Travel Tips and Recommendations for Visiting Milan
Here are a few recommendations and tips to make your trip to Milan easier and more enjoyable:
1. Where to Stay in Milan
If you don't have a budget to stay in the city center, choose accommodation in a more remote area but close to a metro station. Milan's metro system is efficient and fast, and trams 2, 3, 12, 14, 15, 16, 19, 24, and 27 all stop right in the city center, near Piazza del Duomo.
For more accomodation tips, check out the article about accomodation in Milan.
2. City Tax in Milan
Just as any other major destination in Italy, Milan also has a city tax. When booking your stay, don't forget to check if this tax is already included in the price or if you'll need to pay it on-site.
The city tax rates are set by the Municipality of Milan and apply per person (over 18 years old) for each day of stay. The amount varies depending on the type and classification of the accommodation.
For the year 2025, the city tax in Milan is as follows:
- 1-star hotels: €3.5
- 2-star hotels: €4.9
- 3-star hotels: €6.3
- 4-star hotels: €7
- 5-star hotels: €7
- Hostels: €3.5
- Holiday homes and apartments: €6.3
- B&B's: €6.3
3. Driving in Milan
It's best to avoid using a car in Milan. However, if you do, be mindful of where you park (see the article about parking in Milan). Also, pay close attention and avoid entering restricted traffic zones (marked with ZTL signs - zona a traffico limitato) during the hours when access is prohibited. These areas are monitored by surveillance cameras, and if you're driving a rented car, fines will be sent directly to your home address by mail. If you need a car for trips to the areas surrounding Milan, consider renting it from the day you plan to end your stay in the city.
4. Booking Tickets for Attractions
If you want to visit Milan's most important attractions, make your reservations in advance! Tickets for Leonardo da Vinci's painting "The Last Supper", situated in the former dining hall of the Santa Maria delle Grazie Monastery, sell out the fastest. Also, don't forget to book tickets for the Milan Cathedral (Duomo). You'll pay a small fee of a few euros for online reservations, but it will save you time by avoiding the ticket queues.
5. Free Access Attractions
Don't forget that on the first Sunday of every month, entry to state museums is free (see the article about what you can visit for free in Milan). It's still important to make reservations in advance for "The Last Supper" and the Pinacoteca di Brera.
6. Public Transport
Use your card for contactless payment on the metro, trams, and buses. Milan's public transport system is integrated, and it will automatically calculate the best fare option based on your trips. Initially, a charge will be deducted from your card, but the system will later refund the difference and charge you for the most advantageous pass based on how much and how often you've traveled.
Important! Always use the same card when switching between means of transport and when exiting metro stations. On buses, in zones Mi1-Mi3 (covering central Milan), you only need to validate your card when boarding, except for lines 121, 130, 140, 165, 166, and 327, where you must also validate it when getting off.
7. Where to Eat in Milan
If you're looking for good and affordable bars and restaurants, head to the Navigli district. It's a popular area for young people, and the prices are more budget friendly. For other ideas, check out the article about food in Milan.
8. Shopping in Milan
If you're interested in shopping, plan your city break in Milan during the sales season. These periods are legally set and vary from year to year and region to region. In the Lombardy region, the winter sales for 2026 start from January 3rd and end on March 3rd. Don't forget that near Milan, you'll find Serravalle, one of the largest outlet malls in Europe.
9. Performances at La Scala
If you want to attend a show at Teatro alla Scala but can't afford the regular ticket price, know that there is availability for cheaper tickets (€20-€30) with reduced visibility. You won't have the stage in the foreground, but that won't stop you from enjoying the beauty of the music and the experience itself.
Use the CIAO5 code before completing your reservation on Tiqets and you will have a 5% discount.
