
Table Of Contents
- The Navigli Tour
- From Castello Sforzesco to Sempione Park
- A bike ride through the historic districts
- The Martesana bicycle path
- The Spanish Walls Tour
- From CityLife to Porta Nuova
- The Parco delle Cave cycle path
- The Green Ring of South Milan
- From Porta Venezia to Lambro Park
- The Parco Nord bicycle path
In recent years, Milan has seen a significant increase in bicycle lanes, transforming the way the Milanese move around and experience their city.
This change not only promotes a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle, but also offers a unique opportunity to explore Milan’s different neighborhoods from a whole new perspective.
The city government has made great strides in expanding the bicycle network, but there is still much to be done. The need to further develop this sustainable means of transportation is clear, not only to reduce pollution and traffic, but also to improve the quality of life for citizens.
In this article, we will guide you through 10 bicycle routes that will allow you to discover the most beautiful neighborhoods of Milan, from the historic areas of the center to the green areas of the suburbs.
Get your bike ready and set out to discover a Milan you may have never seen before!
The Navigli Tour
Length: 5 miles.
Difficulty: Easy.
This route will take you along Milan’s famous canals, the Navigli. Starting from Darsena, pedal along the Naviglio Grande until you reach the Naviglio Pavese. This route will introduce you to the beating heart of Milan’s movida, with its clubs, restaurants and art galleries. Don’t forget to stop at the Vicolo dei Lavandai, a picturesque corner that tells the story of the Milan of yesteryear.
From Castello Sforzesco to Sempione Park
Length: 5 km.
Difficulty: Easy.
Start your route from the majestic Castello Sforzesco and enter the green Sempione Park. Pedal all the way to the Arco della Pace, passing by the Milan Triennale and the striking Little Mermaid Bridge. This route will allow you to enjoy an oasis of tranquility in the heart of the city, ideal for a relaxing break between nature and culture.
A bike ride through the historic districts
Length: 9 km.
Difficulty: Easy.
This route will take you through some of Milan’s most characteristic neighborhoods. Starting from Piazza del Duomo, pedal to Brera, the artists’ district, then continue to Corso Como and Porta Garibaldi. From here, head to the Sarpi district, Milan’s Chinatown, to end your ride in the picturesque Sant’Ambrogio neighborhood.
The Martesana bicycle path
Length: 30 km (to Trezzo sull’Adda).
Difficulty: Medium.
For lovers of long rides, the Martesana bicycle path is a must. Starting from Via Melchiorre Gioia, follow the course of the Naviglio Martesana to Trezzo sull’Adda. Along the way, you will pass through picturesque villages such as Cernusco sul Naviglio and Gorgonzola, famous for its cheese. This itinerary will take you to discover green Milan and its history-rich suburbs.
The Spanish Walls Tour
Length: 7 km.
Difficulty: Easy.
This circular route will introduce you to the remains of the ancient Spanish walls that once surrounded Milan. Starting from Porta Venezia, follow the route of the walls through Porta Romana, Porta Ticinese and Porta Sempione. Along the way, you can admire some of Milan’s most beautiful Art Nouveau buildings and make a stop at the Indro Montanelli Public Gardens.
From CityLife to Porta Nuova
Length: 6 km.
Difficulty: Easy.
This route will take you on a discovery of modern, futuristic Milan. Start from the CityLife district, with its futuristic skyscrapers, and pedal to Porta Nuova, passing through the Isola neighborhood. Admire the Bosco Verticale, symbol of green Milan, and end your ride in Piazza Gae Aulenti, the beating heart of the new Milan.
The Parco delle Cave cycle path
Length: 10 km.
Difficulty: Easy.
Discover an unexpected side of Milan with this route that takes you to Parco delle Cave, a green area created by the redevelopment of former gravel pits. Starting from Piazza Bande Nere, follow the bike path to the park, where you can ride among ponds, woods and agricultural areas, enjoying a surprisingly bucolic landscape just a short walk from the city center.
The Green Ring of South Milan
Length: 15 km.
Difficulty: Medium.
This route will introduce you to agricultural Milan and the South Milan Agricultural Park. Starting from Porta Ticinese, follow the bike path that runs along the Naviglio Pavese to Rozzano, then back toward the center passing through the Chiesa Rossa neighborhood and Vettabbia Park. A perfect itinerary for those who want to explore the green and lesser-known side of the city.
From Porta Venezia to Lambro Park
Length: 8 km.
Difficulty: Easy.
Start your route from the Public Gardens of Porta Venezia and follow the bike path that will take you to Lambro Park, one of Milan’s largest urban parks. Along the way, you will pass through the lively Città Studi district, home to major universities, before plunging into the park’s greenery, ideal for a relaxing break or picnic.
The Parco Nord bicycle path
Length: 12 km.
Difficulty: Easy.
To conclude our Milan bike tour, we propose a route that will take you to discover the North Park, an immense green area north of the city. Starting from Piazzale Maciachini, follow the bike path that will lead you to the park. Here you can ride through woods, meadows and ponds, enjoying an experience immersed in nature just a few steps from the city.
These 10 routes will allow you to discover Milan from a completely new perspective, exploring the richness and diversity of its neighborhoods.
On pisteciclabili.com you will find maps of many other bike routes in the municipality of Milan. You can filter by road type, surface, slope and elevation gain, and find out the length of the route in kilometers.
Always remember to respect the Highway Code and wear a helmet for your safety.
Have a good ride discovering Milan!