Where to Stay in Milan as a Solo Traveler (Hostel, Safety, Areas)

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Find your Perfect Hostel in Milan

Milan can blow your mind and your budget on the same block.

Designer windows sit next to one-euro espresso bars, and the jump from “wow” to “how much?” happens fast.

I have stayed in seven different zip codes across two trips—one as a broke student, one as a digital nomad—and learned that your neighborhood shapes the whole visit.

Beds, food, safety, tram rides: all change street by street.

This guide helps solo travelers, especially women, choose the best area, stay safe, and keep cash for gelato instead of taxis.

Top Picks: The Best Hostels in Milan

Best for Hostel Newbies

Ostello Bello Milano Du...9.3

from $27.78 | More Details

Best for Female Solo Traveler

Madama Hostel & Bistrot9.2

from $29.76 | More Details

Best Party Hostel

Yellowsquare Milan9.1

from $17.12 | 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%

Why Milan is a Must-Visit Destination

• The Duomo’s white spires flash Instagram gold, but walk three minutes and a graffiti tunnel shows the city’s rebel side.
• Aperitivo turns one drink into an all-you-can-eat buffet, perfect for tight budgets hunting “free dinner.”
• Flat streets and a dense tram web mean you rarely need cars, a win for solo travelers watching coins.
• Fashion weeks and design fairs pull in global crowds, so English menus and hostel mixers feel normal, not forced.
• Day trips run cheap: Lake Como, Bergamo, and Turin all sit under 90 minutes away thanks to regional trains. 

Short and crisp: The Best Hostels in Milan

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

Hostel Mister Mido

8.1

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

Ostello Bello Milano Duomo

9.3

Carrobbio

"…There is also a cafe selling delicious items cooked by the in-house chef (we can recommend the more

from

$27.78

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

Milano Lion Hostel

8.0

"…All the guests will be required to pay in Cash 5 euro per bed per stay as a security deposit upon more

from

$14.05

Top Neighborhoods to Stay in Milan

Duomo & Centro Storico

The marble heart of Milan. Every path leads to the cathedral and the glass-roof arcade.

• I joined a free walking tour here; the guide pointed out bullet holes from WWII that I had walked past twice.
• Pros: Landmarks on foot, bright streets late, endless café choice.
• Cons: Dorm beds from €40, coffee almost doubles if you sit, tourist menus hide service fees.
• Best for: First-timers and history lovers who like rolling out of bed and straight into selfies.

Navigli

Two canals lined with fairy-light bars, vintage stalls, and cheap aperitivo buffets.

• I filled my plate five times for the price of one spritz and met half my hostel in line for pasta salad.
• Pros: Budget food, flea markets, street musicians, late trams.
• Cons: Noise until 2 a.m., pickpockets hunt crowded bridges, dorms book out on weekends.
• Best for: Party travelers, foodies, anyone who thinks dinner at 7 p.m. is “too early.”

Brera

Cobblestone lanes, tiny art studios, perfume boutiques, and cozy wine bars.

• I felt safe walking alone after midnight; streets stayed lit and cafés never looked sketchy.
• Pros: Short walk to Duomo, cute photo spots, quality thrift shops, calm vibe.
• Cons: Limited hostel count, beds from €35 even in shoulder season.
• Best for: Female solo travelers, art students, slow coffee sippers.

Isola

Street art district north of Garibaldi station with craft beer, food trucks, and indie record stores.

• My remote-work week here was bliss: cafés had cheap refills and plenty of plugs.
• Pros: Dorms from €25, local markets, fast metro to center, easy day trips from nearby train.
• Cons: 20-minute ride to the Duomo, nightlife smaller than Navigli.
• Best for: Digital nomads, budget travelers, fans of non-tourist restaurants.

Porta Romana

Southern student quarter known for thermal baths, low-cost pizza, and tram links.

• After long sightseeing days I soaked in QC Terme spa—pricey, but sunset over Roman walls felt worth the splurge.
• Pros: Cheap pasta, quiet nights, grocery stores for self-catering.
• Cons: Few landmarks on foot; you will ride trams a lot.
• Best for: Slow travelers, spa fans, anyone planning longer than four nights.

The Best (and Worst) Areas to Stay in Milan

Milan’s vibe swings fast block to block, so match mood to plan:

• Best overall mix: Navigli—food value, hostel events, and strong late trams.
• Best for female solo travelers: Brera—well-lit alleys, boutique crowd, close to police points.
• Best for tight budgets: Isola—lower dorm rates, discount supermarkets, cheap craft beer.
• Best for history photos: Duomo zone—zero transit cost to major sights.
• Watch-list pockets: Parts behind Centrale station feel empty after midnight; stick to lit avenues like Via Vittor Pisani.

Seasoned local tip: Milan taxis are safe but pricey; if sidewalks look dead, hop a night tram instead—tickets work till 04:00.

7 Hidden Gemz in Milan (by Hostelgeeks)

How it works

Safest Area to Stay in Milan as a Solo Traveler

Overall, Milan is safer than many big cities, but some zones score higher for solo strollers:

• Brera: Small blocks, CCTV, steady foot traffic from cafés and galleries.
• Porta Venezia east: LGBTQ+ bars, bright lights, close metro stops.
• Duomo east side: Police patrols and tourism keep streets busy till late.

Safety tips insiders use:

• Wear your backpack on the chest in busy trams (lines 2 and 14 see the most pickpockets).
• Avoid counting cash in public—tap cards work nearly everywhere.
• Use Google Maps live view to cut lost-tourist vibes at night.
• Save hostel address in Italian on your phone for quick taxi fallback.

Tips for Booking Social Hostels in Milan Without Overpaying

Hostels are gold here because kitchens lower food cost and lounges launch instant day-trip squads.

Jump on Hostelz.com, check Booking.com and Hostelworld listings side by side, then filter “solo traveler favorite,” “women only,” or “party” to match your vibe.

Look for photos showing big common rooms or pasta nights—small lobbies often mean dead social scene.

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.