Discover your neighbourhood: Porta Venezia in Milan

Porta Venezia is one of the most exciting neighbourhoods in Milan to live in. Find out why!

Angelina

5 minute read

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Updated on 9 Oct 2024

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Living

Porta Venezia is undoubtedly one of the best neighbourhoods in Milan as an expat. Not only is it very centrally located but also is as diverse as it gets. This district is a melting pot for different cultures and a hotspot for the LGBTQI+ community. It’s for a reason Porta Venezia is often referred to as "the African district" or “the gay district of Milan!”

And, above all, it’s a historical location. The neighbourhood of Porta Venezia is named after one of the city gates of Milan. In Roman times, merchants would line up between the two twinned customs buildings to have their produce inspected.

The road leading to those neoclassical buildings is known today as Corso Venezia which turns into a major shopping street, Corso Buenos Aires, past the gate. It separates the neighbourhood into two parts.

On one side, you’ll witness the lively LGBTQi+ area with Via Lecco at its heart. There you can also depart on a culinary journey to any corner of the world at one of the ethnic restaurants.

On the other side, you can take in the historical sights of Milano by strolling between impressive art nouveau buildings and palaces.

Porta Venezia is a great place to live if you like walking. 15 minutes and you’re in the city centre at Piazza San Babila and most prestigious Italian fashion school Istituto Marangoni. A few more minutes and you’re in the beautiful Botanical Garden of Brera.

If you're relocating with kids, you might be pleased to know that one of the campuses of ICS Milan International School will be just around the corner!__ It offers international curriculum and an innovative teaching approach for kids from 1 - 18 years old.

Need to shop for new clothes, accessories or just grab a drink? Corso Buenos Aires’s got you covered. And if the 1.2 km long shopping street isn’t enough, you can always walk down to the luxurious Via Monte Napoleone.

And regardless of your location in Porta Venezia, you’ll have about three grocery stores and many corner shops to choose from.

Moreover, Porta Venezia offers great public transport connections. Its metro station welcomes you with its signature rainbow flag spreading over the walls. You know right away you’re in for something special.

It lies on the red line (M1), which is the most convenient metro connection in Milan. From there you can get to any corner of the city in mere minutes.

Another option is taking a train. You’ll have the lines S2, S5, S6, S12 and S13 at your disposal.

One fun fact about Milan is that the city has the 6th largest tram network in the entire world.

Download the ATM app to navigate the public transport options and buy tickets in Milan with ease!

You can check out our guide on best apps in Italy for more useful suggestions.

Explore the neighbourhood on foot

Montanelli Gardens are the public gardens of Porta Venezia. They were created in 1784, making them the very first public gardens in Milan.

Not only is it a lovely place to jog, do sports or read a book, but also to relish culture and art.

Indulge yourself in the world of zoology and palaeontology at the Natural History Museum or enjoy the wonders of the universe at Italy’s biggest planetarium.

Only 5 minutes down the road, you’ll find Milan’s hidden gem, Villa Invernizzi. It’s a mansion with an impressive garden where you can spot exotic pink flamingos.

Just outside the park, are the Modern Art Gallery, GAM and a pavilion for contemporary art, PAC.

Finally, to end the day in style, go see a play at the Elfo Puccini Theatre in Corso Buenos Aires.

Spot unique architecture

Porta Venezia is also known as the Liberty Style District. That’s because it has the highest concentration of Italian art nouveau or, in other words, liberty style buildings.

To explore the famous architecture, begin from Via Malpighi where you can spot Casa Galimberti and Casa Guazzoni. They’re some of the prime examples of the style, with their facades decorated with floral motifs made of iron and ceramics.

As you walk down to the Quadrilatero del silenzio, don’t miss Palazzo Castiglioni, Palazzo Berri-Meregalli and Casa Campanini. All of them surround the luxurious Villa Necchi designed by architect Piero Portaluppi. You might know it from the Italian 2009 movie ‘I Am Love!’ And just across the street is an ivy-clad Villa Mozart, now home to the jewellery Maison of Giampiero Bodino.

Set off on a gastronomic journey

Because of its rich history of foreign immigration, Porta Venezia’s become a hotspot for international cuisine.

Let’s dive into some of our favourites!

Locals’ favourite spots for homemade baked goods and desserts are Pavé and Gelsomina. A must for a cup of morning coffee and a fresh croissant!

Do you love brunch? Then you’re in for a treat! Eppol serves the best brunch in Porta Venezia. On Saturday and Sunday from 12.00 to 16.00, you can choose among three different brunch menus such as French, Vegetarian, and American.

Hungry for lunch? Head to NUN Kebab for an original take on Middle Eastern cuisine made using only quality local ingredients.

You might already know that Milan has a very strong aperitivo tradition and many-many great aperitif bars to choose from. Try one of the signature cocktails at Gesto or if you're into something more chic and glamourous, pay a visit to Dolce & Gabbana Martini Bar.

When it’s time for dinner, you can visit Asian Bistrot serving dishes from different regions of China as well as some original recipes.

For African cuisine, you’ll make the right choice by going to Warsà, an Eritrean restaurant serving the best zighinì.

For a real izakaya experience, you should stop by Poporoya where they’ll treat you to authentic Japanese cuisine.

Enjoy Milanese nightlife

Start your Milan nightlife journey by going to Nottingham Forrest where every cocktail is a real adventure.

Next stop, the vibrant gay quarter of Via Lecco!

The very first gay-friendly bars and meeting places for the queer crowd started opening here during the ‘80s. Today, this area is a backdrop to many Gay Pride celebrations, including the Milano Gay Pride, held end of June each year.

When you’re here, visit Leccomilano or MONO.

And when you’re all warmed up for a party, come for a dance at Glitter!

Are you in love with Porta Venezia yet?

It’s no surprise as this neighbourhood is one of the liveliest and most interesting places to live in Milan. It’s also one of the districts that offer the cheapest rental prices, despite its amazing location.

When exploring rental homes in Milan's Porta Venezia, you should consider your lifestyle.

Are you staying up late on the weekends and want to live within a few minutes from your new favourite bar? Look for accommodation to the left side of Corso Venezia. But watch out for noisy areas if you think that might affect your sleep. On the other hand, if you’re far from a light sleeper, that might work in your favour with cheaper rent!

If you’re an expat who wants to settle down in a quieter place, you should consider living to the left of Corso Venezia. You could find a beautiful house among expensive villas and liberty style buildings. You’ll still be within walking distance from all the good stuff, but have your much-needed peace and quiet during the weekends.

Generally, the quality of housing tends to be somewhat better on the right side of Corso Venezia. In particular, watch out for historical buildings that aren’t properly maintained and need renovation.

Another thing to keep in mind when searching for an apartment in Italy is whether you’re looking at inclusive or exclusive rental prices. Utilities can be quite a sum on top of your basic rent. This is why it’s important that you understand what’s already included, so you can budget based on Milan's cost of living.

When you find the place of your dreams, make sure to familiarise yourself with Italian rental laws before you sign anything.

And, of course, to avoid scams and unwanted surprises, choose a trusted rental platform to work with. At HousingAnywhere, we keep your money safe until 48 hours after the move-in date. That means that if the accommodation isn’t as advertised, we guarantee you a full refund.

In addition, you’ll have your Italian address in advance, so you can arrange your visa if you need one, and work through your relocation checklist with peace of mind!

Good luck in your search! We hope you enjoy your expat life in Milan and all Porta Venezia has to offer to the fullest!