Local Insight:Milan’s Navigli canals, designed in part by Leonardo da Vinci, were once a vital trade network connecting the city to the sea. Today, their illuminated banks form the vibrant heart of Milanese *aperitivo* culture, where locals gather as the sun sets.

The Milanese *aperitivo* is more than a drink—it’s a sacred evening ritual. As work ends, the Navigli canals and historic piazzas come alive with the clink of glasses. It’s your front-row seat to *la dolce vita*, where spritzes are sipped slowly and the city’s golden hour feels truly magical.

The best view of the Duomo’s spires isn’t from the square—it’s from the top of the nearby Rinascente department store. Head to the 7th-floor terrace bar for a stunning, crowd-free panorama, especially enchanting when the cathedral is lit up against the night sky.

Milan’s night tours reveal a city of contrasts—ancient Roman columns beside buzzing modern bars, Gothic spires towering over fashion boutiques, and quiet historic secrets hidden in plain sight. After dark, the layers of history feel almost tangible.