Parks & gardens
Parco Sempione
Sempione Park is a green area in the city of Milan. Built at the end of the 19th century on the area previously occupied by the Piazza d'armi, it covers an area of 386,000 m2 (4,150,000 sq ft), completely fenced and under video surveillance.
Parco Sempione
Parco Sempione is Milan's largest central green space, laid out in the late 19th century on what had been a military parade ground behind Sforza Castle. It's where locals come to walk, jog, sit on the grass, or cut through between the castle and the Arco della Pace. Inside the park you'll also find the Triennale design museum, an aquarium, and open lawns and paths rather than formal gardens.
Getting there
From the Duomo, it's about a 20-25 minute walk straight up Via Dante, passing through Sforza Castle to reach the park on the other side. By metro, take the M1 (red) or M2 (green) line to Cairoli or Cadorna, both a 5-10 minute walk from the park's entrances.
How much time to allow
An hour is enough for a walk through and a look at the Arco della Pace. Allow half a day if you plan to combine it with the castle and Triennale, or want time to simply sit and relax.
When to go
Weekday mornings and afternoons are quieter; weekends, especially with good weather, bring large numbers of joggers, families, and picnickers. As a fully fenced, video-monitored park, it feels safe during the day, but like most large city parks it's best avoided late at night.
What to combine it with
- Sforza Castle (0.4km) sits right at the park's edge and is the natural starting or ending point for a visit.
- Triennale di Milano (0.2km) is inside the park itself, convenient to add if you're interested in design and architecture exhibitions.
- Basilica of San Simpliciano (0.7km) and The Last Supper (0.8km) are both a short walk away and can round out a morning or afternoon in this part of Milan.
Sources: open data from Wikipedia and OpenStreetMap · Updated August 5, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors
