The nickname NoLo grew informally from north of Loreto. This down-to-earth, multiethnic LGBTIQ+ district brings together urban murals, ping-pong, drag events and noisy good times. The walk runs from the picturesque Martesana canal in the north to Piazza Morbegno, the neighbourhood's social centre.
This route moves through several sides of NoLo in a compact 3km walk. Begin with breakfast beside the Martesana, follow Via Pontano along the railway, cross the district's cultural and green spaces, and finish at Piazza Morbegno for food, wine or a game of ping-pong.
| Route detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Start | Tipografia Alimentare |
| End | Piazza Morbegno |
| Distance and time | 3km; 2 hours |
Start at Tipografia Alimentare, a popular stop on the less-visited Martesana canal. Its waterside setting can stand comparison with the Naviglio Grande while avoiding the heavier crowds. Order from a generous selection of wholegrain pastries and sit beside the canal; a meal costs €35-50.
Retro-minded visitors should seek out Magazzino76, a hidden warehouse packed with vintage furniture and collectables. Much of the stock has been painstakingly restored, from Tobia Scarpa's Monk Chairs to anonymous finds such as a ’70s shag carpet or a poodle-shaped wine screw.
The same courtyard is also home to Crazy Art, where the focus shifts to small decorative objects and curious knickknacks.
Continue east on Via Pontano, keeping the train line beside you. NoLo's street-art scene is always changing, and the route reveals technicolour murals linked to artists including Vincenzo Vim, Irwin and Hot in Public.
Make mosso your cultural pause. The venue occupies a former boarding school and has grown into a broad social space with a bar, pizzeria, workshops, live music and DJ events, as well as a vegetable patch and garden.
From there, cross to Parco Trotter, NoLo's green lung. Picnickers and skaters fill the park, while basketball and volleyball games give the open space an especially lively neighbourhood feel.
Cross the park to Anarres Libreria Bistrot, a bookstore with a bar and cafe whose welcoming atmosphere reflects the district. Browse its new and secondhand books, then settle in with a coffee or beer.
If the timing is right, Anarres may also be hosting an event devoted to live music, design or literature, giving the stop an extra dose of local culture.
The walk finishes in Piazza Morbegno, NoLo's neighbourhood hub. When you are hungry, take a stool at Silvano Vini e Cibi Al Banco for hearty dishes cooked in the oven and natural wine. A meal costs €40-60.
For the evening's final stop, choose nearby LGBTIQ-friendly bar NoLoSo, or remain in the piazza and join a game of ping-pong.