Northern Italy has a method of pulling you in with its allure, and truthfully,
exploring it was one of many best journey experiences I’ve ever had.
Unlike different nations the place day journeys will be difficult, northern italy is straightforward to navigate From Milan utilizing public transportation
and attain unbelievable locations in simply an hour or two. Whether you’re after scenic lakes, historic cities, or quaint villages, Milan serves as your strategic start line.
I bear in mind in the future particularly—I began my morning in Bergamo, having fun with the beautiful views from the higher city of citta alta By mid-afternoon, I discovered myself on a practice to Verona, exploring town
Two fully completely different vibes in in the future, and I didn’t even really feel rushed! That’s the great thing about basing your self in Milan
In this weblog, I’m going to share among the best day journeys from Milan, all primarily based by myself experiences.
Let’s speak about methods to discover Northern Italy’s gems with out ever needing to pack and unpack your suitcase.
Easy Day Trips from Milan: Discover Northern Italy’s Hidden Treasures
By Train: The Easiest and Most Scenic Option
When it involves touring from Milan for day journeys, my absolute favourite method to get round is by practice.
Milano Centrale Station is the hub for many routes, and belief me, it’s tremendous well-connected. For virtually each well-liked day journey vacation spot—whether or not it’s Lake Como, Bergamo, and even Venice—you’ll discover direct trains that often take lower than an hour or two. For shorter journeys, you’ll even discover some journeys which can be as fast as half-hour!
The native app Trenitalia is a lifesaver on the subject of planning practice journey in Italy.
It’s truly designed for Italians, however you possibly can simply change the language to English
Tip: While you should buy your tickets on-line by means of the app, it’s simply as simple to seize them on the station kiosks or counters. The costs are the identical whether or not you e book prematurely or purchase them on the day of journey for regional routes—no sneaky worth hikes! This makes last-minute planning completely stress-free.
By bus:
If you’re touring on a brilliant tight price range, buses is usually a good different to trains, however they’re not all the time the best choice for each journey.
Usually, I like to recommend taking the regional trains as a result of they’re quicker, extra snug, and nonetheless fairly reasonably priced. However, for those who’re decided to save lots of each euro, there are a couple of bus choices price contemplating.
The least expensive bus choice I’ve discovered is Itabus, which generally gives fares which can be half the value of a practice ticket
But there’s often just one bus per day for many routes, so that you’ll must plan your schedule fastidiously.
For shorter distances, you won’t save sufficient time or cash to make it definitely worth the problem.
As for different well-liked bus providers like FlixBus, you may assume they’re cheaper than trains, however that’s not all the time the case for shorter, native routes.
They are inclined to focus extra on longer-distance journey, like journeys to Rome or Southern Italy, the place they are often extra economical.
If you’re touring inside Northern Italy, although, FlixBus tickets can truly find yourself costing greater than a practice, so it’s price evaluating costs earlier than reserving.
By Organized Tour:
If you’re somebody who doesn’t wish to spend time determining practice schedules or navigating with GPS, an organized tour may be the right answer.
Most excursions embrace transportation out of your resort, visits to iconic landmarks, and generally even extras like guided museum visits or lunch.
One well-liked platform for reserving excursions is GetYourGuide. It’s filled with choices for day journeys from Milan to locations like Lake Como, Verona, and Bergamo.
The draw back, in fact, is the value.
For instance, a one-way practice ticket fro milan to Bergamo prices simply €6.
however becoming a member of an organized tour to the identical vacation spot can set you again €50-€60 or extra.
Places to see close to Milan
A visit to Lake Garda appears like stepping right into a picture-perfect postcard.
As Italy’s largest lake, it gives a mixture of beautiful landscapes, charming cities, and outside adventures. Getting there from Milan is straightforward—simply hop on a practice to Desenzano del Garda, which serves as an excellent start line for exploring your complete lake.
A one-way ticket prices round €10, and the trip takes about an hour and a half.
From Desenzano, you possibly can simply discover the realm by ferry or bus, relying on how a lot of the lake you wish to see in a day. The great thing about Lake Garda is that every city has its personal character, so whether or not you’re into historical past, nature, or simply stress-free by the water, there’s one thing for everybody.
Places to See Around Lake Garda
• Sirmione: This is among the lake’s most well-known cities, and for good motive. Its slender streets are stuffed with gelato outlets and boutiques, and the centerpiece is the Scaligero Castle, a medieval fortress surrounded by the lake.
• Desenzano del Garda: Since that is the place you’ll arrive by practice, it’s price taking a while to take pleasure in this full of life lakeside city.
• Riva del Garda: Located on the northern tip of the lake and surrounded by mountains, this city is good for outside fans.
You can take a scenic hike or hire a ship to discover the lake from the water. It’s a bit farther from Desenzano, so plan forward if you wish to embrace this in your day journey.
• Peschiera del Garda: go to one in every of Italy’s most well-known theme parks “. If you’re into thrilling rides and curler coasters, that is the place to be. It’s additionally a enjoyable choice for those who’re touring with youngsters (or simply feeling adventurous).
Pro Tip: Ferries join most cities alongside the lake, so you possibly can simply go to two or three in a single day. Just test the ferry schedules forward of time to be sure you don’t miss the final one again!
On your subsequent day, head to Bergamo.
You may already understand it as the house of the Ryanair airport, however belief me—this metropolis is a lot greater than a price range airways stopover. In truth, Bergamo is like getting two cities for the value of 1: the historic Città Alta (Upper Town) and the fashionable Città Bassa (Lower Town).
Getting to Bergamo is easy. Take a regional practice from Milan, which prices simply €6 every method and takes about an hour. Once you arrive, you possibly can stroll or take the funicular to discover the completely different elements of town.
Places to See in Bergamo
• Città Alta (Upper Town): This medieval hilltop city is the crown jewel of Bergamo. It’s stuffed with cobblestone streets, historic structure, and breathtaking views of the encircling countryside.
Tip: Don’t miss the well-known funicular that takes you as much as Città Alta in only a few minutes. The trip prices €2, and it’s not simply handy—it’s an expertise in itself, providing stunning views as you ascend. Make certain to go early within the morning as a result of it tends to get crowded later within the day.
• Città Bassa (Lower Town): While the Upper Town will get a lot of the consideration, the Lower Town shouldn’t be ignored. It’s a vibrant space stuffed with trendy outlets, lush parks, and full of life cafes. If you wish to see how locals stay and hang around, that is the spot to do it.
• Piazza Vecchia: This historic sq. is the guts of Città Alta and a must-see. Surrounded by Renaissance-era buildings, it feels such as you’ve stepped again in time.
• Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore: This beautiful church is a spotlight of Bergamo. The inside is roofed in intricate frescoes and art work that may depart you speechless.
If you’re on the lookout for a vacation spot that’s much less touristy however simply as charming as Lake Garda or Lake Como, let me introduce you to Brescia and Lake Iseo.
Brescia is a real hidden gem,
often folks select garda lake or comp lake however Brescia have good different which is iseo lake is calmer and delightful and have rhe largest island in europe inside lake
Getting there may be tremendous simple. Take a practice from Milan to Brescia, which takes nearly an hour and prices €8 a method.
Brescia is compact and filled with historical past, so you possibly can discover its important highlights in a couple of hours. Once you’ve soaked up the tradition, hop on one other practice to Iseo, an enthralling lakeside city simply half-hour away. That ticket will set you again a mere €3, making this an extremely reasonably priced day journey.
Highlights in Brescia
• Piazza della Loggia: This picturesque sq. is the guts of Brescia, surrounded by beautiful Renaissance structure. It’s the right place to seize a espresso, sit again, and soak within the ambiance.
• Brescia Castle: Perched on a hill, this historic fortress gives panoramic views of town. Inside, you’ll discover museums and gardens, the fort look litle bit like citta alta in bergamo as a result of is on the highest of town so you might want to stroll litle bit to get there
• Capitolium and Roman Forum: Brescia is dwelling to among the best-preserved Roman ruins in Northern Italy, and so they’re even listed as a UNESCO World Heritage web site. Walking by means of the traditional discussion board appears like stepping again in time.
• locations to see in Lake Iseo
After exploring Brescia, head to Lake Iseo, one in every of Northern Italy’s best-kept secrets and techniques. It’s smaller and extra peaceable than Garda or Como, however no much less stunning.
• Monte Isola: This is the star of Lake Iseo—an enormous island proper in the course of the lake, and the biggest lake island in Europe. Take a ferry from Iseo city (it prices about €4 a method and takes quarter-hour). Once you’re there, begin your journey with a hike to the highest of the island, which solely takes about half-hour. The path is straightforward and rewards you with beautiful views over the lake.
• Iseo Town: Don’t skip the city of Iseo itself. Its colourful streets, cozy cafes, and lakeside promenade are excellent for a soothing stroll. It’s the sort of place the place you possibly can decelerate, take pleasure in a gelato, and simply take within the surroundings.
Now let’s speak about Verona, a metropolis that has romance written throughout it.
Veroma one in every of my private favorites for a day journey as a result of there’s a lot to see and do, but it’s compact sufficient to discover in in the future.
To get there, take a practice from Milan to Verona Porta Nuova station. The trip takes about two hours and prices round €12 a method.
Once you arrive, you possibly can stroll or take a brief bus trip to town heart, the place all of the magic occurs.
Places to See in Verona
• Juliet’s House: Sure, it’s a bit touristy, however you possibly can’t go to Verona with out stopping by Juliet’s well-known balcony.
• Verona Arena: This Roman amphitheater is among the best-preserved on the earth .
The entrance price is simply €1, making it a budget-friendly method to discover Verona’s historical historical past.
• Piazza delle Erbe: This full of life sq. is ideal for people-watching, buying, or grabbing a chunk to eat. Surrounded by colourful buildings and historic landmarks.
• Castelvecchio: Walk throughout its fortified bridge for unbelievable views of the river, and don’t overlook to take a look at the museum inside, which is filled with fascinating artifacts.
Pro Tip: If you could have time, climb the Torre dei Lamberti for panoramic views of town. It’s a little bit of a exercise, however the surroundings from the highest is price each step.
Northern Italy is a treasure trove of historical past, tradition, and pure magnificence,
and Milan is the right start line to discover all of it.
Thanks to its well-connected practice system, visiting locations like Lake Garda, Bergamo, Lake Iseo, Brescia, and Verona is straightforward, reasonably priced, and stress-free.
So, pack your luggage, seize a practice ticket, and begin exploring. With a little bit of planning and an open thoughts, you’ll uncover why this area is one in every of Italy’s most beloved locations.
Hi, I’m Hamadi, a passionate traveler and the creator of travresources.com.
Author bio
My mission is to assist fellow wanderers discover the world on price range. Through my very own experiences—each the great and difficult—I share sensible ideas, detailed itineraries, and guides to make your travels smoother and extra memorable