I stayed in a Backpacker Hostel in Milan and here's what happened

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Find your Perfect Hostel in Milan

They told me Milan was all high fashion, tiny coffees, and price tags that could melt a credit card.

Naturally, I packed my most battered sneakers and booked a bunk at Yellowsquare Milan—the hostel that promises everything the city has to offer without the actual huge prices.

Spoiler: nobody kicked me out for mismatched socks, and I ended up having a great time. 

Below is my full, no-filter review, for travelers looking for Milanese glam on a budget.

Top Picks: The Best Hostels in Milan

Best for Hostel Newbies

Ostello Bello Milano Du...9.3

from €24.13 | More Details

Best for Female Solo Traveler

Madama Hostel & Bistrot9.2

from €25.37 | More Details

Best Party Hostel

Yellowsquare Milan9.1

from $17.08 | More Details

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Location – Close, Clever, and Coffee-Scented

Yellowsquare sits on Viale Regina Margherita, a broad tree-lined avenue south of the Duomo. Porta Romana metro (Line 3) is an eight-minute walk—close enough to sprint when you’re late for your train, far enough to avoid the rattling rails under your pillow.

The Duomo sits three stops north. Navigli’s canals, where aperitivo flows like liquid sunshine, are ten minutes by tram 9.

If you insist on walking, you’ll see more pastel facades than your camera roll can handle. I felt safe even after midnight gelato hunts; streetlights glow bright, police cars cruise often, and fellow night owls wobble home clutching pizza boxes like priceless art.

Bonus: right outside, you’ll find a bakery whose croissants smell like pure happiness. Follow your nose; thank me later.

Social Vibes – A Playground for Grown-Up Backpackers

This place runs on controlled chaos. By day, digital nomads tap keyboards in the coworking room. By late afternoon, everyone seems to be on their third drink.

• Events every single day. Monday karaoke (where someone will attempt “Bohemian Rhapsody”). Tuesday language exchange—great for mastering the vital phrase “un altro spritz, per favore.” Pasta-making on Wednesdays (flour, eggs, chaos). DJ sets Thursday to Saturday in Club Yellow downstairs; music cuts at 1 a.m., saving your sleep and their sound permit.
• I joined a Friday “drink & draw” session. My sketch looked like spaghetti after a washing-machine cycle, yet strangers applauded politely. Instant friends!
• Overall vibe: artsy, slightly ironic, totally welcoming. Wall murals shout color, staff wear bright tees, and nobody judges if your Aperol stains match your shirt.

Short and crisp: The Best Hostels in Milan

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

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

€24.13

Sofia Hostel

8.7

Via Pietro Calvi, 18... more

Music B&B Hostel

8.5

"…There is no computer to use (but there is Wi-Fi), but if you need one you can visit the internet more

Rooms – Little Pods, Big Dreams

• Choice overload: 4-bed, 6-bed, 8-bed, and 10-bed dorms. Mixed or female-only (pink door, extra mirror, no random snorers who think snoring is a hobby).
• Each bunk comes with a blackout curtain—pull it and instantly star in your own low-budget dark room. USB + EU outlets, reading light, and a shelf for late-night biscotti.
• The under-bed locker could swallow a baby elephant (please store luggage only). Your key-card locks it—no rattly padlocks needed.
• Air-conditioning works. Not “kind of cool if you lie still,” but genuine, arctic puff. Milan’s August heat? Consider it canceled.
• Ensuite bathrooms in most dorms. For mega-rooms, spotless corridor bathrooms wait down the hall, cleaned like clockwork.

Amenities – More Toys Than a Swiss Army Knife

• Terrace bar: Spritz at sunset, skyline twinkling, pretending life is always this cinematic.
• Club Yellow: Basement music cave with cheap beer, live DJs, and free earplugs at reception if you prefer sleeping to raving.
• Coworking room: Fast Wi-Fi, plenty of plugs, plus the moral support of other procrastinators.
• Guest kitchen: Full stove, fridge, herb garden on the roof (free basil if you’re feeling MasterChef).
• Laundry, vending machines, bike rental, luggage storage, 24 h reception—all checked.

Safety – Key-Cards, Cameras, Calm Mind

Your magic key-card opens the front door after dark unlocks your dorm, and secures your locker—a quadruple lock dance.

Security staff hover near the club entrance once the bass drops, checking wristbands, so random strangers don’t wander up.

CCTV eyes hallways; staff roam all night; reception actually answers phones at 3 a.m. Female-only dorm corridor has an extra door code.

7 Hidden Gemz in Milan (by Hostelgeeks)

How it works

Price – Milan Style, Backpack Budget

Yes, Milan is pricey. No, Yellowsquare won’t send your bank app into cardiac arrest.

Beds cost more than an old-school youth hostel on the outskirts but far less than any city hotel.

Included: linens, Wi-Fi, most daily activities, and a welcome shot on club nights (a tiny hug for your wallet).

Paid extras: breakfast buffet, towel rental, club drinks, day tours.

Final Verdict

9 / 10. Yellowsquare Milan is a glittering paradox: it throws a party every night yet still respects your sleep; it feels designer but charges friendly prices; it’s huge but manages to feel personal. 

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.