Best places to stay in Milan
Milan has something for everyone, whether you prefer cobbles and ancient palaces or gleaming, freshly built towers. The centre is dominated by big-name landmarks (see below), while nearby Brera is the city’s artsy, intellectual neighbourhood, its quaint streets lined with independent boutiques and antique shops. South of the city centre, Milan’s canals, known as the Navigli, offer waterside accommodation with an endless supply of bars and restaurants. For something more cutting-edge, the neighbourhoods of Porta Nuova and Isola boast acclaimed architecture like the living facades of the Bosco Verticale, plus some great street art and international cuisine.
Where to stay to be near the popular attractions
For first-time visitors to Milan, it’s a good idea to stay central, as close as possible to the Duomo. This enormous cathedral is the city’s emblem, and its intricately carved façade and 135 spires never fail to impress. You can also visit the rooftop for a superb view of the skyline. From here, you can stroll through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele – surely one of the world’s most beautiful shopping centres – to reach another Milan landmark, the La Scala opera house. Just east of here is the Quadrilatero d’Oro, an impossibly elegant neighbourhood known for its fashion shopping – and the window-shopping is almost as good.
Where to stay with your family in Milan
Families in search of a Milan hotel should check out the area around Parco Sempione in the northwest of the city centre. Not only will you be within walking distance of the Duomo, but the park itself is great for kids, with 116 acres of green space featuring a playground, a lake, fountains, and the imposing Castello Sforzesco, a fortress that today showcases artworks. For those rainy days, the park is also home to an aquarium with over 100 different species. Genius Hotel Downtown is a well-rated option tucked on a quiet street just outside the main entrance to the park.
Where to find cheap hotels in Milan
Milan might be known as the home of luxury, but that doesn’t mean there are no cheap hotels available. As well as being handy for those arriving by train, the area around the main railway station (Stazione Centrale) has plenty of affordable options. Hotel Aspromonte is just off Piazzale Loreto, where you can find a Metro stop, and offers rooms for less than £100 a night as well as a bar, breakfast room and courtyard garden. If you’d prefer to be in the heart of the action, Hotel Nuovo has basic but comfortable rooms in an unbelievably good location within touching distance of the Duomo.
Where to stay as a solo traveller
Milan has some great accommodation for those visiting solo. For starters, there’s the ever-reliable hostel chain Ostello Bello, which has two locations in the city: one by the main train station and the other in the centre. In addition to amenities like a terrace/garden and a 24/7 bar, these seriously cool hostels host a selection of live music and events. Another sociable option is 21 House of Stories, a place where travellers, digital nomads and creatives come together, with a great restaurant, co-working spaces and a busy schedule of weekly entertainment.
