Why are walking tours of Milan the ideal solution for getting to know every aspect of the Lombard capital?
It is known, the Milanese city is famous for its subway network that shortens distances for thousands of passengers within the big city every day. Yet, Milan is a city to be discovered on foot, walking through its neighborhoods with such a varied physiognomy, to get to know its different faces.
It is, in fact, the capital of haute couture fashion par excellence, the city of the Madonnina that from the lofty spires of the Duomo guards the beautiful square where the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II also stands out. But Milan is able to offer even more.
From the ultra-modern skyline of the Porta Nuova skyscrapers to the ancient Art Nouveau buildings, from the Renaissance courtyards of the Castello Sforzesco to the unusual paths of the most secret Milan and urban street art, from the legends of the historic center to the charm of Brera… and why not explore Milan in a completely new way, experiencing a walking tour with forays by professional actors or a Misguided visit fun and unusual?
Milan walking tours: here are the 10 most beautiful routes!
1 – THE MONUMENTAL CEMETERY
A true walking tour of Milan in an open-air museum! The majestic entrance to the Monumental Cemetery is a splendid architectural sight for those arriving, often aboard the iconic streetcar, from Via Carlo Farini. The cemetery symbolizes the link to the past, right in the middle of a neighborhood that is becoming increasingly contemporary and cutting-edge.
A stroll through the avenues of the Monumental Cemetery offers an opportunity for an unmissable tour: immersed in a mystical aura, passing the Famedio-which, among others, also houses the remains of the celebrated Manzoni-we encounter mausoleums and sculptures of great artistic value.
2 – FROM THE SFORZESCO CASTLE TO SEMPIONE PARK
A pleasant walk to immerse yourself in one of Milan’s largest green areas, Sempione Park, after stepping back into the past, to the days of Renaissance courts, by visiting the imposing Castello Sforzesco. The castle, which once belonged to the Sforza family, is now home to the Musei Civici and houses works by the likes of Michelangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci, a wonderful picture gallery and many masterpieces of applied art, including Bramantino’s splendid Tapestries of the Months, displayed in the Sala della Balla.
Beyond the walls of the fortress, the great Sempione Park, where the Milanese spend the most beautiful days between picnics and sports. Majestic and proud, at the entrance stands the Arch of Peace, one of Milan’s symbols. A treat? In Piazza Sempione you can indulge in a proper Milanese aperitif!
3 – PORTA VENEZIA AND THE MILANO LIBERTY
The early twentieth century made the city of Milan blossom: indeed, the Ambrosian capital still sports the floral motifs, organic and sinuous decorations of the Art Nouveau style of the time, especially in the Porta Venezia area. From Casa Donzelli to Casa Galimberti, with its wonderful ceramics, one is fascinated by the wrought iron work and floral decorations, such as those in the monumental Palazzo Castiglioni.
After being captivated by the luxury of the Diana Sheraton Hotel Palace, you will need to sharpen your eyesight because the itinerary will become even more fairy-tale-like when you stop at Via dei Cappuccini, where it is a must to admire the pink flamingos of Villa Invernizzi.
4 – NEW DOOR AND ITS DIZZYING SKYLINE
Milan is said to be the most European city in Italy, alluding to its degree of avant-garde, including architectural: its skyline is now iconic and owes much to the 2015 Expo. A tour of the neighborhood takes you on a discovery of dizzying skyscrapers, such as César Pelli’s Unicredit Tower that dominates Gae Aulenti‘s beautiful elevated square, a must-see destination also for shopping or indulging in a Spritz at one of several outdoor tables.
Further on, the brand new Library of Trees, a green space at the center of this triumph of “contemporary cathedrals.” But Milan also shows its green side in Stefano Boeri’s work, the famous Bosco Verticale: two residential towers that will win over anyone with a green thumb!
5 – CITYLIFE AND ITS SHOPPING DISTRICT
Famous for having been chosen as the love nest of one of the most beloved couples on social media, the CityLife neighborhood once again brings you acquainted with the most futuristic face of Milan.
Among the new “giants,” strolling through the avenues of CityLife you will notice the Isozaki Tower, known as “the Straight, ” “the Crooked,” which bears the signature of the great Zaha Hadid, and Libeskind’s skyscraper known as “the Curved” for its sinuous shape. Shopaholics? There is even a shopping mall!
6 – STREET ART BETWEEN TICINESE AND NAVIGLI
MUDEC also celebrated street art with an exclusive exhibition dedicated to the mysterious Bansky: murals and graffiti in Milan can be found galore, especially walking through the streets of the Ticinese Quarter and the Navigli.
From the rebuses on the walls of the Street of Irony to the murals depicting familiar faces such as Alda Merini and Jannacci, a tour of the streets and bridges of the Navigli turns out to be a veritable explosion of color and art often imbued with an important political and social message.
7 – LEGENDS OF MILAN
A decidedly special tour that promises to illustrate the best-known and most mysterious legends related to the Ambrosian capital over a typically Milanese street food snack . Sweets for every season, symbols and traditions of Milan in a guided tour walking around the historic center, from the Sforzesco Castle to Milan Cathedral.
Not sure where to start? Fear not, whichever path you take you are on the right one to savor Milan and its traditions all round.
8 – THE BRERA DISTRICT
A place suspended between the past and the future, the Brera district is the right destination for a walking tour that leaves you spellbound: on the one hand, the Old Milan allure of the picturesque cobbled streets, on the other, the innovation of the showrooms of what has been one of the city’s most important design districts for years. The endless stories of the old neighborhood-such as those related to the Brera Picture Gallery or the closed houses that abounded here-color the palette of a corner of the city not to be missed with a thousand shades.
During Fuorisalone, the district is populated with temporary installations and events. Come with us to discover just about every secret of the Brera Design District!
9 – ACTOR TOURS WITH MILANESE HISTORICAL FIGURES
The new actor tours, walking tours with forays by professional actors playing historical figures from Milan’s past, are the right choice for those who want to combine a taste for walking around Milan, a passion for history and a touch of healthy fun.
Whether it is the medieval Milan well symbolized by the striking Crypt of San Sepolcro, of the Renaissance city experienced by Leonardo da Vinci, of the early 19th century Milan renewed by Napoleon Bonaparte, the excitement of listening to the voices of the past will be an engaging and unusual experience!
10 – WRONG VISIT
For a truly out-of-the-box walking tour of Milan, there is finally the Wrong Visit. This is a new itinerary of Milan’s historic center, all about discovering the city between reality and… fiction! Thanks to a series of fun outdoor quizzes around the city, secrets, anecdotes and events of the past will gradually take shape in the words of a somewhat deceitful narrator. Each participant will have to judge whether the information provided is true or false by marking the answer on the special “totocalcio”-style coupon. Whoever guesses the most answers will win the coveted prize at stake!
Ready to get involved, with friends and family, by immersing yourself in the culture of Milan without giving up the fun?
