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Milan is the capital city of the northern Italian region of Lombardy and is one of the best city break destinations in Europe. Milan is Italy’s biggest industrial city, but its fashion that truly puts it on the map. Designers, models, photographers, and artists from all over the world flock to Milan to build their fashion careers, while tourists visit to indulge in retail therapy at the flagship stores of internationally renowned fashion houses.
There’s more than just shopping on offer in this vibrant city. Milan’s origins date back to 400 B.C. and today it’s packed with fascinating historic sites and heritage buildings. Plus, it’s home to fantastic art galleries, performance spaces, restaurants, bars, and clubs.
If you’re considering a trip to Milan, your first step is to find the right accommodation. The city center is comprised of multiple neighborhoods each with a unique personality. Let’s take a look at Milan’s most popular neighborhoods and highlight some of its best hotels to help you plan the perfect trip.
Centro Storico & Piazza del Duomo for First-Time Visitors
Photo Credit: Sue Martin
Highlights: Duomo di Limano, La Scala Opera House, Palazzo Reale di Milano, Galleria d’Italia, Museo Poldi Pezzoli, Museo del Novecento, Leonardo3 Museum, Casa del Manzoni, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Centro Storico, also known as Zone 1, is the most central part of Milan and is where many of the city’s most popular landmarks and attractions lie. Centro Storico in Italian means historic center.
The area is crowned by the Duomo di Milano, an enormous gothic-style cathedral set in a grand square called Piazza del Duomo. Several major sights lie within walking distance of the cathedral, including Teatro alla Scala, an opulent 18th-century opera house, and Palazzo Reale di Milano, a former royal palace that now serves as an arts center.
There are several excellent museums in Centro Storico. Leonardo3 Museum tells the life story of renowned Italian master Leonardo da Vinci and Casa del Manzoni shares insights into the life and works of 18th-century writer Alessandro Manzoni. There’s copious art to be seen at Gallerie d’Italia, Museo Poldi Pezzoli, and Museo del Novecento. Plus, there’s lots of attractive historic architecture to take in, such as the elegant Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a 19th-century glass-covered arcade that’s home to several high-end stores and restaurants.
If you’re visiting Milan for the first time, it makes sense to stay in the heart of Milan where you’ll be able to see all the city’s main sights with ease. However, accommodation near Piazza del Duomo can be very expensive due to its convenient location. You should also keep in mind that the streets are packed with tourists throughout the day, so it can feel very crowded.
Where to Stay in Centro Storico & Piazza del Duomo
These are some of the most popular places to stay in Centro Storico and Piazza Duomo:
- Park Hyatt Milan is a five-star luxury hotel that offers the ultimate indulgent experience. It has an on-site gourmet restaurant, a spa, and a gym, and it provides free WiFi and a concierge service.
- Room Mate Giulia is a boutique hotel set in a chic 19th-century building that is an easy three-minute walk away from Piazza del Duomo. Its vintage-style rooms are equipped with minibars, coffeemakers, and free WiFi, and some have balconies.
- B&B Hotel Milano Duomo is a relaxed, pet-friendly hotel set on a charming cobblestone side street. The rooms on its upper floors have wonderful views across the city. Free cancellation and late check-out give guests flexibility over their stay.
Brera & Parco Sempione for Art-Lovers
Photo Credit: KrimKate
Highlights: Pinacoteco di Brera, Orto Botanico di Brera, Braidense National Library, Castello Sforzesco, Triennale Milano, Milan Aquarium, Torre Branco, Arco della Pace, Santa Maria delle Grazie
Brera is the area surrounding the Palazzo Brera, an enormous palace with 12th-century origins, and is a 15-minute walk north of the Duomo. The palace complex is home to several institutions including a botanic garden, an observatory, a library, and the Pinacoteca di Brera which is the city’s main public art gallery.
Brera lies close to Parco Sempione, a majestic green space with landscaped gardens and copious cultural attractions. One of the biggest is the medieval fortress Castello Sforzesco which houses several art galleries showcasing masterpieces by the likes of Michelangelo and Da Vinci. You can see more art at Triennale Milano, then climb the nearby Torre Branco for breathtaking views across Milan’s city center. Learn about local and international marine life at the Milan Aquarium, then wander through the park to the Arco della Pace, a stately arch commissioned by Napoleon in the early 19th century.
If you’re heading to Milan to appreciate its art, it makes sense to stay near Brera and Parco Sempione where there are so many art galleries and museums within easy reach. There are even more cultural attractions beyond the park’s limits, including the Santa Maria delle Grazie where Da Vinci’s renowned mural “The Last Supper” can be found. A little further west is San Siro Stadium, the home ground of the city’s two major football teams: Inter Milan and AC Milan. Many of the hotels in this neighborhood are very luxurious but you can also find good mid-range hotels and private apartment rentals.
Where to Stay in Brera & Parco Sempione
Bulgari Hotel Milan is one of the best places to stay in Brera. This five-star hotel is set within a beautifully renovated 18th-century palazzo which boasts a private garden that serves as a peaceful oasis in the busy city. There’s also an in-house spa and a gourmet restaurant that provides a fine dining experience.
Porta Nuova & Porta Garibaldi for Architecture Enthusiasts
Photo Credit: MC MEDIASTUDIO
Highlights: Modern architecture, BAM, Bosco Verticale, Piazza Gae Aulenti
Porta Nuova and Porta Garibaldi are two urban districts known for their blend of old and new architecture. Connected by the cafe-lined Piazza Gae Aulenti, these two neighborhoods boast some unique ultramodern buildings. A great example is Bosco Verticale (Vertical Forest) which consists of two tower blocks covered in trees and shrubs. The building serves as a prototype for improving biodiversity in urban settings. It overlooks the attractive BAM, a beautiful contemporary botanical garden dotted with water features and floral displays.
It takes around 15 minutes to reach Centro Storico from Porta Nuova and Porta Garibaldi via public transport. If you’re looking to immerse yourself in Milan’s modern concept of architectural beauty, this is the ideal neighborhood to stay in.
Where to Stay in Porta Nuova & Porta Garibaldi
One of Porta Nuova’s best hotels is Heart Hotel Milano which blends style, sophistication, and comfort. It’s a 4-star hotel beloved by both business travelers and tourists. Breakfast is available for an additional fee, and guests can request an airport transfer service for added convenience.
Navigli & Tortona for Night Owls
Highlights: Bars, restaurants, Armani/Silos, Mudec, BASE Milano
Navigli and Tortona are adjacent neighborhoods around two miles south of Centro Storico, and they’re known for their excellent nightlife. Navigli is confined by two freshwater canals, Naviglio Grande and Naviglio Pavese, and their banks are lined with boutique stores, artist studios, and pretty courtyards. By night, the area comes alive as its trendy restaurants and bars teem with locals and tourists. Head out in the early evening to enjoy an aperitivo as you watch the sunset, then hop from bar to bar before enjoying a late dinner.
There are some cool cultural attractions in neighboring Tortona. The Armani/Silos is a gallery that showcases a permanent collection of Armani fashion, but it also hosts traveling art exhibitions regularly. Mudec is a cool art museum housed in a former factory. BASE Milano is a cultural hub that hosts a range of events, including the city’s annual Design Week and an antiques and flea market on the last Sunday of every month.
Compared to Centro Storico, accommodation in Navigli and Tortona is a little more affordable. Access to the city center is easy via metro so you won’t feel disconnected from the main attractions. The only downside is that it’s somewhat noisy after dark but if you’re a night owl this will be a bonus.
Where to Stay in Navigli & Tortona
Magna Pars The Hotel à Parfum is one of the best places to stay in Tortona. It’s a sophisticated all-suite hotel decked out with art by local artists. Amenities include a roof deck, a lounge bar, a library, a cellar wine bar, and a restaurant with a terrace. Room service is also available for those who want to dine in privacy.
Porta Venezia & Quadrilatero d’Oro for Fashionistas
Photo Credit: ColorMaker
Highlights: Luxury fashion houses, Milan Planetarium, Palazzo Morando, Bagatti Valsecchi Museum, Milan Natural History Museum, Indro Montanelli Gardens
Porto Venezia is a small area within Centro Storico where neoclassical buildings are packed with chain and independent stores, and it’s considered the city’s shopping hub and fashion district. Quadrilatero d’Oro, also known as Quadrilatero della Moda, is the high-end heart of the district. It consists of four streets — Via Monte Napoleone, Via Manzoni, Corso Venezia, and Via della Spiga — where some of the world’s most renowned luxury fashion stores including Prada, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton can be found.
If shopping isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other attractions in the Porta Venezia area. Check out Milan Planetarium to learn about the cosmos, or visit Palazzo Morando for exhibits on Milanese fashion in a gorgeous 18th-century palace. You’re within easy reach of the rest of Centro Storico when you stay here, but accommodation is mainly limited to luxury hotels.
Where to Stay in Porta Venezia & Quadrilatero d’Oro
Château Monfort is one of the most elegant places to stay in Porta Venezia. It’s a striking art nouveau property built in the early 20th century and provides a memorable five-star experience. It has a wine bar, a lounge, a restaurant, and a spa with a sauna and swimming pool.
Stazione Centrale & NoLo for Adventurers
Highlights: Museo delle Illusioni, Shoah Memorial of Milan
Stazione Centrale, also known as Milan Centrale, is the city’s biggest and most central train station. If you plan to take plenty of day trips to other Italian cities, it makes sense to stay in this area. You can reach Lake Garda in an hour, Lake Como in 2.5 hours, and even Rome in a little over three hours by high-speed train.
The neighborhood of NoLo (north of Loreto) lies just northeast of Stazione Centrale and is an up-and-coming area with a vibrant LGBTQ scene. There’s some cheap accommodation on offer here, plus plentiful transport links to the rest of the city are good.
Milan Malpensa Airport for Flying Visitors
Photo Credit: Claudio Caridi
Highlights: Castello Visconti di San Vito, Volandia Aviation Museum
If you have a very short stay in Milan with an early or late flight, it might make sense to stay near Milan Malpensa Airport. It lies some 33 miles northwest of the city center but you can reach Stazione Centrale within an hour via the Malpensa Express train. There are a couple of attractions nearby such as the Castello Visconti di San Vito and Volandia Aviation Museum.
Milan Linate Airport is the city’s other major airport and lies closer to the city center than Malpensa. However, despite accepting some international flights, Linate mainly caters to domestic flights to Italian cities such as Naples and Palermo. Like Malpensa, you’ll find hotels to suit all budgets surrounding Linate Airport.
Where to Stay Near Milan Malpensa Airport
The Sheraton Milan Malpensa is one of the best hotels to choose if you’ll be flying in and out of Malpensa Airport’s Terminal 1. It’s a 4-star hotel with soundproofed rooms and suites, an on-site restaurant and bar, and a spa with an indoor pool.
CittĂ Studi for Budget Travelers
Highlights: Cheap hostels, bars
Citta Studi is the area surrounding Politecnico di Milano University. There are few attractions in the area but plenty of lively bars and eateries that tend to be packed with local students. You’ll find some very affordable hostels and cheap hotels in this area which makes it a great base for backpackers and budget travelers. You can reach the Centro Storico in around 30 minutes by metro.
Book Your Milanese Accommodation
Now you’re clued up on Milan’s top neighborhoods, you can choose the best area to suit your style, pace, and budget. Which part of Milan will you call home when you visit this stylish city?
