A walking tour of the Milanese districts to discover the city’s multifaceted spirit

A walking tour of the Milanese districts to discover the city’s multifaceted spirit

Fashion, foody, futuristic, artsy. Milan meets all tastes and personalities. All you need to do is go for a walk around the city centre.
 

14 Jan 2021

Gruppo UNA

Often defined a people-friendly city, Milan features a ring-shaped urban structure divided into districts and areas each with a distinctive personality. To get to know its multifaceted spirit all you need to do is choose an area you want to explore and head out perhaps taking a bike or enjoying a tram ride, and don’t forget to take photos along the way. 

What are you after? New culinary experiences and unusual exotic cuisines? Or are you a fashion victim who can’t do without a spot of shopping? Or are you on the lookout for the next museum or art gallery? Whatever your passion, Milan has something for you. 

Brera, the artists’ district

Milan too has its own Montmartre: the Brera district in the heart of the city. Narrow roads, elegant buildings and secret gardens make this district a magical place where to indulge in a long walk. Brera is also home to the Accademia di Brera fine art academy with its Pinacoteca, Milan’s picture gallery, which is why this area is a “cultural district” with artists, students and intellectuals adding that touch of creativity. Every third Sunday of the month, Brera is taken over by its street market with selected vintage and antique furniture, glassware, porcelains, prints and costume jewellery. Unmissable!

Brera, the artists’ district

 

Shopping in Milan

Via Montenapoleone, Via Senato, Via della Spiga, and Corso Venezia are the four streets marking the perimeter of Milan’s fashion district, an area that is home to the stores of the world’s leading fashion brands, each with their unique window arrangements that in certain times of the year are elevated to true works of art. The same goes for Corso Vittorio Emanuele and Corso Buenos Aires both at a walking distance. 
Corso di Porta Ticinese is the to-go-to area for those fond of hipster and street-style vibes, with its many small vintage shops and multiband showrooms. 

The modernity of City Life

Daniel Libeskind, Arata Isozaki and Zaha Hadid are but some of the starchitects who have contributed to the redefinition of Milan’s Fiera district, today considered one of the world’s most innovative and admired urban projects. Besides the multiple-height residential buildings, the heart of the project is the CityLife Shopping District, Italy’s greatest shopping urban quarter, and the iconic Three Towers that have become part of Milan’s skyline. 
And if you want to make your walk even more pleasant be sure not to miss Artline: an outdoor free public art display that can be visited any time, any day: all you need to do is follow the exhibition route around the skyscrapers and the Art Nouveau buildings.

The modernity of City Life

 

Gourmet Navigli

Navigli are more than Milan’s nightlife district. Famous for its happy hours and late aperitivo nights, the Navigli area is also home to small restaurants and bars for all tastes. Street food is the strongpoint: pyta gyros, rice arancini, fried fish, Japanese takoyaki octopus dumplings, gelato, and Sicilian cannoli – there is something for everyone. On a sunny day the Darsena is the perfect location to enjoy your street food snack by the water.

Gourmet Navigli

 

Where to stay in Milan

A trip to Milan to discover its multifaceted personality deserves a hotel of great character. First in line is Maison Milano | UNA Esperienze where luxury and elegance meet, with great views on the Duomo, the very heart of the city. Other options are the UNAHOTELS Century Milano, a charming suite hotel not far from Milan’s Centrale and Porta Nuova train stations and UNAHOTELS Cusani Milano, strategically located between the Duomo and Castello Sforzesco, a position that makes it the perfect base to explore the unique Brera district. If you are looking for a comfortable location away from the city centre UNAHOTELS Expo Fiera Milano, near Pero, and UNAHOTELS Malpensa near the international airport are excellent alternatives.

UNAHOTELS Century Milano

UNAHOTELS Cusani Milano

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