NoLo: Milan's most creative neighbourhood
Just north of Piazzale Loreto there's a slice of Milan that has reinvented itself over the past decade without losing its soul. It's called NoLo — and it's the neighbourhood we chose to live in, and to host you in.
What NoLo is
NoLo stands for North of Loreto: the name was coined in 2013 by three residents who, taking a cue from New York's SoHo and NoHo, christened the area between Piazzale Loreto, Via Padova and Viale Monza. What was once a working-class district somewhat off the map has become one of Italy's most talked-about stories of urban renewal: a fiercely active community, a neighbourhood radio station, festivals staged in courtyards and a creative scene that keeps growing.
NoLo's character comes from its mix: the street art colouring the walls along the railway and the shop shutters, the multicultural energy of Via Padova — one of the most international streets in the country — and a new generation of makers, designers and restaurateurs who chose to open here rather than in the districts that were already famous.
What you'll find in the neighbourhood
Piazza Morbegno
NoLo's living room: a snug little square with bars and outdoor tables, where the neighbourhood gathers from breakfast until well after dinner.
Independent cafés
Specialty roasters, weekend brunch, owner-run spots: in NoLo, breakfast is a ritual, not a transaction.
The covered market
The Mercato Comunale on Viale Monza, brought back to life as a hybrid space: food stalls, kitchens and neighbourhood events.
Galleries and studios
Art galleries, design studios and workshops that open their doors during festivals and citywide events — the NoLo Fringe first among them.
Boutiques and vintage
Independent shops, vintage finds and craftsmanship — with the big-name shopping of Corso Buenos Aires a five-minute walk away.
Street art and Parco Trotter
Murals along the railway and the side streets, plus Parco Trotter: an early-1900s former racecourse turned much-loved local park.
Want the full tour, stop by stop? We've written a dedicated guide to what to see in NoLo — one of our guides in Italian.
Why staying in NoLo pays off
NoLo's real secret is the balance between location and price. You're outside the tourist circuit — and accommodation prices show it, noticeably lower than in the centre, Isola or Porta Venezia — yet postcard Milan stays within easy reach:
- Metro M1 (Pasteur or Rovereto) under 5 minutes on foot: the Duomo in less than 10 minutes, no changes, on a line that also serves Cadorna and San Babila.
- Milano Centrale a 15–20 minute walk away, or a ride on the historic tram No. 1: perfect for the Malpensa Express, high-speed trains and airport buses.
- Corso Buenos Aires minutes away, for shopping without touching public transport.
- In the evening you live among locals: neighbourhood restaurants and bars, at neighbourhood prices.
Every route from the airports and the station, step by step, is on the getting here page. And if you read Italian, our local guides include a 3-day Milan itinerary that starts right here in NoLo.
Your base in the neighbourhood
Nolo75 is our design apartment in the heart of NoLo: 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, up to 4 guests, less than 5 minutes from the M1. Book direct and skip the platform fees.