Milan: six trend-setting neighbourhoods

Art, gardens, architecture. But also sports and good food. Discover six neighbourhoods of Milan with us worthy of exploration. From NoLo, the new Milanese Tribeca, to Zona Tortona, chosen by Giorgio Armani for his “Silos” of wonders.

-

COVER Mudec.
Photo OskarDaRiz for Stahlbau

NOLO, THE LITTLE TRIBECA — NoLo (North of Loreto) is the neighbourhood of the moment: a multi-ethnic mix of creative young people, flavours and colours. To reach it, just go past Piazzale Loreto and continue towards the north-east. People go there to breathe an atmosphere like that at the Tribeca, in the midst of ceviche restaurants, North African butchers and happy hours in Piazza Morbegno. There are numerous art galleries. Do not miss the historic Parco Trotter. Or an evening at the Beltrade, a cult place for those who love independent cinema in the original language. Also worthy of a stop is the piazzale del Governo Provvisorio, surrounded by low and colourful art nouveau-style buildings, via Stazio, where you can find the Le Pulci Spettinate flea market and the cycle path along the Naviglio Martesana.
Photo Progetto Alcova, J. Grima and V. Ciuffi

PORTA ROMANA, FOR ALL TASTES — Whether you head for via Orti or via Montenero or Via Crema, at Porta Romana you can't go wrong with food. Among the addresses to put on the agenda is the Cascina Cuccagna in via Muratori with its menu that offers much for vegans, a kitchen garden for children and 100 “zero-mile” suppliers. For more sophisticated gastronauts we recommend the starred Eugenio Boer in the Santa Sofia district. Behind the neighbourhood, the Tower deserves a visit, at the top of the new building housing the headquarters of the Fondazione Prada, designed by Rem Koolhaas. Why? A spectacular and unusual view of Milan, a 100% Italian menu, a wall collection of artist’s plates created by John Baldessari, Thomas Demand, Nathalie Djurberg...
Photo Ristorante La Torre
Delfino Sisto Legnani – Marco Cappelletti / Fondazione Prada

PORTA NUOVA, A BOTANICAL LIBRARY — The star of the district is the Vertical Forest, winner of the Highrise Award for being “The most beautiful and innovative skyscraper in the world”. A few steps from the venues of Corso Como, Porta Nuova now also has a fine green lung to boast of: the Tree Library. The project is by the architect Petra Blaisse with the collaboration of Piet Oudolf, the architect of the New York High Line. There are 90,000 plants, of which 45,000 bulbs and 450 trees, all in the shadow of the new skyscrapers. Keeping care of the Park is the Fondazione Catella. In the same building at 28 Via Gaetano de Castillia, there is also Cesare Battisti’s famous Ratanà, where the ribs come manueber. That is, ‘on the bone’.
Photo Bosco Verticale
Studio Boeri

CITYLIFE, THE MODERN SKYLINE OF MILAN — Thanks to recent redevelopment, the largest in Europe, CityLife in the former Zona Fiera, has gained an international audience of architecture enthusiasts, who visit the skyscrapers of Zaha Adid, Arata Isozaki and Daniel Libeskind. But CityLife offers much more. Starting from the beautiful park housing 3,000 square metres of urban vegetable gardens. For those who have time there is the opportunity to participate in numerous initiatives, including workshops to study cultivation, flowers and care of the garden. For sports lovers there are the blue fields of the City Padel Milan. While shopping enthusiasts can head directly to the CityLife Shopping District. To a few, if this has passed them by, we recall that the Ferragnez also call this place home.

PORTA VENEZIA, WHERE SPORTS ARE IN THE OPEN AIR — Inaugurated in 1784 by the Habsburg administration, the gardens of Via Palestro, now Parco Montanelli, are the first city park set aside for leisure time. Since 1996 they have hosted Orticola, the Milanese ‘Chelsea Flower Show’. Some time ago, they were also equipped with a free fitness area that allows you to do some open air training in an area with trees planted over a century ago. Opposite the park there are two essential addresses for art lovers: the PAC and GAM Milano, both based in the eighteenth-century Villa Belgiojoso, designed by Leopoldo Pollack.
Photo Andrea Cherchi

TORTONA, ARTE, DESIGN E HAPPY HOUR — This was the heart of the first Fuori Salone of Milan Design Week. Now it continues to be a vibrant district thanks to the presence of new spaces dedicated to art and more. At 56 Via Tortona, the MUDEC - Museum of Cultures is worth a visit, with its rich calendar of exhibitions and the bistros run by the starred Cesare Battisti. Do not miss the Armani Silos designed by Tadao Ando, in via Bergognone. For younger visitors, we wish to mention the BASE Milano in the post-industrial spaces of the former Ansaldo: 12,000 square metres of laboratories, exhibitions, shows, conferences. And in the evening? Non-stop movida!
Photo Armani Silos

Corso buenos aires

More than 1 km of shops along Milan's Fifth Avenue

Lifestyle

A journey through time on Lombardy's historic trains

Steam engines, railcars, electric trains, old Centoporte ("one hundred doors") carriages: board these vintage trains for an unforgettable tour of Lombardy's scenic beauty

Lifestyle

Varese itinerary

Take a walk in the "Garden City" and climb slowly up to the sacred mountain that is Unesco heritage

Lifestyle

10 good reasons to visit Milan

10 suggestions we are sure you will fall in love with Milan

Lifestyle

Varese in a weekend

From the gardens of Palazzo Estense to the infinite vistas of the Sacro Monte. 48 hours to discover a city on a human scale

Lifestyle

Negozi storici e Liberty a Milano

Un itinerario per negozi storici ospitati dagli edifici Liberty milanesi

Lifestyle

6 villages for an aperitif with a view

An aperitif in Lombardy is an opportunity to rediscover villages that seem suspended in time, with panoramic views to further enhance the experience.

Lifestyle

Made in Brianza

Furnishings, design, textiles, gastronomy. Brianza is - and always has been - synonymous with “know-how”.

Lifestyle

Brescia and Lake Iseo itinerary

Nicknamed the "Lioness of Italy", it displays great tourist qualities thanks to its rich artistic and environmental heritage

Lifestyle

Handcrafted Christmas Gifts

From art to cooking and expert craftsmanship, here are some excellent gift ideas based on traditions from Lombardy.

Lifestyle

10 good reasons to visit Bergamo

Piazza Vecchia, the most beautiful square. The lakes and the mountains. Discover 10 good reasons to visit Bergamo

Lifestyle

Shopping Window Stories in Cremona

Lifestyle

April 2025 Events in Lombardy

April brings the spring to Lombardy, with trips out of town, seasonal flavours, art initiatives, and sporting events

Lifestyle

Pedü

Hand made by the women in Lanzada, Pedü were by far the most common footwear in Valmalenco until the 1950s.

Lifestyle

Historic and Quality Accommodations

2024 Lombardy Style Award

Lifestyle

Zona tortona

The "Cinderella" of the city, turned from industrial area into queen of art, fashion, design and nightlife

Lifestyle

Mantua and Sabbioneta itinerary

Relax and take some time to stroll through the streets and buildings of the World Heritage cities

Lifestyle

A 5 star weekend in lombardy

Wellness centers, swimming pools, boutiques, golf courses: your luxury stay, served and revered

Lifestyle

Lombardy, Action!

Lombardy’s breathtaking scenery has served as the backdrop for many international and independent films. Action!

Lifestyle

Historical activities in Lombardy

Between tradition and specialty: discover the stores and historical food and wine realities in the Lombardy region

Lifestyle