Finding a place to park in the center of Milan can be stressful. If you know where to look for cheap parking lots, street parking, and those few free parking spots available, you get in and out as quickly as possible. Some cheap parking lots are available near the Duomo, but if you use want to park on the street, be sure you understand what the parking stripe colors mean.
White stripes are those pot-of-gold, free parking spots that everybody wants. Yellows stripes are for residents and permit holders, while blue stripes are metered parking. Tickets can be purchased at self-serve kiosks that generally accept cash, debit, or credit.
If you don’t see any white or blue stripes, then don’t park on the street! You can also seek out the nearest and cheapest parking lot with available space using one of many phone apps.
Payment Apps
For your convenience, several companies manage parking payments through apps for IOS, Android, and Windows phones. Some popular options include:
- Telepass of Telepass parking lots
- Easypark for Easypark Italia parking lots
- MyCicero for Pluservice parking lots
Parking Lots
According to Azienda Trasporti Milanesi (atm.it), there are 22 car parks spread out in the vicinity of public transport routes or areas with high traffic flow. These car parks are either multi-level or street-level lots that are close to Milan’s underground stations, railway stations, Linate airport, and Fiera Milano City.
On the above map, only parking lots signed with a white P on a blue square are lots handled by ATM. All parking spaces are subject to fees starting from 1,5 € per hour for up to 5 hours.
Please note that parking in parking lots is not guarded and ATM does not take responsibility for any damage to things or the vehicle.
If you want to play it safe in Milan, DO NOT leave any valuables visible, especially on your car seats!
Parking Stripes
There are numerous car parks all over the city of Milan and also in the very center, close to the important things to do. Most are indicated by stripes of three different colors which indicate who can and CANNOT park there.
In case of the police towing away your illegally parked vehicle, call the Ufficio Rimozioni (Impound Office) at +39 02 77 270 280
White Stripes
It’s the only place where you can park your car for free. Unfortunately, these are hard to find and almost non-existent, especially near Milan center and the Duomo.
Yellow Stripes
Indicate areas reserved for residents in possession of the appropriate permit. Holders of disabled permits can park for free in the reserved areas, both in paid areas and those reserved for residents.
Blue Stripes
They indicate spaces for pay-per-use, metered parking in Milan where you are allowed to park for a limited amount of time, based on how much you pay. The rates, operating hours, and parking duration are indicated on nearby signs.
Near Duomo
For those looking to park near the city-center or Milan’s top attractions, it is generally quite difficult to find a cheap parking lot.
If you’re willing to pay the current price, the Parclick program, however, allows you to grab those very few close parking spots near Piazza Duomo. Through their website, you can also book the two closest parking lots which are both just a few minutes’ walk from the Duomo.
Autosilo Diaz
This car park is located right in Piazza Diaz, just a 2-minute walk from the Piazza della Scala, in the heart of the city. Thanks to Autosilo Diaz, you can park in the center of Milan problem-free in less than 5 minutes with pricing starts from 6 € for two hours.
Matteotti
This car park is located on the Via Pietro dellOrto, next to the Piazza San Babila. It’s also just a few meters from Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, Corso Matteotti, Montenapoleone, Via SantAndrea, Via Manzoni, Via Senato, and Via Spiga. Pricing starts from 6 € for two hours.
Free Parking
It’s much easier to say free parking than it is to find a spot. But after we come across this website, it seems that by following their advice and using a LOT of patience, it’s at least a possibility.
Local Know-How
Locals know how to park. They are real artists in parking their car. Wherever they find the smallest hole for on parking place, they will find a way to make their car fit. Sometimes finding a hole to drop their car in, can be more important than getting a fine.
Italian cities are famous for their undisciplined drivers and double parking, and Milan is no exception. Pay attention not to follow this bad manner! But what about tourists visiting Milan for a day or two?
If you really need to visit Milan by car, locals would recommend you try to leave it outside the city center in a parking spot at one of Milan’s airports. If you really want to enjoy Milan without any hassles, just use the city metros and city trams, which are excellent.