Milan Sports and Outdoor Activities

(Milan, Lombardy, Italy)



Milan Sport and Outdoor ActivitiesItalians are really quite passionate about sport and soccer in particular, and in Milan, this is certainly the case with the locals. The city's two highly regarded national football teams are Inter and AC Milan - of David Beckham fame. Fans should try to catch a game at the vast Stadio Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro Stadium), which has a seating capacity of over 80,000 spectators.

If you are a sporty visitor looking to keep fit whilst staying in Milan, then you may like to make use of the city's innumerable gyms, swimming pools, tennis courts and jogging trails around local parks, such as the Parco Nord, the Parco Sempione, the Parco di Trenno and the Monte Stella. Alternatively, you may consider playing a round of golf, or heading to the famously beautiful Lake Garda for the day, to try your hand at windsurfing.


Football / Soccer (Calcio)

The San Siro Stadium was opened in 1926, being renovated in the 1950s and again in the late 1980s, and has played host to many exciting football matches over the years. It is advisable not to drive here, since parking spaces can prove difficult to find. The best way to reach the stadium is to take Line 1 of the metro to the Lotto stop and then catch a shuttle bus.

Five-a-side football is also very popular in Milan and there are good facilities at the Centro Peppino Vismara and also the Palauno, where there are several pitches.

Cycling

The northern Italians love the sport of cycling and there are many cycling events throughout the year - local newspapers can be a good source of information about these. If you wish to cycle around the city yourself, perhaps taking in some of the surrounding Lombardy countryside as well, then bikes can be rented by the day or week from local outlets.

Golf Courses

There are several main golf courses near to Milan, offering a pleasant round with good views. Le Rovedine Golf Club is located around 7 km / 4 miles from the city centre and has excellent facilities, including a popular restaurant. There are also further golf courses within comfortable driving distance of the city, taking in the lovely natural settings of Lake Maggiore.

Swimming Pools

The Lido is Milan's most popular outdoor swimming pool and often attracts large crowds from June to September. With slides and good facilities, this is a great place to come for a swim during the heat of summer. The principal indoor swimming pools in Milan include the Piscina Giovanni da Procida, which has a half-size Olympic pool and also a good gymnasium, and the Piscina Solari, where a large five-lane pool awaits.

Tennis Courts

Milan has many tennis courts in and around the city, a number of which can be reserved. Popular options include:


Jogging

Monte Stella Park, located close to the San Siro Stadium, is one of the best places for jogging in Milan. The park has many marked pathways around the large area of greenery and trees.

Water Sports

Many different kinds of water sports are available at the region's numerous lakes. Lake Garda (Lago di Garda) lies to the far east of Milan, where it is renowned for its windsurfing opportunities, with the lakeside towns of both Torbole and Riva del Garda being popular spots for windsurfers to come throughout the year. Other aquatic sports available at regional lakes around Lombardy include canoeing, sailing, water-skiing, rowing and for a more relaxing time, there are plenty of opportunities to go fishing.