Milan: Piazza Gae Aulenti and Pelli Tower Walking Tour

Milan’s modern skyline comes into focus on this short walk through Porta Nuova, where Piazza Gae Aulenti sits among the city’s striking new towers. I like that the tour pairs major sights, including Pelli Tower and Bosco Verticale, with a stroll along fashionable Corso Como.

I also like the finish at Eataly, where you can browse Italian food or stop for an aperitivo after the guided walk. The main consideration is the price: at $120.08 per person for 90 minutes, you’re paying for a guided introduction to the district, not a meal or a long day of sightseeing.

Key points

• Piazza Gae Aulenti is the heart of the walk, set at the center of Milan’s Porta Nuova district.
• See some of Italy’s tallest skyscrapers, including Pelli Tower and Bosco Verticale.
• Corso Como adds a fashionable street-level contrast to the district’s contemporary architecture.
• The walk ends at Eataly, in the former Teatro Smeraldo, with time to shop or have an aperitivo.
• Guide Laura Serena has been praised for clear explanations and for helping guests find the meeting point.
• Plan for a 90-minute walk, with comfortable shoes; food, drinks and transfers are not included.

A quick route into Milan’s contemporary side

If Milan’s old streets, churches and galleries are already on your list, this tour offers a useful change of pace. Porta Nuova gives you a concentrated look at the city’s contemporary side, with large-scale buildings and open public spaces that feel quite different from the historic center.

The route is brief, but it links several notable places in a sensible sequence: Palazzo Lombardia, Piazza Gae Aulenti, Corso Como and Eataly. A guide can help you make sense of how these new landmarks fit together, rather than leaving you to admire the towers without context.

This is not a tour of Milan’s whole modern architecture scene, and it does not include food tastings or transport. Think of it as a guided introduction to one district, followed by the option to continue exploring on your own.

Starting near Palazzo Lombardia

The meeting point is the Sondrio metro stop on the yellow line, in front of the Crowne Plaza Milan City Hotel. The activity information also gives Via Melchiorre Gioia, 61 as the starting location, and says the tour returns there at the end.

One useful detail comes from the experience of guide Laura Serena: she helped a couple who had trouble finding the meeting point by meeting them a short distance away. That is a welcome sign of attentiveness, but don’t count on needing help. Check the meeting instructions carefully and arrive with enough time to orient yourself.

The tour begins at Palazzo Lombardia, the new headquarters of the Lombardy regional government. The route introduces the building as part of the district’s modern development. The information provided does not specify whether the visit goes inside, so it’s best to think of this as a guided stop rather than a promise of interior access.

Piazza Gae Aulenti and the Porta Nuova towers

Piazza Gae Aulenti is the central stop and the natural focus of the walk. It places you among the newer buildings of Porta Nuova, a district shaped by skyscrapers built since 2009. If you’re curious about how Milan has changed in recent years, this is where the tour’s theme becomes most apparent.

Pelli Tower and Bosco Verticale are the headline sights. They are presented as part of a group of Italy’s tallest skyscrapers, and the guide provides descriptions of the buildings. One visitor specifically appreciated the explanations of the architecture, which is good reason to listen closely rather than treat the stop as a quick photo break.

The tour is especially useful if you want a guide to give you a framework for what you’re seeing. The supplied details do not promise access to the towers or a particular viewing platform, so expect to appreciate them from the walking route. Bring a camera if you like photographing modern buildings, and sunglasses can be handy in the open piazza.

Corso Como, from towers to street life

After Piazza Gae Aulenti, the walk continues along Corso Como. This stretch gives the route a different feel: you move from the district’s large architectural landmarks to a fashionable street that leads toward the final stop.

The guided portion here is about seeing the area and hearing descriptions along the way. The tour does not list time for shopping or a separate visit to specific shops, so keep expectations practical. You’ll have more freedom to linger after the guided walk ends.

Corso Como also helps connect the architectural stops into a route rather than a set of isolated sights. If you’re deciding whether this tour suits your interests, ask yourself whether you enjoy looking at buildings and city spaces as much as visiting museums. This walk is built around the former.

Eataly in the former Teatro Smeraldo

The walk ends at Eataly, located in the former Teatro Smeraldo. The shop is described as a large delicatessen with a wide variety of high-quality Italian products, making it a fitting place to finish a tour focused on contemporary Milan and Italian food culture.

The guided activity ends here, but you can choose how to use the time afterward. Browse the food selection, make a tasting stop, or have an aperitivo at one of the nearby cafés. Those choices are not included in the tour price, so budget separately if you plan to eat or drink.

This ending gives the experience more flexibility than a walk that simply returns you to the starting point and disperses. You can call it a day after the 90-minute tour, or turn the final stop into a relaxed break. Just remember that the guide’s service is the included experience; food and drinks are extra.

What the price buys you

At $120.08 per person, this is a fairly costly 90-minute walk if you measure value by time alone. The price includes a live English-speaking guide and taxes, but not transfers, food or drinks. You are paying for an accompanied route and explanations, rather than entrance tickets or a meal.

The value depends on how much you want help interpreting the district. If you would happily walk around Piazza Gae Aulenti and look at the buildings on your own, the price may feel steep. If you prefer a guide to connect the stops and explain the architecture, the tour can make a short visit more focused.

The small set of available ratings is encouraging, with an overall score of 4.7 from three reviews. The praise is most specific about the guide’s explanations and helpfulness. Laura Serena is named in one particularly positive account, which also describes the tour as extensive and interesting. With only three ratings, treat that as a useful clue, not a guarantee that every tour will be identical.

Timing, comfort and who should book

The tour lasts 1.5 hours, with starting times available to check when you book. That short length makes it easy to fit around other Milan plans, especially if you want to devote a morning or afternoon to the modern district without giving up half a day.

Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll be walking between several stops, and the route is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users. Sunglasses and a camera are suggested, sensible items for an outdoor architecture walk.

I’d recommend this tour if you’re interested in contemporary buildings, want an English-language introduction to Porta Nuova, or are looking for a guided activity that ends near food and cafés. It may be less appealing if your priority is historic Milan, a substantial meal, or a low-cost self-guided stroll.

Booking can be flexible: you can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation up to 24 hours in advance qualifies for a full refund. Check the available start times and meeting instructions before committing, especially since the meeting point is described both by the Sondrio metro stop and by its street address.

Should you book this Milan walking tour?

Book it if modern architecture is a real interest, or if you’d like a guide to give shape to a visit to Piazza Gae Aulenti, Pelli Tower and Bosco Verticale. The walk also makes a practical route to Corso Como and Eataly, where you can continue at your own pace.

Skip it if you mainly want a food tour, a long sightseeing experience, or a bargain. At this price, the best reason to go is the guided architectural context, with Eataly as a pleasant, flexible finish rather than an included tasting.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts 1.5 hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is the Sondrio metro stop on the yellow line, in front of the Crowne Plaza Milan City Hotel. The starting location is also listed as Via Melchiorre Gioia, 61.

Where does the tour end?

It ends back at the meeting point, Via Melchiorre Gioia, 61.

What language is the tour in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Which places are included on the route?

The walk includes Palazzo Lombardia, Piazza Gae Aulenti, Corso Como and Eataly. The main architectural sights include Pelli Tower and Bosco Verticale.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. At the end, you can choose to shop or taste food at Eataly, or have an aperitivo at a nearby café at your own expense.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for wheelchair users and people with mobility impairments.

Can I cancel the tour?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.