A Solo Female Traveler's Guide to Milan

Solo female travel in Milan

Dreaming of solo female travel? Make Milan your next stop! Filled with art, culture, fashion, and food (need we say more), it’s the perfect city to explore on your own.

Mentally, you’re already there, so why not follow our expert guide to solo female travel Milan and make the most of your trip?! We take you on a tour of the must-see places and things to do, and address one of the biggest concerns people have when traveling alone: Is Milan safe for solo female travelers?

Best time to visit Milan

For some, Milan might be a city for all seasons, but for the locals, the summer months signify it’s time to get out. Tourists seem to miss this memo, and the city fills with visitors from May until August (perhaps one of the reasons the locals escape - no offense!). But it’s not just the crowded streets and inflated prices that make the summer a bad time to visit Milan; it’s also the weather. Temperatures can soar during the summer, and since this isn’t a beach destination, you’re far better off exploring the city when it’s cooler and more comfortable.

For this reason, we’d go for winter in Milan over summer any day. Granted it will be cold, but many of the activities are inside anyway, and if you visit Milan in December, you’ll also be able to enjoy the Christmas festivities – an added bonus!

If you want the best of both worlds though (mild weather, fewer crowds, and lower prices), spring and fall are the best seasons to visit Milan. As long as you steer of events like Milan Fashion Week and the Furniture Fair (unless they’re your thing), you can’t go wrong!

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Must-see places in Milan

Duomo di Milano

All roads seem to lead to the most iconic landmark in this city, so it’s hard to miss the Duomo. You’ll probably pass the cathedral a few times during your stay, but definitely stop and take a moment to marvel at the impressive, intricately detailed facade, and see if you can count all 3400 statues, 135 gargoyles, and 700 figures that adorn the building.

Remember that this is a place of worship, so be respectful if you wish to enter the church and keep your shoulders and knees covered. Oh, and don’t miss out on the view from the rooftop!

Santa Maria delle Grazie

Dating back almost 600 years, this Dominican convent (also a UNESCO World Heritage Site) is well worth a visit to see the colorful paintings, murals, and mosaics in the interior. It’s free to have a look around, but the reason why most tourists visit lies in the refectory….

Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper

One of the most famous murals in the world can be found in the refectory of Santa Maria delle Grazie. Da Vinci used a unique yet fragile technique to portray the moment Jesus revealed one of the Apostles would betray him, and his masterpiece has survived despite centuries of damage.

Book your tickets to see the artwork well in advance, and make sure you read up on it too, as you’ll only be granted a 15-minute slot to marvel at this work.

Sforzesco Castle and museums

Not far from the city center, you’ll find this impressive 15th-century castle. Wander through the grounds and take a tour of the museums to discover masterpieces by the likes of Michelangelo, Canaletto, Tiepolo, and Titian.

Once you’re done being a culture vulture, hang out in Parco Sempione just behind the castle, and be sure to take a walk through the Arco della Pace (Gate of Peace).

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Take a look around this luxury shopping gallery, even if you don’t plan on buying anything. Finished in 1877, it’s one of the oldest shopping malls in the world, and today it houses high-end boutiques and also a McDonald’s!

Legend has it that if you stand on the mosaic of the bull directly beneath the central dome, close your eyes, and spin 360°, you’ll have good luck!

Teatro alla Scala

Book tickets in advance to enjoy an opera or ballet performance, or take a guided tour of this lavish theater and its museum. However you decide to visit, immerse yourself in the luxurious red and gold surroundings, all lit from above by a chandelier with 383 bulbs!

Basilica di Sant’ Ambrogio

This beautifully preserved Romanesque church has a crypt holding the remains of three saints: Saint Gervasus, Saint Ambrose, and Saint Protasus. If that’s not your thing, you can still explore the interior to find carved wooden panels, decorated vaults, and a colorful mosaic that adorns the ceiling of the chapel.

San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore

Another church to tick off the list, this one might look unassuming from the outside, but every inch of the interior is filled with colorful paintings and mosaics. This rich decoration has earned it the name the ‘Sistine Chapel of Milan’.

Things to do in Milan

Discover world-class art

Milan is a treasure trove of artistic masterpieces, and there’s certainly no shortage of museums, galleries, and exhibitions. Find the likes of Raphael, Caravaggio, and Bellini in the Pinocoteca di Brera, immerse yourself in 20th-century art at the Museo del Novecento, then go all the way over to contemporary art at the Fondazione Prada.

Many places have free admission on certain days and late-night openings.

Stroll along the canals of the Navigli District

Cafe hop your way along the canal throughout the day and enjoy one aperitivo after another by night in this vibrant neighborhood. You can also peruse street art vendors and perhaps even grab a bargain or two at the antique fair, which happens on the last Sunday of every month.

Shopping, shopping, and more shopping

Considering it’s one of the most important places for fashion in the world, you’ll have no end of opportunities to freshen up your wardrobe in Milan. From high-end boutiques to local shops, it will be easy to find something unique to take home with you.

Indulge in this foody paradise

We couldn’t talk about the capital of Italy without talking about food! Of course, you can enjoy never-ending plates of pasta, pizza, and risotto, but make sure to also try the dishes the city is most famous for.

Meat rules the menus in Milan, and some of the most typical local dishes include ossobuco (marrow bone), cassoeula (a pork and cabbage stew), and cotoletta (a breaded veal cutlet). Veggies can opt for creamy polenta, minestrone alla milanese (skip the pancetta), and panettone - yum!

Go further afield

There are plenty of day trips from Milan, and it’s the perfect starting point to explore other exciting Italian destinations from. Take the train from the central train station to visit Lake Como, Bologna, and Turin in less than an hour.

Getting around Milan

Milan has pretty much every public transport option you can think of – buses, trams, metros, and trains. They are cheap and efficient, and apps like City Mapper and Google Maps make it easy to plan your route.

If you want to see more of the city while traveling around, rent a bike or rely on your own two feet! Milan is extremely walkable, and you can pack a lot in without needing to go too far out of the center.

Hopping in a licensed taxi is another plausible option, but while it will often get you someplace quicker, it will be much more expensive than public transport, especially if you’re traveling alone.

Weather in Milan

Milan can be incredibly hot and humid during the summer months and often drops to freezing temperatures in the winter.

July is the hottest month of the year averaging at around 31°C (87°F), while in December and January, temperatures are around 7°C (44°F) and you may even see snow. Rainfall is typical from April to June and August to October, but November sees the highest levels of precipitation.

Accommodation for solo female travelers in Milan

As with many cities, the location of your accommodation can greatly influence your experience there. Many travelers opt for hotels and hostels in the city center so they can cut down on travel time between sights, but this often means missing out on a more authentic experience.

House and pet sitting offers a unique experience for travelers looking to stay where locals live. This can not only be safer for solo travelers, but it can also make for a far more immersive and interesting experience.

Is Milan safe for solo female travelers?

While it might not have the reputation for being the safest city in Italy for solo female travelers, don’t let that put you off. Like most popular tourist destinations, it has its ups and downs, but it is relatively safe on the whole.

Luckily, nonviolent crimes such as pickpocketing and scams are typically the biggest threats to tourists. That being said, solo female travelers should take the same precautions here as they would in any big city. That means…

Staying aware of your surroundings.
Sticking to busy, well-lit areas at night.
Making note of neighborhoods to avoid.
Leaving expensive jewelry at home.
Taking extra care in crowded areas and on public transport.
Making sure you only ride in licensed taxis.
Getting travel insurance, just in case.

Meeting people and connecting with locals

You’re never truly alone in Milan, and there are always opportunities to meet friendly Italian locals – make small talk with someone at the grocery store, find a language exchange, or even ask someone for directions – you never know what might happen!

If you need to build up your confidence a bit first, why not join a group tour, take a cooking class, volunteer, or even search for events taking place while you’re in town?

Tips from a local

Dress to impress, but don’t go over the top. Milan might be one of the biggest fashion capitals of the world, but going overboard could make you more of a target for pickpockets. It’s all about the shoes anyway…
Bring a battery pack - there’s nothing worse than when your phone runs out of juice in a new city.
Do your best to avoid peak times when visiting important sites. You can usually purchase entrance tickets online to avoid the queues – this is a must if you want to see da Vinci’s Last Supper.
Find out where the locals eat and make a beeline for those restaurants. You’ll typically enjoy better food at a more reasonable price.
Here, the letters ATM do not indicate a cash machine – they stand for Azienda Trasporti Milanesi – Milan’s public transport system.
You don’t have to tip, but it’s nice when you do!
Don’t drink coffee with milk after 11am – the only acceptable form of caffeine on a full stomach is espresso.

Milan for solo female pet sitters

Milan is the perfect place for solo female pet sitters – it’s a walkable city with friendly locals and plenty to do!

Things to do with dogs in Milan

Dogs are typically allowed on public transport in Milan as long as they’re on a leash, so it’s easy to explore the city with your furry friend by your side.

Take a stroll through the city center.
Marvel at the exterior of the Duomo di Milano.
Go shopping – many stores allow dogs inside, just ask!
Wander through parks and green spaces, such as Parco Sempione and Parco delle Cave.
Explore the outdoor area of Brera Art Gallery with your pup on a leash.

Dog-friendly bars and restaurants in Milan

Lots of bars and restaurants in Milan allow dogs on their terraces, but it’s always best to double-check before taking a seat. Here are some of our favorite dog-friendly eateries:

House and pet sits

Want to tick some of these things to do for solo travelers in Milan off your bucket list? Join TrustedHousesitters today to discover house and pet sits in Milan and the surrounding area!