File:Milano (Ank kumar, Infosys Limited) 13.jpg

Photo by Ank Kumar from

Neighborhood Guide: 10 Best Places to Stay in Milan


 

In contrast to the ruins of Rome or the romantic canals of Venice, Milan is a city of industry, well known as a major commercial hub. It is also an easy home base for day trips to the Lakes district and the Alps.

One of the major fashion capitals of the world, Milan oozes style and elegance from every corner. Known for its high-end boutiques and restaurants, this northern Italian city is both a shopaholic’s haven and an architectural delight.

Milan is one of the most exciting Italian cities to visit, and when you know where to stay and what areas to explore, it offers a lasting experience.

1. San Siro

File:Stadio San Siro - Giuseppe Meazza.jpg

Photo by D7ckon from

One of the best places to stay in Milan is San Siro District. It is part of the city administratively and only 5 km north-west of the city center.

San Siro is a very diverse district, with wide green areas and cemented neighborhoods, low-income and high-income housing, villas, and apartment blocks. The area is also known to host some of the best hotels, restaurants, hostels, and guest houses in the City’s neighborhood.

The district is also characterized by prominent sports structures, most notably the state-of-the-art Giuseppe Meazza football stadium, home of A.C. Milan and Inter Milan football clubs.

San Siro has beautiful residential complexes with world-class amenities such as vibrant bars, affordable pizzerias, and restaurants. The area is also served by a world-class transportation network including the San Siro metro and sub-station.

If you are looking for a conducive environment away from the hustle and bustle of the city, then San Siro is the perfect place for you.

2. Chinatown Milan

This vibrant and dynamic area is located just a few steps away from some of the significant venues of Milan such as the picturesque Brera and the futuristic buildings of the Porta Nuova district.

Its famous main street, Paolo Sarpi, is where everything is found: clothing, shoes, leather goods, tailors, opticians, electronics, and homeware items, all prominently Chinese-owned and operated. 

It also features a mouthwatering array of eateries ranging from dine-in restaurants to takeaway spots, as well as a multitude of grocery stores, including the famed Kathay Market, which is the largest ethnic food store in Italy. 

Whether you are planning to stay in the city for a long period or just a few days, staying in this multi-ethnical area is a curious way of discovering the less-known insights of Milan.

The area can be reached via Underground (M5 – purple line- Monumentale or, a little further on, M2- green line- Moscova), via bus lines 57, and 43, and by tram line 12.

3. Porta Venezia

File:Milano - Porta Venezia - vista notturna.jpg

Photo by Ank Kumar from

Porta Venezia is undoubtedly one of the best places to stay in Milan. Not only it is centrally located but also famous for its diversity. This district is a melting pot for different cultures and it suits the needs of everyone living or visiting the city.

The area is characterized by the historical importance of its buildings, many of which are more than 400 years old, and by the sizable and colorful public gardens, which include the park of Villa Reale and that of the Museum of Natural Science.

Among the great accommodations in this area are the Babila Hostel and Bistroit, the euro hotel, Senato Hotel Milano, and Hotel Marconi. Famous restaurant in the area are Bomaki porta Venezia, Cucina Romano and Gesto Milano among others.

If you are in the city primarily for shopping, then Porta Venezia is the perfect place to be, as it hosts the longest shopping street in Milan.

4. Wagner Buonarotti

This is a bourgeois neighborhood, which is situated in the west of Milan. Many families stay in this locality due to the peace and solace the area provides.

The area was established as a residential neighborhood for the Milanese upper class who wanted to be close to the city center without compromising the green spaces and the quietness of the area.

Wagner Buonarotti is ideal for people traveling with their families due to its quiet and peaceful environment away from the noise of the city center. 

5. Navigli

Navigli can be aptly dubbed the party district of Milan. Located in the south of the city, it is a lively district that is home to a large group of students and young professionals.

This locality is home to 3 major univiersities; IULM, Bocconi and Naba. While the district is largely quiet in the daytime, it becomes vibrant and bustling with activities after 6 pm when school is out.

Much of the life in Navigli is its nightlife, it hosts several vibrant nightclubs, cafes, and eateries that operate late into the night. There are also several hotels and hostels that vary in price to accommodate all kinds of visitors in the area.

 6. Porta Nuova

File:Porta Nuova - Milano.jpg

Photo by Capricornis Crispus from

Porta Nuova which literally means the “New Gate” is one of the main business districts of Milan. It is named after the well-preserved Neoclassic gate built in 1810, and it is one of Italy’s most high-tech and international districts.

Locate only 4 kilometers from Milan city center, Porta Nuova is home to the country’s tallest skyscraper, the “Unicredit Tower”. It also hosts famous luxurious names like Versace, AlfaRomeo, Pirelli, and Techint.

The area has seen a rapid development of luxurious residences high-end restaurants, world-class hotels, and flashy nightclubs, all due to the increase of industrialization within the district.

Despite being one of the lesser known City neighborhoods, Porta Nuova represents a way of living in harmony with an international lifestyle, but with a strong link to the Milanese identity and tradition.

7. Brera 

Combining artistic charm and an elegant setting, Brera is one of the most attractive and the best places to stay in Milan. Boasting a dense concentration of antique shops, galleries, showrooms, and other prestigious locations, it has retained its historical bohemian atmosphere and cozy ambiance.

Brera is home to the famous Pinacoteca di Brera gallery and its collection of Italian art spanning centuries and the 15th-century Santa Maria del Carmine church.  Other features that characterize Brera, include restaurants, bars, nightclubs, antique and art shops, colorful street markets, as well as fortune tellers’ booths.

If you are looking for the best place to stay in Milan, Brera is the perfect place to consider.

8. Porta Sempione

File:Arco della Pace, Milan, Italy Sempione Park.jpg

Photo by l0da_ralta from

Situated just northeast of the city center, Sempione is home to the largest park in Milan. It is one of the few places that provide visitors with an opportunity to explore the natural side of the city.

The park is adjacent to the gardens of the Sforza Castle and to the Arch of Peace, two of the main landmarks of Milan. It also hosts permanent sculptures by Arman, Francesco Barzaghi, Giorgio de Chirico, and Antonio Paradiso, which are major tourist attraction sites.

The area is also one of the main centers of Milanese nightlife, with a number of bars, pubs, restaurants, and discos. Frequent appearances of celebrities contribute to the popularity of Sempione’s nightlife venues.

For visitors who are looking for a place with a touch of nature and natural beauty, Porta Sempione is the place to be.

9. Città Studi

located in the northeast of Milan, Città Studi is very popular among students and youngsters due to its proximity to the University and the Polytechnic.  It is where most scientific branches of the University are based, hence many students choose to stay in the area.

As a student’s neighborhood, Città Studi has a lot of options when it comes to dining out. There are many bars and restaurants which are relatively cheap compared to other places.

The area has more hostels than hotels due to the high traffic of students and backpackers who visit the area. Città Studi is popular for people who prefer to live near their university, and those traveling on a low budget.

10. Quadrilatero d’Oro 

While Milan is the fashion capital of the world, the Quadrilatero d’Oro district is the beating heart of this vibrant and stylish City. It is considered to be one of the world’s most important centers of fashion and home to Milan’s most exclusive stores.

The district takes its geometrical moniker from the four main thoroughfares that surround it – Monte Napoleone, Manzoni, Della Spiga, and Corso Venezia.

Arguably one of the most expensive districts in the world, it is home to recognizable high-end labels like Armani, Salvatore Ferragamo, Prada, Versace, and Valentino.

The area also hosts some world-class hotels like four seasons, Armani, Mandarin Oriental, and Senato hotel. There are also high-end restaurants, bars, and nightclubs to complement the experience.

To arrive by public transit, you can take the M3 metro line to Montenapoleone, or take a 15-minute walk from the Duomo and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.

 

Planning a trip to Paris ? Get ready !


These are Dz’-Բ travel products that you may need for coming to Paris.

Bookstore

  1. The best travel book : Rick Steves – Paris 2023
  2. Fodor’s Paris 2024 –

Travel Gear

  1. Venture Pal Lightweight Backpack –
  2. Samsonite Winfield 2 28″ Luggage –
  3. Swig Savvy’s Stainless Steel Insulated Water Bottle –

We sometimes read this list just to find out what new travel products people are buying.