11 Best Budget Hotels in Milan

Milan, Italy’s fashion and financial capital, has long been characterized by its cosmopolitan élan and old world charms. So, it’s not surprising that luxurious five-star stays outnumber the city’s affordable accommodations. However, affordable stays do exist in the city — and we were on the prowl for the best budget hotels in Milan. While some lay in cooler, peripheral neighborhoods, others were tucked, conveniently yet discreetly, in the buzzing city center around the Duomo. What’s more, Milan’s inexpensive accommodations weren’t just new-age design hotels, but also included digs that were wholly Milanese in flavor — think bucolic, old-timey guesthouses and B&Bs that give the stays a particular sense of place. So, what are you waiting for? Here’s a lowdown to the best budget stays in

Hotel Canada Milano Urban Chic

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We begin with Hotel Canada Milano Urban Chic, which is within walking distance to both the lovely Navigli and the Duomo cathedral. Aside from the fantastic location, this comfy and clean hotel had just 37 simple guest rooms and suites. What’s more, they all featured plaid curtains, wooden floors and comforts such as minibars. In fact, our deluxe room even had slippers, bathrobes, and a coffeemaker, along with complimentary soft drinks! What more could we ask for?

A lot more, apparently. Firstly, unlike many well-priced Milan hotels, the continental breakfast was free here. Not just that, the hotel even had a reception that would be open 24 hours a day. If that wasn’t enough, we even enjoyed free Wi-Fi access, which allowed us to be connected, plan itineraries, and research the best places to see and eat. And since we were right on the fringes of the Ticino neighborhood, we could stroll down to many of the top things to see and do in Milan.

Maison Borella

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A little higher up on the budget spectrum is Maison Borella, a beautiful boutique hotel right on the main canal in charming Navigli. The former family home of the Borellas, the structure is charming and historic, complete with original stone walls, hefty ceiling beams, and wooden floors. In fact, all rooms were set around a lovely, shaded courtyard, where we’d hang out when we weren’t exploring the city. The wonderful Bugandé restaurant was our favorite spot to grab late dinners, besides its delectable breakfasts, of course.

We were most impressed by the rooms and suites too. While some had skylights, others had beams on the ceiling. Furthermore, some looked out across the canal while the others had superb views of the lush inner courtyard. Nevertheless, they all were decorated individually with bright splashes of color, mod-cons, and plush bathrooms. If you’re looking for something special, the hotel even has a few maison privees, a.k.a. private suites with their own discrete entrance a bit away from the hotel. The best bit? They all had utter privacy while also enjoying the amenities.

Boutique Hotel Borgo Nuovo

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Boutique Hotel Borgo Nuovo sat a mere 15-minute drive from the city center of Milan, making for a stylish and elegant outpost. What’s more, there were a ton of amenities offered at this hotel, despite it being on the affordable end. One of our most favorite amenities was the swimming pool, where we’d enjoy a languorous swim after a long day of sightseeing. There was even a sunroof and a terrace where we’d soak in the sun rays on warm mornings and cool evenings. A gym and massages aside, we loved the Italian-style breakfast that they served every day at the onsite restaurant, which had both outdoor and indoor areas.

If you were impressed by the amenities, wait until you see the rooms and suites, which mix a contemporary atmosphere and mod-cons with rustic decor and vintage items. Plus, we had many options across standard and superior rooms, suites, and more, but they all featured jewel hues for opulence. Did we mention that all rooms had minibars and private bathrooms with complimentary bath products? Yep.

Hotel nHow Milan

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The former industrial space-turned-Hotel nHow Milan was a delightfully modern yet affordable place to stay at. We had the choice of nearly 250 sleek and contemporary rooms filled with modern art, pops of color against white, cloud-like beds, and modern bathrooms. In fact, the bathrooms feel like Jackson Pollock-gone-crazy, with a riot of color lying below our feet, If you want to spend a little more, the junior suite has minibars and desks as well. The entire space is like a pop-up fantasy,

Aside from a fun location near the Navigli canal district, the amenities at this hotel blew us away. The highlight is the 28-meter-long infinity pool spanning the entire rooftop length, along with two other shallow pools of water. Moreover, the round glass panels allowed us to look down at the ground below! Moreover, there was even an in-house bar and restaurant as well as a steam bath (hammam) and a small gym. Are you tired after a long day of shopping and sightseeing? Massages are available right in your rooms. 

Room Mate Giulia

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Best location. We can’t list the most affordable stays and not mention a Room Mate hotel, can we? Welcome to Room Mate Giulia, one of the best hotels in Milan, Italy, near Duomo. It sits right next to Piazza del Duomo and was one of our favorite affordable stays in the city.

We loved the quirky design featuring bright pops of color, complete with local photography and artwork. Our most favorite touch, though, were the color-coded rooms; think shades of green, light blue, and terracotta, with jusxtaposing geometric designs and bright furnishings. The vintage touches, like armchairs, stools, and octagonal, full-length mirrors, as well as the mod-cons with Nespresso machines and USB ports, were great touches. Finally, the bathrooms with pops of color and mosaic tiles were the cherries on top.

“Room Mate Guilia was wonderful, especially since it felt like a design hotel without the high price tag.”

When it came to the amenities, one of the best things was that they served breakfast until midday. So, we’d laze around on the days we weren’t exploring the city, digging into a late breakfast in the sun-kissed breakfast room. A small basement gym with a steam room, sauna, and a treatment room round up the amenities here.

Hotel Milano Navigli

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Staying in a budget stay right above a McDonald’s? Now that’s what we call a hit! Welcome to Hotel Milano Navigli, a little stay directly above a McDonald’s in the hip Navigli district. The frills are on the fewer side, but the bright and fun décor and the excellent location won us over.

We had the choice of just 22 guest rooms, all of which featured lovely wooden furniture and tons of photographs of Milan on the walls. What’s more, the modern bathrooms ensured that we were comfortable, especially since it even had showers. The best bit? Our room, like some of the others, even had a balcony where we could enjoy a spot of coffee and people-watch to our heart’s content. Did we mention that the room was soundproofed? Yes!

Downstairs, a breakfast room with a terrace and a small bar where we’d enjoy our evening drinks before stepping out to enjoy the nightlife wrap up the amenities here.

BioCity Hotel

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Best extras. 15 minutes northeast of the city center sits the Biocity Hotel, which more than makes up for its out-of-the-way location with a whole lot of other things. Firstly, it sits right next to Central Station, so it was very easy to hop onto public transport to roam the city as well as the cities nearby. What’s more, this simple yet modern property is eco-friendly and organic, right from using energy from renewable sources to eco-friendly lights. In fact, even breakfast focused on zero-mile foods!

We loved the breakfast room, which had wooded shelves and large windows where we could enjoy the views while tucking in. Despite it costing EUR 10/hour extra, the small wellness area with showers, a relaxation room, and a sauna was perfect for relazing. Did you know that the hotel even had eco-friendly cleaning products and practices? Yep.

The decor in the rooms and suites was inspired by nature, from glaciers to forests. What’s more, they all came with minibars and modern bathrooms. In fact, some rooms even came either with small terraces and a jacuzzi.

Antica Locanda dei Mercanti

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Most romantic. We were looking for a romantic but affordable stay in the Milan city center, and we can’t think of a place better than Antica Locanda dei Mercanti. This utterly gorgeous stay is nestled in a discreet 18th-century structure which guests could access by pressing a door buzzer. A staircase led us to the 1st-floor reception area, with the 15 rooms being spread out over 3 floors. While the first-floor rooms have high ceilings, it’s the third-floor rooms that are the real ticket. Not only did they have original Venetian marble floors but also they boasted private rooftop garden terraces bursting with potted blooms. It’s where we’d enjoy our morning cup of coffee as well as a breakfast spread in complete privacy and serenity. The best bit? All rooms are different and there’s something or the other unique feature to every one of them.

It’s the staff that made our stay so memorable, as they were not only helpful but also they gave us tips and tricks to explore the city. Despite amenities being limited to the small communal area that also doubles as the breakfast room, we loved lingering around the property. That’s because every floor housed a small library with books in multiple European languages. Rounding things up were the ground-floor gym and the tour desk, which could do everything from making reservations at restaurants and organizing city tours.

“This is one of the most romantic hotels we’ve stayed at, and that too in the very heart of Milan!”

WOW Travel

Babila Hostel & Bistrot

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Classic and contemporary came together at the Babila Hostel & Bistrot, which sits in a gorgeous 1893-built neo-Gothic structure in the leafy, upscale Guastella. Featuring a mix of Scandi design and original features, this sociable hostel offered the options of both shared dorms and private rooms, including three dorms just for women. Besides being immaculate and affordable, the rooms had modern decor, comfy beds, fresh linens, and lockers for storage. While shared dorms had shared bathrooms, private rooms, including family rooms, have private bathrooms.

However, the action all takes place downstairs. Firstly, the buzzing bar was an absolute magnet for not just tourists but also locals at aperitif hour. We also unwound in the “relax room,” work out in the basement fitness center, and played games in the games room. There was even a communal kitchen where we could whip up easy meals and enjoy them on the convivial terrace attached to the bar. A free hearty breakfast wraps up the amenities here.

B&B Hotel Milano Sant’Ambrogio

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Best B&B hotel. Don’t let the bland, nondescript exterior of the B&B Hotel Milano Sant’Ambrogio put you off. We were delighted the minute we entered our lovely digs. We had the choice of many well-sized rooms and suites, all of which boasted private bathrooms. What’s more, they all had gorgeous murals on the walls above the beds, nice-sized windows, and comfy beds as well. So, it was a very welcome respite at the end of the day.

However, the huge terrace with absolutely stunning views across the church opposite is the actual reason we booked the hotel. It was sprinkled with alfresco furniture where we’d unwind with a good book and a glass of wine. Additionally, the location was central yet quiet, with the Sant’Ambrogio metro stop being close by and the city center being just a 10-minute walk away. That’s why it’s one of the best hotels in Milan, Italy.

Palazzo Segreti

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Best value for money. One of the best value for money hotels we’ve ever stayed at is Palazzo Segreti, an upscale boutique hotel just south of the trendy Brera. We had the choice of 18 minimalist and spacious rooms and suites, each of them with its own individualistic design ethos. What’s more, they all have a mix of antique and contemporary furnishings and decor, making them feel more like upscale apartment than conventional chic hotels. Even then, the entire vibe was very comfortable and unpretentious, which is exactly what we were looking for. Did you know that four-legged furry companions even get custom playmats, premium water bowls, and dog beds? Yep.

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What was great about the location was that the hotel lay off the street connecting Castello Sforzesco and Duomo. So, most of the top sights around were within easy walking distance, which meant we saved significantly on transportation. The continental buffet breakfast is the best way to start the day. Finally, a small but perfectly equipped bar wraps up the amenities here.

Our Verdict!

All of Milan’s budget stays were amazing, to say the least, which is why we had a hard time selecting from them! In order to make the selection easier for you, here’s a specialized list to help you choose.

• Best value for money: Palazzo Segreti
• Best extras: BioCity Hotel
• Most romantic: Antica Locanda dei Mercanti
• Best B&B hotel: B&B Hotel Milano Sant’Ambrogio
• Best location: Room Mate Giulia

Where to Stay in Milan?

Milan boasts a fascinating mosaic of vibrant and characterful districts. Sitting at the very heart of the city is Centro Storico, a.k.a. Zone 1 of Milan. It’s anchored by the majestic Duomo Cathedral, one of the world’s most extraordinary churches. It’s also home to some amazing shopping and many other famous historical attractions in this creative city.

The artsy Navigli in southwestern Milan sits along the Naviglio Grande canal and is perfect for strolling along the old waterway, complete with bustling bars and cafes lining the route. The cultured, cobblestoned streets of Brera are the got-to destination for art connoisseurs, while shoppers can lose themselves in the streets of Quadrilatero Della Moda, or Quadrilatero d’Oro, which sits to the northeast of the Duomo. This golden rectangle of cobblestoned streets is where high fashion rules in Milan. 

Is Milan budget friendly?

It’s true that Milan can be quite an expensive place to visit, especially for eating at fancy places and shopping. However, it can also be visited on a budget if you plan ahead and choose where to spend money.

How do you get around Milan cheaply?

The city’s tram, bus, and metro systems make commuting around quite cheap and very easy. A one-way city ticket covering travel within the city limits (not suburbs) costs EUR 2.20 (~USD 2.40). Plus, it’s valid for only 90 minutes after purchase but the price is the same for trams, buses, and the metro.

Which is the cheapest neighborhood in city of Milan?

The neighborhoods around Sforzesco Castle, like Sempione, Borgo degli Ortolani, San Marco, and some parts of the Magenta Zone are relatively cheaper as compared to the others in the city center.