Milan Navigli Canal Cruise with Aperitivo

Your tour begins at Alzaia Naviglio Grande 4

Your boat's waiting at the pier in the Navigli district, where locals gather every evening along the canals. Hop aboard the electric boat and settle in as your captain prepares to glide you through the heart of Milan's canal district.

Railing houses and Naviglio Grande

First, you'll cruise past pastel-colored railing houses with iron balconies practically touching the water. These buildings once housed working families and now shelter wine bars and trattorias. Your audio guide explains how these canals once transported marble to build the Duomo.

Aperitivo time with wine or spritz

By now you've got your drink—maybe white wine, red, or the classic Milanese spritz with Aperol and prosecco. Pair it with finger food while floating past historic buildings. Aperitivo is Milan's sacred pre-dinner ritual, and you're doing it the local way with the best view in town.

Church of San Cristoforo

The boat slows as you approach San Cristoforo, a simple brick church standing since the 1200s. Its facade rises straight from the canal edge with no grand entrance, just old stone and quiet presence. Medieval pilgrims once stopped here on their journey through Lombardy.

Canottieri Milano Olona headquarters and launderers' alley

You'll float past the historic rowing club headquarters, established when canals served as Milan's transport routes. Then comes vicolo dei lavandai, a covered washing station where residents scrubbed clothes in the canal before running water existed.