Northern Italy has a approach of pulling you in with its appeal, and actually,
exploring it was one of many best journey experiences I’ve ever had.
In contrast to different nations the place day journeys could be difficult, northern italy is straightforward to navigate From Milan utilizing public transportation
and attain unbelievable locations in simply an hour or two. Whether or not you’re after scenic lakes, historic cities, or quaint villages, Milan serves as your strategic start line.
I keep in mind at some point specifically—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 prepare to Verona, exploring the town
Two fully completely different vibes in at some point, and I didn’t even really feel rushed! That’s the great thing about basing your self in Milan
On this weblog, I’m going to share among the best day journeys from Milan, all based mostly by myself experiences.
Let’s speak about the best way to discover Northern Italy’s gems with out ever needing to pack and unpack your suitcase.
Simple Day Journeys from Milan: Uncover Northern Italy’s Hidden Treasures
By Prepare: The Best and Most Scenic Possibility
In terms of touring from Milan for day journeys, my absolute favourite strategy to get round is by prepare.
Milano Centrale Station is the hub for many routes, and belief me, it’s tremendous well-connected. For nearly each standard day journey vacation spot—whether or not it’s Lake Como, Bergamo, and even Venice—you’ll discover direct trains that normally take lower than an hour or two. For shorter journeys, you’ll even discover some journeys which are as fast as half-hour!
The native app Trenitalia is a lifesaver relating to planning prepare journey in Italy.
It’s really designed for Italians, however you possibly can simply change the language to English
Tip: Whereas you should buy your tickets on-line via the app, it’s simply as straightforward to seize them on the station kiosks or counters. The costs are the identical whether or not you guide upfront or purchase them on the day of journey for regional routes—no sneaky value hikes! This makes last-minute planning completely stress-free.
By bus:
If you happen to’re touring on an excellent tight funds, buses is usually a good different to trains, however they’re not all the time the best choice for each journey.
Normally, I like to recommend taking the regional trains as a result of they’re quicker, extra snug, and nonetheless fairly inexpensive. Nonetheless, in case you’re decided to save lots of each euro, there are a couple of bus choices value contemplating.
The most cost effective bus choice I’ve discovered is Itabus, which generally gives fares which are half the worth of a prepare ticket
However there’s normally just one bus per day for many routes, so that you’ll must plan your schedule rigorously.
For shorter distances, you may not save sufficient time or cash to make it well worth the trouble.
As for different standard bus companies like FlixBus, you would possibly assume they’re cheaper than trains, however that’s not all the time the case for shorter, native routes.
They have an inclination to focus extra on longer-distance journey, like journeys to Rome or Southern Italy, the place they are often extra economical.
If you happen to’re touring inside Northern Italy, although, FlixBus tickets can really find yourself costing greater than a prepare, so it’s value evaluating costs earlier than reserving.
By Organized Tour:
If you happen to’re somebody who doesn’t need to spend time determining prepare schedules or navigating with GPS, an organized tour is likely to 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 standard platform for reserving excursions is GetYourGuide. It’s full of choices for day journeys from Milan to locations like Lake Como, Verona, and Bergamo.
The draw back, in fact, is the worth.
For instance, a one-way prepare 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.
Locations to see close to Milan
A visit to Lake Garda looks like stepping right into a picture-perfect postcard.
As Italy’s largest lake, it gives a mixture of beautiful landscapes, charming cities, and out of doors adventures. Getting there from Milan is straightforward—simply hop on a prepare to Desenzano del Garda, which serves as a terrific start line for exploring your entire lake.
A one-way ticket prices round €10, and the experience takes about an hour and a half.
From Desenzano, you possibly can simply discover the world by ferry or bus, relying on how a lot of the lake you need to see in a day. The fantastic thing about Lake Garda is that every city has its personal persona, so whether or not you’re into historical past, nature, or simply enjoyable by the water, there’s one thing for everybody.
Locations to See Round Lake Garda
• Sirmione: This is among the lake’s most well-known cities, and for good purpose. Its slim streets are full of gelato outlets and boutiques, and the centerpiece is the Scaligero Fortress, a medieval fortress surrounded by the lake.
• Desenzano del Garda: Since that is the place you’ll arrive by prepare, it’s value taking a while to get pleasure from this vigorous lakeside city.
• Riva del Garda: Positioned on the northern tip of the lake and surrounded by mountains, this city is good for out of doors lovers.
You’ll be able to take a scenic hike or lease 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 happen to’re into thrilling rides and curler coasters, that is the place to be. It’s additionally a enjoyable choice in case you’re touring with youngsters (or simply feeling adventurous).
Professional Tip: Ferries join most cities alongside the lake, so you possibly can simply go to two or three in a single day. Simply examine the ferry schedules forward of time to be sure you don’t miss the final one again!
In your subsequent day, head to Bergamo.
You would possibly already realize it as the house of the Ryanair airport, however belief me—this metropolis is a lot greater than a funds airways stopover. In reality, Bergamo is like getting two cities for the worth of 1: the historic Città Alta (Higher City) and the trendy Città Bassa (Decrease City).
Attending to Bergamo is simple. Take a regional prepare from Milan, which prices simply €6 every approach and takes about an hour. When you arrive, you possibly can stroll or take the funicular to discover the completely different components of the town.
Locations to See in Bergamo
• Città Alta (Higher City): This medieval hilltop city is the crown jewel of Bergamo. It’s full of cobblestone streets, historic structure, and breathtaking views of the encompassing countryside.
Tip: Don’t miss the well-known funicular that takes you as much as Città Alta in just some minutes. The experience 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 (Decrease City): Whereas the Higher City will get a lot of the consideration, the Decrease City shouldn’t be missed. It’s a vibrant space full of fashionable outlets, lush parks, and vigorous 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 center 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 paintings that can depart you speechless.
If you happen to’re in search of 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,
normally 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’s tremendous straightforward. Take a prepare 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 fundamental highlights in a couple of hours. When you’ve soaked up the tradition, hop on one other prepare to Iseo, an enthralling lakeside city simply half-hour away. That ticket will set you again a mere €3, making this an extremely inexpensive day journey.
Highlights in Brescia
• Piazza della Loggia: This picturesque sq. is the center of Brescia, surrounded by beautiful Renaissance structure. It’s the right place to seize a espresso, sit again, and soak within the environment.
• Brescia Fortress: Perched on a hill, this historic fortress gives panoramic views of the town. Inside, you’ll discover museums and gardens, the citadel look litle bit like citta alta in bergamo as a result of is on the highest of the town so you’ll want to stroll litle bit to get there
• Capitolium and Roman Discussion board: Brescia is residence to among the best-preserved Roman ruins in Northern Italy, and so they’re even listed as a UNESCO World Heritage website. Strolling via the traditional discussion board looks 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: That is the star of Lake Iseo—a large island proper in the midst 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). When you’re there, begin your journey with a hike to the highest of the island, which solely takes about half-hour. The path is simple and rewards you with beautiful views over the lake.
• Iseo City: Don’t skip the city of Iseo itself. Its colourful streets, cozy cafes, and lakeside promenade are excellent for a calming stroll. It’s the sort of place the place you possibly can decelerate, get pleasure from 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 at some point.
To get there, take a prepare from Milan to Verona Porta Nuova station. The experience takes about two hours and prices round €12 a method.
When you arrive, you possibly can stroll or take a brief bus experience to the town middle, the place all of the magic occurs.
Locations to See in Verona
• Juliet’s Home: Certain, it’s a bit touristy, however you possibly can’t go to Verona with out stopping by Juliet’s well-known balcony.
• Verona Area: This Roman amphitheater is among the best-preserved on the earth .
The doorway payment is simply €1, making it a budget-friendly strategy to discover Verona’s historical historical past.
• Piazza delle Erbe: This vigorous sq. is ideal for people-watching, buying, or grabbing a chunk to eat. Surrounded by colourful buildings and historic landmarks.
• Castelvecchio: Stroll throughout its fortified bridge for unbelievable views of the river, and don’t overlook to take a look at the museum inside, which is full of fascinating artifacts.
Professional Tip: When you’ve got time, climb the Torre dei Lamberti for panoramic views of the town. It’s a little bit of a exercise, however the surroundings from the highest is value 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.
Because of its well-connected prepare system, visiting locations like Lake Garda, Bergamo, Lake Iseo, Brescia, and Verona is straightforward, inexpensive, and stress-free.
So, pack your luggage, seize a prepare 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.
Hello, I’m Hamadi, a passionate traveler and the creator of travresources.com.
Writer bio
My mission is to assist fellow wanderers discover the world on funds. By means of my very own experiences—each the nice and difficult—I share sensible ideas, detailed itineraries, and guides to make your travels smoother and extra memorable
