How to Choose a Hostel in Milan in 2025 (What to Expect)

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Find your Perfect Hostel in Milan

Picking a hostel in Milan can look easy online—until you arrive and discover your “central” bunk is two trams and a 25-minute hike from anything fun.

After testing party dorms in Navigli, quiet lofts in Brera, and budget bunks behind Centrale, I built a checklist to avoid nasty surprises.

Use this guide on how to choose a hostel in Milan to match neighborhood vibes, understand real costs, and lock in the right bed for your trip.

Top Picks: The Best Hostels in Milan

Best for Hostel Newbies

Ostello Bello Milano Du...9.3

from €23.98 | More Details

Best for Female Solo Traveler

Madama Hostel & Bistrot9.2

from €25.71 | More Details

Best Party Hostel

Yellowsquare Milan9.1

from €14.26 | More Details

This is not an ad. We help you find the perfect hostel and compare prices from Hostelworld and Booking. You can save up to 23.7%

Types of Hostels in Milan

Milan squeezes hostels into old apartment blocks, modern co-living towers, and even ex-factory lofts. Most fall into four clear categories; choose the style that fits your sleep needs, social goals, and wallet.

• Party Hostels
  • Found in Navigli or near Centrale.
  • On-site bars, nightly pub crawls, free pasta before the crawl.
  • Pros: Instant friends, discounted club entries, late check-in flexibility.
  • Cons: Music past midnight, crowded showers, tough 6 a.m. airport runs.
• Social but Chill Hostels
  • Locations: Brera, Isola, Porta Romana.
  • Board-game nights, group walking tours, lights out by midnight.
  • Pros: Balanced crowd, decent kitchens, stable Wi-Fi for remote work.
  • Cons: Less nightlife at the door; plan tram rides to party hubs.
• Budget Crash Pads
  • Older flats behind Centrale or out near Lambrate.
  • No events, minimal staff, bunk-focused layouts.
  • Pros: Cheapest beds in town—sub-€25 off-season.
  • Cons: Thin mattresses, small lockers, dated bathrooms.
• Female-Only Dorm Options
  • Offered by roughly half of listings; €2–3 above mixed rate.
  • Separate keycard, mirrors, and hair-dryer zone.
  • Pros: Extra security, quieter rooms.
  • Cons: Limited beds during Fashion Week—book early.

Quick Filter: Skim the last ten reviews for words like “pub crawl,” “family vibe,” or “quiet” to confirm reality lines up with the listing.

Short and crisp: The Best Hostels in Milan

1. OstellOlinda - best for Couples, Digital Nomads, Solo Traveller
2. Milan Hostel Emmy
3. Hostel Mister Mido
4. Ostello Bello Milano Duomo - best for Couples, Digital Nomads, Party Hostel, Solo Traveller
5. Sofia Hostel

OstellOlinda

8.1

"…This aim of integration, shared by all the staff, leads to an accommodation policy centered on more

from

$16.11

Milan Hostel Emmy

8.0

"…The hostel is located on the fourth floor of an older building, accessible by old elevator or more

Hostel Mister Mido

8.1

"… streets like Monte Napoleone Street, Via Torino, Via Porta Ticinese and Corso Buenos Aires). more

Best Rated Hostel

Ostello Bello Milano Duomo

9.3

Carrobbio

"…Rooms spotless. Common areas filled with friendly people and a great vibe. - Wow! It's difficult more

from

€23.98

Sofia Hostel

8.7

Via Pietro Calvi, 18... more

What to Expect From Hostels in Milan

Milan’s city rules push properties to keep solid hygiene and safety standards, yet space is tight. Set expectations correctly and you’ll avoid shock at check-in.

• Atmosphere
  • Centro Storico: Tourist hustle, early sleepers.
  • Navigli: Canal sunsets, guitar jams, late snacks.
  • Isola: Street art mornings, craft-beer nights, laptop warriors midday.
• Common Areas
  • Often a repurposed living room: sofa, two tables, kitchenette.
  • Rooftops exist but may close for private events during big fairs.
• Kitchens
  • Expect microwave, two-burner hob, kettle. No oven or full pantry.
  • Supermarkets sell €3 pizza dough or €5 fresh pasta—easy hostel meals.
• Beds & Lockers
  • Metal bunks with LED reading lights common.
  • Lockers fit carry-ons; bring a 40 mm combo padlock.
• Bathrooms
  • Shared, cleaned daily, but 8-9 a.m. queues normal.
  • Pack flip-flops and a quick-dry towel.

What NOT to Expect:

• Huge custom-built common halls—real estate costs too much.
• Full ovens or spice racks—Milan assumes you eat out.
• Sub-€18 dorms—even deep off-season stays near €20.

Best Location for Hostels in Milan

Neighborhood choice decides transport costs, food prices, and how safe you feel after dark.

• Best Areas for Backpackers
  • Navigli — Cheap aperitivo buffets, canal vibes, many hostels.
  • Brera — Safe alleys, art museums, cafés two minutes from the Duomo.
  • Isola — Street art, budget eats, metro lines M2 and M5.
• Areas to Avoid
  • Industrial outskirts like Sesto San Giovanni—night buses end early.
  • Empty lanes behind Centrale—pockets get picked after midnight.

Metro Hack: Stay within one tram or two metro stops of the Duomo; that trims daily transit to a single €2.20 ticket if you plan routes well.

How Much Do Hostels Cost in Milan

Rates spike during Fashion Week and Salone del Mobile. Low season (January cold or August heat) lowers beds, but some dorms close floors to save staffing money.

Price Movers: weekends, design fairs, Champions League matches.
More bunks per room = cheaper bed, but higher shower wait time.
Add €2–3 city tax and €2 linen fee (if not included) to tally real nightly cost.

How to Book a Hostel in Milan Without Overpaying

• Start searches on Hostelz.com; it stacks Booking.com and Hostelworld prices in one grid.
• Apply filters: “solo traveler favorite,” “female only,” “quiet.” Labels come from guest polls.
• Read reviews newer than three months—management turnover is quick here.
• Confirm if city tax shows in total; some sites hide it till reception.
• Reserve flexible rates outside peak weeks; you can rebook if a discount pops up.
• Check cancellation windows—Italian strikes sometimes halt trains last minute.

Hostel Safety and What to Watch Out For

• Lockers — Combination padlock beats key loss after bar nights.
• Pickpockets — Tram 2 and metro M1 at rush hour; wear bag to front.
• Common Theft Spots — Phone chargers left in lounge, designer sneakers at door racks.
• Keycards — Ask if dorm door auto-locks; some rely on hallway reader only.
• Scams — Street bracelet guys near the Duomo; simply say “No, grazie,” keep moving.
• Night Transit — Use the ATM Milano app; N-line night buses run after 00:30 and beat dark side streets.
• Emergency — Dial 112 (EU); English-speaking operators pick up fast.

7 Hidden Gemz in Milan (by Hostelgeeks)

How it works

Final Thoughts

Milan’s hostels trade big lounges for prime addresses, reliable Wi-Fi, and strict cleaning schedules.

Pick Navigli if canal nightlife calls, Brera for art-walk mornings, or Isola when you want street art and cheaper dorms.

Use Hostelz.com to compare real rates, double-check extra fees, and secure a bed weeks before design crowds arrive.

With smart choices, your hostel is more than a bunk—it’s your launchpad to aperitivo buffets, free museum Sundays, and sunrise Duomo photos without draining your budget.

Backpacking Milan? Here’s What You Need to Know

These are the guides I wish I had before visiting. I’ve been there, had fun, did some minor mistakes, and now I’m passing the best tips on to you. Safe travels!

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About the author: Anna Kiefer

My travels have taken me from the vibrant streets of Vietnam to the tranquil beauty of Spain, each destination adding a new chapter to my journey. For me, travel isn’t about counting countries or ticking off lists; it’s about the freedom it brings and the stories that unfold with each new adventure. At Hostelgeeks, my goal is to infuse our brand with this sense of freedom and discovery.

Whether it’s finding the perfect 5 Star Hostel or sharing a hidden gem in a bustling city, I’m here to ensure that our travelers get more than just a journey – they get an experience that resonates with the joy of exploration and the freedom of the open road.