Milan: gay friendly Navigli, waterland of fun - Private Tour

The Navigli represents relax and fun to the Milanese: it is a most appreciated area, because of its recent revitalization, which has brought the old Milan to a new life. On weekends, Navigli are the gathering meeting points for youngsters:restaurants and bars are on ‘the front line’, as this is the place where a true Milan can be found.

Gay life and entertainment here are less ‘intense’ than in the Porta Venezia District. Nevertheless, it is an amazing place, where everyday life was dedicated to artworks,commerce, transportation of people and goods. Given that this place was so commercial busy also prostitution was very flourishing.

Quiiky tours organizes a three-hour guided walking tour through the neighboroughood: amazing stories of the pst times, when it was a ‘bohemien’ place for artists and for the lively night life merged into hidden houses and courtyards. And not only! Enjoy a gay friendly cruise on the canals and an aperitive in one of the gay bars here: the Bobino Bar and the Ego Cocktails.

Meet your gay friendly guide near the Duomo /Via Torino. Catch the trolley to Porta Genova for a 20 minute-ride on the original public transportation means: its wooden seats and its driving recall the old times. It is a beautiful way to commute in the city, not so fast, nevertheless really intriguing as the city can be easily watched through its glass windows.

You arrive to the Naviglio Grande, which was originally the main water way in the city, used for people and goods .

The channel net in Milan was developed since the XII century, in order to convey the Lake Como and Lake maggiore waters to Milan. Leonardo da Vinci, who lived in Milan almost 20 years, invented a system of lock gates to control the floods . This ingenious system is still in use, all over the world and it is named ‘the Vincian lock gates’.

The ‘Navigli Circle’ around Milan developed until 1950, when they started to lose their main function (transportation). Nevertheless, many fields still are watered by the Navigli.

In the Navigli District , one of the most ancient church in Milan is a must to visit: the Sant’Eustorgio Basilica, which was built in the IV century a.C. The basilica history dates back to when Bishop Eustorgius decided to build it where the cart delivering the Three Wise Men’s relics bogged down. Also, it is said that a visit to the basilica alleviates headaches and preserves good health.

A promenade in the Navigli District is a true experience: it has nothing to do with the crowdy and fussy industrial allure of the city. On the contrary, its small bridges, its low houses, its waters reminds of a quiet walkable oasis where stops in bar for a Spritz or an aperitive are a must.