Northern Italy has a method of pulling you in with its attraction, and truthfully,
exploring it was one of many best journey experiences I’ve ever had.
In contrast to different international locations the place day journeys could be difficult, northern italy is easy to navigate From Milan utilizing public transportation
and attain unimaginable 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 bear in mind sooner or later particularly—I began my morning in Bergamo, having fun with the gorgeous views from the higher city of citta alta By mid-afternoon, I discovered myself on a practice to Verona, exploring the town
Two utterly completely different vibes in sooner or later, 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 discuss tips on how to discover Northern Italy’s gems with out ever needing to pack and unpack your suitcase.
By Practice: The Best and Most Scenic Possibility
In the case of 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 nearly each fashionable 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 are as fast as half-hour!
The native app Trenitalia is a lifesaver in the case of planning practice journey in Italy.
It’s truly 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 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 value hikes! This makes last-minute planning completely stress-free.
By bus:
If you happen to’re touring on a brilliant tight funds, buses is usually a good various 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, when you’re decided to save lots of each euro, there are a couple of bus choices price contemplating.
The most affordable bus choice I’ve discovered is Itabus, which typically provides fares which are half the worth of a practice ticket
However there’s often just one bus per day for many routes, so that you’ll have to plan your schedule fastidiously.
For shorter distances, you may not save sufficient time or cash to make it definitely worth the problem.
As for different fashionable bus providers 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 truly find yourself costing greater than a practice, so it’s price evaluating costs earlier than reserving.
By Organized Tour:
If you happen to’re somebody who doesn’t wish to spend time determining practice schedules or navigating with GPS, an organized tour is perhaps the right resolution.
Most excursions embrace transportation out of your resort, visits to iconic landmarks, and typically even extras like guided museum visits or lunch.
One fashionable 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 worth.
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.
A visit to Lake Garda appears like stepping right into a picture-perfect postcard.
As Italy’s largest lake, it provides a mixture of gorgeous landscapes, charming cities, and outside adventures. Getting there from Milan is easy—simply hop on a practice to Desenzano del Garda, which serves as an important start line for exploring the 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 world 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.
Locations to See Round Lake Garda
• Sirmione: This is likely one of the lake’s most well-known cities, and for good motive. Its slender streets are crammed with 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 practice, it’s price taking a while to get pleasure from this vigorous lakeside city.
• Riva del Garda: Situated on the northern tip of the lake and surrounded by mountains, this city is good for outside fans.
You may 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 happen to’re into thrilling rides and curler coasters, that is the place to be. It’s additionally a enjoyable choice when you’re touring with children (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 verify the ferry schedules forward of time to ensure 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 truth, 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 easy. Take a regional practice from Milan, which prices simply €6 every method 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 crammed 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 lovely views as you ascend. Ensure 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 crammed with 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 gorgeous church is a spotlight of Bergamo. The inside is roofed in intricate frescoes and art work that can depart you speechless.
If you happen to’re searching 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 individuals select garda lake or comp lake however Brescia have good various which is iseo lake is calmer and delightful and have rhe largest island in europe inside lake
Getting there’s tremendous simple. Take a practice from Milan to Brescia, which takes nearly an hour and prices €8 a technique.
Brescia is compact and filled with historical past, so you possibly can discover its primary highlights in a couple of hours. When 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 inexpensive day journey.
Highlights in Brescia
• Piazza della Loggia: This picturesque sq. is the center of Brescia, surrounded by gorgeous Renaissance structure. It’s the right place to seize a espresso, sit again, and soak within the ambiance.
• Brescia Fortress: Perched on a hill, this historic fortress provides 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 should stroll litle bit to get there
• Capitolium and Roman Discussion board: Brescia is house 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 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 lovely.
• Monte Isola: That 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 technique 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 straightforward and rewards you with gorgeous views over the lake.
• Iseo City: Don’t skip the city of Iseo itself. Its colourful streets, cozy cafes, and lakeside promenade are good for a soothing stroll. It’s the form of place the place you possibly can decelerate, get pleasure from a gelato, and simply take within the surroundings.
Now let’s discuss 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 sooner or later.
To get there, take a practice from Milan to Verona Porta Nuova station. The trip takes about two hours and prices round €12 a technique.
When you arrive, you possibly can stroll or take a brief bus trip to the town heart, the place all of the magic occurs.
Locations to See in Verona
• Juliet’s Home: Positive, 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 likely one of the best-preserved on this planet .
The doorway charge is simply €1, making it a budget-friendly method to discover Verona’s historical historical past.
• Piazza delle Erbe: This vigorous sq. is ideal for people-watching, purchasing, or grabbing a chunk to eat. Surrounded by colourful buildings and historic landmarks.
• Castelvecchio: Stroll throughout its fortified bridge for unimaginable views of the river, and don’t overlook to take a look at the museum inside, which is filled with fascinating artifacts.
Professional Tip: You probably have 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 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.
Due to its well-connected practice system, visiting locations like Lake Garda, Bergamo, Lake Iseo, Brescia, and Verona is easy, inexpensive, and stress-free.
So, pack your baggage, 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.
Hello, I’m Hamadi, a passionate traveler and the creator of travresources.com.
Creator 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 suggestions, detailed itineraries, and guides to make your travels smoother and extra memorable
