Best area to stay in Milan

La passeggiata is not really a thing in Milano as it is in smaller cities, but people are out and about in the various piazze all day and most of the night. Check skylinewebcams at about 2-4pm EST.

I always stay near the train station, lots of hotel options and the metro stop is there, too. It will take you to any area (historic, shopping, the Duomo) in a few minutes.

Lots of posters here like Hotel Berna.

Look at a hotel booking engine like booking.com in their map view. Hotel prices are all over the place. The biggest concentration of hotels is from the train station and to the south in the city center. I generally don't care for the area as much that is south of the city center. All of this is walkable and will have shops and restaurants. Once you find a hotel you are considering read reviews on a couple of websites and take a look at google street view. We've spent almost two months in Milan over the years and there isn't really an area in the city center where I wouldn't stay.

Thank you for that input. It is surprising to hear that la passeggiata does not really exist in Milan as it does in even a larger city as Rome.
I am mostly interested in a good area to stay in; not a hotel recommendation.
thanks again

OP you will find other broad cultural differences between northern Italy and southern Italy if you recognize them for what they are.

Fascinating...thank you.

I normally prefer to stay close to Milano Centrale as it's very convenient for both transportation via Metro as well as trains for day trips. However the area closer to the Duomo and Via Dante is also a good location and may fit your criteria better. While there's lots of pedestrian activity on Via Dante in the evenings, I'm not sure I'd categorize that as a "passegiata". There are lots of stores and restaurants there, and you're also close to the Galleria Vittorio Emmanuele and La Rinascente, so lots of shopping opportunities.

Traditionally, the passeggiata is an evening walk through a neighborhood, where people greet each other and chat with their friends while strolling along the street. In big cities, this seems to have been replaced by happy hour. The main characteristic of the passeggiata is the continuous or almost continuous walking.

The best passeggiata I know is in Matera, everyone - locals and tourists - walks down the main street, stopping at the terrace overlooking the Sassi, which are lit up at night.

The Brera and Naviglio Grande districts are often discussed for nightlife.

I have also read that Brera is a good area. I think that;s what I;m going for.
thanks

We rented an apartment in the Porta Monforte area two years ago. Easy tram from the train station, beautiful boulevards, lots of restaurants and wine shops walkable. The public transportation system in Milan is a breeze, very easy to navigate.

Hmmmm, fascinating....
If you went back, would you settle in the same area or try another location?
thanks

I always enjoy evening around Little Venice, the canal area of Milan....lots of atmosphere in the evenings with cafes beside the canal, little bridges to cross, great people watching, outdoor dining, and gelato.

Hello,

Brera is a good choice (the Pinacoteca worth a visit), as well as Navigli, crowded at night and for dinner.

Milano centrale is ok for hotel and transportation, not the best area specially in night time for a passeggiata (not many..."gentlemen" around).

Ciao
Dario