Image by Alessandra Gesuelli

Milan is famous for its Navigli. When you mention these artificial canals, mostly built between 12th and 16th century, you immediately think about nightlife, because all along Naviglio Grande and Naviglio Pavese you can find bars, pubs, restaurants and trattorie.

When I moved to Milan five years ago I discovered that for those who live here, Navigli also means riding a bicycle on a sunny weekend, and taking a relaxing walk out with kids and family. Naviglio Grande or Pavese are too far from my home and too busy so I chose another one: Naviglio della Martesana

Naviglio della Martesana is one of the most peaceful canals in Milan. They say that it was partly designed by Leonardo da Vinci. When I go walking along this Naviglio in the city I really feel relaxed. The best thing to do is to take the underground, get off at the stop “Turro”, and head to the canal.

I regularly go to an amazing Greek restaurant, Myknos, just on the riversides, where I can experience a real taberna atmosphere. Close to the riversides there are also tiny veg gardens, a country touch in the center of Milan, while on the water I like spotting birds and enjoying the silence, so close to the busy viale Monza!

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Naviglio Martesana | Art & culture, Relaxing | Free
Via Tofane 1 | Centrale/Greco
24 hours daily

Image by Alessandra Gesuelli

Porta Venezia is a splendid area in Milan, famous for the original art nouveau style in some houses and buildings. Villa Invernizzi is a quiet and not so crowded place, a pleasant refuge where I like to go in the middle of a busy area. Situated in the quiet via Cappuccini, this villa is famous for its garden where you can spot pink flamingos. The villa is not open to the public. So you can only catch a glimpse of the flamingos from the entrance gate. But it is definitely worth the visit.

Villa Invernizzi is a beautiful building and its essential secret garden with flamingos is a symbol of the art nouveau concept, which aims at surprising guests. The villa is just an example of the splendid liberty buildings you can find in Milan.

In the same area I love to walk around and see from outside, Palazzo Castiglioni in Corso Venezia, which was designed by Giuseppe Sommaruga; the casa Felisari (1910) at the corner of via Settembrini 11 and via Boscovich 28, 30, 32 and then three Berri-Meregalli houses, all designed by Giulio Ulisse Arata, in via Mozart 21, via Barozzi 7 and via Cappuccini 8. This last one is a real masterpiece. You can’t miss it.

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Liberty Houses in Porta Venezia | Art & culture, Relaxing
Via Cappuccini 20 | Centrale/Greco
24 hours daily

Image by Audrey Smith

If you’re planning a weekend trip to Milan, why not plan a little stroll on your Sunday afternoon? But make sure you plan your trip for the last Sunday of the month, except for July and August.

On these Sunday’s you can find the Naviglio Grande (the larger canal in Milan) Antique Markets opening up the area to second-hand vintage clothes, antiques, old books and local shops are open too.

A lot of the shops on the canal are local artists and if you wander into some of the courtyards you can see more art on display as well as see the traditional public style housing of the past.

On a nice day it really is pleasurable to stroll down the canal and see what interesting or strange things are on sale. On a colder day, maybe a nice lunch or coffee and some people watching?!

If you want to stop for lunch, many of the restaurants are open. I am often tempted by a takeaway chocolate and pear crepe or a coffee at Bar Stazione. You can then stare out the window and watch the world go by before joining the crowd.

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Antique markets – Naviglio Grande | Relaxing, Shopping, Festivals & events | Free
Alzaia Naviglio Grande | Ticinese/Genova
Last Sunday of every month 09:00 – 17:00

Image by chiara anselmo

Cantine Isola is a little gem in the hearth of Chinatown.

It is one of the few authentic wine bars in Milan. Cantina Islo is always very crowded (there is only one little table but I’ve never spotted it free) Everybody here stand in front of the counter, drinking excellent wine and eating (for free) very tasty snacks (olives, cheese, anchovies, sun dried tomatoes..)

In summer there is a nice patio in front of the bar in the pedestrian street. Ask the bartenders to advice you the best red/white wine of the day.

Since it is situated in the middle of Chinatown, if you come here to have “aperitivo” before you can have a nice walk across Via Paolo Sarpi (full of Chinese little shops).

If, after one, two or more glasses or wine and a few olives, your belly will ask for real food I would advice to go to the one of the best Chinese restaurant in Milan: Jubin, just 3 minutes walk away on the same street.

On Wednesday nights they do poetry reading: the owner will jump on a chair and will declare a poem and at the end he will ask for the author.

Wine + poetry: who’s asking for more?

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Cantine Isola | Art & culture, Bars, Relaxing | Glass of wine from € 5
Via Paolo Sarpi, 30 | Centro | +39023315249
Tue – Sun 08:30 – 21:30

Image by Audrey Smith

I must confess that I don’t consider myself a “shop-a-holic”, I can tire easily, but I always enjoy a stroll down Corso Porta Ticinese at least for a bit of window shopping.

The area is vibrant with lots of young people night and day and is just a hop, skip and a jump from Via Torino (a little closer to the centre) where you can find the big name shops such as H&M and Zara or close to a good bar to enjoy Milan’s Aperitivo.

The shops are geared more toward the younger market with a mix of youth oriented brands like Lee, Quiksilver and Energy. However, my weakness are the shoe shops and Italians know their shoes! The shoes are more unique than what you can find in the main shopping drag and often also well-priced. What better souvenir to take back home than a pair of good Italian shoes!

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Porta Ticinese shopping | Relaxing, Shopping
Corso Porta Ticinese | Ticinese/Genova
Mon – Sat 10:00 – 20:00