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When it comes to a place as iconic and stunningly diverse as Italy, it can be hard to choose one place to visit and even harder to distinguish between the unmissable gems and the overhyped tourist traps.
Milan in particular has always been the subject of an ongoing debate among travelers, with some claiming that it is one of Italy’s most visit-worthy cities, while others argue that it is a waste of both time and money.
So I decided to take the plunge and see for myself: is Milan actually worth visiting, and more importantly, can you do it on a budget?
After four amazing days in the city, I’m happy to report that this northern Italian gem is not only one of the most stunning places I’ve ever seen in my life, but I actually had an incredible time for less than $ 100 per day.
Here’s how:
Find cheap accommodation in Milan
Accommodation may be the trickiest thing to do on a budget in Milan, especially if you have certain expectations regarding location or overall quality, but it’s not impossible.
The No. One tip I can give you here is to prioritize Airbnb over hotels.
I know Airbnbs have become notoriously more expensive than hotels in most destinations, but after searching for the perfect affordable place to stay for at least a month, I can confidently say that Milan isn’t one of them.
Places like this (1, 2) although modest, they are still comfortable, clean and conveniently located and offer excellent value for money (assuming you travel with a companion, nightly costs come out to somewhere around $40-$55 per person).
You will notice that both apartments are located in Porta Venezia – in my opinion this is the best area for a tourist to stay in the city.
You’ll be close to both the city center (~25 minutes walk) and Milano Centrale, the main train and bus station (~15 minutes walk), and believe me, if you don’t have your own car, you’ll want to be close to Minano Centrale , because that’s where you go for every day trip and airport transfer.
The neighborhood itself is quiet yet lively and close to nice shops and bars, and you even have access to a beautiful park (Indro Montanelli).
Transportation around the city
Okay, so you want to be close to Milan Centrale for all your intercity travel, but what about exploring Milan itself? How do you do that and how much can you expect to pay?
The easiest and most convenient way of transportation here is by metro, no competition.
There’s a station on almost every corner, and as long as you do your best to understand how the system works, you’ll get the hang of it in no time.
Basically there are three main lines that cover most of the city: Red (M1), Green (M2) and Yellow (M3), each with its own stops that you can learn more about here.
Still, it can be difficult for you as a tourist to figure out which station to go to and which line to take, so I highly recommend that you check the ATM Milano app.
You just type in your location and where you need to go, and the app comes up with an exact itinerary on how to get to the right metro station near you, which line to take, and where to stop. and headache saving.
However, even with the app, you still need to pay close attention to the signs and maps displayed in subway stations, as well as the digital displays in the actual subways, to make sure you’re going in the right direction.
As for prices, a single ticket (which you can use as many times as you like within a 90-minute period) costs €2.2 or ~$2.5, while a A 3-day pass costs €15.5 or ~$17.
Eating out doesn’t have to be expensive
Eating out in Milan can get quite expensive – there are probably thousands of restaurants and fast food joints in the city and most of them are obvious tourist traps with sky-high prices and mediocre food.
That said, there are still some places where you can get fantastic and affordable food, even in the more touristy areas.
An example, Luna Rossa.
It doesn’t look like much from the outside, but as soon as you step inside you are struck by the typical Italian trattoria charm.
It’s busy, loud and unpretentious – the food is great, the service is fast, and a main course + glass of wine won’t cost you more than $15.
Bonus point: it’s only an 8-minute walk from the Duomo.
Other places I ate (and loved) during my trip to Milan include Fresca Pasta Club, Salad HouseAnd Pizza and mozzarella.
Dessert would be my go-tos Gelato Fatto Con Amore And Spùn Tiramisù.
The same goes for entertainment
Now that accommodation, food and transport are covered, it’s time to delve into what it costs to do other tourist activities in Milan, such as visiting a museum, exploring a historical attraction or going out for a cocktail.
When it comes to museums, you’ll want to do your best to plan your visit to Milan so that you’re here on the first Sunday of the month – some of the city’s most coveted sights historical and cultural sights are only free to enter that day.
If that’s not possible, it’s best to aim for the first or third Tuesday of the month, when there are still some wonderful museums you can visit for free (places that cost somewhere between $5 and $ 25 per ticket). month).
At Duomo you have to pay for a ticket no matter what time of month you go, but I can give you a few tips to get the most out of the experience:
- Only buy from the official website or on location
- Check the discount policy
- If you’re reasonably fit, opt for the Combo Stairs ticket instead of the Combo Lift – there are only 200 stairs, the lift queues can get crazy at certain times of the day and there’s no lift down, so you’ll still have to go down on foot
- Use the 10% discount code for the gift shop that comes with every Combo Ticket
When it comes to bars, areas like Porta Romana or Porta Venezia are the best places for those on a budget, where cocktails cost between $8 and $10.
If you fancy a drink with a beautiful view of the Duomo, this would be my top recommendation SunEleven rooftop bar – for just $16 per cocktail you get great service and the most incredible backdrop.
So, with all this said, what can you expect the average day in Milan to cost you?
- Airbnb – $45
- Breakfast + coffee (espresso) – $6
- Sightseeing + Museum Tour – $0
- Lunch – $18
- Cocktail – $10
- Dinner – $15
That all adds up to a total of $94, well under $100.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
