The best hostels in Milan for every type of traveller
This article was last updated December 2022
Welcome to Milan. Italy’s second largest city, fashion capital of the planet and birthplace of one of the world’s greatest institutions – ‘happy hour’ drinks. This is a city made for enormous sunglasses and pure indulgence – whether that’s your love of shopping, ancient works of art, drinks in the sunshine, or enormous bowls of cheese-covered carbohydrates. Given the amount of celebrities that frequent the city, no night is a quiet night for Milan’s bars and clubs. The best hostels in Milan help you keep accommodation costs down, so you can splash the cash on making the most of the city. Just because you’re pulling your clothes out of a backpack, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t strut your stuff like one of the chic locals!
Hostels in Milan cater to all tastes and budgets, so you have plenty of choice with prices ranging between €15 and €35, with summer being the most expensive time to jet in. Visiting mid-week will save you some cash. It’s worth noting that the city of Milan taxes any traveller over the age of 30 €2 per night. If you’re under 30, keep an eye to make sure you’re not being overcharged. Here are our best hostels in Milan!
Jump straight to:
Overall best hostels in Milan
- Ostello Bello – best hostel in Milan for solo travellers
- Madama Hostel & Bistrot – best party hostel in Milan
- Combo Milano – best city centre hostel in Milan
Best hostels in Milan for solo travellers
Milan is a fantastic choice for solo travellers as it’s a safe and sociable city, where it’s just as easy to meet locals as it is to meet your fellow backpackers. Most of the top hostels in Milan offer heaps of activities designed to bring travellers together, whether that’s via drinks offers, yoga classes, or organised tours.
Ostello Bello
Ostello Bello is a dream spot for solo travellers thanks to its welcoming staff, communal areas and laid-back vibe that makes approaching other travellers a breeze. On-site they have a bar, open until 1am, that attracts not only backpackers but locals with a passion for travelling and meeting new people. They offer a fab selection of free excursions that gift you a unique glimpse into life in the city, including trips to markets, food tastings, exhibitions, gallery openings and parties. Another serious perk is that these guys love flinging freebies around almost as much as Oprah, which comes in handy when travelling alone and on a shoestring budget. Fill your boots with their free welcome drinks, breakfast, dinners, hot drinks and more.
Hostel highlights:
- Piano and musical instruments
- Free breakfast, dinner and snacks throughout the day
- Free excursions
- On-site bar
Address: Via Medici 4, Milan
Neighbourhood: Carrobbio
Nearest station: Carrobbio tram stop
Book your stay at Ostello Bello
Babila Hostel & Bistrot
££££
If you like your hostels to remind you of Hogwarts, look no further! Babila is housed in a gorgeous 20th century Italian Tudor building and has plenty of hang-out areas, including a rooftop lounge, bar, café and restaurant, so you’re sure to find your very own Ron and Hermione in no time! The hostel offers communal activities galore, including yoga sessions, games tournaments, live music performances and parties. Rope in some of your bunk buddies, hire bikes from reception and hit the explorer’s trail – Babila is located in the Fashion Quarter, just 15-minutes from Plaza Duomo and Milan Cathedral.
Hostel highlights:
- Free drink on arrival
- Rooftop terrace and BBQ area
- Yoga classes
- Bike hire
Address: Via Conservatorio, 2a Milano
Neighbourhood: Porta Monforte
Nearest station: Camera Del Lavoro tram and bus stop
Book your stay at Babila Hostel & Bistrot
Combo Milano
£££
Seasoned solo travellers will love the fact that Combo Milano offers 24-hour self-check in and luggage deposit, freeing you up to get out and make the most of your time in the city on your own terms. The hostel’s three, four and six bed dorms ensure a little peace and quiet come night time, but there’s plenty of action to be found in the hostel’s bar, art gallery and on-site radio station, which keeps the tunes pumping well into the evening.
Hostel highlights:
- Free breakfast
- Air-conditioning
- Express check-in/ out
- Laundry facilities
Address: Ripa di porta ticinese 83
Neighbourhood: Navigli
Nearest station: P. TA Genova FS Metro, or Via Valenza Alzaia Nav. Grande tram or bus
Book your stay at Combo Milano
Best party hostels in Milan
Being the international fashion capital it is, Milan’s nightlife is always pumping. Also, as it’s the city that basically invented the concept of ‘happy hour’ (we thank you, Mr Campari), enjoying an early evening libation and a little bite to eat is part of the culture you simply have to embrace. Most of the best party hostels in Milan will host happy hours to get guests socialising over discounted drinks. Further afield, a top spot for your aperitivo (and subsequent night out) is Milan’s Navigli neighbourhood, the coolest corner of town. All along the neighbourhood’s two canals, Naviglio Pavese and Naviglio Grande, and the alleyways that connect them, you’ll find plenty of bars to satiate your inner party animal, plus many of them offer entire buffets of free food ideal for lining your stomach. For live music and electronic dance clubs, hit up Corso Como in the Porta Nuovo district. Isola, Porta Romana and Città Studi (Milan’s student area) also offer plenty of lively cafés and bars where you can mingle with the Milanese until the wee hours.
Ostello Bello Grande
£££
Offering a high-end experience at a budget-friendly price has seen Ostello Bello Grande regularly awarded for its greatness in the ‘best hostels’ stakes. In fact, in 2020 it raked in HOSCARs for the 5th Best Worldwide Large Hostel, and 6th Best for Solo Female Travellers. This hostel really knows its onions – friendly staff, great décor and atmosphere, huge kitchen, plus, like their sister hostel – Ostello Bello – they know the value in offering a freebie. Expect free breakfast, free dinner, free welcome drinks, free city tours and more. There’s a restaurant, café and bar, and not one but THREE sunny terraces with hammocks aplenty. To top it all off, the hostel is located close to major sites like Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and Teatro alla Scalla, and the bars of Isola and Città Studi are an easy stumble away.
Hostel highlights:
- Unlimited free breakfast and dinner
- Welcome drink
- Roof terrace with hammocks
- 100m from Milan Central Station
Address: Via Roberto Lepetit, 33
Neighbourhood: Central Station area
Nearest station: Centrale Metro station
Book your stay at Ostello Bello Grande
Madama Hostel and Bistrot
££££
Madama is without a doubt one of the best party hostels in Milan. The popular spot, located in an old police station, brings the party spirit, while also catering to your comfort at every turn. Fill your boots with free breakfast and din dins. Or, dine on veggie and vegan treats at their bistro, which come 6pm turns into a cocktail bar that is just as popular with locals as it is backpackers. You don’t have to venture far to find the party – there’s a nightclub beneath the hostel, or the Porta Romana neighbourhood is a 10-minute walk away.
Hostel highlights:
- Bar and nightclub
- Tasty veggie food
- Free breakfast
- Accessible
Address: Via Benaco, 1
Neighbourhood: Porta Romana
Nearest station: Milano Porta Romana train station or Lodi Tibb Metro
Book your stay at Madama Hostel and Bistrot
Queen Hostel
££
Given this hostel’s array of events, it’s the perfect choice for those who want to party (and sociable solo travellers). Guests enjoy movie and games nights, jam sessions and pumping house parties, all lubricated nicely by the daily happy hours in their trendy bar. The hostel brags an appealing contemporary style, complete with natural light that ensures you’ll get out of bed no matter how sore the head to go and experience the city.
Hostel highlights:
- On-site bar
- Free bed linen and towels
- Free breakfast, tea and coffee
- Self-catering facilities
Address: Viale Regina Margherita, 9
Neighbourhood: Porta Romana
Nearest station: V.le Monte Nero Via Bergamo tram stop
Book your stay at Queen Hostel
Best hostels in Milan city centre
If you’ve got a Milan to-do list as long as your arm and there’s no time for an Aperol Spritz until you’ve ticked them all off, base yourself in Milan city centre. Sleeping in the heart of the action means you’ll be able to nip between the sights with ease without forking out for public transport, plus it gives you the best glimpse into the vivacious atmosphere of Italy’s most stylish city.
Combo Milano
£££
The stylish, minimalist décor in this friendly hostel is perfect if you like your hostels served with a side of Instagrammability. It’s an ideal place for serious sightseers to lay their hats – not only is Piazza del Duomo within walking distance, you’ll also be basing yourself close to Parco Sempione and Idro Montanelli Public Gardens, where you can tick off some of Milan’s best museums. Museo della Permanente and Pinacoteca di Brera are both across the water and feature incredible collections of Italian art.
Hostel highlights:
- Air-conditioning
- Games room
- No curfew
- Mini-market
Address: Via Renzo Bertoni, 3
Neighbourhood: Brera
Nearest station: Turato Metro
Book your stay at Combo Milano
Best cheap hostels in Milan
Glitz and glam is the name of the game in this city, but you can keep costs down by staying at one of the best cheap hostels in Milan. Many hostels are well aware that their city is pricey, so check in advance what freebies they offer as they tend to be quite generous. Also, keep costs down by making the most of happy hours, walking between attractions and hitting up restaurants and bars in the student area of town where most of the youngsters are in the same bargain-hunting boat.
Meininger Milano Lambrate
£££
In this branch of the always-on-point Meininger chain, they’ve kitted out the entire hostel to pay tribute to the iconic Lambretta scooters that were created just around the corner, so expect a vintage aesthetic and mod vibes all around. There’s even a classic scooter on display for the ultimate Insta photoshoot! Its outrageously cheap beds (from £12.50 a night!) aren’t the only money saver here, with a cheap buffet breakfast on offer and backpacker bargains in the swanky bar to stretch your euros even further. With a sunny terrace, games area and group activities, it’s clear that the price isn’t the only reason our guests love this place so much!
Hostel highlights:
- Foosball tables
- On-site bar
- Awesome staff
- Social vibes
Address: Piazza Monte Titano, 10
Neighbourhood: Lambrate
Nearest station: Milano Lambrate
Book your stay at Meininger Milano Lambrate
Panda Hostel
££
This cheap and cheerful option offers bargains beds from €20 and affordable private rooms for those travelling as a couple who still fancy hostel vibes. Panda is also located close to Central Station, making it easy to hop on the Metro, and it’s just down the road from the lively areas of Zona Buenos Aires and Città Studi. Guests can enjoy chilling out in their spacious common areas or hitting up their 24-hour bar.
Hostel highlights:
- Individual lockers
- 24-hour bar
- Free breakfast
- No curfew
Address: Via Canzio, 15
Neighbourhood: Città Studi / Zona Buenos Aires
Nearest station: Loreto metro
Book your stay at Panda Hostel
Best of the rest hostels in Milan
And a couple more to tickle your fancy…
Meininger Milano Garibaldi
££££
This super modern, wonderfully clean hostel is located a 15-minute tram ride from Milan’s Old Town and close to Isola – one of the city’s liveliest neighbourhoods. Guests will love their games room, pool table and lively bar that serves banging bargain cocktails. There’s also a fully-kitted out kitchen to utilise should you fancy saving some cash by preparing your own grub.
Hostel highlights:
- Air-conditioning
- Accessible
- On-site café and bar
- 24-hour reception
Address: Via Privata Giovanni Calvino 11
Neighbourhood: Simonett
Nearest station: Cenisio Metro and Garibaldi train station
Book your stay at Meininger Milano Garibaldi
Oztelzzz Milano
£££££
Ostelzzz serves guests a distinctly Japanese ambiance in their shared dorms, which feature individual sleeping pods (complete with snuggly duvets!) for maximum privacy. Outside of the dorms, it’s a sociable affair with a great garden, terrace and lounge, all set up ensure you meet your fellow travellers. The hostel offers free breakfast, self-catering facilities and a brilliant location in Milan’s swanky Fashion District, close to the city’s best shopping and mere metres away from Idro Montanelli Public Gardens, where you’ll find the Natural History Museum, Galleria d’Arte Moderna (GAM) and Planetarium.
Hostel highlights:
- Sleeping pods
- Free breakfast and welcome drink
- Kitchen
- 24-hour reception
Address: Via Giorgio Jan 5/a
Neighbourhood: Zona Buenos Aires
Nearest station: Milano Porta Venezia train station, or P.ta Venezia V. le Tunisia Light Rail
Book your stay at Oztelzzz Milano
We hope this guide helps you to discover the perfect hostels for your trip to Milan. Let us know in the comments if you’ve stayed in one of our recommended hostels, or if you’d like to share a hostel that you think other backpackers shouldn’t miss. Don’t forget to check out our full range of hostels in Milan!
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