Navigli Milan: Canal Bars, Aperitivo & the City's Most Atmospheric District

Navigli is Milan's most beloved neighbourhood — a network of 16th-century canals originally designed by Leonardo da Vinci to connect the city to the Po River, now flanked by a tightly packed corridor of bars, restaurants, vintage shops, and art galleries that becomes the most animated social scene in the city from 6pm every evening. The Naviglio Grande and Naviglio Pavese canals form the main arteries; the towpaths and bridge parapets fill nightly with Milanese of every generation drinking the canal-side aperitivo (typically €8–12 including a generous buffet spread). Sunday morning sees the Mercatone dell'Antiquariato — a 400-stall antique market stretching for 400 metres along the Naviglio Grande, one of Italy's largest. The Fabbrica del Vapore and BASE cultural centres have brought contemporary art and music events to the neighbourhood's industrial buildings. For eating: Al Pont de Ferr (one Michelin star) and Ristorante Beniamino represent the fine dining end; Trattoria Masuelli San Marco on Viale Umbria serves traditional Milanese cooking unchanged since 1921.