Chinatown

Milan

Chinatown
Chinatown
Chinatown
Chinatown
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

Hotel Viu Milan, a Member of Design Hotels
Hotel Viu Milan, a Member of Design Hotels
5 out of 5
Via Fioravanti, 6, Milan, MI
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P15,357 per night from 28 Apr to 29 Apr
P15,357
P17,799 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 28 - Apr 29
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Milan. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (828 reviews)
"Excellent. Great service."

Reviewed on Apr 3, 2025

Hotel Viu Milan, a Member of Design Hotels
ibis Milano Centro
ibis Milano Centro
3 out of 5
Via Finocchiaro Aprile Camillo 2, Milan, MI
The price is P6,785 per night from 21 Apr to 22 Apr
P6,785
P8,279 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 21 - Apr 22
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in Milan. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,160 reviews)
"Very well"

Reviewed on Apr 6, 2025

ibis Milano Centro
Rosa Grand Milano
Rosa Grand Milano
4 out of 5
P.za Fontana 3, Milan, MI
The price is P20,562 per night from 1 May to 2 May
P20,562
P23,525 total
includes taxes & fees
May 1 - May 2
Stay at this 4-star luxury hotel in Milan. Enjoy free WiFi, 3 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
"Location, location, location!! Even walking home from La Scala at 11 pm was no problem at all. Very close to the cathedral and shopping, even outlets. Wonderful place to stay."

Reviewed on Apr 8, 2025

Rosa Grand Milano
Hotel Berna
Hotel Berna
4 out of 5
Via Torriani Napo 18, Milan, MI
The price is P7,659 per night from 17 Apr to 18 Apr
P7,659
P9,332 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 17 - Apr 18
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Milan. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,009 reviews)
"Very nice."

Reviewed on Apr 7, 2025

Hotel Berna
Joy 124 Hotel Milano
Joy 124 Hotel Milano
Via Melchiorre Gioia 124, Milan, MI
The price is P4,767 per night from 21 Apr to 22 Apr
P4,767
P6,152 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 21 - Apr 22
Stay at this hotel in Milan. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Cathedral of Milan and Piazza del Duomo are ...
6.6/10 (19 reviews)
"I was looking for an affordable hotel during salone which is imposible this was my option thinking I may was not going to get something very nice, it did exceed my expectations from clean, look, location, staff, the housekeeper, and as an interior designer the design and aesthetic amazing. It is ..."

Reviewed on Apr 11, 2025

Joy 124 Hotel Milano
Urban Hive Milano
Urban Hive Milano
4 out of 5
Corso Garibaldi Giuseppe 84, Milan, MI
The price is P14,140 per night from 27 Apr to 28 Apr
P14,140
P16,461 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 27 - Apr 28
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Milan. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (635 reviews)
"Wonderful stay and friendly staff!"

Reviewed on Apr 10, 2025

Urban Hive Milano
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

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

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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
Default Image

San Marco

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Pinacoteca di Brera featuring heritage architecture and a statue or sculpture

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Brera
Santa Maria Delle Grazie which includes a square or plaza and street scenes as well as a large group of people

Magenta

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Magenta
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

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Centro Direzionale
Porta Nuova showing street scenes and a city

Porta Nuova

4/5(1 area review)

Known for its stunning cathedral and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Porta Nuova. Check out top attractions like Piazza della Repubblica and Corso Como, and jump on the metro at Repubblica M3 Tram Stop or Turati M3 Tram Stop to see more of the city.

Porta Nuova

Chinatown