Where to stay in Milan? 4 Best Areas + Hotels 🇮🇹

Milan is a popular destination for tourists worldwide who come to Italy to experience the city’s fashion, food, culture, and history. There are many different areas to stay in Milan, depending on what you’re looking for.

In this article, we’ll guide you to the best areas for tourists to stay in Milan.

Where to stay in Milan? Let’s dive into the guide.

This is where to stay in Milan

If you don’t want to read the complete guide on where to stay in Milan, here’s a quick overview to give you a glimpse:

• Centro Storico – the best area for most tourists ⭐️
• Navigli – the best area for nightlife and ambience 🍹
• Brera – the trendiest and most exclusive area in the centre
• Milano Centrale – the best area for budget hotels

1. Centro Storico – best place to stay in the city centre ⭐️

The Centro Storico in Milan is a charming and historic neighbourhood known for its narrow streets, ancient buildings, and beautiful squares.

The area is home to some of the city’s most significant attractions, including the famous Duomo di Milano cathedral, Teatro alla Scala, and the impressive Castello Sforzesco.

Staying in Centro Storico as a tourist is a fantastic way to experience Milan’s historical and cultural heritage.

You can spend hours exploring the narrow streets and squares, visiting the impressive sights, and admiring the beautiful architecture.

Check out the best hotels in Centro Storico here.

Centro Storico also has plenty of great restaurants, cafes, and shops, so you’ll always have things to do or places to eat and shop.

If you’ve been to Rome, the area may remind you of the historic centre of the Italian capital – it’s simply the best area to stay in if you’re an average tourist.

Get a glimpse of Centro Storico here:

The area is also well-connected with public transport, making it easy to travel to other parts of the city.

If you’re arriving from Bergamo Airport, getting from Milan Centrale (the city’s main train station) to your hotel in Centro Storico is simple.

The same applies if you’re arriving from the large Milan Malpensa Airport.

Hotels in Centro Storico

Centro Storico is the heart of Milan, so it’s where most tourists want to stay, and naturally, there are many excellent hotels in the area.

• Luxury hotel: Bulgari Hotel Milan

Bulgari Hotel Milano is located in the heart of Centro Storico and offers a luxurious experience with elegant rooms and suites, a spa area, a fitness centre, and an impressive garden. The hotel also has a gourmet restaurant where guests can enjoy Italian specialities.

With its proximity to attractions and shopping opportunities, Bulgari Hotel Milano is the perfect place to stay for an unforgettable trip to Milan.

• Mid-range hotel: Hotel Rio

Hotel Rio is situated in a historic building in Centro Storico and offers charming and affordable accommodation. The rooms are simple but comfortable and equipped with everything you need for a pleasant stay. The hotel also has a bar and a 24-hour reception.

With its superb location and reasonable prices, Hotel Rio is an excellent option for travellers who want to stay in Centro Storico without breaking the bank.

Explore more hotels in Centro Storico here.

2. Navigli – best area for nightlife🍹

Navigli in Milan is a lively and unique area, known for its canals, bridges, and colourful buildings. The area has a rich history and was once an important trade route in Milan.

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Today, Navigli is a popular spot for tourists who want to experience Milan’s bohemian culture and vibrant nightlife.

On my first trip to Milan, I was pleasantly surprised by Navigli and felt almost as if I was in a miniature Venice 😀

Check out the best hotels in Navigli here.

Here are some reasons why it’s great to stay in Navigli as a tourist:

• Atmosphere: Navigli is full of life and energy, especially in the evening when the streets fill with people enjoying drinks and snacks at the many bars and restaurants along the canals.

• Cultural attractions: Navigli is also home to some of Milan’s most interesting art galleries and museums, including the Museo Diocesano and Galleria Arte Moderna.

• Food and drink: The area is known for its food and drink scene, and you can find everything from local specialities to international cuisines. And the street along the canal really comes alive in the evening 😀

• Transport: Navigli is well connected with public transport, making it easy to travel to other parts of the city.

So, Navigli in Milan is an excellent area of the city that’s perfect for travellers who want to experience Milan’s vibrant culture and nightlife.

Hotels in Navigli

Let’s take a closer look at two great hotels in the Navigli area.

• Luxury hotel: Aethos Milano

Aethos Milano is a 4-star luxury hotel located in the trendy Navigli area. The hotel offers modern and elegant rooms equipped with amenities such as free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and minibars.

Its location right by the canals in the Navigli area makes the hotel a perfect choice for exploring the vibrant nightlife and culture of the neighbourhood.

At the same time, the hotel is close to the city centre, so you’ll get the best of both worlds by staying in Navigli and being very close to Centro Storico.

• Mid-range hotel: Art Hotel Navigli

Art Hotel Navigli is situated in the heart of the Navigli area and offers modern rooms and suites with air conditioning and free Wi-Fi. The hotel also has a 24-hour reception and a lovely terrace where guests can enjoy a drink.

With its convenient location and reasonable prices, Art Hotel Navigli is an excellent choice for travellers who want to experience Navigli’s lively atmosphere.

Explore more hotels in Navigli here.

3. Brera – trendy area in the city centre 🙌🏻

Brera is technically a part of Centro Storico but deserves its own section, as it has a very unique atmosphere.

Brera is one of the city’s most charming and historic neighbourhoods. The area is known for its rich cultural heritage, narrow streets, and lively squares.

It’s the perfect area for those who want to stay right in the heart of Milan while also discovering hidden gems on the streets surrounding their hotel.

In that case, Brera is the perfect area.

Check out the best hotels in Brera here.

Get a glimpse of Brera in this video:

 Here are some reasons why it’s great to stay in Brera as a tourist:

• Art and culture: Brera is home to some of Milan’s most prestigious art museums, including the Pinacoteca di Brera and Biblioteca Nazionale Braidense. The area also has many galleries, artist studios, and design shops.

• Food and drinks: Brera is also known for its vibrant food and drink scene, where you can find everything from local trattorias to gourmet restaurants and trendy bars. But you can actually find this in most parts of central Milan 😀

• Shopping: The area is filled with shops selling everything from designer clothes and vintage accessories to local specialities and antiques.

• Atmosphere: Perhaps the most unique aspect of the area! Brera is one of the most atmospheric and romantic parts of Milan. The streets are filled with flowers, cobblestones, and colourful buildings, and the area is a popular destination for both locals and tourists. One should choose to stay in Brera primarily for the area’s atmosphere.

• Location: And, of course, the central location in Milan! Brera is centrally located and close to many of Milan’s top attractions, including the Duomo Cathedral, Castello Sforzesco, and Teatro alla Scala.

Hotels in Brera

There are plenty of excellent hotels in Brera – here are two of them.

• Luxury hotel: Grand Hotel et de Milan

Grand Hotel et de Milan is an elegant 5-star luxury hotel located in the exclusive Brera district of Milan.

The hotel combines historical charm with modern conveniences and offers beautifully decorated rooms and suites, equipped with antiques, original paintings, and luxurious bathrooms.

• Mid-range hotel: Hotel Milano Scala

Hotel Milano Scala is a 4-star hotel situated in the heart of Brera. This charming hotel features elegant rooms and suites, decorated with a modern and minimalist design.

The hotel also has a rooftop terrace with a spectacular view of Milan, a cosy bar, and a restaurant.

Discover more hotels in Brera here.

4. Milano Centrale – best area for budget hotels

If you’re looking to stay affordably in Milan, the area surrounding Stazione di Milano Centrale (Milan’s main train station) is an excellent choice.

This area is well-known for its range of budget-friendly hotels and hostels, offering simple and basic amenities at a wallet-friendly price.

Although the neighbourhood may not be the most charming or trendy, it’s still centrally located and boasts excellent transport connections to the rest of the city via metro, train, and bus. Additionally, there’s a wide selection of restaurants and shops nearby.

Discover the best hotels in the Milano Centrale area – with numerous affordable hotels and hostels, it’s perfect for young travellers exploring Milan on a budget, for example.

Historically, it has been said that caution should be exercised during nighttime hours around Milano Centrale, so if you’re travelling to Milan with children, this might not be the most ideal area.

However, if you’re in search of a cheap hotel in Milan, this neighbourhood is a fantastic choice.

Hotels by Milano Centrale

Here are two mid-range hotels in the Milano Centrale area where you can expect no-frills, affordable accommodation. I also stayed relatively close to the station on my first trip to Milan.

• Hotel Mythos

This 3-star hotel is just a 5-minute walk from Milano Centrale station and offers simple, clean rooms with air conditioning and free Wi-Fi.

The hotel also features a rooftop terrace with beautiful city views, a bar, and a breakfast restaurant.

• Hotel Bernina

This 3-star hotel is also located near Milano Centrale station and provides comfortable and spacious rooms with en-suite bathrooms and air conditioning. The hotel has a 24-hour reception, a lounge, and a breakfast restaurant.

Let’s summarise the article with a small table:

Area:	The area is known for:	Best luxury hotel 💸	Best mid-range hotel 👌🏻
Centro Storico	Historical monuments, shopping and restaurants	Bulgari Hotel Milano	Hotel Rio
Navigli	Canals and lively nightlife	Aethos Milano	Art Hotel Navigli
Brera	Art and culture	Grand Hotel et de Milan	Hotel Milano Scala
Milano Centrale	Transport hub and cheap hotels	Hotel Mythos (cheap)	Hotel Bernina (cheap)

Milan is a fantastic destination with various areas to stay in, depending on your preferences.

Milan has something to suit every taste, whether you prefer a more traditional and historical atmosphere or a livelier and trendier vibe.

I hope this guide to the best areas to stay in Milan as a tourist has been helpful, and I wish you an enjoyable trip to Milan.

Read all my Milan travel guides here.

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