Wondering where to stay in Milan?
Milan is one of those cities where choosing the right area can make a surprisingly big difference. Especially if you’re only staying for one or two nights, you probably don’t want to spend half your trip figuring out public transport when you could be eating pizza, drinking Aperol or staring at the Duomo.
I’ve stayed in a few different parts of Milan myself, including several hostels, and I definitely have areas I would choose over others depending on what kind of trip you’re having.
For a first visit, I’d mainly look at the Duomo / city centre, Navigli or Milan Central Station. Navigli is my favourite if you want a fun area with restaurants, bars and nightlife, while the Duomo is unbeatable if you only have a short amount of time. If you’re travelling around Northern Italy by train, staying near Centrale can also make life much easier.
In this guide, I’ll break down the best areas to stay in Milan, who each area is best for and some hostels and hotels worth checking out.
→ Planning a bigger trip around Italy? Check out my Northern Italy Travel Guide.
Where to Stay in Milan at a Glance
If you don’t want to read the entire guide, here’s my quick overview:
| Area | Best for | Atmosphere |
|---|---|---|
| Navigli | Nightlife, aperitivo & younger travellers | Lively & social |
| Duomo / City Centre | First-time visitors & short stays | Central & touristy |
| Milan Central Station | Train travel & day trips | Convenient & practical |
My top picks
Best area overall: Navigli
Best for first-time visitors: Duomo / City Centre
Best for nightlife: Navigli
Best for a 1–2 night stay: Duomo / City Centre
Best for train travel: Milan Central Station
Best for backpackers: Navigli
Best for convenience: Milan Central Station
1. Navigli
Best area to stay in Milan for nightlife & atmosphere
If you ask me where I would personally stay in Milan, Navigli would probably be my first choice.
This is one of my favourite areas of Milan because it actually feels like somewhere you want to hang out rather than somewhere you simply use as a base for sightseeing.
Navigli is famous for its canals, restaurants, bars, cafés and aperitivo culture. In the evening, the whole area comes alive, with people sitting outside with drinks and food and walking along the canals.
It’s particularly good if you’re a solo traveller, backpacker, couple or just someone who likes having things happening around them.
You’re also not miles away from the main sights. The city centre is easily reachable by metro, and you can also walk towards the Duomo if you feel like exploring the city on foot. Porta Genova metro is close to the main Navigli area, making it easy to get around.
The downside is that it’s obviously not the most convenient area if your only goal is to wake up and immediately see the Duomo.
But personally?
I’d rather stay somewhere with a nice atmosphere and take the metro for a few minutes than stay somewhere completely dead just because it’s closer to one attraction.
What I like about Navigli
- Great nightlife
- Lots of restaurants and cafés
- One of the best areas for aperitivo
- Young and lively atmosphere
- Great for solo travellers and backpackers
- Beautiful canals
- Easy access to public transport
- More atmosphere than staying directly around the main tourist sights
Downsides
The area can get very busy and noisy, especially in the evening and at weekends.
And if you’re planning to spend most of your time around the Duomo, you’ll have to use public transport or walk further than you would from the city centre.
Hostels & hotels around Navigli
NEW GENERATION HOSTEL Navigli Milano
NEW GENERATION HOSTEL Navigli Milano
I haven’t stayed here myself, but my brother stayed here multiple times and really liked it, which is why I wanted to include it.
It’s a relatively cheap option in a great area if you want to stay close to the nightlife without paying for a fancy hotel.
The hostel has a shared kitchen, common areas, a garden and a bar, and it’s around the Navigli/Darsena area.
One thing I would keep in mind is that the hostel’s current Booking.com rating is not particularly high, so I’d definitely read the most recent reviews before booking.
Book here: NEW GENERATION HOSTEL Navigli Milano
I’d choose it if: you’re travelling on a budget and mainly care about being in a fun area rather than having a super luxurious hostel.
Maison Borella
If you want something much more comfortable and atmospheric, Maison Borella is a beautiful option right on the Naviglio Grande.
It’s in an 18th-century building and has a much more boutique feel, with elegant rooms, a restaurant, bar and some rooms with balconies overlooking the city. It’s also within walking distance of Porta Genova metro.
This is obviously a very different type of stay from a hostel, but I love that you can stay right beside the canals rather than simply being somewhere in the general Navigli area.
Booking.com currently gives it a 9.0/10 overall rating, with particularly strong scores for location and staff.
I’d choose Maison Borella if: you’re looking for a romantic or stylish stay and want the Navigli atmosphere right outside your door.
Book here: Maison Borella
Art Hotel Navigli
Another good option is Art Hotel Navigli, especially if you want a proper hotel but still want to be close to everything that makes Navigli fun.
The hotel is surrounded by the area’s restaurants, pubs and boutiques and is around a five-minute walk from Porta Genova Metro. It also has a bar, rooftop terrace, fitness area and wellness facilities.
It currently has an 8.7/10 rating on Booking.com, with a 9.4/10 location score.
I’d choose Art Hotel Navigli if: you want a comfortable hotel in Navigli but don’t need to stay directly on the canal.
Book here: Art Hotel Navigli
My pick: Navigli is my favourite area if you want to actually enjoy Milan in the evening rather than just tick off the main sights.
2. Duomo / Milan City Centre
Best area to stay in Milan for first-time visitors
If it’s your first time in Milan and you’re only staying for one or two nights, I honestly think staying around the Duomo / historic centre makes a lot of sense.
This is where you’ll be closest to Milan’s most famous sights, including:
- Milan Cathedral
- Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
- La Scala
- Palazzo Reale
- Brera
- Milan’s main shopping streets
The biggest advantage is simply how central you are.
You can walk out of your hotel and immediately be in the middle of Milan.
And if you only have 24 or 48 hours, that matters.
You don’t necessarily want to spend 30 minutes getting into the centre every morning when you could already be walking around the Duomo.
The downside?
This is one of the most expensive and touristy areas to stay in Milan. The atmosphere is also less local than Navigli.
So for a longer trip, I personally wouldn’t necessarily choose it.
But for a short city break?
Absolutely.
What I like about staying around the Duomo
- Everything is close
- Perfect for first-time visitors
- Great for short stays
- Lots of restaurants and cafés
- Easy access to public transport
- You can walk to many major sights
- No need to waste time commuting
Downsides
- More expensive
- More touristy
- Can feel busy
- Less of a local atmosphere
- Fewer budget accommodation options
Hostels & hotels around the Duomo
Ostello Bello Milano Duomo
If you’re a backpacker or solo traveller but still want to stay really central, I would definitely look at Ostello Bello Milano Duomo.
It’s around a 10-minute walk from Milan Cathedral and has three furnished terraces, hammocks, a bar and common areas. It also has both dorms and private rooms.
This is actually a much better location for sightseeing than staying all the way out by Centrale, while still giving you that hostel atmosphere.
Booking.com currently gives it an 8.8/10 overall rating and 9.5/10 for location.
Book Here: Ostello Bello Milano Duomo
I’d choose it if: you’re travelling solo, backpacking or want a social hostel while being close to the main sights.
Hotel Spadari al Duomo
If you want something more comfortable and don’t mind spending more, Hotel Spadari al Duomo is one of the strongest options in this area.
It’s only around 150 metres from Piazza del Duomo, so you really are right in the middle of everything.
The hotel has modern rooms with original artwork, breakfast, a bar and very strong guest reviews. Booking.com currently gives it a 9.4/10 overall rating and 9.8/10 for location.
I’d choose it if: you want a comfortable hotel and your main priority is being as central as possible.
Book here: Hotel Spadari al Duomo
My pick: If you only have one or two nights in Milan, I would seriously consider staying around the Duomo simply because of how much time it saves.
3. Milan Central Station
Best area to stay in Milan for trains & day trips
If Milan is part of a bigger Northern Italy trip, the area around Milano Centrale can actually be extremely convenient.
This is particularly true if you’re arriving in Milan by train, leaving early the next morning or planning to take several day trips.
From Centrale, you can easily continue travelling around Northern Italy without having to drag your suitcase through the city.
And if you’re only staying one night before catching another train?
This can be a very practical choice.
However, I wouldn’t necessarily choose Centrale because it’s the prettiest part of Milan.
It isn’t.
The area immediately around the station feels much more functional than atmospheric, and it’s not where I’d stay if I wanted to experience Milan’s nightlife and local atmosphere.
So I’d basically choose this area for convenience, not vibes.
What I like about staying around Centrale
- Extremely convenient for trains
- Great for Northern Italy trips
- Good metro connections
- Useful for early trains
- Lots of accommodation choices
- Practical for one-night stays
Downsides
- The area around the station isn’t the prettiest
- Less atmospheric than Navigli
- Not where I’d choose for nightlife
- You’ll probably use public transport to reach the main sights
Hostels & hotels around Milan Centrale
Ostello Bello Milano Centrale
This is the hostel I stayed at when I was in Milan.
The biggest advantage is obvious: it’s right next to Milan Central Station, which makes it incredibly convenient if you’re travelling around Northern Italy by train.
If you’re arriving late or leaving early, you don’t have to worry about crossing the entire city with your backpack.
However, I do want to be honest about it.
The neighbourhood itself isn’t the nicest.
When I stayed there in September, I also didn’t find it particularly social. So if you’re looking for that classic backpacker hostel where you immediately make ten new friends, this wasn’t really my experience.
That being said, the hostel itself was clean and had a nice bar area, which made it a perfectly practical place to stay.
I wouldn’t necessarily choose it because I loved the neighbourhood.
I’d choose it because the location is ridiculously convenient.
I’d choose it if: you’re only in Milan for a night or two, arriving late, leaving early or using Milan as a base for travelling around Northern Italy.
Book Here: Ostello Bello Milano Centrale
Hotel Berna
If you want something more comfortable right near the station, Hotel Berna is a very good option.
It’s only around 200 metres from Milan Central Station and the metro, so it has the same convenience without the hostel experience.
The hotel has soundproofed rooms, air conditioning, WiFi and a large breakfast buffet. Booking.com currently gives it an 8.7/10 overall rating and 9.4/10 for location.
I’d choose Hotel Berna if: you want a comfortable hotel near the station and don’t particularly care about staying in a trendy neighbourhood.
Book here: Hotel Berna
NYX Hotel Milan by Leonardo Hotels
Another interesting option near Centrale is NYX Hotel Milan.
This one has a much more modern and lively feel than a traditional station hotel, with an inner garden, restaurant, lounge bar and fitness centre.
It’s only around a three-minute walk from Milan Central Station, so it’s extremely convenient for train travel.
Booking.com currently gives it an 8.7/10 overall rating and 9.4/10 for location.
I’d choose NYX if: you want the convenience of Centrale but would rather stay somewhere with a bit more personality.
Book here: NYX Hotel Milan
My pick: Centrale is the practical choice. If you’re backpacking around Northern Italy and Milan is just one stop on a bigger route, I wouldn’t overthink it.
So, Where Should You Stay in Milan?
Still not sure?
Here is what I would personally choose depending on your trip.
First time in Milan
Stay around the Duomo / city centre.
You’ll be close to the main sights and won’t waste time travelling around.
Only staying for 1 or 2 nights
Stay around the Duomo or Centrale.
If sightseeing is your priority, choose the Duomo.
If you’re arriving or leaving by train, choose Centrale.
Want nightlife & aperitivo
Stay in Navigli.
This would probably be my personal choice.
The area has so much more atmosphere in the evening, and you have loads of restaurants, bars and places to grab an aperitivo right outside your door.
Backpacking Northern Italy
Stay in Navigli or Centrale.
Navigli if you want a more social and fun area.
Centrale if Milan is mainly a stop between other destinations and you’re going to be using the train a lot.
Travelling solo
I’d choose Navigli or a social hostel around the Duomo.
You’ll have more going on around you in the evening and more opportunities to meet people.
Want the easiest sightseeing
Stay around the Duomo.
You can walk to a huge number of Milan’s main attractions.
Taking lots of trains
Stay near Milano Centrale.
Not the prettiest choice, but definitely the easiest.
Is It Better to Stay Near the Duomo or Navigli?
This is probably the biggest decision you’ll have to make.
And honestly, both are good, they’re just good for different reasons.
If you’re visiting Milan for the first time and only have one day, I’d choose the Duomo area.
You’ll be able to walk around the historic centre and see a lot without worrying about transport.
But if you have two or more nights and care more about food, drinks, nightlife and atmosphere, I’d choose Navigli.
That’s the area where I’d personally rather spend my evening.
You can always take the metro into the centre during the day and then come back to Navigli for aperitivo.
Basically:
Duomo = sightseeing
Navigli = atmosphere
And honestly, if you can find a good deal in either area, you can’t really go wrong.
How Many Nights Should You Stay in Milan?
For most travellers, I’d recommend 2 nights in Milan.
That gives you enough time to see the major sights without rushing around the city.
If you’re using Milan as part of a bigger Northern Italy backpacking trip, 1 night can also work.
Especially if you’re arriving in the afternoon, exploring the city that evening and continuing by train the next day.
If you want to properly explore Milan, eat well, go for aperitivo and not feel like you’re running from attraction to attraction, I’d stay 2–3 nights.
→ Not sure how long you need for your whole Italy trip? Read my guide on How Many Days Do You Need in Italy?.
My Personal Recommendation
If I had to choose where to stay in Milan, I’d probably go for Navigli.
I love the atmosphere there, especially in the evening. You have the canals, aperitivo, restaurants, bars and people everywhere, and it feels like an area where you actually want to spend time rather than simply sleep.
But I wouldn’t automatically choose Navigli for every trip.
If you’re visiting Milan for the first time and only have one or two nights, staying near the Duomo can be much more convenient.
And if Milan is simply one stop on your Northern Italy backpacking route, staying near Centrale can save you a lot of hassle.
So my three choices would be:
🌆 Navigli: My personal favourite for atmosphere and nightlife
⛪ Duomo: Best for first-time visitors and short stays
🚆 Centrale: Best for train travel and Northern Italy trips
And honestly, that’s all you really need to know.
You don’t have to find the “perfect” neighbourhood in Milan. Just choose the one that fits your trip, and you’ll be good.
Tips for Booking Accommodation in Milan
1. Check the exact location
Milan is a big city, and “Milan” on Booking.com can mean you’re quite far from the areas you actually want to visit.
I would always check the accommodation on the map before booking.
2. Stay near a metro station
Even if you don’t stay directly in the centre, Milan has a good public transport network, so being close to a metro station makes a huge difference.
3. Don’t automatically choose Centrale because it’s cheaper
If you’re staying several nights and want to experience Milan, I’d rather pay a little more for a nicer area like Navigli.
But for one night before a train?
Centrale makes perfect sense.
4. Check recent reviews
Especially for hostels, I’d look at recent reviews about:
- Cleanliness
- Noise
- Atmosphere
- Safety
- The neighbourhood
- How social the hostel actually is
Because a hostel can have a great reputation from five years ago and feel completely different now.
5. Compare the total price, not just the room
Milan can get expensive, particularly around major events and busy periods.
Always compare the total price for your exact dates before deciding where to stay.
Final Thoughts: Where to Stay in Milan
So, where should you stay in Milan?
For me, the answer depends completely on what you’re doing.
Navigli is my favourite if you want nightlife, aperitivo and a younger atmosphere.
The Duomo / city centre is the easiest choice for first-time visitors, especially if you’re only staying for one or two nights.
And Milan Central Station is the practical choice if you’re travelling around Northern Italy by train.
I’ve personally stayed in hostels in Milan, so I know that the most convenient option isn’t always the one with the best atmosphere. That’s why I’d rather tell you honestly what I liked and didn’t like than simply give you a list of hotels that all look perfect on Booking.com.
If you’re backpacking Northern Italy, I’d probably choose between Navigli and Centrale.
If Milan itself is the main reason you’re visiting, I’d go for Navigli or the Duomo area.
Now all that’s left is choosing where to sleep — and then, obviously, figuring out where you’re going for aperitivo. 🇮🇹
