• Lifestyle
    • Art & Culture

Milan: six trend-setting neighbourhoods

from IN-LOMBARDIA.IT

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

On the same topic

Show all

The Milan of the balconies

The railing houses, a Milan a bit retro but not out of fashion
  • 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
Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore, Bergamo
  • Lifestyle

AWARD: Lombardy Style. Beauty without borders

Photography
  • Lifestyle

Navigli milanesi and Darsena

Historical/cultural tour of the Navigli Milanesi
Itinerario della Darsena
  • Lifestyle

Historical activities in Milan

Between tradition and specialty: discover the historical food and wine realities in and around Milan
Historical activities in Milan - in Lombardy
  • Lifestyle

Pavia in a weekend

On the trail of the Longobardi or among the cloisters of the University, without forgetting flavors and traditions
  • 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.
Ph I Mille
  • Lifestyle

July 2025 Events in Lombardy

The Lombardy summer shines bright in July, with concerts, art events and experiences to reconnect you with nature
July 2025 Events in Lombardy
  • Lifestyle

Historic and Quality Accommodations

2024 Lombardy Style Award
  • Lifestyle

Events for the Festive Season in Lombardy

Amidst craft markets, Christmas installations, and fairy lights, the magic of the festive season has arrived in Lombardy
Eventi delle feste in Lombardia
  • Lifestyle

Winter Lombardy

Many initiatives, activities, cultural and sporting proposals that will make you love the cold
Winter in Lombardy, between cities and mountains
  • Lifestyle

November 2025 Events in Lombardy

The light mists and soft light make November in Lombardy the perfect time to rediscover villages, museums, and seasonal flavours
Eventi in Lombardia a Novembre 2025
  • Lifestyle

9 ideas for a romantic weekend in Lombardy

Skyline Mantua
  • Lifestyle

Handcrafted Christmas Gifts

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

A 5 star weekend in lombardy

Wellness centers, swimming pools, boutiques, golf courses: your luxury stay, served and revered
A 5-star weekend in Lombardy
  • Lifestyle

Corso vercelli

Shopping in relax ... a few steps from the center of Milan
Corso Vercelli
  • Lifestyle

Bergamo: shopping and flavours

Shopping in Bergamo is divided between Città Alta and Città Bassa. The promise: artisan shops, historic cafes, fashionable shop windows
Bergamo
  • Lifestyle

Lodi in a weekend

Sky, nature and relaxation. The touch of Renzo Piano and many little art treasures. Discover Lodi and its surroundings in 48 hours
Lodi
  • Lifestyle

Trams in milan

Take a seat on its wooden benches and enjoy a journey through the old days in Milanese history and tradition
Trams in Milan
  • Lifestyle

A streetcar named desire

You will fall in love with this performing means of transportation that will take you all over the city
Milan Tramway
  • Lifestyle