Hotels near Bosco Verticale

Bosco Verticale, which translates to "Vertical Forest," is a pair of residential towers in Milan's Porta Nuova district that have become one of the most recognizable works of contemporary architecture in Europe. Designed by Stefano Boeri Architetti and completed in 2014, the towers stand at 111 and 76 meters respectively and are covered with over 900 trees, 5,000 shrubs, and 11,000 perennial plants.

Architecture and Green Design

The two towers house approximately 480 trees of varying species across their terraced balconies, creating a vertical ecosystem that changes with the seasons. The project was conceived as a response to urban sprawl, concentrating green space vertically rather than spreading it horizontally across the city. Each balcony is engineered to support the weight of full-grown trees, and a team of arborists maintains the vegetation year-round. Bosco Verticale won the International Highrise Award in 2014, cementing its place in the global conversation about sustainable urban living.

Visiting Bosco Verticale

The towers are private residential buildings, so interior access is not available to the public. However, the exterior is freely visible from street level and makes for an excellent photography subject. The surrounding Porta Nuova neighborhood is a pleasant area to explore, with cafes, public squares, and the adjacent Biblioteca degli Alberi park offering green space at ground level.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: The towers are a short walk from Garibaldi FS station, well connected by metro lines M2 and M5.
• Best time to visit: Spring and autumn offer the most visually interesting foliage on the building's exterior.
• Nearby attractions: Milano Centrale Station, La Scala, and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II are all accessible within 20–30 minutes by public transport.
• Photography: Early morning light from the east side of the building provides the clearest views.

FAQ

Q: Can visitors go inside Bosco Verticale? A: No. Both towers are private residential buildings and are not open to the public. Visitors can view and photograph the exterior freely from the surrounding streets and park.

Q: How many plants are on Bosco Verticale? A: The two towers together support approximately 900 trees, 5,000 shrubs, and 11,000 perennial plants across their terraced balconies.

Q: Who designed Bosco Verticale? A: The towers were designed by Milan-based architectural firm Stefano Boeri Architetti. Construction was completed in 2014.

Q: Is there a park near Bosco Verticale? A: Yes. The Biblioteca degli Alberi (Library of Trees) is a public park located directly adjacent to the towers in the Porta Nuova district, offering a pleasant open-air space for visitors.