Since 2005 the appearance of the Milanese business district today called Porta Nuova, “the New Gate” has changed dramatically. It was officially completed in 2018 with the inauguration of the BAM (the “Library of Trees”), although some new projects are still in progress. Beautiful fountains, stained glass windows and skyscrapers are now the backdrop to swarming bank employees. The area offers visitors views of the tallest skyscraper in Italy (the Unicredit Tower) and the very Milanese “Vertical Forest”, voted in 2014 as the most beautiful skyscraper on the planet.

From there we’ll move on to the CityLife District and experience a ride on the state-of-the-art automatic subway train of the purple subway line. The CityLife neighborhood is an entirely unique area to Italy. Here, in the largest entirely-pedestrian area of the city of Milan we’ll discover the imposing and futuristic three towers and the luxury estate buildings designed by “Starchitects” Arata Isozaki, Zaha Hadid and Daniel Libeskind. The harmony and peace afforded by the presence of the parks, the modern architecture and the intrinsic beauty of the final project make owning an apartment in CityLife a prestigious status symbol. Something in complete alignment with a city whose inhabitants enjoy luxury residences on a grand scale.

Duration 2.5 hours

Meeting Point Gioia subway station exit on Via Melchiorre Gioia

Let’s start by getting familiar with the heart and headquarters of one of the wealthiest and most powerful courts of the Italian Renaissance: the Sfoza’s Castle (Castello Sforzesco in Italian), where artist such as Leonardo da Vinci were hired to delight the local lords with their works of art. Lords that have granted the city a majestic look, commissioning the construction of some of the most imposing and artistically relevant buildings.

The tour will then continue to the Brera district. A picturesque pedestrian area particularly appreciated by locals. A high concentration of tiny restaurants, art galleries and fine old-living curious shops are located here, near one of the most important museums in Northern Italy: the Brera Art Gallery.

We will then reach one of the greatest Opera Houses worldwide: the magnificent La Scala Theatre, where artists such as Mozart, Maria Callas, Liszt, Verdi and Pavarotti have performed and where still today, the best contemporary lyrics singers continue performing alongside dancers and musicians.

We’ll then stroll through the amazing architectural connector between the Scala Theatre and Milan’s main square: the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a parade of high fashion stores designed over 150 years ago as a tribute to the new born Italian Nation.

At the other end of the Gallery we’ll finally reach the greatest symbol of Milan: the Duomo, the 4th biggest Catholic cathedral in the world and a masterpiece of art and architecture. What a better place to end our tour if not here? The worthy crowning for a city that most people didn’t expect to be so beautiful!

Duration 2 hours

Meeting Point Piazza Castello at the big fountain facing the main tower of the castle