How to Make Milan Feel like Home
If you’re unfamiliar with the local language and culture, moving to a new city and adapting to a new culture might be intimidating. But rest assured you, with the right approach, you can meet any initial challenge with success. Explore this guide on how to adapt to Milan’s local culture and make the city feel like home.
Become a Local in Your Neighborhood

To truly become a local in Milan, you must start by immersing yourself in your neighborhood. A bit of an obvious starting point, right? Well, begin familiarizing yourself with the surroundings. Take leisurely walks around the area, soak in the sights, and observe the daily life of people. Visit local cafès, bakeries, and shops to get a better feeling for the area up-close.
Whether you’re making small talk with a store employee or exchanging greetings with your neighbor, these interactions are the building blocks of becoming a part of the community and feeling more at home in Milan. After all, Milanese people love their city, and you’ll often see them indulging in the simple pleasure of taking a daily walk and engaging in casual conversations with neighbors, friends, and strangers they bump into along the way.
Embrace Italian Culture
Italian culture is rich and diverse, characterized by traditions and heritage, culinary delights, and a vibrant social life. Italians are sociable by nature, so it’s no surprise that their lifestyle revolves around social gatherings. To truly become a local, immerse yourself in Italian culture and their approach to life by engaging in typical Italian activities.
Italian Coffee Culture

Probably one of the first things that comes to your mind is coffee, right? Well, there is nothing better than starting your morning with a coffee at a local bar. Whether you’re the type who drinks straight espressos or prefers a warm cappuccino – Remember, cappuccino is typically enjoyed only in the mornings in Italy! – immerse yourself in the café culture of Italy. Take time to savor your coffee and strike up a conversation with fellow Italians or even the barista. Italians take their coffee seriously, so don’t be afraid to ask for recommendations or learn about the different types of coffee they offer. This will not only deepen your understanding of Italian life but will also help you establish connections that will make you feel like a true local.
Italian Aperitivo Culture

Hopefully, the next thing that comes to mind when thinking of Italian culture is the aperitivo. Did you know that Milan is the international capital of the aperitif? The tradition of aperitivo involves a social gathering to wind down from the day and share a few laughs with friends. Between 5pm and 8pm, you can enjoy delicious pre-dinner drinks, such as cocktails, beer, or wine, accompanied by a platter of finger food or enticing buffets. These typically include various meats, cheeses, focaccia, olives and vegetables.
Head to bars such as those in Navigli, Brera or Porta Venezia, where you’ll find a vibrant atmosphere thronged with locals and expats. Grab a cocktail, start socializing, make connections, and embrace the Milanese way of life.
Engage in Conversations
Embrace the art of conversation as a means of making a closer connection to the city. Strike up a dialogue with locals at cultural events, participate in language exchange meetings and be open to meeting new people. You’ll not only enhance your sense of belonging in the city but also understand the diverse community of Milan. So, seize every opportunity to engage, learn, and connect, and in return experience Milan embracing you with open arms.
Learn Italian
Let’s not forget a vital element of becoming a local and making Milan feel like a second home: learning the language! Speaking the lingo demonstrates a genuine commitment to embracing the culture and creating authentic connections with the local community. Whether you’re ordering food at a bar or striking up a conversation with a neighbor, knowing Italian allows you to engage more deeply with the people and the places around you.
Fortunately, Milan offers a wealth of language learning resources, from formal courses to informal language exchange meetups. Discover these opportunities here and start your language learning journey in Italy.
Feeling at home in the city you’re living in is essential for your overall well-being. Whether you’re planning to stay in Milan for a couple of months, a few years or you’re all ready to build your life there, start by becoming a local in your neighborhood, adapting to the local culture and connecting with locals and fellow expats. Follow these tips and you’ll soon find yourself feeling like a true Milanese.
Watch the video to get insights and recommendations from a local expat:
Article by Alexandra Ciunca for Easy Milano
Featured image by Riccardo