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

Things to do


Top hotels in Chinatown

Leonardo Hotel Milan City Center
Leonardo Hotel Milan City Center
4 out of 5
Via Messina 10, Milan, MI
The price is RM440 per night from 25 Apr to 26 Apr
RM440
per night
25 Apr - 26 Apr
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 5 Mar 2024

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 RM1,298 per night from 8 Apr to 9 Apr
RM1,298
per night
8 Apr - 9 Apr
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 25 Mar 2024

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 RM768 per night from 7 Apr to 8 Apr
RM768
per night
7 Apr - 8 Apr
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. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (999 reviews)
"Great hotel"

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2024

UNAHOTELS Galles Milano
Hotel Berna
Hotel Berna
4 out of 5
Via Torriani Napo 18, Milan, MI
The price is RM652 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
RM652
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
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 24 Mar 2024

Hotel Berna
UNAHOTELS Century Milano
UNAHOTELS Century Milano
4 out of 5
Via Fabio Filzi 25 B, Milan, MI
The price is RM856 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
RM856
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
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! (1,008 reviews)
"I'm staying the city longer than my plan after checkout.The hotel hold my carriers until 7pm after checked out."

Reviewed on 18 Feb 2024

UNAHOTELS Century Milano
Hotel Brunelleschi
Hotel Brunelleschi
4 out of 5
Via Flavio Baracchini 12, Milan, MI
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is RM1,070 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
RM1,070
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
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 25 Mar 2024

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 neighbourhoods 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 of the city at Corso Sempione Via Canova Tram Station or Corso Sempione Via Procaccini Tram Stop.

Porta Sempione
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Porta Garibaldi

4/5(43 area reviews)

You might enjoy the art galleries while in Porta Garibaldi. Corso Como is a notable sight, and you can get around town at Via Rosales Tram Stop or V.le M.te Grappa Via Gioia Tram Stop to see more of the city.

Porta Garibaldi
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Isola

Get to know Isola and its many features like its restaurants and theatres. You might want to explore sights like Teatro del Buratto and Verdi Theater, and you can jump on the metro at Isola Station or Via Porro Lambertenghi Tram Stop to get around the city.

Isola
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Tre Torri

4.5/5(5 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 of the city at Via Monti - Via Comerio Tram Stop or Piazza Sei Febbraio Tram Stop.

Tre Torri
Pinacoteca di Brera which includes 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
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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 of the city at Gioia Station or Via Filzi Via Pirelli Tram Stop.

Centro Direzionale

Chinatown