Those who live in Milan know: summer can be a nightmare: scorching, chaotic, almost unbearable at times and more polluted than usual, with no rain making the air heavier. Yet, you only have to go a few kilometers away from the center to discover a green corner of paradise where time seems to slow down, the air becomes almost cooler (apparently) and the city turns into a large open-air water park: we are talking about Idroscalo di Milano.
A green (and blue) oasis on the outskirts of the city
Located just a stone’s throw from Linate, Idroscalo was founded in the 1930s as a seaplane basin. Today it is a true urban paradise, a long strip of water surrounded by meadows, woods, bike paths, playgrounds and bathing establishments.
As soon as you walk through the gates, you immediately have the feeling that you’ve ended up somewhere else: no horns honking, no streetcars clanking, just the sound of water, birdsong and the rustle of wind through the trees.
Sports, relaxation and fun like at the seaside: much more than a park
At Idroscalo, summer takes the shape you want. You can lie in the sun on the small, equipped beaches, swim in the swimming areas, dive, and swim. Are you afraid that the water is not clean? Wrong…The water is certified!
ASL and ARPA confirm this, and even the CAP Research Center, which has a home at the Parco Idroscalo, has done sampling and analysis that led to affirm the water quality.
Sports lovers are spoiled for choice: biking, rowing, SUP, sailing, outdoor yoga ( the Idroscalo setting is perfect for finding oneself in silence. But also gymnastics, breathing, meditation and relaxation), running ( in fact, at Idroscalo you will find a route of more than 6 km with ground markings and also a track for practicing cross country), bike rides, climbing in the large adventure park and then an adventurous skate park for enthusiasts. For those looking for something quieter, there are endless meadows where we can read a book, have a picnic or just watch the sky, walk our 4-legged friends and breathe in some greenery. Will it be hot? Sure it won’t change the temperature but nature will protect us a little more.
A living place, even in the evening
It’s not only the daytime that makes Hydroscalo special but also the evening. As the sun goes down, the neighborhood comes alive with events, concerts, open-air cinemas and places to eat overlooking the lake that provide a resort-like atmosphere.
And then after dinner off to dance at Circolo Magnolia, which organizes movie nights, classes, sporting and gastronomic events and various projects in line with the goals and spirit of the Arci association of which the club is a part, at Magnolia you will find indoor rooms to attend concerts and dance. And then outdoors in the park as many as four stages: a main stage capable of holding thousands of people, a second stage for more intimate concerts, a stage surrounded by greenery for dancing surrounded by nature and an indoor stage, as we report from the website.
The Kora Beach Club: the novelty at the Idroscalo
Recently opened the Kora Beach Club. A Club where you can live the Milanese summer as if you were in a bathing establishment of some Italian or Greek beach or wherever you want: cocktails, sunbeds, water to splash in, activities to take part in and if you are hungry you eat the dishes of the restaurant where Mediterranean flavors meet contemporary creativity. All in a ‘ very easy and totally relaxed atmosphere just a short walk from the city. Here you breathe a holiday air that surprises: you forget you’re in Milan, and for a few hours it really feels like you’re somewhere else-in a small seaside resort or a quiet Lombard lake.
Why choose to live (even just summer) at Idroscalo
Idroscalo is not just a park: it is an area in its own right, where you can spend your summer days away from the scorching asphalt and the hustle and bustle of the city. It is the ideal place for those looking for a different Milan: slower, greener, cooler.
Whether you decide to spend a few hours there in the afternoon to make your Milanese August a small urban vacation, you’ll find that experiencing summer here is like giving yourself an escape… while staying in the city.
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