Enjoy the Summer in Milan as a Student!

Ah, summer in Milan! With the duomo on your doorstep, streets lined with gelaterias and an array of pizzerias at your fingertips, it’s no wonder that Milan is a hotspot for international students. At Collegiate, we want to help you get the best out of your time abroad, so you can have the most memorable student experience. To help plan your summer semester, we have put together a quick guide to our top restaurants and fun recommendations in Milan.

Parks and Picnics

Whilst Milan is known for its fashion and architecture, its green spaces are equally impressive. Looking for a place to picnic? Here are some of Milan’s best parks:

Parco Sempione: Located bang in the centre of Milan and right next to Castello Szforzesco, Parco Sempione is an ideal spot for a picnic, a leisurely stroll or even a game of football with some friends. The park is known for being home to several of Milan’s monuments, including La Triennale and L’Arco della Pace.

Giardini Pubblici Indro Monatelli: A charming and historic park that’s also home to several tourist attractions such as Palazzo Dugnani, a seventeenth century palace, and the Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Milano. So, whilst you can go to the park for a morning jog or a short sunbathe, you can also pop into a museum for some creative inspiration.

Parco Biblioteca degli Alberi: Located by Milan’s famous skyscraper, Bosco Verticale, you will find Milan’s Parco Bilblioteca degli Alberi, ‘the library of trees’. With over 135,000 different plants and 500 trees on interlacing pathways the park, the park is truly captivating.

Restaurant Recommendations

It’s no secret that Milan is a food lover’s paradise and you don’t need to break the bank to enjoy its culinary delights. Here are some budget-friendly options:

Luini Panzerotti: A world-famous spot near the Duomo, Luini’s is famous for its delicious fried or baked panzerotti (small, deep-fried calzones). This place is perfect for a quick, tasty bite on the go.
Pizzium: Craving pizza? Pizzium has several locations across Milan, offering authentic Napolitan pizzas. This is a Milanese favourite and a must-try.
Mi Scusi: If it’s pasta you’re after instead, we recommend heading over to Mi Susi. Mi Scusi has 6 locations across Milan and offers a range of delicious plates of handmade pasta.
Side Walks Kitchen: If you’re looking for somewhere slightly different, the Side Walks is the place to go. This restaurant is an urban hub with lots of atmosphere all day round, the place serves up a variety of cuisines from American to Mexican and Japanese.

Day Trips

Not far from the foothills of the Alps, Milan has some great relaxing day trips that you must go on. Lake Como, with its breathtaking scenery and charming villages, is just a short train ride away. You can spend the day lounging by the lake, sipping an Aperol spritz and, with Lake Como being home to George Clooney, you may even get in some good celeb spotting.

Another great option is Bergamo, a beautiful city with a rich history and stunning views from its hilltop at Città Alta. Whilst Lake Como may be a day trip that requires a financial splurge, Bergamo is far more affordable option that still offers that change of pace from Milan’s urban vibe.

Weekend Getaways

With Milan being an uber modern city, it’s well equipped with fast trains that can take you to lots of other cool cities in Italy. In fact, on the fast train from Milan, it takes less than 2 hours to get to all these places – Italy really is your oyster!

Florence
Venice

Verona

Bologna

Why Not Stay with Us at Collegiate?

Finding the right place to live can make all the difference to your uni experiences, especially when studying abroad. Collegiate has a variety of student accommodation available across Europe, all designed to make you feel right at home from day one.

Our Milan North location is nestled right at the heart of the city centre and comes with an exciting range of features such as a private gym, spa and wellness suite, cooking lounges and study rooms.

Looking to find accommodation in Milan this summer? Find out more here.