Plus, with all that Milan has to offer for visitors, it is a popular destination all year long, so it’s hard to find a bargain no matter what time of year you come. There are plenty of charming, budget hotels in Milan to be found, though, thanks to an abundance of family-run pensions and small, local hotels.

We’ve picked a handful of our favorites in Milan, so you can easily book your next vacation.

More about budget travel in Italy:
• 10-Day Affordable Itinerary through Rome, Florence & Venice
• Avoid these 10 common mistakes when traveling in Italy
• Driving in Italy: 7 tips for staying safe, sane and on budget with your rental car

Best budget hotels in Milan, Italy

Read on for our top picks of budget hotels in Milan for this year. Each option offers great rates, plus perks like a central location, plentiful amenities, or charming decor.

Malta is a family-run hotel that attracts Cheapos with great prices.

Hotel Malta

Neighborhood: Citta’ Studi
Doubles averaging $98 per night

The Hotel Malta is a perfect cheapo spot, with an excellent Citta’ Studi location, comfortable lodgings, and a welcoming staff. Rooms are pretty simple in design, but amenities are aplenty including air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and private bathrooms. Read the full review

Aspromonte Hotel sits right on the edge of a local park in Milan.

Hotel Aspromonte

Neighborhood: Citta’ Studi
Doubles averaging $107 per night

The clean, sleek Aspromonte combines a warm family-friendly atmosphere with modern style. The location is prime, but still quiet. Room amenities include clean private bathrooms, air conditioning, televisions and free Wi-Fi. A continental breakfast is included in the room rate. Read the full review

Staying at Garda feels like staying with family.

Garda

Neighborhood: Central Station and Buenos Aires
Doubles from averaging $131 per night

With a convenient location near the train station, Garda stands out from the budget hotels surrounding it, thanks to its lively décor and staff members that treat guests like family. You may feel particularly drawn to hang out in the lobby, which feels regal. Read the full review

The bright, recently renovated rooms at Hotel 22 Marzo are welcoming and Cheapo-approved.

Hotel 22 Marzo

Neighborhood: Around Viale Corsica & Corso Marzo
Doubles averaging $133 per night

Convenient and cute, Hotel 22 Marzo features a friendly staff, recently renovated guest rooms, and modern amenities. Create comforts include air conditioning, TVs, and free Wi-Fi. The hotel is steps from a tram stop, and there are plenty of shops and restaurants nearby. Read the full review

Could Hotel Ideale be ideal for your trip to Milan?

Ideale

Neighborhood: Citta’ Studi
Doubles averaging $145 per night

They don’t call it “ideale” for nothing! This three-star hotel sits on a charming, tree-lined boulevard and offers cozy rooms. Some even have balconies, a welcome addition. Bathrooms are private, spacious, and clean, and you get free Wi-Fi and breakfast included in your stay. Read the full review

Find more budget hotels in Milan with our guide

Don’t forget to comment below on your favorite hotels to book in Milan! Looking for even more places to stay? Check out our full guide to cheap hotels in Milan.

The post Best budget hotels in Milan for 2025 appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

It really doesn’t have to be if you follow these tips by Milan locals. Rest assured, you’ll be getting the best Italian delicacies the Lombard capital has to offer from €3 snacks to affordable plates of homemade risotto.

More tips for eating in Italy:
• Ordering coffee like a pro in Italy
• Don’t leave Rome without tasting these 5 classic dishes
• A tasty guide to visiting Bologna on a budget

5 Cheap eats in Milan

Once you check in to your hotel in Milan, it’s time to get down to business and start eating your way through the city!

Zio Pesce is seafood heaven without the high price tag. Photo: Carmen Condeescu for Spotted By Locals

Zio Pesce

Via Andrea Maffei 12

A lot of people are unaware of this fact, but Milan actually boasts one of the largest fish markets in the country. Still, finding a restaurant that gets quality seafood right for a decent price is tricky, but thankfully, local Carmen has the answer: Zio Pesce. Here you can get seafood pasta (spaghetti allo scoglio for €14) that would satisfy even the most demanding of Italian gourmands. In fact, the restaurant is always full of them, even on an otherwise slow Monday night, so be sure to plan ahead.

Related: Our favorite hotels under $100 a night in Milan

La Piccola Ischia

Viale Abruzzi, 62

There aren’t many kinds of food that are more popular around the world than pizza, but Italians are notoriously particular about what constitutes a proper one. Naples has a long tradition in this art, and La Piccola Ischia is a great place to discover what a real Neapolitan pizza tastes like. Here you can also try fried pizza; local Matto is still licking his lips from the one he had with sausage, mozzarella and tomato sauce. With its informal setting and low prices (from €10 per person), he reckons it brings together everything a true Italian pizzeria should be about.

Did you know Milan has a fantastic Chinatown? Photo: Carmen Condeescu for Spotted By Locals

La Ravioleria Sarpi

Via Paolo Sarpi 27

It is said that pasta was originally brought to Italy from China by Marco Polo in the 14th century. We can’t know for sure, but La Ravioleria Sarpi really gives credence to this legend, for when you really get down to it, what’s the difference between dim sum and ravioli? This street food joint makes “Chinese ravioli” at the heart of Milan’s Chinatown using nothing but quality ingredients. For around €3.50 per dish, it’s hard to go wrong — order like local Carmen and try more than one!

Design, food, and atmosphere… Risolatte has it all. Photo: Carmen Condeescu for Spotted By Locals

Risolatte

via Camperio 6

Risolatte is a gem hidden right in the center of Milan. The striking 1960s home decor collected from vintage markets around the country would be enough to fall in love with if it wasn’t for the authentic, home-cooked Italian dishes. The menu changes every day, which guarantees that everything is fresh and of the highest quality, but the milk risotto and cotoletta alla Milanese are must-tries. Perhaps the best part? Given the service, the charm and the quality of the food, the prices (less than €25 per person) are actually quite fair compared to the rest of Milan.

The post 5 Local tips for cheap eats in Milan appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Our Hotel Charly Milan review

Located a quick walk (less than 10 minutes) from Milano Centrale, Hotel Charly makes a convenient stay whether you are passing through for a night or looking for a comfy home base for a few days.

Vintage streetcars run right to the Duomo di Milano, the most popular attraction in the city. The Metro (Lima stop) is a few blocks away, and you can walk to the Public Gardens (Giardini Pubblici Indro Montanelli) in about 10 minutes.

My quick tip: Book a room with a private balcony overlooking the lush garden for a snug urban oasis in the heart of Milan.

Related 
• 11 Easy ways to save on your trip to Italy
• Milan hotels under $100 per night
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Wake up and open the doors to the balcony.

A friendly staff available around the clock

Your visit will most likely start off with a warm greeting (aka barking) by the Hotel Charly’s friendly dog in the lobby. The staff is very cordial, and although they speak a little English, they’re very happy when you attempt a few Italian phrases.

My limited Italian skills came in handy. Check-in is easy, and you pay when you leave. You drop the old-school key off at the desk each time you go out, so you won’t have to worry about losing it. Someone is always at the desk 24-7, so you also don’t have to stress out if you stay out a little later than planned.

Looking out from the patio of Room 6 at Hotel Charly.

Ask for a room with a private balcony

When I made my reservation through EuroCheapo, I asked for one of the rooms with a balcony overlooking the garden. (There’s a note field where you can make a comment or special request.)

I stayed in Room 6 which had a calming yellow color scheme and a full-size bed right next to the huge windows that lead out to the patio. I reserved about three months in advance for a trip in late May. The earlier you make a booking the better to ensure you get a balcony room and a lower rate.

The final bill of my stay was €94 per night for a double room, including the local taxes and breakfast.

Start each morning with a pastry and cappuccino on your private balcony.

Classic Italian breakfast in a lovely garden

A lot of times, I skip the hotel breakfast in Italy. In my book, nothing can beat a cappuccino and cornetto at a local bar. However, Hotel Charly has an espresso machine and will gladly froth you up a fine cappuccino and provide you with a nice selection of pastries, yogurt, meats, and cheeses. Grab a seat in the charming breakfast room with a view of the garden or ask for a tray and enjoy it on the balcony. It’s a lovely way to start your day in Milan.

It will be hard to lose this old-school key!

Climate control comes in handy during the warmer months

If it’s too hot, the rooms have air conditioning units controlled by remote control. This came in handy when the weather turned quite warm during our stay. With one click of the AC and a quick close of the patio doors, we created a comfortable oasis. You won’t even miss the garden view because the patio doors are glass.

Don’t miss the bakery down the block

One of the best perks of staying at Hotel Charly is the bakery just down the street on the corner of Via Vitruvio and Via Lodovico Settala. Panificio Pasticceria Vailati offers sweet and savory treats from poppy seed flatbreads with anchovies and capers to handmade chocolate covered cherries.

I even stopped by for a couple of last-minute bags of treats to enjoy on the flight back to New York!

Read more about Hotel Charly and book a room online.

The post Hotel Crush: Hotel Charly Milan review appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Since late 2008, BikeMi has operated stations around the city, allowing locals and tourists to explore the city on two wheels for just a few euros. BikeMi currently boasts over 100 pick-up and drop-off stations throughout Milan, with around 1,400 bikes in total. The program is set to expand to well over 200 stations and 5,000 bikes by the end of 2010.

How it works

To hop on, you’ll first need to register. On the BikeMi Web site, choose a temporary or annual subscription and provide your credit card information. Once your card is approved, you will be e-mailed a user code and password to be used at any bike station.

Simply type in your code at the station keypad and take a bicycle. And don’t forget to watch the time—bikes must be returned to any BikeMi station no more than two hours after they’ve been checked out. (Exceeding the limit three times will get your subscription cancelled.)

The daily rate for using a BikeMi bike is €2.50. A weekly subscription costs €6. On top of these flat fees, you’ll be charged €0.50 for every 30 minutes (following the first free half-hour).

All in all, we think BikeMi provides plenty of incentive to slip off the D&G stilettos and get riding through the streets of Milano.

The post Milan: Get moving with the BikeMi public bike share program appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

This impressive structure was built by the Sforza family in the 14th century to replace the Visconti Castle after it was destroyed. The Sforza castle played an important role in the history of Milan, serving as a fortress and barracks during various military confrontations. Napoleon seized the castle in May 1776 and it remained under French rule until 1799. The castle was soon back in French hands, when Napoleon defeated the then-ruling Austrian army. The castle was restored after the unification of Italy in 1861, with the help of the renowned architect Luca Beltrami.

Today the castle is best known for the civic museums it houses. Among the items on display are Michelangelo’s last sculpture, the Rondanini Pieta, and da Vinci’s Codex Trivulzianus manuscript. Besides the museums and its stately towers, the castello boasts a beautiful garden and the original moat that surrounded medieval Milan.

You can browse the castle grounds for free, though museum admission costs €3. Afraid you can’t afford to glimpse the works of your favorite Renaissance artists? Never fear: if you stop by between 4:30 pm and 5 pm (between 2 pm and 5:30 pm on Fridays), you’ll get into the castle museums liberare! (Who says being late is always bad?)

The Castello Szforesco is open daily from 7 am to 6 pm in winter, and 7 am to 7 pm in summer. Take the MM1 Cadorna to Cairoli or the MM2 Cadorna to Lanza. Visit the castle’s official site for more info.

The post Milan Tip: Free admission to Sforza Castle appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

In Milan’s “in” season, during the fashion weeks and the leather shows – and when it seems the Milanese host expos on everything from real estate to food – hotel rates go up, up, and away from a comfortable budget.

But, don’t worry, though Milan can get very pricey, it has its off-peak moments. With a little planning, you can snag great rates on some primo budget hotels and enjoy a fantastico trip to Italy’s “second” capital.

First, do some research.

Many of Milan’s trade shows are annual affairs, meaning they are organized and planned well in advance. Check out websites like that of the Fiere (“Fair”) commission of Milan for up-to-date listings of the events.  The most recent calendars can be found here, plus info on all the various shows.

For more of the exceptions (who knew that the hematologists like to get together in October?), visit the Fiera Congress’s site. The most up-to-date calendar can be found here. Plan your dates accordingly so you can bypass them completely.

July is a great month, so is December.

You’ll find, while doing your research, that many of the fairs, conventions, and shows occur during five to ten specific months each year. (February through June offer most of them, and there are less between August and November.) In this way, the Milano Turisimo board has made sure that regular ol’ Cheapo tourists like us can still have a chance to visit this expansive, historic city without losing too many euros.

Read up!

Once you’ve decided to head to Milan, take a look at our guide to the city. We’ve included budget tips and much more. (Did you know that you can see a horse sculpted by Leonardo da Vinci for free?)

Then, take a look at our picks for best budget hotels in Milan.

The post Milan: When to get the best hotel rates (hint: avoid trade shows!) appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

The typical spread can be something as modest as olives, cheeses and potato chips to something as overwhelming and awe-inspiring as pasta dishes, pizza slices, bruschetta, meats, sautéed vegetables and fruit salad. Unlike the American happy hour, drinks are the regular price or slightly more — but come with unlimited admission to the food bar. The usual aperitivo starts at 6 or 7 PM and lasts until 9, and as little as one drink—alcoholic or not—can be your ticket to one of the most delicious secrets in Italy.

Do as the Milanese do…

Although it is entirely possible to make an entire free dinner of aperitivo, the real test is to act like the Milanese, who delicately graze through the line, giving the food the respect it deserves.

As an American student studying in Milan, amazed by the delicious food and blindsided by the dismal exchange rate, my fellow expats and I were not so sophisticated. We would dash to the food immediately after the waitress walked away with our drink order, returning with our hands guarding our heaps of food, poised to catch the last piece of focaccia from falling to the ground. The locals, still dressed in their crisp and stylish work attire, would watch us with amusement as they nibbled at the vegetables and cheeses, then sampled the more elaborate dishes.

After all, the Milanese have had time to perfect their technique. With roots in ancient Rome and more direct ancestors in the 1800s, aperitivo is a well-established Italian tradition, particularly in Northern Italy. The modern aperitivo began to take shape in the 1920s in Milan—the city became known as “the capital of aperitivo” as the tradition gained popularity—and consisted of drinks of Campari or similar bitters, accompanied by simple snack foods such as olives or nuts.

Since then, the food selection has exploded in size, and the drinks are no longer limited to traditional “aperitif” liquors—bitters, prosecco, martinis and white wine—though they still remain the most popular choices, with the decisive winner being the Negroni (1 part Gin, 1 part Campari, 1 part Sweet Vermouth). Through it all, the social essence of the aperitivo tradition has remained its unchangeable core.

“Aperitivo offers a moment of relaxation at the end of a day at work, where you can allow yourself the pleasure of conversation paired with the pleasure of good food,” says Grazia Mannozzi, author and professor at the University of Insubria, just outside Milan. “It is especially successful due to the pleasant climate of our country and the Italian passion for socializing,” she says, “as can also be seen in the ‘passeggiare’ tradition, in which people stroll in the piazzas and the main streets of the cities in the evening.” Mannozzi attends aperitivo approximately once a week, but says she knows of many people who attend far more frequently (“especially those without children to make dinner for!” she adds).

So many aperitivo options

The possibilities for aperitivo are endless. Walk into any neighborhood café and you’ll find a dozen tables crammed with friends and family, laughing and talking excitedly, very rarely sitting; standing for the excitement of a story, mingling with friends at other tables, passing along the bar filled with steaming plates and bowls.

Pick: Bar Tender
Piazza Morbegno (intersection of Via Varanini and Via Venini)

Bar Tender is our pick for “neighborhood bar.” Drinks are anywhere from €5.50 for a regular drink to €8 for a large drink. Service is prompt and friendly and the food selection is legendary—many Milanese claim it is the largest they have seen in the city. With various types of focaccia, pizza, and pasta dishes (and with servers that bring the plates around to the table to serve you seconds), you may find it difficult to wait until 9, when they clear the bar to make room for the delicious desserts.

Brera

Head to Brera, the artsy, bohemian district, and meander along its cobblestone streets where you’ll find friends, looking effortlessly hip with their colorful scarves, lingering over their white wine in the ivy-climbed patio cafés.

Pick: Radetzky Café
Via Largo La Foppa, 5

Drinks average about €8, and the buffet has all the elements of a standard aperitivo spread, yet nothing more. You pay, however, for the experience—considered one of the trendiest bars in Brera, this is the place to see and be seen. And its location in the primarily pedestrian-only streets of Brera guarantees that the party flows outside on warm nights, accumulating crowds of patrons drinking and smoking around the picturesque bar.

Navigli district

Care to have a drink in Venice? Take a trip to Milan’s Navigli district, where the canals—designed in 1482 by Leonardo da Vinci to import wine, food, and the marble needed to construct Milan’s elaborate Gothic Duomo—still carve through the narrow streets.

Along the still waters, lined with lights, the trendiest bars and restaurants compete for the largest and most exciting stuzzichini selections, as the university students compete with the blaring music. For an even more unique experience, step onto one of the houseboats docked in the canals, which offer aperitivo and often live music. Whether by land or by sea, most of the Navigli hot spots turn their buffets into dance floors later in the evening.

Pick: Slice
Via Ascanio Sforza, 9

Drinks are about €7, and the experience manages to combine an impressive food selection with a fun and trendy experience. You will probably not notice the burnt orange walls, animal prints and knick-knack decorations because you will be too busy filling up your plate. With standard wares such as focaccia, cold cuts, pasta, French fries, and even New York-style pizza, the word has gotten out; arrive by 7 PM at the latest before the line gets out of hand.

Piazza Duomo

For a more classic aperitivo experience, go no further than the heart of the city, Piazza Duomo. There you’ll find the more expensive bars, as they tend to cater to the large percentage of tourists who never stray from that sightseeing epicenter. But be careful—expensive does not necessarily translate into better or more food.

Inside the Galleria di Vittorio Emanuele lies Café Zucca, arguably the home of the aperitivo. A favorite hangout of Giuseppe Verdi and Arturo Toscanini after their performances at La Scala, the legendary opera house next door, “Zucca in Galleria” was owned by the Campari family, who lent their name to the traditional aperitif they invented. Consequently, Zucca is often considered the original aperitivo bar, and wears its history proudly. Though you’ll pay extra for the experience, soak up the historical ambiance as you gaze at the Duomo’s magnificent spires and pinnacles. Weaving in and out through the crowd of tourists, you’ll also hear the clicks of heels echoing along the marble floors as the shoppers pass by with their newly acquired Gucci and Prada treasures.

Pick: Caffè Miani Zucca In Galleria
In Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, in Piazza Duomo

Like few places in the city, Zucca has made a determined effort to remain in the style of the golden days of aperitivo. The keyword here is classic: classic, old-fashioned décor; classic, simple food selection (olives, potato chips and nuts); and classic, original aperitivo drinks (Negroni and the classic Milanese martini are most popular).

You can’t go wrong

With almost every bar and café in the city offering some version of aperitivo, the choices may seem overwhelming. But with obvious variations in ambiance, selection size, and prices, it is easy to select an unforgettable aperitivo experience. Just follow the pace of the Milanese in their leisurely tribute to food and friends; that is, if that new plate of risotto will let you.

About the author:
Jenna Weiner is a senior English major at Georgetown University. She is the former Editor-in-Chief and current News Editor of The Georgetown Independent, where she writes mostly feature articles. A native of Boston, Massachusetts, she travels whenever possible and lived in downtown Milan for four months.

The post Milan: Aperitivo bars offer delicious dining, cheapo-style appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.