Archives for “park” tag

The spring has come again, and despite the fact that Italy is not an excellence in integrating cities with green spaces, Milan, among the big towns, is the one which has more parks to offer, and Parco delle Basiliche is the one in which I prefer to relax or have a beer.

Milan’s dwellers looks forward all the winter for the spring to come, and when it’s time the mood of the people jumps to enthusiastic and a lot of them are used to gathering in the green spaces of the city. That’s why it’s really pleasant to spend some time in this park settled just behind the Colonne di San Lorenzo, attended by many young people. In a sunny day the best time to go is close to 17:00, when you can still chill yourself on the lawn, heated by the rays of the sun.

P.S. The kids up in the picture are not gonna collide!

Never trust those who say that in Milan there are no green beautiful places. To be honest it is partly true, partly. Nonetheless I’m pretty proud of Parco Sempione. It’s not Hyde Park, nor is it Central Park, but still it’s quite an amazing park. There are romantic small bridges, basketball courts, jogging and fitness walks, wide green lawns and vivid colors, but also bars and clubs. Especially during Summer and Spring you can enjoy all of it. In winter it is less busy but still it’s so close to Castello Sforzesco that it’s worth a visit anyway, let alone for the events set there, such as the Milano Film Festival. Anyhow my favourite period could be those twenty days during autumn when melancholic colors are in sight everywhere and the temperature is still merciful.

If that’s not enough the Piccolo Theatre is quite close too and around it there are plenty of bars to go to, like Vecchia Arena, for example. If I have to think of an ideal day during a hot summer day it would be having a picnic there, a good book by my side, some good friends and then when it gets cooler hanging around with a cold beer or sipping a cold white wine. Have it your way: you won’t regret passing some time in Parco Sempione!

Milano is not famous for having big green areas. It is nice, though, that sometimes you just need to turn your head and you can find an unexpected green spot. Even if it’s quite well known, that’s what happened to me when I first saw Gardens of Guastalla. It is like a little corner of Paris has been put on Milano.

This park is very small but also elegant and agreeable. It used to be a private garden of a college when it was created, in 1555. Afterwards, in 1939, it was made public and now it’s property of the municipality of Milano. It’s placed between the public university, an old hospital and the biggest synagogue of the city.

If in fall and winter is a little gloomy and desolated, in spring and summer it can be very crowded and lively, with young people hanging out, kids playing and old people having a stroll.

If you’re tired of walking or of being on streets full of cars, I think this is a good spot to have a rest.