Milan Walking Tour: Discovering Isola & Porta Nuova

When you think of Milan, the Duomo and Galleria immediately come to mind, right? But there is another side of Milan, young, vibrant and constantly changing, that is definitely worth discovering!
During our recent walking tour, we took our students from Porta Garibaldi to the Isola district. It’s an area full of contrasts, which makes it the perfect place to explore on foot.

Want to find out what we saw along the way? Here we go!

1. The Varesine Station

Our tour started where the old Varesine Station once stood. It was called Varesine because trains to Varese used to depart from here.
Until the 1960s, this area was filled with railway tracks, but it was also home to amusement rides and a Luna Park!

Today, it has become part of Porta Nuova, one of the largest urban regeneration projects in Europe.

2. Piazza Gae Aulenti

Continuing our walk, we reached Piazza Gae Aulenti, one of the most recognisable landmarks of contemporary Milan. Named after the great Italian architect Gae Aulenti, the square offers an incredible view of Milan’s skyline.

But there is also an artistic detail that not everyone knows about: the permanent installation Egg by conceptual artist Alberto Garutti. The artwork consists of large brass tubes set into the pavement. If you get close and put your ear to one of them, you can hear sounds and voices coming from the floors below! It’s a unique way of interacting with the space around you.

3. Bosco Verticale

As we walked towards the Isola district, we came across the famous Bosco Verticale, or “Vertical Forest”.

These two residential towers have become a worldwide symbol of sustainable architecture, with hundreds of trees and plants covering their balconies.

Instead of creating a park next to the buildings, the architects brought nature directly onto the façades. And here’s a little language tip: bosco verticale literally means “vertical forest” in English!

4. Biblioteca degli Alberi

Our tour continued towards another large green space: BAM, the Biblioteca degli Alberi Milano.

The name itself is an invitation to look around. This is not just a traditional park, but a contemporary garden with trees, plants, paths and green spaces arranged in a unique way.

One of its most distinctive features is the network of geometric paths that cross the park and connect different parts of the city.

What makes the Porta Garibaldi area so interesting is precisely the contrast between its different identities. In just a few hours, you can experience a Milan that tells the story of the city’s past, present and future.

Ready to discover it with us? We’ll see you on our next walking tours!

👉 Get in touch with Scuola Leonardo da Vinci Milan to ask for information or book your course!