Best day trips from Milan: Main Sights in Lombardy & 5-Day Itinerary (2026)

Milan is one of the most popular European destinations for travelers – the destination is easily accessible, there are often cheap flights and the region is very rich in interesting places – from the beautiful views of Lake Como, through the Duomo di Milano to charming towns like Bergamo and Brescia. We have visited the area several times and although we have seen quite a few of the region’s sights, each time there remains some interesting place we do not have time for.

In this article we will give you guidance and recommendations for the most interesting places and sights around Milan and the Lombardy region, and for each place we will write information about transport there and other useful tips and recommendations. We have tried to recommend only places that have a direct train connection and are no more than an hour and a half from Milan’s central station.

Brief Information About Milan

Milan is the second-largest city in Italy, capital of the northern Italian region of Lombardy and Italy’s most important economic centre. The city is known for its impressive Gothic cathedral, the Duomo di Milano, which is the city’s symbol, as well as the opera house “La Scala” – one of the most prestigious opera stages in the world. Milan is also home to Leonardo da Vinci’s fresco “The Last Supper” in the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie.

As people who have visited Milan several times, we can say that it is not among our favourite Italian cities, but on the other hand, it is located in one of the most interesting regions in the country. In our opinion, many people make the mistake of limiting their stay only within Milan, without visiting all the beautiful towns and sights in the area, which besides being close, are also very easily accessible. Our opinion is that the real charm of Italy is in the small towns and villages and the incredible nature. Below we will tell you what to visit around Milan and information about each sight.

If you’re looking for cheap flights to Milan, you can compare prices from different airlines on Kiwi.com

Transport in Milan – Rental Car or Train

Although there are relatively good rental car offers from Bergamo airport, in our opinion the Milan area is so well connected by all types of transport that a car is not necessary. Trains to the main sights run at intervals of about 30 minutes, are comfortable, relatively cheap and you will not waste time looking for parking, which in Milan and at the more popular sights can be a real nightmare. In addition, parking prices in some places are murderously high, toll fees in Italy are also quite expensive and some places are reached faster by train than by car.

We usually check train timetables directly on their carrier’s website – Trenitalia.

Car rental in Lombardy

If you decide to rent a car, you can compare prices and offers from dozens of rental companies on DiscoverCars.

Where to Stay in Milan

Based on our research, here are the best rated hotels and apartments in Milan in Booking.com:

Most Interesting Places Around Milan

Do you have limited time and are wondering which places are worth visiting around Milan? Below we answer the question, with details and recommendations for each place, starting with the most likely starting and ending point of your journey – Bergamo.

Bergamo – One of the Most Beautiful Towns in Lombardy

Bergamo is better known for its airport than for being a very interesting and beautiful Italian town. We will not hide that, for us, Bergamo is a much more pleasant town for walking and sightseeing than Milan. The town is extremely peaceful, lacks tourist crowds and feels much more authentically Italian. In addition, accommodation and dining there are cheaper than in Milan.

How to reach Bergamo: The journey from Milan’s central station (Milano Centrale) to Bergamo station takes about an hour and costs around 5 euros. The train does not reach the airport, but the central part of the town. If you want to reach Bergamo airport, there are buses from Milan station. If you are visiting the town only for a day and have luggage, you can leave your bags in a luggage locker near the station.

Bergamo is roughly divided into two parts – the upper town (Città Alta) and the lower town (Città Bassa). Città Bassa is the more modern part of the town, where most of the boulevards, shopping streets, shops etc. are located. The main shopping street there is very pleasant for a walk and coffee, so do not miss it. If you are staying in Bergamo, we recommend looking for accommodation there.

The real charm of Bergamo lies in its old town, Città Alta – a medieval town hidden behind a 16th-century Venetian fortress, which is under UNESCO protection. You can reach it in 2 main ways – by funicular or on foot up the town’s steep hills. Walking along the cobbled streets of the old town is a real pleasure – from every corner there are beautiful views, magnificent Renaissance buildings and it is full of interesting shops for authentic Italian products, as well as small cafés and restaurants. The main square in the old town is called Piazza Vecchia (Old Square) and there you will find some of the town’s most iconic buildings, such as the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore with its incredible frescoes and interior, and the Campanone tower, from which the most beautiful view of the old town opens up. Another interesting attraction in the old town is the Rocca tower, which also has incredible views.

If you have more time, from the old town you can also go up to an even higher part of the town – the fortress of San Vigilio. From the old town there is a funicular that will take you there. From there an incredible panorama opens up over Bergamo and the surroundings, and in good weather you can even see the Alps in the distance.

We recommend staying one night in Bergamo and spending a whole day in the town. If your flight is early in the morning, you can stay overnight in Bergamo on your last full day, which will allow you to see it properly and reach the airport more quickly and easily early in the morning.

Lake Como

Lake Como is one of the most picturesque places in Northern Italy – hidden among the Alps, with crystal-clear water, surrounded by elegant villas and beautiful towns around the shores. This is one of the most popular places and a main sight around Milan.

How to reach Como: The most convenient transport is by train from Milan station. It is very important to choose your final destination. There are two options. The first option is to reach the town of Como by train and from there catch a boat to Bellagio and Varenna (a return boat ticket costs around 20-25 euros and takes between one and two hours, depending on the boat). The second option is to catch a train to the lakeside town of Lecco and from there connect with another train to Varenna, from where you can easily reach Bellagio by boat. Our recommendation is rather the first option, as by boat you will be able to enjoy the beautiful views to the max, but it takes more time and it is desirable to plan an overnight stay.

The town of Como is quite pleasant for a walk, but in our opinion, it does not offer the most beautiful views of the lake. If you have more time in the town of Como, you can go up to the village of Brunate by funicular, where two pleasant surprises await you – a beautiful panoramic view and a statue of Pencho Slaveykov. In our opinion, the most beautiful places around Como are the towns of Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio and Lecco. Below we write about each of them:

Bellagio – this is the postcard of Lake Como. The town is very beautiful, offers great views, but is also very touristy, especially in summer. We advise you to visit it earlier in the morning or outside the active tourist season.

Varenna – our favourite part of visiting Como. The town is very charming and pleasant for a walk. We strongly recommend visiting Villa Monastero – a beautiful villa on the lake shore, with a huge botanical garden. In our opinion, this is the most photogenic place around Como and should not be missed. The ticket is around 15 euros, but it is worth it.

Menaggio – another beautiful town on the shore of Lake Como, located very close to Varenna and Bellagio. If you have accommodation in the area, we recommend seeing all three.

Lecco – this is a town on the shore of Como that many tourists skip. If you have more time and decide to reach Varenna by train, we advise you to take a walk there – besides the town being beautiful, the mountains around Lecco are very high and this makes the views even more picturesque.

Brescia – One of The Best Day Trips from Milan

Brescia is Italy’s capital of culture for 2023 and is one of the most underrated sights around Milan. The town has 3000 years of history – Roman heritage, medieval architecture, a large castle, Renaissance masterpieces, ancient ruins and beautiful panoramic views all in one place. In addition, in Brescia there is a rich selection of authentic Italian restaurants with local cuisine and great cafés.

If you are planning a visit, especially with accommodation around Lake Garda, Brescia is the perfect stopover for a walk and sightseeing.

Transport to Brescia: The train from Milan’s central station (Milano Centrale) to Brescia takes between 30 and 60 minutes, with ticket prices starting from 8 euros one way.

These are the sights we recommend visiting in Brescia:

1. Capitolium and the Roman Forum (Brixia) – the best-preserved Roman site in northern Italy. The archaeological zone is very well preserved
2. The Castle (Castello di Brescia) – one of the largest fortress complexes in Italy, offering a 360° view over the town and the Alps. The castle houses a weapons museum.
3. Brescia’s Cathedrals – The New Cathedral (Duomo Nuovo), with incredible interior and the Old Cathedral (Duomo Vecchio), which is in the shape of a rotunda
4. Piazza della Loggia – the main square in the old town with beautiful views and a rich selection of nice cafés and restaurants nearby
5. Santa Giulia Museum (Museo di Santa Giulia) – one of the most impressive museums in Lombardy, offering incredible interior and views! Located in an 8th-century Lombard monastery and offering many interesting exhibits – from historical artefacts, through works of art to Roman mosaics. The complex includes three churches.

Lake Garda

Lake Garda (Lago di Garda) is the largest lake in Italy, located between three regions – Lombardy, Veneto and Trentino-Alto Adige. With an area of 370 km² and a length of 52 km, it offers incredible diversity of landscapes – from mountain peaks in the north to Mediterranean gardens in the south. The climate is mild and Mediterranean, especially in the southern part, where olives, lemons and palms grow. The lake is a popular year-round destination – summer swimming, water sports, and in winter – skiing in the nearby Alps.

Transport to Lake Garda – the easiest way is by train from Milan to Desenzano del Garda, with options every 30 minutes and prices starting from 10 euros one way. The journey takes between an hour and an hour and a half. If your final destination is nearby Sirmione (one of the most beautiful places on the lake), from Desenzano del Garda station there are buses there, with the journey taking about 20 minutes from the station.

In our opinion, Lake Garda deserves at least 1 overnight stay, so you have the opportunity to visit the beautiful villages and towns along the shore, including its northern part. Many people rent a car for a day or two and make a complete tour along the panoramic road around the lake – this is also our recommendation. If you do not have the opportunity to rent a car, you can take a boat from the southern towns – Desenzano del Garda (there is the largest harbour), Sirmione or Peschiera del Garda. The options are many, and you can get full-day tickets for a tour of the whole lake or just the southern zone. At the harbours, you will find ticket offices.

Recommended places around Lake Garda:

1. Sirmione – one of the most popular towns around Garda
2. Malcesine – a beautiful village with a medieval castle
3. Limone Sul Garda – colourful houses and lemon terraces, our favourite
4. Riva del Garda – a very beautiful town in the northern part

Usually, summer has the most tourists and finding accommodation and parking is most difficult, so we advise you to visit Lake Garda in spring or autumn – you will not go wrong!

Verona – The City of Romeo and Juliet

Verona is one of the most beautiful cities in Northern Italy, located on the Adige River in the Veneto region. The city is on the UNESCO list thanks to its exceptionally preserved Roman and medieval heritage. With over 2000 years of history, Verona combines antiquity, Renaissance and romance. It is known as the city of love because of Shakespeare’s tragedy “Romeo and Juliet”, but offers much more than that!

Transport to Verona: The journey from Milano Centrale station to Verona (Verona Porta Nuova) takes between one and two hours and the price of a one-way ticket starts from 12 euros.

Since the journey there is a bit longer and the city is interesting enough, we recommend either leaving early from Milan or planning an overnight stay in Verona.

Here are the most interesting sights in Verona that you should not miss:

1. The Roman Amphitheatre Arena di Verona – one of the city’s symbols. This is the third-largest such structure, after the Colosseum! In summer there is an opera festival, which is not to be missed, even if you are not opera fans.
2. Juliet’s House (Casa di Giulietta) – A medieval house with the famous balcony, where there is also a statue of Juliet. This is one of the most visited sites in the city, so you should rather be there early in the morning.
3. Piazza delle Erbe – the most beautiful square in Verona in the historic heart of the city
4. Piazza dei Signori – another iconic square in the old town with a statue of Dante
5. The Old Castle (Castelvecchio) – a beautiful castle in the centre, which houses an art gallery with sculptures and paintings by famous Italian artists
6. Piazzale Castel San Pietro – the most beautiful view in Verona. We recommend a visit at sunset.

Pavia – Peace and Charm

Pavia is a historic town in the Lombardy region, about 35 km south of Milan, located on the Ticino River. The town has a rich history – it was the capital of the Lombard Kingdom and an important university centre since 1361.

Pavia is the perfect day trip from Milan – a peaceful, authentic Italian town with impressive medieval heritage, far from tourist crowds. The university atmosphere makes it lively and dynamic.

Transport to Pavia: From Milano Centrale station to Pavia it takes about 30 minutes by train, with one-way tickets starting from 5 euros. The station is about 10-15 minutes walk from the centre.

Among Pavia’s most famous sights are:

1. The Covered Bridge (Ponte Coperto) – a beautiful bridge in the town centre over the Ticino River
2. Pavia Cathedral (Duomo di Pavia) – an imposing cathedral with a huge dome and beautiful interior
3. Visconti Castle (Castello Visconteo) – a medieval castle that houses the city museum with various exhibits, paintings and sculptures
4. Certosa di Pavia (Certosa di Pavia) – a monumental monastery, one of the greatest sights around Pavia and rightly so. The complex is extremely beautiful and impressive. Unfortunately it is located outside the town, but you can easily reach it from the centre by bus 175.

Monza – Perfect Half-Day Trip 15 Minutes from Milan

Monza is a town in Lombardy, just 15 km north of Milan. It is known mainly for its Formula 1 track (Autodromo Nazionale di Monza), but also offers beautiful history, a magnificent royal villa and a peaceful atmosphere far from Milan’s noise.

Transport to Monza: From Milano Centrale or Milano Porta Garibaldi to Monza it takes 10-15 minutes, with tickets starting from 2 euros.

The historic centre is very beautiful, and we advise you to also visit the Royal Villa (Villa Reale) with its incredible interior and gardens and Monza Cathedral (Duomo di Monza). If you are Formula 1 fans, do not miss the track either – it is one of the first in the world and has a museum. When there are no races, you can also visit the track itself – everything is located in the Royal Villa park.

Other Sights in the Milan Area

We cannot write detailed information about every single interesting place in the Milan area; we have selected those we think are most interesting and easily accessible. Here are ideas for more places:

1. Lakes Maggiore and Iseo – both lakes are not inferior to Como and Garda, but there are not as many tourists and the atmosphere is even more peaceful. If you have more time in the area, we strongly recommend!
2. Novara – a small town near Milan with a beautiful historic centre
3. Cremona – the city of violins. A beautiful historic city, famous for violin production.

Sample 5-Day Itinerary in Milan and the Region

Below we give you a sample itinerary for 5 full days, which, in our opinion, is most suitable for people who have not visited the Milan area before and are without a rental car. As we wrote above, in our opinion, the places around Milan are more interesting for tourist visits than the city itself. This is a matter of taste and is subjective, but also reflects the opinion of many other travelers. Four of the nights are in Milan, and the 5th in Bergamo. If you are traveling by trains or buses, we recommend accommodation in Milan, because this way you will be much more flexible in terms of transport – trains to the main sights depart from there. The last night is in Bergamo, so you can see the town fully and be close to the airport.

Day 1: Arrival in Bergamo, direct travel from the airport to Milan by bus, overnight in Milan

Day 2: Full day in Milan, walk and visit to the main sights, overnight in Milan

Day 3: Visit to Como – boat from the town of Como to Varenna and Bellagio, evening return to Milan or overnight in the town of Como

Day 4: Day trip to an interesting town around Milan – Brescia, Pavia or Monza, overnight in Milan

Day 5: Travel to Bergamo, full day in the town, overnight in Bergamo, early morning flight

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