pars l’Hotel à Parfum
A stylish 5-star hotel in a former perfume factory, with elegant rooms, a rooftop terrace and gourmet dining: ideal for a romantic or design-inspired stay.

🎯 Mid-range – Maison Borella
Elegant boutique hotel in an 18th-century building on the canal, with charming rooms and a cozy courtyard: perfect for a romantic Milan stay.

💰 Budget – Zebra Naviglio
Colorful and well-located, this playful spot offers stylish rooms with balconies and great value just steps from Navigli’s nightlife.

🏳️‍🌈 Porta Venezia

Best for: LGBTQ+ travelers, local nightlife, shopping sprees

Known as Milan’s LGBTQ+ district, the area blends classic beauty with contemporary edge. Think Liberty-style buildings, cool cocktail bars, inclusive clubs and one of the city’s busiest shopping streets (Corso Buenos Aires).

Porta Venezia is more than just Milan’s “gayborhood”: it’s a cultural crossroad. It’s where you’ll find the Natural History Museum, the elegant Indro Montanelli Gardens and a cosmopolitan mix of communities.

It’s also super well-connected, with metro, tram and bus lines that can take you anywhere in the city. Whether you’re coming for fashion, fun or food, Porta Venezia will definitely deliver.

🖼️ What’s Nearby Porta Venezia

• Corso Buenos Aires, Milan’s main shopping artery with 350+ stores
• Giardini Indro Montanelli, perfect for a green break in the city
• Museo Civico di Storia Naturale, one of the oldest natural history museums in Europe
• GAM – Galleria d’Arte Moderna, showcasing 19th-century Italian art
• Via Lecco, the heart of Milan’s LGBTQ+ nightlife and events

🛏️ Where to Stay in Porta Venezia

💎 Luxury – Casa Cipriani Milano
Refined and exclusive, this elegant hotel brings classic Milanese glamour with modern sophistication.

🎯 Mid-range – Hotel Fenice
A cozy 3-star hotel located right at the edge of Porta Venezia, next to the metro. Rooms are bright, clean and classically styled.

💰 Budget – Hotel Kennedy
A no-frills hotel just a short walk from Porta Venezia metro and the shopping district. It offers basic, clean rooms and great value for money.

🌇 Porta Nuova & Isola

Best for: business travelers, design lovers, skyline views

Porta Nuova and Isola are where Milan shows off its futuristic side. Glass towers, sleek plazas and green innovation come together in this revamped district that feels more Manhattan than Mediterranean.

At the heart of it all stands the Bosco Verticale, Milan’s iconic vertical forest (a symbol of sustainable urban living) while nearby Piazza Gae Aulenti buzzes with high-end shops, stylish cafés and corporate energy.

Cross the pedestrian bridge and you’re in Isola, a once-working-class neighborhood turned hipster haven. Here, murals brighten the buildings, local boutiques replace chains and bars are more craft beer than Aperol Spritz.

🖼️ What’s Nearby Porta Nuova & Isola

• Bosco Verticale, award-winning “green skyscrapers”
• Piazza Gae Aulenti, Milan’s most modern square
• Corso Como, great for evening strolls, aperitivi and people-watching
• Biblioteca degli Alberi (BAM), an urban park perfect for breaks and picnics
• Isola district, full of street art, small artisan shops and creative bars

🛏️ Where to Stay in Porta Nuova & Isola

💎 Luxury – NH Collection Porta Nuova
Chic and contemporary, this hotel offers top-notch comfort with great access to both business areas and the nightlife of Isola.

🎯 Mid-range – INNSiDE by Meliá Milano
Housed in the iconic Galfa Tower, this boutique-style hotel offers floor-to-ceiling windows, sleek design and all the comforts for a stylish stay.

💰 Budget – Hotel Brianza
A modest and affordable 3-star stay just a short walk from Porta Nuova. Clean rooms, friendly service and great metro access make it a solid pick for budget-conscious travelers.

🌿 Parco Sempione

Best for: families, green escapes, relaxed city vibes

If you’re looking for a more peaceful, spacious and nature-filled base in Milan, Parco Sempione is the place to be. This large green oasis sits right in the city center, just behind the Castello Sforzesco, and offers the perfect balance between sightseeing and slow living.

It’s a favorite area for families, joggers and anyone who enjoys early-morning walks or sunset picnics. Kids can run around freely, while parents can unwind in the shade of old trees or grab a coffee at one of the park’s kiosks. Plus, you’re within walking distance from the Arco della Pace, a lively square known for its outdoor terraces, especially popular at aperitivo hour.

🖼️ What’s Nearby Parco Sempione

• Castello Sforzesco, an iconic castle housing museums and exhibitions
• Arco della Pace, Milan’s “Arc de Triomphe” and nightlife hotspot
• Triennale Milano, design and art museum inside the park
• Arena Civica, neoclassical stadium still used for events
• Corso Sempione, a wide boulevard full of cafés and wine bars

🛏️ Where to Stay near Parco Sempione

💎 Luxury – Hotel VIU Milan
A modern, eco-conscious 5-star with rooftop pool spa, and panoramic city views. Elegant and perfect for families or couples who want a green retreat without leaving the city.

🎯 Mid-range – Hotel Milano Scala
Boutique hotel with an eco-friendly twist, close to both the castle and Brera. Rooms are cozy and the rooftop terrace is a real highlight for breakfast with a view.

💰 Budget – B&B Hotel Milano Cenisio Garibaldi
Located a bit further north (but with great transport links), this smart and simple hotel offers great value, family rooms and all the essentials for a comfy stay.

🚉 Stazione Centrale

Best for: short stays, airport/train access, budget-friendly accommodation

If you’re arriving late, leaving early or planning to travel around Italy by train, Stazione Centrale is hands-down the most convenient area to stay in Milan. This is the city’s main transportation hub: where high-speed trains, airport buses, metro lines and trams all come together.

While it’s not the most picturesque part of town, the area around Milano Centrale has improved a lot in recent years. You’ll find a growing number of modern hotels, business-friendly stays and budget accommodations. Plus, the train station itself is a masterpiece of early 20th-century architecture.

It’s a great base if you're planning day trips to Lake Como, Verona or other cities in northern Italy. And thanks to metro lines M2 and M3, you're just 10 - 15 minutes away from the Duomo and other central attractions in Milan.

🖼️ What’s Nearby Stazione Centrale

• Milano Centrale Station, grand architecture and key connection point
• Piazza Duca d'Aosta, lively square just outside the station
• Corso Buenos Aires, long shopping street just a few blocks away
• Pirelli Tower, iconic symbol of Milan’s postwar boom
• Lots of metro, tram and bus options to reach anywhere in the city

🛏️ Where to Stay near Stazione Centrale

💎 Luxury – Excelsior Hotel Gallia
A true 5-star hotel with direct access to the station via private entrance. Spa, rooftop restaurant and luxurious rooms: ideal for business travelers or upscale stopovers.

🎯 Mid-range – iQ Hotel Milano
Modern, smart and just a 2-minute walk from the station. Spacious rooms, wellness area and a rooftop bar make it a great value stay.

💰 Budget – B&B Hotel Milano Central Station
Clean, affordable and extremely convenient. Offers basic, but modern, amenities at a budget-friendly price. Perfect for one-night stays or solo travelers.

🛌 Hostel – Ostello Bello Grande
One of Milan’s most popular hostels, with private and shared rooms, rooftop terrace, communal kitchen and fun social events.

This is a great place to stay budget and location-wise. It's close to bars, restaurants, yet another place where you can enjoy Yellow di's Weekly Standup comedy shows and open mics, the metro AND main train station in the city! You can't go wrong with this area!

🍝 Porta Romana

Best for: foodies, design lovers and a local hipster vibe

If your idea of a perfect Milanese trip includes discovering craft coffee spots, neo-trattorie, artisan bakeries and natural wine bars, this is your place.

The area is home to Fondazione Prada, a cutting-edge contemporary art space housed in a former gin distillery (don’t miss the Wes Anderson-designed Bar Luce inside). Beyond art, the neighborhood has a relaxed vibe, with tree-lined streets, indie shops and a good mix of young professionals and long-time residents.

While it’s not as central as the Duomo or Brera, Porta Romana is very well-connected by metro and tram, and you can reach the heart of Milan in just 10 - 15 minutes. It’s ideal for longer stays or anyone looking to experience a more authentic side of the city.

🖼️ What’s Nearby Porta Romana

• Fondazione Prada, cutting-edge art, architecture, and a super-Instagrammable café
• QC Termemilano, luxurious thermal baths inside old tram tunnels
• Sidewalk Kitchens, gourmet street food collective
• Cascina Cuccagna, urban farmhouse turned restaurant and community hub
• Trippa, one of Milan’s most loved modern trattorie (book in advance!)

🛏️ Where to Stay in Porta Romana

💎 Luxury – Grand Visconti Palace
A 4-star hotel with elegant rooms, indoor pool and a lush private garden. A hidden gem that blends classic style and comfort, just minutes from the metro.

🎯 Mid-range – UNAHOTELS Mediterraneo Milano
Modern rooms, great breakfast and super convenient location. Ideal for couples or business travelers who want to explore Porta Romana and beyond.

💰 Budget – Hotel Five
A solid choice for affordable comfort. Clean rooms, helpful staff and excellent metro access. Great for short stays or budget-conscious travelers.

🎓 Città Studi

Best for: students, long-term stays and budget travelers

If you're looking for an affordable, laid-back area in Milan that’s not overrun with tourists, Città Studi could be your perfect match. As the name suggests, this is the university district: home to the Politecnico di Milano and frequented by students, researchers and expats.

The vibe here is casual and residential. Think local cafés with cheap cappuccinos, simple trattorias and quiet tree-lined streets. It’s not the most "Instagrammable" part of Milan, but it’s authentic, safe and great for longer stays or anyone traveling on a tighter budget.

While it’s a bit further out from the city center, the area is well-connected by metro and tram, so getting to the Duomo or Navigli is easy. Plus, the slightly off-center location means you’ll find cheaper accommodation, less noise and a more relaxed pace of life.

🖼️ What’s Nearby Città Studi

• Politecnico di Milano, one of Italy’s top universities
• Giardini Pubblici di Via Pascal, a peaceful green space for a walk or break
• Teatro Leonardo da Vinci, a cool spot for contemporary performances
• Upcycle Café, bike-themed café and brunch favorite

🛏️ Where to Stay in Città Studi

💎 Luxury – TownHouse 33
Elegant boutique hotel with a private garden, modern design and peaceful surroundings. A great option for those who want comfort in a quieter part of town.

🎯 Mid-range – 21 House of Stories Città Studi
Trendy hybrid between hotel and co-living. Rooms with style, communal spaces, a rooftop bar, coworking and events: perfect for digital nomads or young couples.

💰 Budget – Cà Bèla – Susa
Simple and charming guesthouse with air-conditioned rooms, great design touches and a relaxed feel. Excellent value for solo travelers and students.

⚽ San Siro

Best for: families, football fans and peaceful suburban vibes

If you’re traveling with kids or just want to escape the buzz of central Milan, San Siro offers a more relaxed, residential experience. This district in the western part of the city is best known for the iconic San Siro Stadium, home to both AC Milan and Inter: making it a dream destination for football lovers.

The area is also full of wide boulevards, green parks and quiet residential streets: a stark contrast to the fast-paced, fashion-forward core of Milan. You’ll find plenty of space to unwind, enjoy a jog or let the little ones run free.

While it’s not super central, public transport connections (metro line M5) make it easy to reach the Duomo, Navigli and other hotspots within 20 - 30 minutes.

🖼️ What’s Nearby San Siro

• San Siro Stadium, a must for any football fan (check tour availability!)
• Parco di Trenno, massive park perfect for families and runners
• Ippodromo di San Siro, horse racing, concerts and a whimsical vibe
• Museo dello Sport, small, but fun sports museum inside the stadium
• Lots of local trattorias and casual cafés

🛏️ Where to Stay in San Siro

💎 Luxury – Melia Milano
Elegant 5-star hotel just a short walk from the metro. Spacious rooms, excellent breakfast and easy access to the stadium or the city center.

🎯 Mid-range – Hotel Morfeo
Modern hotel with gym, parking and cozy, stylish rooms. A great pick for families or couples looking for a comfortable, peaceful base.

💰 Budget – B&B Hotel Milano San Siro
A modern, affordable hotel right next to the stadium. Bright rooms, fast Wi-Fi and excellent public transport links make it ideal for football fans and budget travelers.

Conclusion

Milan is a city that wears many hats: it’s a fashion capital, a cultural hub, a foodie paradise and a vibrant mix of old and new. But just like your favorite outfit, the right fit makes all the difference. Whether you want to wake up next to the Duomo, sip wine by the canals in Navigli, explore Brera’s art-filled alleys or find peace near Parco Sempione, there’s a neighborhood for every travel style and budget.

Still undecided?

• For first-timers, you can’t go wrong with Centro Storico
• For romance and elegance, Brera is a dream
• For nightlife and creativity, head to Navigli or Isola
• For longer, more relaxed stays, Città Studi or San Siro offer great value

Whichever zone you pick, Milan will reward you with unforgettable memories, excellent food and that special Italian charm you’ll want to come back to again and again.

Now it’s time to pack your bags and book that perfect stay.
Buon viaggio — and enjoy your time in Milan! 🇮🇹

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