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Milan

Milan's Vertical Ambition: The Architecture of Tomorrow

5.2 km158 min8 stops

What awaits you on this Red Thread tour

Step out of the Renaissance and into the future. Milan is no longer just the city of the Duomo and Da Vinci; it is a sprawling canvas of 21st-century urbanism. On this visually striking and grandiose walking tour, you'll explore the skyline-altering Porta Nuova project, the sustainable marvel of the Vertical Forest, and the futuristic CityLife district. Join architecture enthusiast Tom and local insider Stella as they unpack the two-billion-euro gambles, the displacement of old neighborhoods, and the breathtaking parametric towers that are redefining what it means to be a global city.

Itinerary

1

TOUR START

Piazza Gae Aulenti

The epicenter of the Porta Nuova regeneration project, featuring the soaring UniCredit Tower.

Piazza Gae Aulenti

Pic by Daniel on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

0.33 km • 5 min
2

STOP 2

Bosco Verticale

Stefano Boeri's world-renowned 'Vertical Forest' residential towers.

Bosco Verticale

Pic by c_ow on Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

0.38 km • 6 min
3

STOP 3

BAM - Biblioteca degli Alberi Milano

A contemporary botanical park showcasing modern landscape architecture.

0.88 km • 14 min
4

STOP 4

Fondazione Giangiacomo Feltrinelli

A striking glass structure by Herzog & de Meuron bridging Milan's history and future.

Fondazione Giangiacomo Feltrinelli

Pic by 97Bina on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

0.60 km • 9 min
5

STOP 5

ADI Design Museum

A repurposed industrial space housing the prestigious Compasso d'Oro collection.

ADI Design Museum

Pic by Llydia on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

2.56 km • 39 min
During your walk

Interlude

A reflection on the old Fiera Milano and the meaning of urban transformation.

6

STOP 6

Torre Generali (Lo Storto)

Zaha Hadid's twisting masterpiece of parametric architecture.

Torre Generali (Lo Storto)

Pic by Julius Barclay on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

0.18 km • 3 min
7

STOP 7

Torre Allianz (Il Dritto)

Arata Isozaki's monolithic 'Straight One', Italy's tallest building by roof height.

Torre Allianz (Il Dritto)

Pic by Plflcn on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

0.26 km • 4 min
8

END

Torre PwC (Il Curvo)

Daniel Libeskind's 'Curved One', completing the CityLife architectural triad.

Torre PwC (Il Curvo)

Pic by Plflcn on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Where the tour takes place

Starting point and rough tour area – the exact route unfolds in the app.

Good to know

  • Ideal for Architecture enthusiasts, design lovers, urban explorers, and anyone fascinated by the intersection of sustainability, luxury, and modern city planning.
  • Best time Late afternoon. Start around 3 PM to catch the golden hour hitting the glass facades, and finish at CityLife just as the towers light up against the twilight sky.
  • Comfortable shoes You'll be walking through expansive plazas and parks, so wear your best walking shoes.
  • Camera ready The reflections on the glass towers and the greenery of Bosco Verticale are a photographer's dream.
  • Look up Neck stretches are recommended! You'll be staring at the sky a lot on this vertical journey.
  • Your voucher You can redeem your voucher for two years from purchase. Once redeemed, you have 14 days of access and can enjoy the tour as often as you like during that time.

Your guide

Tom Bennett
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Tom Bennett

  • Urbanism, Infrastructure & Innovation
  • Northern England

Architecture and urban planning professional. Explains the city's hidden systems – from mobility to water pipes – clearly and vividly.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to the tour after buying?

You see your voucher code right after payment – and you also receive it at the email address you entered at checkout. Redeem that code in the Red Thread app; that's where the tour starts.

When does my access start?

Only when you redeem the code in the app, not at purchase. From redemption you have 14 days of access to the tour.

Do I need the Red Thread app?

Yes. The free Red Thread app turns your tour into a vivid experience: with audio, a map, and thoughtful prompts, it guides you from place to place in an engaging and entertaining way. It's available free for iOS and Android.

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