Ominous, gray and covered by a blanket of fog… the Ambrosian city is not like that at all – or at least, not always! In spring, in fact, Milan blossoms and blooms – literally – coloring itself with the pinkish hues of magnolia blossoms and lighting up with the yellow of forsythias and mimosas.
Strolling around the city of Milan during the spring months is really pleasant and one of the best times to enjoy the bright new light of the first beautiful days discovering its treasures: not only the abbeys immersed in the hinterland countryside, but also the colors of Street Art, the artistic and naturalistic beauties of Sempione Park, the elegant streets of Porta Venezia with its floral Art Nouveau decorations or the secret gardens of Casa Atellani. Or why not cross all of Milan aboard the Historical Tram to admire the city reborn? Here are all the guided tours that we at NEIADE Tour & Events have thought of for you!
Here are 6 guided tours perfect for experiencing Milan in spring
1. The Abbey of Chiaravalle, for an out-of-town trip just a stone’s throw from Milan.
If you are looking for the quiet countryside around Milan,Chiaravalle Abbey is the perfect destination for a spring tour within walking distance of the city. In the shadow of the tall bell tower known as Ciribiciaccola, the famous Cistercian abbey houses some of the greatest historical and artistic treasures of Lombard art. The visit is completed by exploring the Abbey Mill and theOrto dei Semplici, the kitchen garden used by the monks, already in medieval times, for the cultivation and study of medicinal herbs: a peaceful place to breathe in history and nature!
2. Castello Sforzesco and Sempione Park, to breathe in the springtime of Milan.
Between the Castello Sforzesco and theArch of Peace, Parco Sempione also has something to show us. Milan’s green lung holds many surprises, combining its naturalistic soul with its historical-cultural one! Indeed, in this green oasis of the city we meet in places full of history, such as the Palazzo dell’Arte or theCivic Aquarium, and also in some works of art such as Giorgio De Chirico’s Mysterious Baths. Or, for the greener souls, we can go in search of many unexpected botanical treasures and the flower and tree species that make Parco Sempione even more beautiful in spring: lionmouths or azaleas, maples, magnolias and even ginkgo!
3. Leonardo’s Vineyard: the hidden garden
There is a totally unexpected place in Milan, hiding among the buildings of Corso Magenta and more precisely within the walls of Casa Atellani! The splendid late 15th-century building not only amazes with the beauty of its interiors and decorations… Hidden among its courtyards we enter the Garden of Delights, which preserves Leonardo’s Vineyard, the very one cultivated by the Tuscan genius. Few people know, in fact, about this passion of the great master who loved to take refuge right here: in the vineyard that Ludovico il Moro gave him! And to think that even today Leonardo’s delicious wine is still made from the same vines. Spring, here, has a whole other flavor!
4. The Art Nouveau Milan
Porta Venezia is one of Milan’s most world-renowned neighborhoods and among the trendiest. In this neighborhood everything is possible! Strolling through its elegant streets, you cannot help but be surprised: fairy-tale Art Nouveau palaces, imaginative decorations, ear-shaped intercoms, facades inhabited by mulieval figures, floral ornaments everywhere and even hidden pink flamingos… Spring is as if it breathes here all year round, but with the true arrival of this season the neighborhood literally blooms, and the brilliant light and colors of March provide a spectacle of extraordinary beauty!
5. The city from the window, aboard the Historic Tram.
Admiring all of Milan and enjoying its many amazing sights in a single afternoon and without wandering around like a spinning top is possible! All you have to do is get on board the Tram Storico, an original car from the 1920s, and let our guide take you through the most beautiful areas of the city to discover the history and the many stories that nourish the Lombard capital: the Castello Sforzesco, Porta Nuova, Brera, the Navigli… Remaining comfortably seated on board, you will be able to admire the entire city blossom from the window.
6. Not just spring tones: the colors of street art in the city
Beautiful days are coming and to fully experience the liveliness of Milan all you have to do is go down to the streets, but not just any streets, but those that have become open-air art galleries thanks to the many street art works that are increasingly populating Milan. These are real works of art, born in a spirit of controversy and often irreverent, but which have gradually gained acceptance for their communicative impact so much so that they have become one of the best tools for urban redevelopment and regeneration! Where will we go from here? The choice is wide: follow us through the streets of Ortica, a real museum district, or among those of the Ticinese district up to the Navigli, but also in the most hidden areas of Isola or along the banks of the Naviglio Martesana!
If you are curious to unearth other exciting routes to take while strolling around the city in bloom, discover Milan walking tours!
