Italy Guide
Lombardy and the lakes
The Giardini Pubblici
At the top of Piazza Cavour, on the northern side of Porta Nuova, lie the Giardini Pubblici, Milan's most attractive park. Designed by Piermarini shortly after he completed La Scala, the gardens stretch from Piazza Cavour over to Porta Venezia. Re-landscaped in the nineteenth century to give a more rustic look, the park, with its shady avenues, children's play areas and small lake, is ideal for a break from the busy streets.
Within the park, the Padiglione d'Arte Contemporanea (PAC; Tues– Sun 9.30am–7.30pm, Thurs until 10.30pm; €6; wwww.comune.milano.it/pac) is a venue for decent, temporary exhibitions of contemporary art. Behind the art galleries, the Giardini della Villa Reale offer an urban oasis reserved for those with children under 13. With a small area of swings, lawns, shady trees and a little pond with ducks, turtles and giant carp, it makes a perfect bolthole.