Naviglio Grande

Les Navigli sont une autres grande attraction de la ville de Milan.
Situé proche du métro porta genova, ils sont un lieu de promenade et de détente pour les milanais (et les nombreux touristes en été).
Un lieu à visiter du à la prouesse technique pour l’époque de sa construction. Sinon, beaucoup de restaurants à touristes et de boutiques en tout genre.

Like its smaller cousin (the Pavese), the Naviglio Grande is a man-​made canal, joining downtown Milano to the Ticino River. It is little less than 50 km long and it runs sputh of Milan towards Tornavento (Sesto Calende).
It was used to facilitate the navigation of the marble needed to build the Duomo Gothic church (which was started on march 13^th 1386).
Though the Naviglio is no longer used as a mean to reach the Darsena (the port of the city of Milan), it is currently being used by ducks as a source of life and pleasure.
The main Naviglio is the ever so pulsing heart of the nightlife of the city. Many are the bars, pubs, restaurants that offer entertainment and good ways of sipping on drinks and eating during happy hours.
Worth mentioning the «Vicolo dei Lavandai», one of the rare examples of how the old Milan can still be on display in the ever busy modern life.

Head quite a bit east along the canal from where this spot is on the Unilocal map. Then, you will find the most exciting neighborhood in Milano! Don’t miss it!
I found this area in a tour book 20 years ago and headed to Porta Genova, the local subway stop. Just a few steps away down Via Casale and you literally have restaurant row and bar/​insanity row, right on the sometimes scenic canal. Even if you get lost, you can quickly find another way by listening for the sounds of people enjoying life!
Now, you are in the know. Do what you need to do but come on down and join the party!
Don’t forget the flower market or antique market on some but not other weekends!

I thought this area was a real slum. Covered with graffiti, nothing of any interest.

Not nearly half as nice as how the photos portray the canals. More than half contains no water and is dried up, quite filthy. Nothing really goes on during the day here though they’re known for their late night bar scene. Lots of well dressed fashionistas frolicking the streets of both sexes.
Personally, I would mainly come here for one of the most amazing bakeries I’ve come across, Il Forno dei Navigli which is situated at the end of the canal.

One of my 2 favourite neighbourhoods in Milan! It’s an area I could picture myself living in. I mean it’s got an old world feel but not really.
It has a canal that surrounded by bars, restaurants, and lounges. It has art stores and clothing stores by local artists and possibly designers. Did I mention all this surrounds a canal? ;)
The Navigli has quick access to major streets, subways and parks.
At night the bars and lounges spread onto the streets and the beautiful people start crawling into the Navigli to get their drink on as well as some apertivo into their bellies!
The neighbourhood has a lot of character!

Die Navigli sind die Wasserstraßen Mailands die unter anderem auch von Leonardo da Vinci geplant wurden. Die größte Wasserstraße ist der Naviglio Grande und diente damals als Transportmöglichkeit für die riesigen Marmorsteinquader (Bau des Doms) und stellten eine Verbindung zum Lago Maggiore dar. Außerhalb der Stadt dienen die Kanäle noch immer zur Bewässerung der landwirtschaftlich genutzten Gebiete.
Heute sind die meisten Wasserstraßen unter der Erde versteckt. Ein paar sind noch im Stadtteil Navigli offenliegend. Früher haben sich entlang der Wasserstraßen Handwerker und Arbeiter angesiedelt, es gibt noch einige alte Waschhäuser und Handwerkshäuser zu sehen. Heute ist die Gegend besonders am Abend belebt. Viele Cafés, Restaurants und Künstlerateliers finden sich entlang des Naviglios. Mittags ist dort tote Hose! :-)
Als wir dort waren, waren die Kanäle so gut wie ausgetrocknet und nur eine einzige grüné Schlammmasse, das hat einen weniger schönen Eindruck hinterlassen. Vielleicht ist es Abends dort schöner, da sind ja alle Mäuse grau.
Erreichbar mit der U-​Bahn 1 oder 2.