Written by Alessandra Airaudo
It’s well known that a lot of tourists here really like to take a picture with the Duomo di Milano. I’m writing this article because I would like to see people enjoy different and non-typical activities. My name is Alessandra. I’m a Muslim Italian writer, with a passion for traveling. I grew up in Milan, one of the best cities in the world. Of course, I say that because I’m Milanese, guys. I’m writing this article with a veil of melancholy because I’m not living in Milan anymore. But remember, Italy is beautiful for visiting, not for living. Probably you already know about Milan for shopping and the luxurious lifestyle. Let me tell you, this is only a small part of this extraordinary city, with its glorious vibes. Trust me, you need to try something different.
First Stop in Paolo Sarpi state of mind. Welcome to Chinatown.
Near the green line stop at Moscova or Garibaldi train station, Paolo Sarpi is an authentic quartier of Milan. I consider it my second home (metaphorically, the houses here are so expensive *crying in milanese*). Paolo Sarpi is for you if you’re obsessed with Asian culture and food, you can chill in the street and try different dishes. You can also find a lot of Asian supermarkets, with different types of Oreos (who is obsessed like me?) and unusual tasting chips, dishes and delicious Asian desserts. If you like, with only 0.50 euro, you can buy the well known fortune cookies. Along the main street you can find a lot of Bubble tea spots, poké, ramen, baozi, skewers, and fresh dumplings.
Above is an idea, which is suitable if you haven’t spent all your money on Italian food.
The “Ravioleria Sarpi” offers the possibility to learn how to make Asian dumplings. I know, it’s not cheap, but you can always eat their extraordinary dumplings for only 5 euros. The meat is not halal but there is a vegetarian version of it. Also, two cat cafés have opened recently (another cat café is near Central Station, Milano Centrale). You don’t need to book but there is one requirement: to spend at least 5 euros.
If you want to enjoy a poke, I recommend “Sushi Fun”. If you want to try fresh ramen, made by hand, try it at “Ramen a Mano”. I advise you to book ahead, especially in the evening. “Ramen a Mano” is a restaurant where chefs create ramen with their hands, directly in front of you. It’s delicious and the ramen is big. I challenge you to finish it, before ordering something else. The amount is around 12 euros. Check the menu here.
Second stop, Porta Venezia.
Take the red line. I advise you to get out at Porta Venezia or the opposite side of Loreto. Corso Buenos Aires is a long shopping district. But if you don’t like shopping, I’ll tell you what to do nearby.
Porta Venezia’s name is because of the big neoclassical door built in 1827 by Rodolfo Vantini, who substituted the doors of Piermarini; they are not finished. The bastions are in marmo di Carrara and on the bastion we can admire the bassorilievo with the story of Milan. In this zone you can visit the old house of Milan like: Casa Museo Boschi di Stefano (for free), Villa Necchi Campiglio, Poldi Pezzoli and Bagatti Valsecchi. At the red stop Palestro, there’s the Gallery of modern art (For milanesi is GAM: Galleria d’Arte Moderna). So, the free entry (for everyone) is the first and third Tuesday of the month after 2.00pm. But it’s also free on the first Sunday of the month. The full price is 5 euros. Check here for more information.
Near the GAM there are two gardens. The first is on the left side. If you want to go there, you don’t need to enter the museum. The garden contains a little lake, with birds and turtles. You can sit here and admire the beautiful and extraordinary neoclassical façade. Meanwhile, in the front of the Museum there is another Garden, the “Giardinetti di Porta Venezia”. You can chill here, but if museums are your thing, there is also the Natural History Museum. I advise you to visit it. Click Here, for more information.
Third stop, Montestella.
Don’t pay to see a sunset, it’s free! I’ll tell you where you can see one of the handsome skylines of Milan. I know you spent all your money on museums and gelato but let’s go on the red line. Stop QT8. You’re right, the name is strange and it doesn’t sound “Italian”. In fact, QT8 is for “Quartiere Triennale 8”, a project of Pietro Bottoni proposed during the 8th exhibition of Triennale di Milano (event of design). QT8 is an experimental urbanization project, created after the second World War. When you arrive at the station, you need to search on google Maps “Montagnetta QT8 ” or “Montestella”. It’s an artificial mountain created with the remains of the rubble of buildings from the Second World War. The construction is to remember what the war did to the city. Nowadays the Montagnetta is a park where locals can enjoy the greenery and walk around. I wish people would consider that peace is a gift in our life. The reason for Montagnetta, is it reminds everyone what happened during WW XX’s. It’s a place of reflection. When you arrive, climb high and enjoy it. Send us a photo if you looved it 💕
Off topic: I have good memories. It was October, during the pandemic period, the day before being forced to stay at home. Me and two of my best friends decided to climb up there and enjoyed the last skyline before the forced quarantine. We were there, happy, and melancholic, together. A lot of couples and friends were there. Every person was trying to capture the beautiful last rays of the sun and bring them home. With the certainty that we would need them once we couldn’t go out.
Next time you know what to do for something different in Milan. I hope you enjoyed this list. Just consider it’s not all the things you can do. There will be a second article on my site. Milan is not particularly big, it’s like Paris. You don’t feel that these cities are small because there are a lot of things to do. I hope you’ll enjoy the beauty, and the history of this second Capital of Italy, but remember Milan l’è un gran Milan (we said it in milanese).
Hope to see you again,
Ale