Milan, Italy
Lombardy
Don't Make These 5 Mistakes in Milan
What 90% of solo women don't know about staying safe in Milan.
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- Milan mixes old and new - Renaissance palaces in Brera are a short walk from the glass towers around Porta Nuova. The coffee rules are real (cappuccino only before 11am), and aperitivo from 6-9pm is standard - you buy a drink and get access to buffet food at most bars.
- Eating or drinking alone won't get you weird looks here. English works fine in tourist areas and business districts, less so in residential neighborhoods. The main safety issues are pickpockets around the Duomo and Central Station, plus the usual tourist scams. Police are around, and 112 has English operators.
- The metro runs until midnight most nights, 2am on weekends. Night buses cover the routes after that. Central neighborhoods stay active late, but skip the area around Central Station at night, and avoid Corvetto, Rogoredo, and Quarto Oggiaro entirely.
- Milan is expensive compared to other Italian cities. The fashion culture is noticeable - people dress well even for everyday activities. August sees many restaurants and shops close for 2-3 weeks as locals leave for summer holidays.
Daytime Safety
ExcellentNight Walking Safety
GoodHarassment Risk
ModerateTransportation
GoodPickpocketing Safety
ModerateScam Safety
ModeratePolice Visibility
GoodEmergency Services
ExcellentEvening Venues
ExcellentSolo Dining
ExcellentDrug Activity
ModerateHomelessness Visibility
ModerateSome mistakes you only make once in Milan. But you shouldn't have to make them at all. This free checklist reveals the 5 safety pitfalls that catch solo women off guard — so you can avoid them before they happen.
- Brera
- Duomo/Centro Storico
- Quadrilatero della Moda (Fashion District)
- Porta Venezia
- Navigli/Ticinese
- Porta Nuova/Porta Garibaldi
- Isola
- CityLife
- Central Station (Stazione Centrale) at night
- Corvetto
- Quarto Oggiaro
- Rogoredo
- Giambellino-Lorenteggio
- San Siro
- Via Padova (after Loreto metro)
- Viale Monza late at night
Italian is the official language. English works in tourist areas (Duomo, Brera, Navigli, Porta Venezia), hotels, and upscale restaurants. The 112 emergency number has English operators. Tourist offices have multilingual staff. Police stations may have limited English - bring an Italian speaker for filing reports.
- People dress well here - you'll stand out in gym clothes or athletic wear. Jeans and a blazer work fine for most places. Churches require covered shoulders and knees.
- Coffee culture: cappuccino is a breakfast drink, don't order it after 11am. Lunch is 12-2pm, dinner starts after 7pm (8pm is more common). Aperitivo (6-9pm) means you buy a drink and get food from the buffet. Don't ask for cheese on fish dishes.
- English works in tourist areas and upscale places, less so elsewhere. Basic Italian helps (buongiorno, grazie, per favore). Greetings are handshakes or cheek kisses (left first) once you know someone.
- Four metro lines (M1-Red, M2-Green, M3-Yellow, M5-Purple) run from 5:30am weekdays (6am Sundays) until midnight-12:30am. Night buses take over until 2am weeknights, all night Friday-Saturday. Single tickets are around €2.20.
- The city is phasing out paper tickets for RicaricaMi cards and contactless payment. Pickpockets work crowded buses and metro during rush hour - keep your bag closed and phone out of reach.
- Central areas are walkable - Brera to Duomo to Navigli is 20-30 minutes on foot. Taxis and Uber work fine, useful for late nights.
- If you're planning day trips outside the city, consider renting a car.
- For peace of mind on arrival, book your airport pickup in advance.
Explore Milan with local guides and curated experiences.
- Protect yourself against unexpected medical emergencies and trip disruptions in Milan.
- For shorter trips, VisitorsCoverage is a good option.
- For long-term travel or remote work, we recommend Ekta.
- May and October have decent weather (15-25°C) without peak pricing. Hotels cost 25-40% less than summer, and restaurants are actually open.
- Spring (April-June) is pleasant but expect rain in April and May - around 10-12 days per month, usually short showers. Milan Fashion Week in February and September means prices jump 15-25% and hotels fill up.
- July-August gets hot (28-35°C) and many places close for August holidays, especially mid-August (Ferragosto, August 10-25). Hotels are cheaper but half the restaurants and shops shut down for 2-3 weeks. Check before you book.
- Winter (November-March) is cold (4-15°C), foggy, and quiet. Cheaper and less crowded. The furniture fair (Salone del Mobile, April 22-27 in 2026) draws design crowds and raises prices.
Help other women explore Milan safely
Safe Accommodations in Milan
Carefully vetted accommodations trusted by solo female travelers, with female-friendly features and safety amenities.
Safety Features
- Female-only dorms available
- 24-hour reception and security
- CCTV cameras
- Secure lockers in rooms
- Central location
Walking Distance
Highlights
- Steps from Duomo cathedral
- Rated 9.34-9.38/10 on Hostelworld
- On-site bar and restaurant, daily aperitivo
- Social with organized events
Social Atmosphere
High - daily events, aperitivo, group activities
Safety Features
- Female-only rooms with ensuite bathrooms
- 24-hour reception
- Key card building access
- Lockers with charging ports
- Safe neighborhood, well-lit
Walking Distance
Highlights
- Rated 9.18-9.2/10 on Hostelworld
- In LGBTQ+ friendly Porta Venezia
- Female-only rooms with private bathroom
- Modern design
- Age limit: 18-45 for female dorms
Social Atmosphere
Medium-High - social areas, rooftop, events but not a party hostel
Safety Features
- Women-only dorms with private bathrooms
- 24/7 reception and security
- Lockers in rooms
- Well-lit entrance and common areas
- CCTV
Walking Distance
Highlights
- Near Central Station for early trains
- Part of Ostello Bello chain
- Female-only 5-bed dorms with ensuite
- Free breakfast and aperitivo daily
- Clean and safe
Social Atmosphere
Medium-High - social events and dinners but not overwhelming
Great for meeting other travelers.
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Neighborhoods in Milan
Explore the different areas of Milan and find the perfect neighborhood for your stay.
Brera
The art district with museums, galleries, and cafes. Safer than most areas but more expensive. Good if you want culture and don't mind paying for it.
Navigli
Where the nightlife is. Canals, bars, restaurants, crowds until 2am on weekends. Social and safe when busy, but the party scene isn't for everyone.
Porta Venezia
LGBTQ+ district with multicultural restaurants, inclusive bars, parks, and shopping. Open-minded and welcoming atmosphere.
Duomo / Centro Storico
Main tourist area with the cathedral, shopping arcade, and major sights. Heavy police presence but also lots of pickpockets and scams. Convenient and expensive.
Isola
Trendy area with street art and craft beer. Creative crowd, safe during day and early evening. Stick to main streets after 11pm.
Ticinese / Porta Ticinese
Between center and Navigli. More local, cheaper restaurants, vintage shops. Good value if you want proximity to both areas without tourist prices.
Porta Nuova / Porta Garibaldi
Modern business district with glass towers and upscale restaurants. Very safe (92% crime-free) but corporate and expensive. More Manhattan than Milan.