I spent a half of a day along the lovely canals of Milan. It was not crowded with tourists and I was amazed by the restaurants and street vendors. I decided to have lunch at one of the restaurants and I was pretty much there alone until my desert came out. The area was so calm and peaceful and walking along the canals was great.

We hopped off the hop on hop off tour bus here & had a lovely walk around the canal area of Milan. We were there in the daytime/October so fairly quiet. Lots of bars/cafes/restaurants everywhere & plenty of artisan stalls selling items. Loved the area.

The heart of the city has moved to this area, full of bars, cafes, restaurants!The canals are not so big. but is is nice to walk along and watch the people gathering and listen to music and meaybe, if you are like see a local music band. We were lucky to stay in a walking distance apartment and visited three times in a row!!! Apperitivo is served everywhere! There asre also nice restaurants, but you need to make a reservation.

The canal is a great place to go after wandering around the city. We went there for 2 nights. You can go on a boat up and down but we didn’t bother. Was nice to drink aperitifs and just chill. We were there very late and it felt safe. Metro nearby and some lovely restaurants for all budgets.

Only a 20 minute walk from the centre, the area was lovely. Canals lined with shops, restaurants, bars and cafes and some street sellers selling souvenirs. It was nice to sit outside with a drink and people watch, then grab lunch and people watch some more - all whilst in the March sunshine.

Very easy to get to via Milan metro system. We got off the Porta Genova FS station, pretty much just walked straight down to reach the canal. There were two bridges spanning the canal for some great photographs. We strolled both sides of the canal before settling at a nice restaurant for dinner. Did a loop "bridge to bridge". There are a ton of selections. Cafes and bars too. Many souvenir stalls to browse through. We did not see all the graffiti people posted about. It is a lovely neighborhood, definitely worth the time to us. Stayed at nightfall for some fantastic reflections in the water. Instagram photo opportunities.

The interconnected 5 canals date back from middle ages. We found a cool vacation ambiente here, plenty of al fresco drinking&dining. Most of the places along the Navigli look the same, but watch out! Some tourist traps are waiting for you! Check prices before sitting down! Great for a pit stop and people watching. Once a month, the last Sunday of each month, you can enjoy a huge flea market along the canal (Mercato dell'Antiquariato sul Naviglio Grande) .

Navigli is a charming area in the heart of Milan, known for its network of canals. However, don’t set your expectations on a Venetian experience—you’d be disappointed. Instead, think of it as a vibrant neighborhood about a 15-minute walk from the Duomo, blissfully free from the throngs of tourists that flood the city center. Navigli has its own unique appeal, with lively bars and restaurants that truly come alive later in the evening. It’s a bit like discovering a suburb of Milan that hasn’t succumbed to the usual tourist hype, offering a more authentic slice of local life. The atmosphere is relaxed, the vibe is energetic, and it’s a refreshing change of pace from the busy streets around the Duomo. My only word of caution is to prepare for mosquitoes, especially in the height of summer. With the canals’ stagnant water, it’s practically a mosquito haven. But don’t let that deter you—if you’re in the center of Milan, a walk to Navigli after dark is well worth it. It’s a safe and intriguing way to experience a different side of this fabulous city. And if you’re looking for a place to stay, there are some excellent hotel choices in the area. I highly recommend checking out my review of Aethos Hotel, which perfectly captures the vibrant yet cozy essence of Navigli.