Traveling Milan Solo: Everything You Need to Know

Solo traveling in Milan holds a special place in my memories. When I traveled solo in Milan, it really built up my confidence. Sure, Milan felt chaotic at times… but it was the journey of a lifetime!

While Milan’s size may seem a bit overwhelming, it’s generally safe­ and a great place to travel solo. However, be­fore traveling Milan solo, the­re are many things to know. I’ve created this guide to solo trave­l in Milan to share the knowle­dge I wish I had before my trip to Milan solo!

Me in front of Sforza Castle in Milan

🇮🇹 Things to Do in Milan Solo

Tour the iconic Milan Duomo

The Duomo di Milano aka the Milan Duomo is an impressive sight to see! It’s a gothic masterpiece and took almost six centuries to be completed. You can even climb to the rooftop to see views of Milan. As the symbol of Milan—you can’t miss this seeing the duomo on your trip!

🏰 Tour Sforza Castle

Sforza Castle is another site not to be missed while doing a Milan solo trip. Inside the 15th century walls, you can see famous works by Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. The castle grounds and courtyards are great for a leisurely stroll, which gives you a nice break from the city business of Milan.

Sforza Castle is a mix of historical significance in Milan and famous art history making it a must-visit spot!

Visit the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

The Galleria Bittorio Emanuele II is a jaw-dropping nineteenth-century outdoor shopping area. This is one of the most visited sites in Milan, as it houses some of the most famous fashion houses in the world!

Visit iconic fashion shops

Is it really a trip to Milan if you don’t visit a famous fashion house? From the House of Armani, to Versace and Alexander Mcqueen, you’ll stumble upon many famous fashion houses as you roam the streets of Milan.

🚂 Take a day trip from Milan solo

No need to be intimidated traveling in Milan solo. Milan is a prime location for some of THE coolest day trips in all of Italy. Here are my top picks for easy but incredible day trips from Milan:

Did you know you can see Switzerland and some of the most beautiful sites in Italy in a day trip from Milan? Lake Como is known as one of the most stunning places in Italy. Surrounded by the Swiss Alps, this area is covered by quaint, colorful towns.

George Clooney even owns a villa here! This is my favorite easy day trip while traveling Milan solo.

My second-day trip pick is the Swiss Alps by train from Milan. After a coach ride from Milan to St.Moritz, enjoy free time to explore before boarding a train to travel on this UNESCO world heritage route. Look out at the Swiss Alps as you ride along the Bernina pass to Tirano. Ride one of the world’s most scenic mountain trains and be back in Milan by dinnertime!

🍽️ Food + Dining while Solo in Milan

While traveling solo in Milan, one of the greatest things is having mealtime to yourself! While many solo travelers sometimes feel awkward eating alone, I think it gives you so much more freedom. Gone are the endless debates about what or where to eat– it’s all up to you and your own tastes!

Authentic dishes to eat while in Milan include:

Risotto alla Milanese: A creamy risotto is flavored with saffron. Rich, buttery, and known in Italy as a classic dish of Milan.

Panettone: You may have heard of this sweet bread loaf which is traditionally enjoyed around Christmas. Hailing from Milan, this favorite dessert bread is filled with candied fruits and raisins.

Polenta: A staple of Northern Italian cuisine, Milanese polenta is usually creamy and served as a side dish.

Pro tip: 🍝 Do a cooking class in Milan

One of the best memories you can make while traveling Milan solo is doing a group cooking class and learning to make authentic Italian food! This is a fun activity to do to break up your solo travel, meet other people, learn new skills, and of course—eat delicious Italian food!

Safety Tips for Solo Travel in Milan

Milan happens to be a generally safe city to travel to solo. However, when traveling solo in Milan you want to keep some things in mind.

• Stick to well-lit and areas at night, of course.
• Be careful with your belongings in crowded areas like the train station in central Milan and tourist attractions like the Duomo.
• Keep cash and cards in a money purse and avoid carrying large amounts of cash.

Traveling solo in Milan, it’s important to keep safety in mind. By using these tips, and common sense, you’ll have nothing to worry about!

🏨 Places to Stay while Solo Traveling in Milan

Depending on the season, places to stay can book up quickly in Milan. When traveling Milan solo, you can stay in shared dorms in hostels, which can be more budget-friendly. However, everyone likes to travel differently!

Here’s a list of some great places to stay while traveling Milan solo:

Hostel:

Unlike other cities, hostels in Milan won’t come cheap. If you love a hostel experience though (think group rooms / bunks) and a more social stay, check out the Meininger Milano. Located right in front of the Milano Lambrate Train Station, this hostel offers free wifi and a clean, modern facility.

Budget:

A six-minute walk from the central train station, Hotel Repubblica is a great choice for solo budget travelers. Located in a safe area of town, the Hotel Repubblica is consistently highly rated by travelers to Milan! Free wifi, and air-conditioned private rooms at a reasonable price point is what you’ll find here.

Mid: B&B Antico Cortile Milano

Want to have an incredible Italian experience without breaking the bank? Head to B&B Antico Cortile. Get welcomed in by an Italian family-run B&B with gorgeous private rooms. Oh, and there’s free breakfast! It really doesn’t get better than this B&B.

Luxury: Prestige ApartHotel Milano

Feeling fancy and want to treat yourself? Check out the Prestige ApartHotel in Milan! The Prestige offers incredible luxury amenities and has an incredible view of the iconic Duomo di Milano.

🚌 Getting Around Milan

Luckily, getting around Milan as a solo traveler is pretty straightforward! Here are my favorite options for exploring the city:

Metro: Milan’s metro system is efficient and easy to navigate. It has four lines that cover most of the city, and the stations are well-marked. It’s a quick and affordable way to get around.

Trams and Buses: The tram and bus networks are extensive. Trams are a charming way to see the city, especially the vintage ones. Buses fill in the gaps where the metro and trams don’t go.

Biking: Milan has a bike-sharing program called BikeMi. You can rent a bike for a few hours or a full day. The city is becoming more bike-friendly with new bike lanes.

Trains: Great for day trips and coming in and out of Milan, you’ll likely encounter Milan’s main train station, the Milano Centrale, at some point during your visit!

Walking: Milan is a very walkable city, and fortunately many of Milan’s attractions are within walking distance of each other! Walking is a great way to explore Milan.

All in all, Milan has great public transportation options for solo travel. By figuring out how you’d like to travel in advance, you’ll have a fine time getting around while solo in Milan.

Milan Solo FAQs

How long do I need to see Milan?

For solo travel, I recommend a 3 day Milan trip like this: 2 days in Milan, plus one day taking a Switzerland / Lake Como day trip from Milan. If want to do Milan as a day trip solo, that’s also possible. Just know that there’s a lot to see in Milan, and one day in Milan will definitely go by quickly.

Is Milan a good place to visit solo?

Milan is a great place to visit solo! From the famous Duomo to Sforza Castle, there’s a lot to see in Milan. And of course, you can’t forget that Milan is famous for high-end fashion. There’s a lot to see and do in Milan as a solo traveler, and it’s sure to be the adventure of a lifetime.

What is the best solo city in Italy?

The best solo city in Italy will all boil down to personal preference. Personally, I’d say Florence! The city of Florence holds a special place in my heart, and has endless things to see and do. It’s incredibly safe for a big city, and is a perfect historic stop for solo travelers to Italy.

Is Milan worth the hype?

Funny enough.. I never really heard “hype” about Milan. More than anything, I felt like Milan was an underrated destination! However, after my experience traveling in Milan, I’d definitely say Milan is worth any hype it gets.

Is Milan or Florence better?

Milan and Florence both have great reasons to visit. After traveling solo through both, I’d say visit Milan if you love fashion, and visit Florence if you love art and art history. That being said, if you can visit both, definitely check out both!

Final thoughts on traveling Milan solo

Milan is an unforgettable city to visit. I’d argue that there’s nowhere else in Italy like it! With it’s high-fashion houses, cathedral spires craning up towards the sky, it’s like a city from a dream. If you do decide to visit Milan solo, I have no doubt in my mind that you won’t regret it.

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