Chinatown

Milan
Chinatown
Imagine any kind of Asian food or trinket and you can probably find it in one of the shops in this district, the oldest and largest Chinatown in Italy.

Milan may not be the first place you expect to find a thriving Chinatown, but immigrants from Asia have been arriving here since the 1920s as workers for Italian silk manufacturers. Taking over the modest three-story houses near the historic city center, successive generations have turned the street of Via Paola Sarpi, and the area around it, into a remarkable fusion of Italian and Chinese influences. Shop, eat or come for one of the annual holiday festivals, when the street overflows with dragon costumes and more.

Though the area lacks the distinctive arch that marks out Chinatowns in other cities, a few minutes are enough to make the cultural heritage of the area abundantly clear. Wander down the charming, pedestrian-only cobbled streets, then duck into one of the many stores that line the sidewalk. 

Buy authentic Asian groceries in one of the biggest ethnic food shops in Italy. Browse the wide selection of Chinese goods on offer in the overflowing shops, or hunt for deals on Italian leather and silk.

Take a break from shopping to sample some of the culinary delicacies on offer, which range from traditional Italian to specialties from throughout East Asia. On a hot day, cool off with a cup of bubble tea, a milky drink with chewy balls of tapioca added. 

Slurp on some noodles in a Chinese restaurant, or buy a snack from the takeout counters that serve handmade dumplings and other street foods. Head back into the shops, then end the day with aperitivo from Cantine Isola, a small taverna that has been operating since 1896.

Milan’s Chinatown is located to the northwest of the city center, a 15-minute walk from the city’s central train station. Via Paola Sarpi is open daily and all day, but shops and restaurants close earlier than others in the city, making Chinatown a good place to head if you are after an early dinner.


Popular places to visit


Chinatown Hotel Deals

Leonardo Hotel Milan City Center
Leonardo Hotel Milan City Center
4 out of 5
Via Messina 10, Milan, MI
The price is NT$4,060 per night from Apr 1 to Apr 2
NT$4,060
per night
Apr 1 - Apr 2
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Milan. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and room service. Popular attractions Piazza del Duomo and Cathedral of Milan ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (748 reviews)
Bring chopsticks
"Beautiful hotel. Set on edge of Chinatown. Reminiscent of the way hotels used to and should still be. Spacious rooms and friendly hosts make a visit worthwhile."

Reviewed on 2024/3/5

Leonardo Hotel Milan City Center
Hotel Viu Milan, a Member of Design Hotels
Hotel Viu Milan, a Member of Design Hotels
5 out of 5
Via Fioravanti, 6, Milan
The price is NT$8,782 per night from Apr 4 to Apr 5
NT$8,782
per night
Apr 4 - Apr 5
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Milan. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (752 reviews)
"Amazing stay, which we enjoyed. Area around the hotel is so-so, as you are at the edge of Chinatown, but we still felt very safe nonetheless. Staff was always present and helpful. Food and bar was good and the room was both spaceous and comfortable."

Reviewed on 2024/3/25

Hotel Viu Milan, a Member of Design Hotels
UNAHOTELS Galles Milano
UNAHOTELS Galles Milano
4 out of 5
Piazza Lima 2, Milan, MI
The price is NT$5,193 per night from Apr 7 to Apr 8
NT$5,193
per night
Apr 7 - Apr 8
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Milan. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,000 reviews)
"Great hotel"

Reviewed on 2024/3/25

UNAHOTELS Galles Milano
Hotel Berna
Hotel Berna
4 out of 5
Via Torriani Napo 18, Milan, MI
The price is NT$4,406 per night from Apr 1 to Apr 2
NT$4,406
per night
Apr 1 - Apr 2
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Milan. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,013 reviews)
"Under renovations on some part of the hotel. Some features for the bathroom need refresment. Good breakfast option."

Reviewed on 2024/3/24

Hotel Berna
UNAHOTELS Century Milano
UNAHOTELS Century Milano
4 out of 5
Via Fabio Filzi 25 B, Milan, MI
The price is NT$5,791 per night from Apr 1 to Apr 2
NT$5,791
per night
Apr 1 - Apr 2
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Milan. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,007 reviews)
"I'm staying the city longer than my plan after checkout.The hotel hold my carriers until 7pm after checked out."

Reviewed on 2024/2/18

UNAHOTELS Century Milano
Hotel Brunelleschi
Hotel Brunelleschi
4 out of 5
Via Flavio Baracchini 12, Milan, MI
The price is NT$7,239 per night from Mar 31 to Apr 1
NT$7,239
per night
Mar 31 - Apr 1
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Milan. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,011 reviews)
"The staff are very friendly- the location is close to the big sights and the room is comfortable but quirky (like a moment in time picture the 70’s). But it was charming- breakfast was a really good buffet."

Reviewed on 2024/3/25

Hotel Brunelleschi
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighborhoods around Chinatown

Porta Sempione

When in Porta Sempione and the surrounding area, you'll want to check out sights like Piazza del Duomo or Cathedral of Milan and hop on the metro to see more the city at Corso Sempione Via Canova Tram Station or Corso Sempione Via Procaccini Tram Stop.

Porta Sempione
Piazza Gae Aulenti showing street scenes and a fountain as well as a couple

Porta Garibaldi

4/5(109 area reviews)

Porta Garibaldi is a destination travelers like for its art galleries, and you might hop aboard the metro at Via Rosales Tram Stop or V.le M.te Grappa Via Gioia Tram Stop to explore sights like Corso Como.

Porta Garibaldi
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Isola

The restaurants and theaters are just a few things visitors like about Isola. Teatro del Buratto and Verdi Theater are worthwhile spots to check out, and you can hop on the metro at Isola Station or Via Porro Lambertenghi Tram Stop to get around the larger area.

Isola
Default Image

Tre Torri

4.5/5(10 area reviews)

While you're in Tre Torri, take in top sights like CityLife Shopping District or Giardini Valentino Bompiani, and hop on the metro to see more the city at Via Monti - Via Comerio Tram Stop or Piazza Sei Febbraio Tram Stop.

Tre Torri
Pinacoteca di Brera featuring heritage architecture and a statue or sculpture

Brera

Shopping, live music, and restaurants highlight some notable features of Brera. Make a stop by Pinacoteca di Brera or Orto Botanico di Brera while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Via Cusani Tram Stop or Cairoli Station to get around town.

Brera
A view of Bosco Verticale in Milan as we set off for Desenzano del Garda.

I thought that this building was fascinating.  It is like a vertical garden.

Centro Direzionale

While you're in Centro Direzionale, take in top sights like Torre Diamante or Grattacielo Pirelli, and hop on the metro to see more the city at Gioia Station or Via Filzi Via Pirelli Tram Stop.

Centro Direzionale

Chinatown