Neighbourhood

Isola and Porta Nuova (15-20 minutes)

Take a quick 15-minute walk to reach Isola, one of Milan’s most characterful districts. Once an isolated working-class neighborhood (hence the name “Island”), it’s now a creative hotspot featuring:

• Quirky independent art galleries and artisan workshops
• A bustling local market in Piazzale Lagosta (Tuesday and Saturday mornings)
• The famous Blue Note jazz club with its excellent restaurant
• The beautiful Library of Trees park that leads you to your next destination

Continue for 5 more minutes to the ultra-modern Porta Nuova district, home to the award-winning Bosco Verticale— a revolutionary residential tower featuring over 900 trees growing right on its balconies. Don’t miss the elevated Piazza Gae Aulenti with its circular fountain surrounded by gleaming skyscrapers—a perfect spot for coffee and people-watching. From here, descend to find the historic Corso Como. You can either continue walking toward Brera and downtown or catch the green line at Moscova station to head back.

Where to eat like a local, you may ask? Try Frida, Ratanà, or Gorille, or grab a slice at the legendary pizzeria on Corso Como (though locals know it as “the Corso Garibaldi pizza place”). And of course, Eataly is just around the corner for all your Italian food needs.

Via Morgagni and Città Studi (25-30 minutes)

Head in the opposite direction from the station along Via Scarlatti and in about 25 minutes, you’ll reach Città Studi, Milan’s vibrant university quarter. Along the way, you’ll discover:

• The unique tree-lined Via Morgagni with its charming cafés and traditional bocce court
• Local shops, delis, newsstands, and flower shops that capture the area’s creative spirit
• The leafy Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, perfect for taking a breather
• The prestigious Polytechnic University campus, where historic architecture meets contemporary design, creating an international atmosphere

This route shows you a slice of everyday Milanese life away from the tourist crowds. In the evenings, locals of all ages gather around the iconic Bar Basso and Caffè degli Artisti.

Hungry? Stop by Rovida on Via Scarlatti for amazing sweet and savory croissants. For dinner, don’t miss these neighborhood gems:

Vietnam Mon Amour for elegant Vietnamese cuisine

Mandarin 2 for its unique Chinese-Sicilian fusion

GinMi, Milan’s pioneer Korean restaurant

Porta Venezia and Corso Buenos Aires (10-15 minutes)

From the main entrance of the station, turn slightly left and walk straight ahead—within 10 minutes you’ll reach the lively Porta Venezia district:

• Stroll through the peaceful Indro Montanelli Public Gardens
• Visit the fascinating Natural History Museum
• Shop til you drop along Corso Buenos Aires, one of Europe’s longest shopping streets
• Check out contemporary exhibitions at PAC (Contemporary Art Pavilion)
• Explore the historic Jewish Ghetto area and the fantastic Tuesday and Saturday market on Via Benedetto Marcello

This neighborhood boasts a rich multicultural community with excellent Ethiopian, Eritrean, and Middle Eastern restaurants. Food stops worth making: grab breakfast or lunch at Gelsomina, enjoy coffee or traditional pork knuckle at Eroica, or savor authentic zighinì (traditional stew) at Warsà.

Practical tips

• While the station area is well-lit and busy, use the same common sense you’d use in any major city.

• The pedestrian tunnel is functional but not the most scenic route—we recommend using the street-level crossings when possible.

• Beat the crowds by exploring early morning or evening.

• Summer in Milan can get hot—always bring water!

• Take advantage of the many benches in squares and parks when you need a break.

The cathedral / Il duomo

The Duomo is a famous landmark in Milan, not just as the main church but also as the biggest in Italy and the third biggest in the world by size. It’s known for its tall spires and the golden Madonnina statue on top. When you visit, you can see the inside of the church with its art, including statues and paintings, explore the underground archaeological area, and go up to the roof for a great view.

Right next to it, you’ll find the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, which people call “Milan’s living room.” It’s a fancy shopping area with high-end shops and restaurants, made of two main hallways that meet under a big glass dome. This spot connects the Duomo square with La Scala Theatre square, where the famous opera house is.

I navigli

Originally built to link Lake Maggiore, Lake Como, and the lower Ticino for trade, these areas are now the heart of Milan’s nightlife, buzzing with bars and restaurants perfect for a fun chat. From early evening drinks to dinner and late-night cocktails, especially on weekends, people of all ages come here to meet, mingle, and put aside their worries for a while.

Brera

The historic Brera Palace in Milan is a huge place that’s home to many important sites. It has the famous Brera Art Gallery, which is full of old and new art, and the Braidense National Library, where you can find lots of books. There’s also the Brera Observatory for stargazing, a beautiful Botanical Garden, the Lombard Institute of Science and Letters, and the Academy of Fine Arts where people learn to create art. In the middle of the palace’s courtyard, there’s a well-known statue of Napoleon made by the artist Antonio Canova, and the courtyard is surrounded by a big, two-story covered walkway.

Quartiere isola – piazza Gae aulenti

One of Milan’s most well-known spots today, this square is a popular location for commercials and events. The Isola district, known for being a place where people live, work, and shop, is famous for its towering skyscrapers. These include the Garibaldi Towers, the tree-covered Bosco Verticale complex, the Galfa Tower, the Pirelli skyscraper, and the UniCredit Tower. The UniCredit Tower is especially notable as it’s the tallest building in Italy, standing at 231 meters.