The best neighbourhoods for students in Milan

Città Studi (Lambrate area)

This is one of the university areas par excellence of Milan, so it's the first of the best neighbourhoods for students in Milan that we want to name. It’s located east of the centre, very close to several institutions, such as one of the campuses of the Polytechnic of Milan and some of the faculties of the University of Milan.

Because it’s a student area, in it you can find a large number of restaurants, bars, and pubs that are affordable for young people.

Città Studi isn't one of the most touristy areas of the city, and its cultural offer is scarce compared to the more central areas. However, there are some sites that you may be interested in visiting, such as the University Museum of Anthropological Sciences (MUSA - University Museum of Anthropological Sciences) or the Leonardo da Vinci Theatre.

It has some green areas for walking or having outdoor picnics, like Leonardo da Vinci Garden or to Piazza Leonardo da Vinci. It also has several sports areas with courts for different sports and a swimming pool.

It's very well connected to tram and metro lines (line 2).

Navigli

This neighbourhood is known for its bohemian and artistic vibe, as well as for its lively nightlife. In fact, it's one of the favourite areas for students to go out at night.

There are several institutions with campuses in or near Navigli, including that of the Bocconi University, the IULM University and the Sigmund Freud University from Milan.

It's an area distinguished for having a large number of channels, which gives it a unique atmosphere of tranquility. Additionally, some parks, such as Segantini Park, offer spaces to have picnics, go for a walk outdoors or exercise.

In Navigli you’ll also find many bars, restaurants and cafes. There are also nightclubs and venues with live music. One of the favourite plans for young people is to order some take-away and sit in the channels to hang out.

As for the cultural offer, there are a few options you can consider if you're interested. You can visit the Spazio Alda Merini Museum, art galleries like Patricia Armocida or Previtali, and theaters like the Linguaggicreativi Theatre.

One con of this neighbourhood is that it isn't very well served by public transport. It has some tram and bus lines nearby, but it's quite far from the city centre.

Porta Venezia

Porta Venezia is part of the historic centre of Milan. It’s known for being the most LGBT-friendly neighbourhood in the city, and is located between Quadrilatero della Moda and Città Studi, so it’s ideal for students who want to be in the centre of everything. It isn’t one of the most affordable areas, but you can find shared accommodation with good prices if you look early.

Porta Venezia is ideal for going out for a drink, although its vibe is calmer than Navigli. It has some bars, restaurants and ice cream parlors that are frequented by students.

Being part of the historic centre, this neighbourhood has various cultural attractions of Milan. Among the most notable are the Modern Art Gallery (GAM - Galleria d'Arte Moderna), the Natural History Museum of Milan (Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Milano), the Villa Mozart and the Castiglioni Palace (Palazzo Castiglioni).

As for nature, in Porta Venezia you’ll find the Gardens of Indro Montanelli, one of the most beautiful parks in the city.

From this neighbourhood you’ll be able to walk to many places, as it’s quite central, and it’s also very well connected by metro, bus, tram, and train to the rest of the city.

Isola

This neighbourhood extends north of the centre of Milan, next to Porta Garibaldi, and it’s another of the best neighbourhoods for students in Milan. Isola is known for being a preferred area for artists, creatives, and young people, so it has a pretty lively vibe.

It has artisanal businesses, a lot of affordable restaurants, bars and pubs frequented by students. It also stands out for the art of its streets, which are full of graffities. In fact, that is the neighbourhood's best-known cultural attraction.

In Isola there’s a big park that allows you to enjoy the outdoors in the city, called BAM - Biblioteca degli Alberi Milano. There, you’ll find an outdoor gym, gardens with flowers and ponds, and fountains.

Although it’s next to the Porta Garibaldi train station, tram lines and the M5 metro line, transport connections at night are usually not the best.

FAQ about neighbourhoods in Milan