Farway Journal
Picnics near Milan: 6 places for a summer day in Lombardy
Six places for a picnic with children in Milan and just outside it: the lawns of the Parco di Monza, the parks in the city, the gardens on Lake Como and the hills of Montevecchia. With advice on what to bring and how to dress the children.
10 June 2026
Some summer days ask for very little: a light blanket, something good to share, a bit of shade and the slow time of being together.
Near Milan — and inside the city too — there are places made for a picnic with children: large historic parks, urban woodland with wooden tables, gardens looking out over Lake Como, small lakes you can bathe in and quiet hills in the Lombard countryside.
We have chosen six places that are simple and lovely in summer, ideal for a day outdoors as a family: three are less than half an hour away, three are worth a short trip out of town.
In short:
- The best spots for a picnic near Milan: the Parco di Monza (20 min), Parco Sempione and Boscoincittà in the city, the gardens of Ossuccio on Lake Como, Lago del Segrino and the hills of Montevecchia.
- Three of them are less than half an hour away, even by public transport; three are short trips out of town (50–75 minutes).
- For wooden tables there is Boscoincittà; in the other parks the blanket on the grass wins.
- Best time: from late April to September — in high summer, early morning or late afternoon.
01 — Parco di Monza, the Ponte delle Catene area
One of the largest walled parks in Europe, twenty minutes from Milan: wide lawns, centuries-old trees and quiet corners along the river Lambro. The Ponte delle Catene area is one of the family favourites for spreading out a blanket, with the water running alongside and plenty of natural shade.
The park can also be reached by train from Milan: from Monza station, a walk or a short bus ride takes you to the entrances. It works even in high summer, as long as you pick the cooler hours and the shaded areas near the river.
02 — Parco Sempione, a picnic without leaving Milan
For a picnic in Milan with nothing to organise, Parco Sempione is still the easiest place: the lawns behind the Castello Sforzesco, the little pond with the turtles children adore, the long shade of the trees on summer mornings.
It is the easy Saturday picnic: you arrive on foot or by metro, spread out the blanket, and the afternoon goes by between a run on the grass and an ice cream from the park kiosks.
03 — Boscoincittà, wooden tables in the woods of west Milan
West of the city, Boscoincittà is the first urban forest in Italy: paths among the trees, clearings with wooden picnic tables, streams and a farmstead at its centre. It feels like real countryside, and it is still Milan.
It is the right choice when you want a picnic area with proper facilities without going miles: you set the basket down on a table in the shade and the children explore the paths as if on a small adventure.
04 — Tremezzina, Lake Como: Ossuccio and Parco Teresio Olivelli
For a picnic on Lake Como, the Tremezzina shore is one of the gentlest: the public gardens of Ossuccio and the Parco Teresio Olivelli give you well-kept lawns at the water’s edge, soft views between lake and mountains, and a breeze that keeps even a day in July light.
A bright, airy place, ideal for a summer picnic with a view: you eat on the grass and watch the boats crossing the lake.
05 — Lago del Segrino, the small lake made for children
Between Canzo and Eupilio, in the Triangolo Lariano, Lago del Segrino is a small lake with clear water, surrounded by wooded hills and by a walking and cycling loop of about five kilometres, flat all the way round.
It is perfect for families: you spread the blanket on the grass a few steps from the water, go round the lake with the pushchair or the bike, and in summer the braver ones dip their feet in at the shore.
06 — Montevecchia, Parco del Curone
Soft hills, open meadows and quiet paths between vineyards and farmsteads: the Parco del Curone is the Lombard countryside exactly as you picture it. A perfect choice for slowing down in summer, away from the pace of the city.
From the higher meadows, on clear days, you can see all the way to the Milan skyline — which from here really does look far away.
What to bring for a perfect picnic
A soft blanket, a basket with something good inside and comfortable clothes that leave you free to move and to get a little dirty. A picnic really needs nothing else — but a few details make the day easier:
- A large blanket, ideally with a waterproof side for damp morning grass.
- Cold water and seasonal fruit: peaches, apricots and cherries make the perfect dessert.
- Hats and sun cream, even in the shade: lawns reflect more light than you would think.
- A change of clothes for the little ones: grass, water and snack time always leave their mark.
- One extra light sheet to shade the pushchair or to wrap up in when evening comes.
How to dress children for a picnic
There is only one rule: natural fabrics and freedom of movement. Cotton, muslin and linen let the skin breathe in the warm hours, wash without fuss and look good in the photographs that stay with you. Comfortable shorts and a light shirt for him, a muslin dress or a soft t-shirt for her — and one extra piece for when evening comes.
If you are looking for ideas, we have gathered the pieces made for days outdoors in the Picnic in the Park collection: pieces that are not afraid of grass, sun or an ice cream at snack time.
Frequently asked questions
Where can you picnic near Milan without a car?
Parco Sempione and Boscoincittà are easy to reach by public transport; the Parco di Monza is a short train ride plus a walk. For Lake Como, the train runs as far as Como or Varenna, then you take the boat: slower, but for children the crossing is already half the adventure.
Are there picnic areas with tables in Lombardy?
Yes: Boscoincittà has wooden tables in the clearings among the trees, and at Lago del Segrino the green areas along the shore are designed for families. In the large historic parks such as Monza, the tradition is the blanket on the grass — which is still the nicest way.
When is the best time for a picnic in Lombardy?
From late April to September. In high summer it is worth choosing early morning or late afternoon, when the light is softer and the lawns less crowded; in spring, the blossom makes even the city parks special.
What should you never leave out of a picnic with children?
Beyond the snacks: plenty of water, a comfortable change of clothes, a hat and something to play with — a light ball or a kite is enough. And clothes that are not afraid of a bit of grass.
If one afternoon is not enough, here are the day trips out of Milan and the slow weekends in Lombardy; to stay in the city, there is the one-day itinerary in Milan.
The rest is done by the grass, the long afternoon light and the time spent together — which is the real reason for any picnic.
