Day Trips from Milan Italy

10x Best Excursions, Lake Como Tours & Day Trips from Milan

All info about tours, one day trips and excursions from Milan. Tips for best activities and things to do in Milano Italy can be found here:

10 Tips for excursions from Milan

Would you like to escape the busy city and discover what else the Milan area has to offer? Visit charming places on Lake Como or discover beautiful cities such as Bergamo, Genoa or Brescia. It is even possible to visit highlights of Italy such as Cinque Terre or the canals of Venice by day trip from Milan. Read more for the best tips for day trips and excursions from Milan Italy:

1. Lake Como day trip from Milan: Como, Bellagio & Varenna

^{Lake Como day trip from Milan: Bellagio and Como}

^{Best day trips from Milan: Visit Varenna on Lake Como}

Lake Como (Lago di Como in Italian) is located in the province of Como and the capital of this province is also called Como. The blue water, the mountains around the lake and the beautiful surroundings with gigantic villas make it a special environment. You can completely relax here and when you take the boat you can visit interesting attractions along the lake. As a nature lover, you can take a walk at the waterfalls in Domaso or the Orrido di Bellano (a gorge).

When you are in the city of Como on a Saturday, explore the large market selling not only food, but also souvenirs and jewellery. You will immediately see the city wall that surrounds Como. The Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta and the Giardini del Tempio Voltiano are also worth a visit in Como city. You can easily make a day trip from Milan (more info & bookings). You can also travel from Milan to Como in 40 minutes by train (plan your trip via Trenitalia.com). But even better: if you also want to visit the colorful places of Bellagio and Varenna, then it's recommended to book an organized Lake Como day trip from Milan:

2. Day trip to Bergamo

^{Bergamo, a beautiful city near Milan}

^{Visit the old square of Bergamo}

Bergamo is just over 50 kilometers northeast of Milan and if you take time to visit this city during your day trip, you will experience that Bergamo is a breath of fresh air. The majority of people skip Bergamo, to either only visit Milan or continue to Lake Como. This makes Bergamo – which already feels more like a big village than a real city anyway – much quieter and more pleasant. From Milan you can easily travel as a day trip to Bergamo in 40 minutes by train (plan your trip via Trenitalia.com).

Since all sights are within walking distance, it is best to explore medieval-looking Bergamo on foot. See Città Alta (possibly by funicular) and the Venetian walls, enjoy the atmosphere in the squares (Piazza Vecchai, Piazza del Duomo) and admire the exterior and all the splendor of the Duomo and the Basilica Maria Maggiore. For an excellent view over the rooftops of Bergamo, climb the tower of the Palazzo della Ragione.

3. Pavia

^{Pavia, a nice town near Milan Italy}

^{Milan day tours: The Monastery of Certosa di Pavia}

Pavia is located about 40 kilometers south of Milan. You will visit this city for a number of attractions, such as the Duomi di Pavia, the Ponte Coperto (Covered Bridge) and the Botanical Gardens. You may also like the castle – the Castello Visconteo di Pavia – with the museum. Not only the castle itself, but also the richly decorated ceilings and the works of art are worth a visit.

Would you like a moment of tranquility after the hustle and bustle of Milan? Then take a lovely walk through Parco della Vernavola. Every month of the year you can enjoy the water and the forests here. With some food and drink in your backpack, you'll find fantastic places to picnic. On the way there or back from Milan you also need to stop at the Certosa di Pavia. This is a beautifully decorated Renaissance cloister. You can reach Pavia in less than 30 minutes by train (plan your journey at Trenitalia.com).

4. Day trip to Turin

^{Turin skyline with the Mole Antonelliana}

^{Piazza San Carlo in Turin Italy}

From the train station in Milan you will be in Turin in exactly one hour by train (plan your journey via Trenitalia .com). The city of 'Torino' is located 141 kilometers west of Milan and can be an interesting day trip if you stay longer in the region. Turin is the second largest city in northern Italy after Milan and is located in the Piemonte region, which means 'at the foot of the mountains' in Italian. The prosperous city flourished in the 16th century when the House of Savoy made this city the capital of his duchy. As a result, the city has many beautiful baroque buildings, covered passages, stylish squares and has more than enough to offer to keep you entertained for a full day.

Major attractions of Turin include the Duomo, home to the controversial Shroud of Turin. The Museo Egizio, or the Egyptian museum which is one of the most important of this kind. A visit to the Palazzo Reale, the Royal Palace of Turin; this was the palace where the House of Savoy lived from 1645 and has beautiful spaces such as the Armeria, a beautiful weapon collection. Combine this with an automobile museum, the Juventus stadium and the Cinema Museum in the 'Mole Antonelliana' (this tower is the symbol of the city and a wonderful vantage point) and you have enough sights for a varied city trip.

5. Brescia

^{Daytrip from Milan: Brescia}

^{Brescia, Lombardy's second city}

Another nice city that can be reached within an hour by train is Brescia, Lombardy's second city. The city is located 91 kilometers east of Milan. Although Brescia is an important, modern industrial and commercial city, it has a nice old city center. You will find the remains of an enormous and ancient Roman forum. The most beautiful square of the city is Piazza della Loggia, where the influences from Venice history are clearly visible. The Piazza del Duomo should also not be missed with the beautiful cathedral of Brescia and the Broletto palace. Furthermore, from the hill Cidneo, where the old Visconto castle is located, you have a magnificent view over the city.

6. Excursion to Verona

^{The atmospheric Verona}

^{Verona's amphitheater}

Verona is about 155 km east of Milan and can be reached in an hour and 15 minutes by train (tickets via Trenitalia but you can also book this Verona day trip that also will visit Lake Garda). The river Adige flows through this medieval city. The many bridges in Verona are therefore reason for beautiful photos at this excursion from Milan. If you are a lover of Shakespeare's works, you will know that Verona was the place where Romeo & Juliet took place. The small 14th-century balcony is still there (Casa di Giulietta) and it overlooks the courtyard. Anyone who happens to attend a concert in this city should do so in the Amphitheater Arena di Verona. Here you can listen and watch the artists performing with 20,000 people and in the summer there is even a special program in which opera plays the leading role. Other places of interest include historic sites such as the Porta Palio and Porta Nova and - not to forget - the Ponte di Castelvechio. There are also several churches, such as the Parrochia Santi Angeli Custodi, Saint Bernardino and Chiesa Parrochiale di Santa Maria in Organo.

7. Genoa

^{The port city of Genoa}

^{Genoa, a city with a maze of narrow streets}

The port city of Genoa is located 144 km south of Milan and can be reached by train in one and a half hours (tickets via Trenitalia or you can book this guided daytrip to Genoa and the beautiful fishing village of Portofino). Genoa is the largest port city in Italy and the center is a maze of narrow alleys, colorful houses and beautiful palaces (be sure to stroll through Via Garibaldi). The city is nicknamed 'La Superba' and is the birthplace of Columbus. It is a city with a rich immigrant history and was a maritime power for many years. In the harbor you can visit the maritime museum or the aquarium, the top attraction of Genoa. You can easily spend a full day in Genoa, so book your organized day trip from Milan (more info & bookings) in time to fully experience this city with a raw edge.

8. Milan day tours: Bernina train to Sankt Moritz

^{Travel with the Bernina train to Sankt Moritz}

^{A wonderful train journey to Switzerland}

The Bernina Express takes you on a wonderful journey through Switzerland on one of the steepest train tracks in the world. Through the windows in the train you can fully enjoy the magnificent mountain landscape. If you opt for a day trip from Milan, you will leave early in the morning by bus to the town of Tirano. There you will board the Bernina Express and travel to the mountain town of Sankt Moritz, where you will have some time to see this town. After this short stop, the train continues its route back to Tirano, to return to Milan Italy (more info & bookings). If you are not afraid of heights, you should have made this train journey once in your life. The pure nature with mountains and gorges, valleys with clear blue water and sometimes snow on the mountain tops, the bridges and tunnels that you will pass you'll never forget.

9. Cinque Terre (230 km)

^{Manarola - Cinque Terra}

^{Vernazza - Cinque Terra}

The Cinque Terre is a national park on the Italian coast near Genoa and consists of five picturesque villages, namely Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. The entire area is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and is known for the beautiful hiking trails that run between the villages. The part between Manarola and Riomaggiore is called Via dell'Amore. My personal favorite is the village of Vernazza with a picturesque fishing port. Tip: With this Cinque Terre day trip from Milan you can visit the Cinque Terre, one of the most beautiful coastal areas of Italy.

10. More day trips from Milan