Bosco Verticale
Milan's iconic 'Vertical Forest' – residential towers adorned with thousands of trees and plants, a pioneering vision of urban sustainability.

Highlights
Must-see attractions

Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Best light for plant visibility
Bosco Verticale
Best Time
Best light for plant visibility

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Milan's iconic 'Vertical Forest' – residential towers adorned with thousands of trees and plants, a pioneering vision of urban sustainability.
"A breathtaking architectural marvel that truly integrates nature into the city."
📸 Best Photo Angles
Find elevated spots for stunning shots of the entire vertical forest. Early morning offers great light!
🍦 Nearby Gelato Stop
Don't miss Gelateria Paganelli for a delicious treat after your visit. Highly recommended!
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

The Iconic Facades
Exterior of the towers
Witness the breathtaking sight of thousands of trees and plants adorning the residential towers, a true marvel of sustainable architecture.

Surrounding Public Spaces
Street level and nearby parks
Explore the area around the towers to appreciate their scale and integration into the urban landscape. Discover unique photo opportunities.
Planning Your Visit
Best Viewing Spots
Timing Your Visit
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
📸 Best Photo Angles
Find elevated spots for stunning shots of the entire vertical forest. Early morning offers great light!
🍦 Nearby Gelato Stop
Don't miss Gelateria Paganelli for a delicious treat after your visit. Highly recommended!
Photos of The Bosco Verticale in winter and summer taken at the same time (8:30 am). Milan, Italy
🌳 Seasonal Views
See how the Bosco Verticale changes with the seasons – vibrant green in summer, unique in winter.
Tips
from all over the internet
📸 Best Photo Angles
Find elevated spots for stunning shots of the entire vertical forest. Early morning offers great light!
🍦 Nearby Gelato Stop
Don't miss Gelateria Paganelli for a delicious treat after your visit. Highly recommended!
🌳 Seasonal Views
See how the Bosco Verticale changes with the seasons – vibrant green in summer, unique in winter.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors are consistently awestruck by the innovative design and sheer volume of greenery at Bosco Verticale, hailing it as a groundbreaking example of sustainable architecture. While the inability to enter the towers is a common point, the external views are widely considered a unique and inspiring sight in Milan.
"The vertical garden is right next to some other tall Milan buildings and a really nice park
It was nice to see the vertical garden but the one on the ground was lovely.
There is a great pool which overflows on the side with lots of fish insects and some birds floating there with their fledgings.
There is an open air gym as well as a playground... And even some static recliners to lay back in and just soak up the sun.
Best of all it's free so enjoy it :)"
Chris Who
"A truly breathtaking sight in the heart of Milan’s Porta Nuova district, Bosco Verticale (Vertical Forest) is more than just a pair of skyscrapers — it’s a bold and beautiful vision of sustainable living. Designed by architect Stefano Boeri and completed in 2014, this award-winning project reimagines what urban residential living can look like when blended with nature.
The two towers, standing at 80 and 112 meters tall, are covered with over 900 trees, 5,000 shrubs, and 11,000 perennials — essentially a forest suspended in the air. It’s an architectural marvel that not only looks stunning, but also improves air quality, reduces noise, and provides natural insulation for residents.
Walking nearby, you can’t help but stop and admire the lush greenery that changes with the seasons. It stands as a symbol of innovation and forward-thinking design, turning a concrete skyline into a thriving ecosystem.
Whether you’re an architecture enthusiast, a nature lover, or just someone looking to see something uniquely Milanese, Bosco Verticale is a must-see. It’s a peaceful yet powerful reminder that green living and modern urban design can — and should — coexist."
M E Lesteri
"Bosco Verticale in Milan stands as a potent symbol of futuristic architecture, boldly charting a course for urban development that harmonizes the built environment with the vitality of nature. Its very conception, twin towers draped in a living skin of thousands of trees and plants, transcends conventional notions of residential buildings. This pioneering integration of raw, untamed nature directly onto a highly refined architectural structure is a hallmark of its forward-thinking design.
The project envisions a future where cities are not sterile concrete jungles but thriving ecosystems, enhancing biodiversity and mitigating the environmental impact of dense urban living. The sophisticated engineering required to sustain such a complex vertical forest – from irrigation and structural support to plant selection and maintenance – showcases an advanced approach to building design.
Furthermore, Bosco Verticale anticipates a growing awareness of ecological responsibility in urban planning. It suggests a future where buildings actively contribute to air purification, carbon sequestration, and the creation of microclimates, moving beyond mere shelter to become active participants in the urban environment.
The aesthetic impact is also profoundly futuristic. The dynamic interplay of the stark architectural lines with the organic, ever-changing foliage creates a visually striking and constantly evolving facade. This blurs the traditional boundaries between the artificial and the natural, hinting at a future where technology and ecology are seamlessly interwoven.
Beyond the immediate visual and environmental benefits, Bosco Verticale serves as a powerful prototype, inspiring architects and urban planners worldwide to reimagine the potential of vertical greening. It posits a future where such integrated natural-architectural solutions become commonplace, transforming our cities into more sustainable, resilient, and aesthetically rich living spaces. The innovative spirit and ecological foresight embodied by Bosco Verticale firmly position it as a cornerstone of future architectural thought and practice."
Stefano Mione
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Bosco Verticale is located in the Porta Nuova district of Milan. You can easily reach it via public transport. The nearest metro stations are Garibaldi FS (M2, M5) and Gioia (M2). Several tram and bus lines also stop nearby.
Yes, the area around Bosco Verticale, particularly the Porta Nuova district, is very walkable and modern. You can explore the surrounding plazas and streets on foot after viewing the towers.
The best way to see Bosco Verticale is from the outside, as it's a residential building. Walk around the base and surrounding streets to get different perspectives and appreciate the scale of the vertical forest.
No, Bosco Verticale consists of private residential apartments, so interior visits are not possible for the general public. The experience is about appreciating its exterior architecture and green facade.
For the best photos, aim for daylight hours. Early mornings or late afternoons offer softer light and fewer crowds, making it ideal for capturing the details of the plants and architecture.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, you do not need tickets to see Bosco Verticale. It is an outdoor architectural landmark visible from public streets and spaces.
As it's a residential building, there are no official opening hours. You can view the exterior at any time, but daylight hours are best for appreciating the greenery.
There is no admission fee to view Bosco Verticale from the outside. It's a public architectural sight.
Tours of the interior of Bosco Verticale are not available as it is a private residence. However, guided architectural tours of the Porta Nuova district might include external views and information about the project.
The main restriction is that you cannot enter the residential towers. Please be respectful of the residents and do not trespass on private property.
📸 📸 Photography
The best photo spots are from street level, looking up at the towers. Try different angles from Via de Castillia and the surrounding piazzas to capture the full effect of the vertical forest.
Drone usage in urban areas like Milan is often restricted and requires permits. It's best to check local regulations before attempting to fly a drone near Bosco Verticale.
For daytime shots, a standard aperture (f/8-f/11) will ensure sharpness. Consider a polarizing filter to enhance the green hues of the plants and reduce glare.
Early morning or late afternoon light provides a softer, more flattering illumination for the greenery and architecture. Golden hour can create dramatic shadows and highlights.
Its unique design, the integration of nature into high-rise architecture, and the sheer volume of plant life make it a visually striking and photogenic subject.
🎫 🌳 Sustainability & Design
The main concept is to create a 'vertical forest' that integrates nature into the urban environment, aiming to improve air quality, reduce urban heat island effect, and promote biodiversity.
The two towers house over 20,000 plants, including trees, shrubs, and perennials, which are carefully selected to thrive in the urban climate.
Bosco Verticale was designed by the architectural firm Boeri Studio, led by Stefano Boeri, Gianandrea Barreca, and Giovanni La Varra.
The extensive greenery helps filter dust particles, absorb CO2, produce oxygen, and reduce noise pollution. It also contributes to the microclimate regulation of the surrounding area.
Challenges include the maintenance of such a large-scale vertical garden, ensuring plant health through irrigation and pruning, and managing the impact of weather conditions on the vegetation.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
📸 Photography Enthusiasts
🌿 Eco-Conscious Travelers
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Vision Behind the Vertical Forest
This innovative approach to high-rise living challenges traditional notions of urban development. The vertical forest concept seeks to blur the lines between architecture and nature, demonstrating how buildings can actively contribute to the environment rather than simply occupying space. The selection of plant species was crucial, chosen for their ability to withstand wind, varying temperatures, and urban conditions, while also providing aesthetic appeal throughout the seasons.
While the towers are private residences, their impact is public. They serve as a powerful visual statement and a case study for future sustainable urban projects worldwide. The Bosco Verticale is a testament to how innovative design can integrate ecological principles into everyday living, offering a glimpse into a greener future for cities.
Experiencing Bosco Verticale: What to Expect
For the most striking photographs, aim for daylight hours. Early mornings or late afternoons offer softer light and fewer crowds, allowing for more contemplative viewing and better shots. Consider finding slightly elevated vantage points in the surrounding public spaces to capture the full scale of the towers and their verdant facades. The Porta Nuova district itself is a modern and architecturally interesting area, worth exploring on foot.
While you can't go inside, the presence of the Bosco Verticale is a constant reminder of the potential for nature to be woven into urban living. It's a popular spot for architecture enthusiasts and anyone interested in sustainable design, offering a unique and inspiring sight in Milan.
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