If you love the outdoors, Rho is a city that offers opportunities to fully immerse yourself in nature. You can relax in its parks, on lawns surrounded by trees that define the landscape. Additionally, you can admire its greenery while strolling or cycling along numerous paths.
But it’s not just nature that makes Rho special. Here, you’ll find a treasure trove of history and culture waiting to be discovered—all without having to step inside. As you walk through its streets, you’ll encounter historical and artistic monuments that tell the most significant chapters of this city’s past, right up to the present day.
In this article, we’ll guide you through the best outdoor activities in Rho. Keep reading!
What to do outdoors
Rho isn’t just an important exhibition hub; it’s also a destination full of parks and trails that allow you to enjoy the surroundings in an active and pleasant way.
Some of the top options include:
- Parco Buonarroti is one of the most beloved places among locals and visitors. Situated along the Sempione axis, it’s a green oasis connecting the city to FieraMilano. With its pedestrian and cycling paths, it’s ideal for long walks or bike rides. Designed by architects Paolo Favole and Andreas Kipar, it features equipped areas for relaxation or outdoor workouts. The iconic “RHO” sign welcomes visitors and serves as the perfect photo spot.
- Parco Europa is another must-visit destination. Also created by the Fondazione FieraMilano and designed by Andreas Kipar, it’s a true mosaic of greenery. With a 2-kilometer cycling and pedestrian track and the “For People” amphitheater designed by Mario Cucinella, this park combines nature, design, and event spaces. Here, you can stroll, walk, or simply relax in a contemporary setting immersed in nature.
The development of both parks involved creating 110,000 square meters of greenery throughout the city.
For sports enthusiasts, Rho offers spaces such as the Molinello Gym and Public Pool. If you prefer something more leisurely, there are numerous pedestrian and cycling paths connecting the city’s neighborhoods.
Historical monuments to see outdoors
Rho isn’t just about parks; it’s also about showcasing history and art through open spaces.
- Piazza San Vittore: This elliptical square, located in front of the Basilica of the same name, holds significant historical and urban importance. Unique in its shape and symbolism, the square is dominated by the Plague Column, erected in the 1600s as a sign of gratitude for the end of the plague that devastated the area. The column serves as a reminder of the community’s trials, making the square a place of memory and reflection.
- Piazza Costellazione: Moving from history to contemporary art, this space combines urban planning with creativity. Inaugurated on April 16, 2015, the square is a permanent public art installation featuring an extraordinary mosaic of 250,000 blue ceramic tiles. Signed by thousands of Expo visitors, including the Dalai Lama, the mosaic represents the celestial vault and the Aquarius constellation, crossed by a “Milky Way.” It’s visible from above and at night, making it an even more enchanting experience.
The square, designed by Professor Marco Pellizzola of the Brera Academy of Fine Arts, was realized with contributions from 120 students. It enriches the urban landscape while connecting local and global perspectives through inscriptions from renowned artists and scientists.
- “Lasciamo il Segno” street art : Nearby, this initiative has transformed Rho into an open-air gallery since 2012. Over 45 artists have created murals across the city, producing about 60 works that make art accessible to everyone. This concept promotes art as a “public good,” blending it seamlessly into the urban fabric and stimulating reflection, creativity, and interaction between people and their surroundings.
Why explore Rho outdoors?
These attractions make Rho the perfect destination for anyone looking to relax in nature, take a regenerating break, or explore the city’s history and art while surrounded by architecture and contemporary works. Whether it’s a walk through the past or immersion in modern art, Rho offers a complete experience, full of beauty and meaning.
If you’d like to know more about Rho’s street art…
Read “Lasciamo il Segno: the street art transforming Rho.”
