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Around Milan: Exploring the area around Garibaldi-Porta Volta
Just north of Milan's center, the Garibaldi-Porta Volta district traces the path of the ancient Spanish walls. It is a neighborhood where the streets tell the story of the city’s past, beautifully balancing historic preservation with modern transformation.
The area between Milan’s Garibaldi and Porta Volta is a vibrant residential and commercial hub, famous for its energetic nightlife and anchored by a major transit terminal.
As is typical of Milan, history and modernity intertwine to create a distinctive atmosphere: traditional shops coexist with stylish bars, while historic palazzos and churches stand in striking contrast.
History and fun facts
Once a transitional zone between the city and the surrounding countryside, the area between Garibaldi and Porta Volta developed along the line of the old Spanish walls, initially shaped by working-class housing, local workshops, and church properties. Porta Garibaldi itself dates to 1826, when it was known as Porta Comasina and was the main entry point for travelers arriving from Como. It was renamed in 1860 to honor Giuseppe Garibaldi’s triumphant entry into the city.
From Porta Garibaldi, Corso Garibaldi extends for more than a kilometer, forming one of Milan’s major shopping streets, running through Moscova toward Brera. Yet the street also carries a darker chapter in the city’s history: in 1898 it became the scene for violent unrest, when protests over rising bread prices were suppressed with brutal repression.
Just a short walk away stands Porta Volta, built in 1880 to improve access to the Monumental Cemetery. It is named after Alessandro Volta, the scientist who invented the battery.
These streets, famously immortalized in Dino Buzzati’s novel A Love, are now one of the most vibrant centers of Milanese nightlife and social life.
What to see in the Garibaldi-Porta Volta district
The real heart of this district is Piazza Gae Aulenti, an iconic circular square where business meets leisure. It’s home to the UniCredit Tower—one of Italy’s tallest skyscrapers—and Stefano Boeri’s world-famous Bosco Verticale (Vertical Forest). The area also offers cultural highlights such as the Casa della Memoria, commemorating the fight for freedom, and the BAM – Biblioteca degli Alberi (Library of Trees), an expansive park that connects the district to the Isola neighborhood.
Just a short stroll away is Corso Como, one of Milan’s most iconic streets and the pulse of the city’s social scene. Lined with boutiques, cocktail bars, and clubs, it often hosts exciting events during major international gatherings like the Milan Design Week (Salone del Mobile).
As you make your way along Corso Garibaldi, you’ll encounter the Church of Santa Maria Incoronata, a remarkable “double” church composed of two twin structures—one dedicated to Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan, and the other to his wife, Bianca Maria Visconti. Continuing toward Moscova, you’ll come across the Basilica of San Simpliciano, a historic church founded by St. Ambrose.
As you turn onto Viale Pasubio, you’ll come across the Feltrinelli Foundation, housed in a striking glass-and-steel “pyramid” designed by the acclaimed architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron. Just across the street, the same architects are creating a twin structure that will host the National Museum of the Resistance.
Other local highlights include the Lea Garofalo Community Garden, a site protected by FAI (the National Trust for Italy) honoring a courageous victim of the ’ndrangheta, and the ADI Design Museum, a space celebrating the objects that won the prestigious Compasso d’Oro design award. Continuing toward Porta Volta, you’ll arrive at the Monumental Cemetery, a true open-air museum. Continuing toward Porta Volta, you’ll arrive at the Monumental Cemetery, a true open-air museum.
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The icon of the neighborhood is 10 Corso Como, the concept store founded by Carla Sozzani. A seamless fusion of fashion and design, it houses an art gallery, a bookshop, a beautiful rooftop garden, and an exclusive hotel with just three suites. A seamless fusion of fashion and design, it houses an art gallery, a bookshop, a beautiful rooftop garden, and an exclusive hotel with just three suites.
For those seeking one-of-a-kind finds, the area is brimming with must-visit spots: Velasca for handcrafted shoes, Dammann Frères for specialty teas, and Avery Perfume Gallery for luxury fragrances. Alongside these local gems, you’ll also find major international brands such as Colmar and UNIQLO, which recently opened its second Milanese store right in Piazza Gae Aulenti.
As for the food scene, you can savor traditional Lombardy classics at Antica Trattoria della Pesa, premium grilled steaks at El Carnicero, or try the unique pairing of gourmet pizza and mixology at Dry on Via Solferino. For a glamorous aperitivo with skyline views, the rooftop at Ceresio 7 is a must, while Eutopia is the perfect cozy spot for a refined breakfast or indulgent sweet treats.
As the sun sets, the neighborhood draws crowds to legendary clubs like Hollywood, Tocqueville 13, and Loolapaloosa, staples of the Milanese nightlife. Yet just steps away from the noise, you can discover a spot that feels suspended in time: the
Transportation
Garibaldi Station serves as a major hub for both local commuter trains and high-speed rail, while the nearby Garibaldi metro stop (M2 and M5 lines) makes getting around the city a breeze. There are also many surface transport options, including tram 2 to the Duomo, tram 14 to Piazza Cordusio, and tram 10 connecting to CityLife.
At Porta Volta, the Monumentale station on the M5 line provides another convenient metro access point.
The real estate market in Milan's Garibaldi-Porta Volta district
The Garibaldi–Porta Volta area is a highly sought-after real estate district in Milan, attracting both homeowners and investors, particularly in the tourism sector. Its appeal lies in excellent transport links, a diverse mix of retail and nightlife options, and a strategic location within walking distance of prominent neighborhoods such as Brera, Isola, and Sempione.
This is also a prime business address for companies seeking office space in Milan, with major players like UniCredit, Feltrinelli, Microsoft, Oracle, and Accenture already calling the neighborhood home.