Biking out - Naviglio Milan

Escape from the city bustle

Ivan from Milan

"One of my favorite things to do in Milan is to bike along one of the last remaining canals in the city, the Naviglio Grande. I go all the way to..."

Milan once used to be a little Venice with a 150km long network of canals, connecting the city with the rivers and lakes around. Unfortunately, most of them have been covered over time and are no longer visible but one of the remaining ones, the Naviglio Grande, is all the more special today. Starting from port Darsena, the Navigli Grande starts off with one of the most popular restaurant and bar strips in Milan. During any night of the week, this part of the Navigli becomes the place to be.

My favorite part though is during the day, when it's less busy, to bike along the canal past San Cristoforo (check my San Cristoforo Church article) until, well, until wherever you want to go really. If you don't have your own bike, take a day pass from the bike sharing service provided by the city.

Just a few minutes out of the "known" part of the Navigli, you quickly feel very far from the big city, cycling through neighboring villages that preserved the charm of the old days. A bit further, you can see the abandoned Olympic park that is now home to graffiti and skaters.

Recommended starting point: Port Darsena
Tip: if you should want to cross the Naviglio Grande, don't be picky with the bridges as there might be long strips where your only possibility to get to the other side is to swim.

Relaxing

Buy one, Give one!

Share your 💚 this December

*on all products

Milan Spotter Ivan

About me I was born and raised in Bulgaria, in a small countryside town in the south. The place somehow always felt too small. For the first 20 years of my life I never really left the country and this was eating me up from the inside. My thrive for discovering the world was simply too strong, so in 2004 I decided to catch up and jump to the other extreme. I have been moving places ever since. Since 2004, I’ve lived and studied / worked in The Hague & Amsterdam, Sofia, Beijing, Berlin, Prague, Paris, Nice and Monaco. And now Milan. I consider myself lucky to have chosen ...

About this spot

Alzaia Naviglio Grande

€

no-price

Dec 4, 2025

Our Milan City Guide

Find your way with 195 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Milan guide.

Loved it? Join us!

Loved this Spot?Join your international community. Share your favs and become part of our international community!

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Milan

Frizzi & Lazzi

Your favorite beer garden ever

"Frizzi & Lazzi" is one of my old-time favorite beer gardens in Milan. It's an unassuming, easy-going place that has become a point of reference since '82.

Bars

Restaurants

Susanna

Baggio

Dec 6, 2025

Ofelé

My go-to place for Sunday brunch

"Ofelé" in Milan is a bistrot bakery that makes some of the best (Sunday) brunches around. It's simply one of my favorite pancake spots in town...

Restaurants

Snacks

Carmen

Condeescu

Dec 6, 2025

Living Liqueurs & Delights

Fashion and aperitivo

"Living Liqueurs & Delights": one of my favorite aperitivo spots in Milan and its first real vodka bar. It has a beautiful bar ambiance & a nice lounge...

Bars

Ivan

Kalinov

Dec 4, 2025

DOU

Dim Sum paradise

"DOU" was the first (Asian) restauarant I bumped into in Milan, and it remains one of my favorites in the city. What I like is the selection of cuisines...

Restaurants

Ivan

Kalinov

Dec 4, 2025

Terrazza 12 Bar

Back to the '50s

"Terrazza 12 Bar" is reminiscent of Tokyo, in that sometimes you have to look up to find the gems. So in Milan - it's on the top floor of Bryan & Barry...

Bars

Snacks

Ivan

Kalinov

Dec 4, 2025

Wasabi Bar

Williamsburg in Milan

"Wasabi Bar" is one of the greatest bars in Milan. Why? Because it's great! It's actually tiny, but don't be misled: the drink selection & design are...

Bars

Ivan

Kalinov

Dec 4, 2025

Via Solferino

Independent shopping

"Via Solferino" is a central Milan street, yet far away from the crowds. I go there to just look around the shop and I'm sure I can always find I...

Shopping

Ivan

Kalinov

Dec 4, 2025

Al Fresco

A meeting place with food and dining

"Al Fresco" is my Milan cafe/restaurant I'd never visited because it was just next door to my place! Let me tell you, that was a mistake, if only for...

Coffee & tea

Restaurants

Ivan

Kalinov

Dec 4, 2025

Scalo Farini

Great aperitivo

"Scalo Farini" in Milan is a bar recommended to me by an Isola local as the best aperitivo in town. I can say that I haven't tried any better than this.

Bars

Restaurants

Snacks

Ivan

Kalinov

Dec 4, 2025

Straf Bar

Unexpectedly cool

"Straf Bar" Milan is a peculiar place - even though it's next to Duomo, it's one of the coolest spots in town. Protip: grab one of the "benches" outside...

Bars

Snacks

Ivan

Kalinov

Dec 4, 2025

QC Terme Milano

Total relax in the city

"QC Terme Milano" is the place for you if you're just a bit tired. Honestly, I wouldn't have expected to find a spa like this in the city...

Relaxing

Ivan

Kalinov

Dec 4, 2025

Frida

Chilling in alternative & hip Isola

"Frida" Milan is one of the places that for me defines the spirit of Isola. It's a great bar with affordable drinks, a great terrace and cool people...

Bars