Parco Sempione (Sempione Park), Milan (must see)
Milan's largest park, situated behind the Castello Sforzesco, has undergone an impressive transformation. Once a haven for dubious characters and drug addicts, Sempione now boasts beautifully landscaped gardens, a vibrant design museum, a restaurant, and even complimentary Wi-Fi. The Sforza family's original hunting ground here was six times larger than the current park size. Napoleon envisioned a grandiose city centred on the park, but only completed the Arena and the Arco della Pace (Arch of Peace).
The Arena Civica, an ancient Roman-style amphitheatre, located on the park's eastern side, used to host chariot races, festivities, and even mock naval battles using water from the canals. With a seating capacity of 30,000, it now serves as a sports stadium, hosting concerts and civil weddings.
On the park's western side, the Triennale was initially opened in 1932 as a museum for exhibitions and decorative arts. It has been revived as the Triennale Design Museum, Italy's first museum dedicated exclusively to design. The museum boasts a playful space and a compact permanent collection spanning from the post-war era to the present day, making it an engaging experience even for those lukewarm about design. The Triennale café and restaurant serve interesting food to a critical arts crowd.
Near the Triennale is the metallic Torre Branca, Milan's version of the Eiffel Tower. Designed by Milanese architect Giò Ponti in 1933 as part of the Triennale exhibition, the tower has a lift that takes visitors up to 108m (354ft) for a panoramic view of the city. At the bottom, Justme Milano, owned by Roberto Cavalli, rock royalty's favourite fashion designer, offers cocktails and supper to suitably dressed visitors.
The Arena Civica, an ancient Roman-style amphitheatre, located on the park's eastern side, used to host chariot races, festivities, and even mock naval battles using water from the canals. With a seating capacity of 30,000, it now serves as a sports stadium, hosting concerts and civil weddings.
On the park's western side, the Triennale was initially opened in 1932 as a museum for exhibitions and decorative arts. It has been revived as the Triennale Design Museum, Italy's first museum dedicated exclusively to design. The museum boasts a playful space and a compact permanent collection spanning from the post-war era to the present day, making it an engaging experience even for those lukewarm about design. The Triennale café and restaurant serve interesting food to a critical arts crowd.
Near the Triennale is the metallic Torre Branca, Milan's version of the Eiffel Tower. Designed by Milanese architect Giò Ponti in 1933 as part of the Triennale exhibition, the tower has a lift that takes visitors up to 108m (354ft) for a panoramic view of the city. At the bottom, Justme Milano, owned by Roberto Cavalli, rock royalty's favourite fashion designer, offers cocktails and supper to suitably dressed visitors.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Milan. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Parco Sempione (Sempione Park) on Map
Sight Name: Parco Sempione (Sempione Park)
Sight Location: Milan, Italy (See walking tours in Milan)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Sight Location: Milan, Italy (See walking tours in Milan)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Walking Tours in Milan, Italy
Create Your Own Walk in Milan
Creating your own self-guided walk in Milan is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Historical Churches Walking Tour
Milan may well be a world fashion capital and one of the financial capitals of Europe, but religion, and particularly churches, are an inseparable part of the Milanese life. Indeed, steeped in history, this city has garnered over the centuries a wealth of iconic places of worship.
Among these, the Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milano) stands as a symbol of grandeur and faith. This magnificent... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Among these, the Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milano) stands as a symbol of grandeur and faith. This magnificent... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Milan Introduction Walking Tour
Recognized as one of the world's four fashion capitals, Milan is also a global hub of design and a key tourist destination. The etymology of the name Milan remains uncertain. One theory holds that the Latin name Mediolanum comes from the Latin words medio (in the middle) and planus (plain).
In 286 the Roman Emperor Diocletian moved the capital of the Western Roman Empire from Rome to... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
In 286 the Roman Emperor Diocletian moved the capital of the Western Roman Empire from Rome to... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Best Shopping Streets and Malls
One of the world's four fashion capitals and, as of lately, that of industrial design as well, Milan is renowned internationally as a top shopping destination, where fashion is the second religion. In a city as rich as this one, dedicated to art and pleasure, there's no shortage of options for those accustomed to upscale shopping and favoring bargains.
Amid the plethora of places to... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Amid the plethora of places to... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Leonardo da Vinci's Masterpieces
Leonardo da Vinci, one of the greatest Renaissance artists and polymaths in history, left an indelible mark on Milan through several of his masterpieces created in this city over the nearly 20 years that he spent here.
One of the notable places where you can explore the maestro's work is the Ambrosian Library (Biblioteca Ambrosiana), which houses a vast collection of his drawings and... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
One of the notable places where you can explore the maestro's work is the Ambrosian Library (Biblioteca Ambrosiana), which houses a vast collection of his drawings and... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Historic Center Walking Tour
Contained within the area once delimited by the medieval walls, the Centro Storico (historic center) of Milan encompasses the city's perhaps most famous landmarks and tourist attractions. Compact in size, the area is easily distinguishable on the map much as walkable. Here you can find almost everything Milan is famous for, in a close proximity to each other.
The best place to start is... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
The best place to start is... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
16 Best Pastry Shops in Milan Italy
Are you looking to satisfy your sweet tooth with genuine, locally-made Italian pastries and drink real “espresso”? This guide covers the best pastry shops/cafes in Milan, the capital of fashion and excellent northern Italian food. Places where one can drink coffee or tea and eat some of the...
Milan's Fashion Restaurants & Bars
Milan is a city well known for luxurious fashion and shopping. With this guide your designer experience doesn't have to end at the stores and boutiques. Almost every major Italian fashion house (as well as a few foreign ones) has entered the food, beverage, or hospitality businesses in Milan,...
Milan's Best Aperitivo Venues
Apéritifs usually are alcoholic drinks that are normally served before a meal. But in Milan the Aperitivo can actually become a fun, cheap (but not unchic) dinner with friends or (in a romantic venue) with a date. The all-you-can-eat formula allows you to buy just one drink and serve yourself with...
12 Cafes To Visit in Milan
The industrial capital of Italy and one of the world's fashion and business centers, today's Milan is teeming with chaotic urban rush on a daily basis. Although it can't compete with Rome in terms of history, art and architecture, there are hidden gems in Milan well worth searching...
Sweet Shops of Milan
This guide will undoubtably make your trip to Milan a sweet one. Most locations are in the city centre, whilst others are set in older headquarters, that boast incredible landmarks and hidden beauties. Milan is habitually associated to fashion and business but has some exquisite examples of art...
Souvenir Shopping Guide: 16 Italian Goods Worth Buying in Milan
Needless to say much about Milan and the things the city is famous for. From fashion and luxury to football and Berlusconi, the list is long. Still, some of the distinctively Milanese items may pass unnoticed to the eye of a stranger, if not caringly pointed in the right direction by a knowledgeable...