Milan · NAVIGLI CANAL CRUISES IN MILAN
The canals were dug to bring cathedral marble in from Lake Maggiore and are now the city’s evening. These 12 cruises are priced and timed, with a note on which include an aperitivo and which run after dark.
Spend 50 minutes on a small electric boat along Milan’s Naviglio Grande. You’ll see working-class case di Ringhiera, San Cristoforo, Vicolo dei Lavandai, Darsena, and Leonardo da Vinci’s Conchetta. An English or Italian host helps with boarding, while QR-code audio is available in five languages.
“Everything was good. I booked it afternoon so I can see the sunset.”
Spend 50 minutes on a relaxed Naviglio Grande cruise with one Aperol spritz or glass of wine and finger food. You’ll pass San Cristoforo, Darsena, and the old launderers’ alley. Use the onboard QR code for audio information, or simply enjoy the canal views and occasional live music.
“Lovely little boat trip at dusk, nice nibbles and drinks. I would say to try and secure an outdoor spot as you can’t see much sat down inside. Nice area of Milan with lots of bars and restaurants. Would recommend.”
Walk from Porta Ticinese into Milan’s canal district with an English-speaking guide such as Anna Maria, Francesco, Michela, or Chiara. Over 3.5 hours, you’ll sample cocktails, wine, charcuterie, street food, Milanese risotto, and gelato in a small group of up to 12.
“Highly recommend this tour. So fun-small group. Francisco was guide and made the event terrific! Great food and wine. Beautiful canal district of Milan.”
Spend 3.5 hours walking Milan’s Navigli district with an English-speaking guide such as Jessica, Chiara, Laura, or Giuseppe. Taste pizza fritta, charcuterie, farinata, saffron risotto, wine, and tiramisu in a group of up to 12.
“Good experience and knowledge of the local dishes and culture. Walking wasn’t too far and advised of pit stop breaks along the way”
Spend 3.5 hours tasting Milanese aperitivo in Navigli with a local English or Italian-speaking guide. Visit five food and drink stops for cocktails, wine, beer, cheeses, cured meats, gourmet stuffed potatoes, a Pizza Cone, and gelato. Expect a social small-group evening and plenty to eat.
“It is a must to do this Aperitivo Tour in Mailand. Our Tourguide Giulia was absolute amazing and My friends and me had a lot of fun. The baked Potato was also very nice. I will do it again when i am in mailand the next Time”
Cruise Milan’s Naviglio Grande for about 50 minutes, passing historic churches, the Darsena, and old towpaths. Choose the aperitivo option for a drink and snacks. The boat returns to Alzaia Naviglio Grande 4, with mobile tickets and space for up to 50 people.
“Not worth your time. No commentary or guidance. Just a boat ride. It’s a boat ride in a canal that I didn’t find worth my tkme”
Join a local Italian-speaking guide for a one-hour boat ride from Naviglio Grande through the Naviglio Pavese and Darsena. You’ll hear how Leonardo da Vinci shaped Milan’s canals, see studios and waterside bars, and return to Libraccio. The boat has no heating or air-conditioning.
“The cruise was pleasant and the guide was well-prepared, but the initial organization was disastrous: there was no one at the meeting point (Libraccio), from afar we saw a boat filling up at the time indicated on our ticket (3:40 p.m.), we ran with other unfortunates to the landing stage where they told us that our reservations were not recorded. Our guide arrived and was forced to make himself heard to claim the reservation on behalf of Neiade. In the end they told us that, differently from what was written on the ticket, the time indicated was not the departure time of the boat but the meeting time, that the…”
Join Stefano for a beginner-friendly SUP session from the Darsena along the historic Naviglio Grande. You’ll learn basic paddle technique, practice mindfulness in motion, meditate seated on your board, and finish with herbal tea. Equipment, lockers, and a changing room are provided.
“Stefano was great very patient and explained the use of the SUP on dry land before launch and what to expect during the activity. The overall experience allows you to be at one with the natural canal environment whilst maintaining focus on your breathing and helps you achieve a mindful practice with freshwater fish below, dragon flies, swifts passing by catching food and even a tiny dormouse in the middle of such a busy city is truly remarkable and very rewarding. Stefano teaches you something for life which is not to be missed”
Spend 2.5 hours with a private English-speaking guide in Milan’s Navigli district. See Vicolo dei Lavandai, Basilica San Lorenzo Maggiore, street art, canals, small shops, and local hang-outs. Guides such as Francesca, Salvatore, and Alessandro tailor the walk to your interests.
“Visite très agréable pour découvrir un quartier vraiment différent du reste de Milan. Paisible vert. Francesca à su nous faire découvrir ce quartier mellant histoire de milan et de ces canaux mais elle nous a fait découvrir également le côté street art de ce quartier à la fois populaire et paisible. Également des post de cartes postale déambulant au milieu de petites boutiques et maisonnettes charmante.”
Join a private local guide in Milan’s Navigli district for a two-hour walk from Basilica di Sant’Eustorgio to the historic canals. You’ll see the Ark of the Magi, enter Portinari Chapel, hear about Leonardo’s canal work, and visit Vicolo dei Lavandai.
Follow a phone-based Questo puzzle through Milan’s Navigli district, starting at Via Vetere and ending at Ponte Alexander Langer. You’ll solve clues at medieval gates, churches, canal locks, bridges, and old washhouses. Allow 25 to 55 minutes, bring one working phone, and expect no guide or attraction admissions.
“This was a lot of fun! I did this tour with my granddaughters and we all enjoyed it! Great way to see the “untouristy” Milan. However we did experience extreme difficulties in downloading the information and even though I paid for three “tickets” we could only get it to work on my phone. Disappointing as the girls would have liked access to the game afterwards.”
Ride through Milan with an English- or Italian-speaking driver-guide in a classic red Fiat 500. See Darsena, Naviglio Grande, Leonardo’s locks, Sforza Castle, and the fashion district, with two photo stops. Hotel pickup is available at selected hotels.
Pick a landmark, a lake or a table.
