15 Best Day Trips From Milan

There are many fantastic day trips from Milan—it’s just a matter of picking the one that best suits your needs and interests.

Milan is one of the most interesting places to visit in Italy. In recent years, it has received increasing attention from travelers who enjoy its fantastic museums, fun nightlife, infinite shopping opportunities, and incredible vibe.

However, as fast-paced as it is, it can sometimes get overwhelming. The good news is that this vibrant city is very well connected to the rest of Northern and Central Italy, so it is extremely easy to get out, even just for a day.

If you are looking for a place to spend some time out of town, you are in the right place. Here are the best day trips from Milan.

The Best Day Trips From Milan

Lake Como

Lake Como and the city that gives it its name are an easy 30-minute train ride north of Milan. The lake, which is of glacial origins, is the third biggest lake in Italy and, with a depth of up to 400 meters (1,312 feet), one of the deepest lakes in Europe.

The lake has been a popular retreat for wealthy aristocrats since Roman times. With the many beautiful villages (Bellagio, Brunate, and Varenna, to name just a few), villas (the most famous ones are Villa Carlotta, Villa d’Este, and Villa Serbelloni), and palaces (some of them property of famous actors) scattered throughout the area, it is obviously a fantastic tourist destination.

The lake itself is a good spot for kitesurfing, windsurfing, and sailing. Several farms in the surrounding area produce honey, cheese, milk, and olive oil, so you may want to visit one, too.

How to get to Como from Milan

You can quickly reach several villages and towns on Lake Como from Milan, but I think Como Town itself is one of the best starting points for a day trip from Milan. Getting to Como is very easy, making it one of the best day trips from Milan by train.

You can take a direct train from Milano Centrale train station to Como San Giovanni station, in the center of Como Town. The train only takes about 30-45 minutes each way.

For ease, you may want to join a guided tour departing from Milan. I recommend this Lake Como & Bellagio by Bus & Private Boat Tour. The tour includes plenty of free time around Como and Bellagio and a private boat tour around Lake Como. It lasts around 10-12 hours, but it’s the best way to visit Lake Como on a day trip.

Lake Maggiore

Lake Maggiore is the second-largest lake in Italy. Located on the southern side of the Alps, the lake and its shoreline are divided between the Italian regions of Lombardia and Piemonte and the Swiss Canton Ticino. It’s a lovely place to spend a day, even in the winter, as it benefits from mild weather throughout the year.

Among the most beautiful small towns on Lake Maggiore are Stresa, Laverno, and Locarno. You can cruise around the lake to explore its lovely Borromean Islands, such as Isola Bella, Isola Madre, and Isola dei Pescatori, all the while admiring the Alps in the distance.

How to get to Lake Maggiore from Milan

Many of the main tourist activities are located in Stresa village, and this is a good starting point for exploring the rest of Lake Maggiore.

There are both regional and intercity trains connecting Milan to Stresa. The train takes between 50 minutes to 1.25 hours, depending on which train you take. The Stresa train station is located in the center of the town, so it’s easy to get around from there.

If you’d like to take a day trip from Milan to Lake Maggiore, I recommend this Unique Lake Maggiore Day Trip from Milan. The tour includes roundtrip transportation, a private boat cruise around the lake, a professional guide, and even the entrance fee to Palazzo Borromeo. You will also get a guided tour around Stresa and visit Borromeo Palace in Isola Bella.

If you can get from Milan to Stresa on your own, you can also join a boat tour to see a little more of the lake. I recommend this Stresa: 3 Borromean Islands Hop-On Hop-Off Boat Tour. Since it’s hop-on hop-off style, you have a lot of independence and can travel around the lake at your own pace.

Lake Garda

Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy. It is located about halfway between Milan and Venice and on the edge of the Dolomites. It is a popular holiday destination because it offers interesting activities such as boat rides, sailing, kitesurfing, and windsurfing.

Several small islands are scattered across the lake. The largest one is Isola del Garda, famous for being where Francesco d’Assisi founded a monastery in 1220—though a 19th-century gothic-style building now stands.

The most famous small town on the lake is the romantic Sirmione, packed with exciting tourist sites and good cafés, restaurants, and bars. Desenzano del Garda is another lovely village—a popular bathing resort, but there are also plenty of cultural sites.

How to get to Lake Garda from Milan

Again, the easiest way to get to Lake Garda from Milan without a car, private driver, or on a tour is by train. You can take a train from Milano Centrale to Peschiera del Garda station or Desenzano del Garda, the two main train stations on the southern side of the lake.

The train from Milan to one of the southern train stations on Lake Garda takes roughly an hour each way and runs regularly throughout the day.

One of the easiest ways to visit Lake Garda on a day trip is to join a guided tour. I recommend this From Milan: Verona, Sirmione, and Lake Garda with a Boat Cruise. You’ll visit Juliet’s balcony in Verona, enjoy a private boat cruise around Lake Garda, walk through Sirmione, and visit Scalifero Castle.

For boat tours around Lake Garda, I recommend this beautiful Sirmione: Sunset Boat Cruise with Local Wine. It’s a 45-minute, slow cruise with wine, great views, and good sunset energy. You’ll also pass by some interesting places, like Grotte di Catullo and Scaligero Castle.

If you’d like a more comprehensive tour around Lake Garda, check out this Full-Day Lake Garda Tour: Bus & Public Boat with Guide. The tour has two different itineraries depending on which day you join. But both itineraries include visits to nearby villages and a shared boat ride across the lake.

Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre probably deserves more than a day, but when time is limited, day trips from Milan to Cinque Terre (or even day trips from Florence to Cinque Terre) are an excellent way to get at least a feel for it and prepare to go again.

This part of the coast of Liguria has beautiful, dramatic scenery. It is so unique that it has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Surrounding the gorgeous, colorful coastal villages are some fabulous vineyards (the wine in this region is excellent) and olive and lemon groves. There are many wonderful, small beaches—swimming here is a must.

Four of Cinque Terre’s five villages—Riomaggiore, Vernazza, Monterosso, and Manarola, the oldest one—are right on the coast and have direct access to the sea. Corniglia is higher up in the hills and is landlocked. An old railway connects all the villages, making it possible to visit them all in one day.

How to get to Cinque Terre from Milan

There’s no one train to Cinque Terre, as it’s a region, not a town. So, you’ll have to decide which village you’d like to begin in and look for trains from Milano Centrale to that specific village.

Monterosso is a good starting point for exploring that part of Cinque Terre; trains from Milan to Monterosso only take about three hours each way.

When time is limited, the best way to appreciate Cinque Terre is on a guided tour that takes care of all the logistics while enjoying the extraordinary views.

An excellent company is Ciao Florence—which, as the name may suggest, mostly leads tours from Florence to Cinque Terre. A typical tour includes a boat ride along the coast, which is especially appreciated by photography lovers as there are fantastic views of the towns from the sea.

If you’d like to visit Cinque Terre on a day trip, I recommend this Milan: Cinque Terre Full-Day Guided Trip With Cruise. You’ll join a boat cruise from La Spezia and explore the villages of Manarola and Monterosso al Mare and other enchanting locations and towns. The tour is about 10-12 hours, so it’s a full day of exploring, but it’s one of the best ways to see much of Cinque Terre in one day.

Make sure to also read my post, How To Get To Cinque Terre From Milan. The post outlines other tours you can take or how to get there independently.

Franciacorta

There are many wine regions in Italy, some quite close to Milan. Franciacorta is less than one hour from Milan. The area is very picturesque and needless to say, the wines are delicious.

Franciacorta wines are sparkling wines, considered one of the Italian answers to French Champagne. The region is beautiful, extending all the way to Lake Iseo and packed with vintage wineries.

The best way to make the most of day tours from Milan to Franciacorta is to pair wine tasting with good food. Given that this is in Italy, one of the best food destinations in the world, this isn’t difficult!

How to get to Franciacorta from Milan

There are no direct trains from Milan to Franciacorta, but some go to villages. For example, you can take a train from Milan to Passirano in about an hour.

However, Franciacorta is best explored either with your own rental car or on a guided tour. Things are a bit spread out, and it’s hard to rely on public transportation if you want to visit one or two vineyards.

If you’d like to visit the vineyards and surrounding region on a tour, this Milan: Franciacorta Winery and Bergamo Day Trip with Lunch is one of the most popular tours. The tour includes exploring Bergamo and a delicious three-course lunch with local Franciacorta wine. You’ll also ride along the Franciacorta wine route and get some excellent views of Lake Iseo. It’s also the perfect blend of guided tours and independent exploration time.

Bergamo

Bergamo is a stone’s throw from Milan (around 45 minutes by train), and it is gradually becoming a tourist destination in and of itself. It is worth visiting Bergamo.

The old city, Bergamo Alta, is a maze of narrow alleys, gorgeous buildings, and viewpoints to take in the magnificent views. Don’t miss Piazza Vecchia, Colleoni Chapel, and the Old City gate!

The surroundings of Bergamo are just as interesting. One of my favorite places is Crespi d’Adda, a fantastic example of industrial architecture dating back to the late 19th century and now a UNESCO site. It’s actually halfway between Milan and Bergamo.

Other places to visit are San Pellegrino Terme (QC Terme is the ultimate place to relax) and Scanzo, where you can taste the fantastic Moscato di Scanzo wine.

How to get to Bergamo from Milan

Again, the easiest way to get from Milan to Bergamo is by train. There are direct trains between the two destinations. The central train station in Bergamo is just a short walk from the center of Lower Town, the city center of Bergamo.

From Lower Town, you can easily reach other parts of the city and the region on foot or by bus.

The train from Milan to Bergamo takes about one hour each way, making it one of the fastest and easiest Milan day trips.

Venice

Venice hardly needs any introduction. Capital of the region of Veneto, this is one of the most incredible places to visit in Italy, if not in the world.

Many travelers complain that it is too packed with tourists or too expensive. Yet, it definitely deserves a visit. Though I’d recommend spending a few days in Venice to soak in the atmosphere, if time and budget are limited, you can go for just a day.

The city has plenty of interesting places to explore, and it is small enough that it’s easy to see them even on day trips from Milan. Among the unmissable places are Rialto Bridge and the Gran Canale, San Marco Square and the Campanile, Doge’s Palace, and Saint Mark’s Basilica.

I also recommend walking around the Ghetto degli Ebrei. It is quieter than the rest of the city and very pleasant. Last but not least, by taking a short boat ride, you can explore the nearby islands of Burano and Murano.

How to get to Venice from Milan

The train from Milan to Venice takes a little over two hours. Make sure to leave nice and early. The first direct train leaves from Milan bright and early (usually well before 7:00 am), leaving you plenty of time throughout the day to explore La Serenissima (that’s one of the nicknames of Venice).

The train from Milan to Venice takes just over two hours each way. Since there’s so much to see in Venice, you want to leave as early as possible to make the most of your day.

If you’re looking for the easiest way to get to Venice from Milan without using public transportation, you can always take a guided tour. I recommend this From Milan: Day Trip to Venice with Guided City Tour. The activity includes a guided walking tour of Venice, roundtrip transportation in a bus, and a boat trip around the lagoon.

If you are interested in exploring Burano and Murano from Venice, this Murano & Burano Guided Tour by Private Boat is the easiest and most popular tour option. The tour includes a lovely riverboat ride and plenty of free time to explore Burano and Murano.

Once in Venice, you can enjoy a guided tour to make the most of it quickly. For a quality and easy Venice tour, I recommend this Venice: Private Boat Tour with a Local Guide. It’s a private tour, so it’s pretty customizable. But you’ll be with a local guide who knows all the ins and outs of the city.

Florence

One of the most famous places to visit in Italy is Florence, the capital of Tuscany—and for a good reason. The city is stunning, to say the least. The best thing would be to spend a few days exploring. It is well-connected, so it makes sense to try one of the day trips from Milan to Florence if you’re short on time.

The must-sees in Florence include the Cathedral, Santa Croce church, the Battistero, Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, Galleria degli Uffizi, and Ponte Vecchio. You can also visit the beautiful Boboli Gardens.

How to get to Florence from Milan

Florence and Milan are major Italian hubs, so there are many transportation options connecting the two cities. I recommend heading to Milano Centrale Station and catching a direct train to the city center of Milan.

There are several early trains (leaving around 7:00 or 8:00 am) departing from Milano. The train from Milan to Florence takes around 1.5 hours each way, so try to go in the morning so you have more time to explore Florence.

Although it’s easy to get to all major cities from Milan, you can also join a guided tour. If you decide, I recommend this From Milan: Florence and Pisa Day Trip. It’s nice that you can visit both destinations. It is a little rushed but also an excellent way to knock out more bucket list locations if you don’t have the time for each.

Once in Florence, having skip-the-line tickets to visit attractions will undoubtedly help. Most places have skip-the-line tickets you can book in advance, like this Skip-the-Line Uffizi Gallery Timed Entry Ticket.

Make sure to also read my post, The Best Things To Do In Florence. I talk about the best activities in Florence, so you can decide which are most interesting for a day trip to the bustling city.

Bologna

Bologna, the capital of Emilia Romagna, is the food capital of the country. As it takes only one hour by train, you can go there for just a day—if anything to gorge on all the food.

Among the places to visit in Bologna are Piazza Maggiore, Basilica di San Petronio, the Cathedral, the Palazzo del Podestà, and the Pinacoteca. Foodies have an ample selection of local delicacies to choose from and can easily spend the day eating or even taking a cooking class.

Here are some of Bologna’s must eats: tortellacci; mortadella; tagliatelle al ragù alla bolognese (by the way, please note that in Italy we don’t eat “spaghetti bolognaise”!); lasagne. These are the most traditional dishes, so watch out for some alternatives—the city is packed with fantastic restaurants, which are best booked in advance. Here’s a selection of the best restaurants in Bologna.

How to get to Bologna from Milan

There are plenty of direct trains to Bologna, and since the trip is relatively short, you won’t have to wake up so early.

However, if you’re keen on visiting the city, I recommend hopping on an earlier train, leaving plenty of time to enjoy all the city offers (and all the food).

Once you are in Bologna, consider joining this Tastes & Traditions of Bologna: Food & Market Tour – I took this tour in May when I last visited Bologna and really enjoyed it. It starts at 10:00 am and you will have 9 tastings including a good panino con la mortadella, tortelloni and a full portion of tagliatelle.

My post How To Spend One Day In Bologna will guide you into more things to do in the city.

Pavia

Pavia is one of the lesser-known cities for international tourism, yet it is an architectural gem. It has over 100 towers and a university founded in 1361, and it is a great place to visit.

Other places to visit in the city include the many medieval and early Renaissance buildings, churches and squares, the Ponte Coperto, the Church of San Michele, the Duomo, and the Castello Visconteo.

One of the most important places to visit is the Certosa di Pavia (Chartreuse). This monastery, sanctuary, and beautiful gardens were founded in the 15th century and are located around 8 km (5 miles) from Pavia. You can also go on a wine tour in the Oltrepo Pavese region.

How to get to Pavia from Milan

Pavia is a mere 30-minute drive from Milan and as little as 23 minutes by train if direct. Trains leave frequently from both main train stations in Milan, so you shouldn’t have difficulty finding one that fits your schedule.

Verona

This splendid city is famous internationally for being home to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet—you will have to visit Juliet’s house to see the famous balcony from where she called her Romeo. You will also find a gorgeous Roman amphitheater built in the first century AD. Piazza Mercato is another must-see.

How to get to Verona from Milan

You can easily reach Verona by train from Milan—it takes around two hours. High-speed and regional trains depart regularly, so again, you should be able to find a departure that works best for you.

Once there, take the hop-on, hop-off bus tour to see everything the city offers. The bus routes hit everything in Verona, so it’s the best way to make the most of your time in the city.

This From Milan: Verona, Sirmione, and Lake Garda with Boat Cruise is also an excellent way to visit Verona and some of the other best day tours from Milan. While the tour includes a loaded day trip, it does set aside about three hours for Verona, which is enough time to see the main highlights.

Turin

Did you know that Turin is Italy’s first capital? It is also an extremely pleasant place to visit, with great museums, churches, and much more. What’s best is that Turin is a very easy train ride from Milan, perfect for a day trip.

Turin is famous for being home to the shroud depicting the face of Jesus. The Cathedral of San Lorenzo is a must-see—a beautiful baroque church. The Mole Antonelliana will provide impressive views of the city.

One of Turin’s biggest highlights is the Egyptian Museum. Here, you will find one of the finest collections of Egyptian art and archeology outside of Egypt. If you have the time and budget, I highly recommend joining this Egyptian Museum Small Group Guided Tour to learn more about all the background history.

Finally, also try Gianduiotti, Turin’s famous chocolate pralines.

How to get to Turin from Milan

If traveling from Milan center, you can also take a train from Milano Centrale Station to Turin. The high-speed train takes you from the city center to the city center in about an hour each way.

Genoa

This is a truly lovely city—unfortunately, in the summer of 2018, the Morandi Bridge suddenly collapsed, causing a major accident.

Genoa is home to the largest port in Italy, and many people visit it to explore the country. Yet, the city offers many fascinating sights—the old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s also a great starting point for exploring smaller villages such as the best-known Santa Margherita Ligure and Portofino.

Genoa is home to a fantastic aquarium that strives to promote the respect of marine life. Try the famous local focaccia and the pesto, a basil-based sauce mainly used on pasta.

How to get to Genoa from Milan

As with all major Italian destinations, the easiest way to travel from Milan to Genoa is by train. It’s well connected with the rest of the country, and a train between these two cities takes under two hours. You’ll still want to leave in the morning to give yourself plenty of time in Genoa.

Lugano (Switzerland)

If you like traveling to another country, why don’t you pop into Switzerland for a quick visit? Lugano is a little over one hour away by train from Milan and an incredibly pleasant place to visit. The city is located on the shores of Lake Lugano, in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland.

Once in Lugano, you will find plenty of museums, nice cafés, restaurants, and chocolate shops to get a proper taste of the country—though mind you, it’s not a cheap place!

How to get to Lugano, Switzerland from Milan, Italy

Trains to Lugano depart regularly from Milan Central Station and take just over one hour to reach the city. The ride is incredibly scenic, passing through the Alps—so the trip is as great as the final destination!

St. Moritz (Switzerland)

This is one of the longest day trips, but it’s worth it if you’ve never been to St. Moritz.

St. Moritz is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Switzerland and is known for the Bernina Express. The Bernina Express is a scenic train ride through the Alps, climbing over 1,800 meters (5,900 feet) with mountainous views for days.

The route takes about four hours and runs from Chur in Switzerland to Tirano in northern Italy. If you visit St. Moritz from Milan, you’ll ride the train from St. Moritz to Tirano.

It’s a particularly good day trip in the winter, as the snow-capped mountains add to the already breathtaking atmosphere.

St. Moritz, Switzerland, is also a very popular ski resort destination. So, if you’re into skiing, you could also consider renting some equipment and going on a few runs.

How to get St. Moritz from Milan

If you visit St. Moritz to explore a little of the town and take the Bernina Express, it’s a little more complicated because of the distance and logistics. You can travel from Milan to St. Moritz via Tirano (in northern Italy) and take the Bernina Express.

The train from Milan to Tirano takes around 2.5 hours. Then, hop on the Bernina Express to St. Moritz, which takes another 2.5 hours. You can either return to Tirano and head back to Milan or take a longer bus/train from St. Moritz directly to Milan.

If you insist on making this trip in one day, consider joining a guided tour. This makes everything a million times easier, as the logistics for such a long day trip can be overwhelming.

For guided tours, I recommend this From Milan: Bernina Train, Swiss Alps & St. Moritz Day Trip. It’s a long day (roughly 10-12 hours), but worth it. You have free time in St. Moritz, and the tour includes a 2.5-hour ride on the famous Bernina Train. The tour includes your train ticket, roundtrip transportation from Milan, and an English-speaking guide.

How To Get Around During Your Day Trip From Milan

Join a guided tour

My best advice for making the most of your time is to check out the best day tours from Milan. These have been carefully designed and planned by experts to make them completely efficient and smooth.

You’ll have a driver and a guide taking care of you, and you’ll only have to worry about relaxing and making the most of your day.

Guided tours are particularly good for day trips in Italy. You’ll have a short time at your destination and want to maximize that time. Since the tours take care of all planning and transportation, you really save a ton of time.

By train

You may have noticed that I suggested the train as the best way to travel for all the day trips when going independently. That’s because Italy has a fantastic train system, so the options for day trips from Milan by train are endless.

There are also buses that connect major cities, but if you’re already staying in Milan’s historic center, getting from Milano Centrale Station to anywhere else in the region is very easy.

Traveling by train saves you the hassle of having to look for a parking spot and having to worry about speed limits and limited traffic areas (ZTL). Train stations in Italy are usually right in the heart of the city, so you’ll be right in the historic center, ready to explore.

You can consult the train timetable for Italy and buy train tickets here.

By car

If you enjoy road trips, renting a car may be a good idea (especially when traveling to regional destinations like Cinque Terre). Watch out for the speed limits, and remember that Italian laws about drinking and driving are pretty strict.

If you want to rent a car, I recommend using Discover Cars in Italy. I’ve used it worldwide (including Italy), and it’s the best way to find good vehicles within your budget that fit your preferences.

Have you ever visited Milan? What are your favorite day trips from Milan?

Further Readings

Make sure to read my planning tips for Italy in these posts:

• 17 Reasons To Visit Italy As Soon As Possible
• 67 Extremely Useful Travel Tips For Italy
• What To Do And What To Avoid When Planning A Trip To Italy
• A Perfect Italy Itinerary: What To See And Do With 10 Days Or More

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