Private Milan Tour: Navigli District, Oldest Canal & Ancient Church

Highlights

• Expert Local Guide
• Navigli District
• Customizable Itinerary

What's included

Itinerary

1. 1

   Milan

   10min

   Your guide is very fond of telling stories, and will bring your unique view of the above things to your walk. If you want to change the route a little, your guide will be happy to meet your wishes. This is your personal journey, during which you will be able to discover a lot of new and interesting things. During a friendly walk, you will feel the atmosphere of one of the most romantic and bohemian places in Milan, learn a lot of unexpected facts about the city and see how the local intelligentsia lives. At the end of the walk, you will be able to stay in this wonderful place to try drinks in local bars or enjoy food in restaurants that are a favorite holiday destination for local residents.

2. 2

   Milan

   10min

   Discover the romantic and incredibly beautiful views of Milan. Cozy courtyards with views of the oldest canals, street paintings drawn by talented artists-all this is waiting for you in this tour. You will discover all the secrets of this area and enjoy unique attractions. It mixes everything that Milan is loved for: a rich history and culture inextricably linked with art, world-famous fashion and delicious food. You can enjoy the old places of Milan, for example, the ancient Basilica and the thousand-year-old columns built by the Romans. All this is mixed with representatives of modern art, such as street art drawings from local talented artists. You will follow your personal guide to the lovely courtyards where art shops lurk. You will find restaurants that only the locals know about. Your guide is full of recommendations where to eat delicious, satisfying and at a reasonable price. Local bakeries bake various goodies, and there are also grocery stores with Italian products.

3. 3

   Colonne di San Lorenzo

   20min

   .Admire the white majestic columns of the Colonne di San Lorenzo, framed by the Porta Ticinese Medievale gate of brown brick. It is believed that these columns, one of the few structures of the ancient Roman Mediolanum (the predecessor of Milan), probably built by order of the Emperor Maximian in the 2nd-3rd century. It is said that the columns were part of the ancient pagan chrome of the II-III centuries, located on the site of today's Church of Santa Maria Beltrade. They were transported here in the 4th century. But whether this is true or not, and where they came from, no one can answer for sure.

4. 4

   Basilica San Lorenzo Maggiore

   30min

   A magnificent architectural structure, which is very interesting to see both outside and inside.16 Corinthian columns (part of an ancient temple) are installed in front of the Basilica. In the chapel of St. Aquilina preserved several late antique mosaics. The circular interior layout is very unusual. The impression is very large dome (the largest in Milan).

5. 5

   Darsena

   30min

   Darsena was originally built as a trading port in the early 17th century. Now it is a favorite place for both locals and tourists to hang out, have a good meal, or just have an "aperitive" at some of the many restaurants and bars in the area. The place is always busy, with a lot of people, but in the evenings it becomes very busy. It is very pleasant just to wander through the channels. The place is very photogenic.

6. 6

   Vicolo dei Lavandai

   10min

   It was here, among small houses with characteristic wooden shutters, that until the middle of the last century Laundry was washed in special stone gutters under sheds with a tiled roof. It is noteworthy that women were not allowed to do this physically demanding work. The appearance of ancient laundries remained untouched by time. The building that once housed a pharmacy and sold soap is now a stylized restaurant. You can see the prototype of the first washing machine, a huge centrifuge made in 1900.

7. 7

   Stop 7

   10min

   This lock compensates for the two-meter drop between the former lake Sant'eustorgio (where the Darsen dock is now) and the ring canal. It was used to transport marble for the construction of the Milan Cathedral from Lake Maggiore. When the Duke of Milan Ludovico Moro's wife Beatrice died, he ordered the construction of this gateway to deliver building materials to the Milan Cathedral. For boats working on construction, passage through the lock was free. There is a booth with the Visconti coat of arms and a sign with the image of the Madonna protecting the Milan Cathedral with her cloak.

8. 8

   Naviglio Grande

   20min

   The former transport channel with warehouses and barns has now become a promenade with many restaurants, bars, cafes and shops (and not easy - a lot of second-hand books, music). It has its own special atmosphere. Wide passages on the sides, a shallow channel with clear water, many cafes and restaurants, all walking. Peace of mind.

Before you go

Location