1 week in northern Italy: a local's day-by-day itinerary
Last updated on October 11th, 2026.
Northern Italy rewards a week of well-chosen stops.
I've traveled through much of the north and I live in Veneto, yet until now I hadn't published a northern Italy itinerary.
That changes today.
This guide gives you two 7-day routes, one starting in Milan and one starting in Venice, plus a 5-day version of each.
Milan works as a base for Lake Como, Bergamo and Brescia.
From Venice, Verona, Lake Garda, Padua and Vicenza are all reachable by train, and the Dolomites are an overnight add-on.
The days balance famous sights with quieter places, and each one includes an alternative in case the weather changes.
If you’re still deciding where to go, start with my guide on how to plan a trip to Italy.
If you’d rather combine Rome or Florence with Milan and Venice, my 8 days in Italy itinerary has a Milan, Lake Como and Venice route.
Seven days is enough for northern Italy if you choose two bases and treat the Dolomites as an overnight stay. Start in Milan for Lake Como, Bergamo, Brescia and Verona. Start in Venice for the lagoon, Verona, Lake Garda, Prosecco country and Bologna. Almost everything works by train, and you only need a car for the mountains.
How to use this guide
- Pick a base, Milan or Venice. Each has a 7-day and a 5-day version.
- Choose your focus: the Italian lakes, the Dolomites, cities or a mix.
- Follow the days and use the train and driving tips below.
- Mix and match. Each day has alternatives, so the plan stays flexible if the weather turns. Add a rest morning, or move your base from Milan to Verona if that suits you better.
Northern Italy itineraries at a glance
7 days from Milan (journey times are from Milan)
| Day | Where | Getting there |
| 1 | Milan: Duomo, Galleria, Brera, Navigli, | On foot and metro |
| 2 | Lake Como: Varenna and Bellagio | Train about 1 hour, then ferry |
| 3 | Bergamo or Brescia | Train about 50 minutes or 36 minutes (fast train) |
| 4 | Verona | Train about 1hr 13mins |
| 5 | Lake Garda (Desenzano and Sirmione), or 2 nights in the Dolomites | Train about 1hr 10mins |
| 6 | Venice day trip, or Padua/Vicenza | 2.5hrs to 2hrs 45mins; about 2 hours |
| 7 | Milan, then depart |
7 days from Venice (fly into Venice, out of Milan)
| Day | Where | Getting there |
| 1 | Venice | On foot and vaporetto |
| 2 | Venetian Lagoon islands, or Prosecco Hills | Boat car or tour |
| 3 | Verona (and Lake Garda), then back to Venice | Similar to the Milan journey time |
| 4 | Dolomites (Cortina d'Ampezzo), or Bologna | Coach about 2.5 to 3 hours (from Piazzale Roma; train about 1.5 hours |
| 5 | Padua and/or Vicenza | Short train rides |
| 6 | Milan | Early train from Venice |
| 7 | Milan, then depart |
5 days
| Milan version | Venice version | |
| Day 1 | Milan | Venice |
| Day 2 | Lake Como | Venetian Lagoon islands |
| Day 3 | Verona and one Lake Garda town | Verona (and Lake Garda) |
| Day 4 | Venice | Dolomites (Cortina) or Padua/Vicenza |
| Day 5 | Milan, then fly out | Venice, then fly out |
Summer note: if you travel in summer, spend extra time in the mountains to avoid the heat. If heavy rain hits the Dolomites, swap in a city with indoor museums and galleries.
When to visit northern Italy
Late spring and fall are comfortable for most itineraries, although it depends on the trip you want.
For long, lazy days at the beach or lake, summer works well.
For winter sports, or to experience winter in Italy, December to February is the time to go.
I cover this in more detail, with a month-by-month breakdown in when is the best time to visit Italy.
How to get around northern Italy
By train
Most of the places in these itineraries, apart from the Dolomites, are reachable by train. Trains leave regularly from Milano Centrale and Venezia Santa Lucia, and there are regular services from Venice to Verona and from Venice to Bologna.
Buy train tickets in advance and validate regional paper tickets at the platform machines before boarding.
Tickets bought online don't need validating, but have the app or the confirmation email ready to show to the inspector.
For more detail, read my guide on how to take trains in Italy.
By car
Hiring a car is more convenient for the Dolomites and for remote countryside towns.
As I explain in renting a car in Italy, watch out for ZTLs (limited traffic zones) in many city centers. Rental companies forward the fines months after your trip has ended.
Study the ZTL maps before you go. Other tips:
- photograph the rental car for pre-existing scratches
- have coins ready for unmanned parking
- have a photo of your license plate ready to enter at the parking meter
For most of these itineraries, trains cover the first days. That leaves some budget if you decide to rent a car for the mountains.
⏩️ Read: Tuscany ZTL fines: the invisible fines
Map: northern Italy itinerary (Milan and Venice routes)
Use the map below to see how the two routes fit together.
The pins are grouped into layers for the Milan route, the Venice route, day trips and alternatives, and train stations and airports.
Open it in Google Maps to check distances between stops or to save places to your own list.
Jump to:
- How to use this guide
- Northern Italy itineraries at a glance
- When to visit northern Italy
- How to get around northern Italy
- Map: northern Italy itinerary (Milan and Venice routes)
- Itinerary A: 1 week in northern Italy from Milan
- Itinerary B: 1 week in northern Italy from Venice
- 5-day northern Italy itineraries
- Where to stay in northern Italy itinerary
- Alternative 1-week itineraries in northern Italy
- Helpful Italy travel tips
- Food and wine to try in northern Italy
- Last words
- FAQs on northern Italy itinerary
- 💬 Comments
Itinerary A: 1 week in northern Italy from Milan
This route combines cities and lakes using short train journeys and simple planning.
Day 1: Milan
Start the morning at the Duomo di Milano. Book cathedral and terrace tickets in advance to avoid long lines.
Afterward, stroll through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping arcade, browse the high-end shops and stop for a cappuccino and pastry at Marchesi 1824.
Next, choose between seeing The Last Supper and the San Bernardino alle Ossa sanctuary (the 'bone church').
The Last Supper needs tickets booked well in advance, while the sanctuary is free.
See how to get The Last Supper tickets in Milan for more ways to visit.
For lunch, try a restaurant in the center that serves traditional Milanese dishes like Ristorante Galleria or Risoelatte Duomo.
In the afternoon, explore classic art at the Pinacoteca di Brera art gallery or contemporary displays at the Fondazione Prada.
Get: Pinacoteca di Brera entrance tickets
Finish the day with an aperitivo and a canal view in the Navigli neighborhood.
🎥 Watch: 7 days in northern Italy
Day 2 – Lake Como (Varenna and Bellagio)
Take the Trenord train from Milano Centrale to Varenna Esino, which takes around 1hr 5mins. From the station, it’s a 6-minute walk to the lakefront.
Stroll Varenna’s lakeside promenade (Passeggiata degli innamorati), and take in the views from Castello di Vezio before visiting the botanical gardens at Villa Monastero.
From Varenna, take the ferry to Bellagio, which takes about 15 to 30 minutes depending on the boat.
Walk up or down Salita Serbelloni, a steep, photogenic stepped lane, before stopping for lunch. Choose a restaurant like Gioya Restaurant Bellagio or something cheap and cheerful like Mr. Panino (my favorite!).
In the afternoon, stroll the promenade to the gardens of Villa Melzi. The villa isn’t open to the public but the gardens and lake views are.
If you prefer a less touristy town, choose Menaggio over Bellagio; it’s an easy swap.
⏩️ Read: things to do in Lake Como: a resident's honest guide
Day 3 – Bergamo or Brescia
Take the train to either Bergamo or to Brescia, both easy day trips from Milan.
Bergamo is about 50 minutes away while Brescia is about 36 minutes on a fast train.
In Bergamo, take the funicular up to Città Alta (Upper Town), to see the Venetian walls and Colleoni Chapel. Add a museum, such as Rocca di Bergamo or Palazzo e Giardini Moroni.
In Brescia, head towards Brescia Castle (Castello di Brescia) for views over the city, then see the cathedral and the Museo di Santa Giulia.
Both towns are far less crowded than Milan and close enough that there's no need for an early start.
Day 4 – Verona
Take the train from Milan to Verona Porta Nuova (about 1hr 13mins). Services run frequently between the two.
Get skip-the-line tickets to tour Verona Arena, then walk around Piazza Brà and on to Piazza delle Erbe.
Juliet’s house (Casa di Giulietta) is one of Verona's best-known attractions. You can see the balcony for free or get tickets for the house and balcony. Personally, I think it's overhyped and only deserves a quick visit. Still, it costs nothing to see the balcony (unless you get tickets) to enter, and it's an iconic stop in Verona.
If you want to see the castles said to have inspired Romeo and Juliet, they're about 30mi (45km) away in the province of Vicenza. See my guide to the castles of Romeo and Juliet in Montecchio Maggiore.
Verona has plenty of trattorias for lunch or dinner. I loved the risotto all'Amarone at Locanda di Castelvecchio and recommend trying it while you're here. For lunch with a view, choose a place in or near Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza dei Signori, where several restaurants have outdoor seating overlooking the square.
Afterward, cross Ponte Pietra and get the funicular up to Castel San Pietro for panoramic views of the city.
You can stay overnight in Verona or return to Milan if you want one base. Staying in Verona sets you up for Lake Garda or the Dolomites.
Personally, I'd consider staying overnight. Living not too far from Verona, I've been enough times to know where to go. However, if it's your first time, staying overnight means being able to truly enjoy your visit.
See Verona day trips for more ideas.
Day 5 – Lake Garda (or the Dolomites)
Option 1: Lake Garda
This is the easier choice from Milan, and my 1-day Lake Garda itinerary has more day trip options.
Take a train from Milan to Desenzano del Garda (about 1hr 10mins). Visit the town's medieval castle (Castello di Desenzano), see the Roman mosaics and relax on its beaches.
Then take the bus for about 20 minutes to Sirmione. See Scaliger Castle (buy tickets), tour the Grotte di Catullo ruins and end the day with a sunset boat cruise.
Either town makes an easy Lake Garda day trip from Milan.
Option 2: the Dolomites (overnight)
For me, one night in the Dolomites from Milan isn't worth it.
The drive from Milan to Bolzano alone takes about 3 hours without traffic or stops, and seeing places like Lago di Braies adds more driving.
One or two nights is more relaxing and enjoyable for everyone.
If you want a one-day option, go to Lake Garda.
Day 6 – Venice or Padua/Vicenza
Option 1: Venice
For the Venice day trip, start early. Classic Venice in one day is doable if you arrive early and stick to a tight plan.
Take an early train from Milan to Venice Santa Lucia, which ranges from 2.5hrs to 2hrs 45mins depending on the service.
Board the vaporetto (water bus) to Piazza San Marco, and buy tickets in advance to avoid queuing. Choose seats at the front or back for the best views.
Stroll St. Mark’s Square, tour St. Mark’s Basilica and get reserved entry tickets for Doge’s Palace.
For lunch, do a mini bacaro hop to try cicchetti (Venetian small plates) at places like Bar all’Arco and Paradiso Perduto.
In the afternoon, explore Venice on foot. See the Jewish Ghetto (Ghetto Ebraico) in the Cannaregio area or the more local neighborhood of Castello.
Leave enough time to catch the evening train back to Milan.
Option 2: Padua/Vicenza
Padua (Padova) is home to Prato della Valle, a huge elliptical square, and to the University of Padua, founded in 1222. It’s about 2.5 hours from Milan by train and far less crowded than Venice.
Vicenza, my home city, is slightly closer at 1hr 40mins.
Alongside the Palladian villas there are plenty of things to do in Vicenza to fill a day.
See Teatro Olimpico, an enclosed Renaissance theater by Palladio, admire the Basilica Palladiana and try a dish of traditional baccalà vicentina.
Any of these options work before flying out the next day.
Day 7 – Milan
Wrap up by seeing what you missed on day 1.
Stroll through Sempione Park, visit the Arch of Peace (Arco della Pace) and see the Vertical Forest (Bosco Verticale). Then head to Malpensa or Linate for your flight.
Itinerary B: 1 week in northern Italy from Venice
This route combines the Venetian Lagoon with art, museums and a food-focused city. It adds the choice of the Prosecco Hills or the Dolomites.
You fly into Venice and out of Milan, which saves backtracking.
Day 1 – classic Venice
Follow the one-day Venice plan from Itinerary A, Day 6.
To add or swap activities, book a gondola ride: a shared ride on the Grand Canal or a private ride off the beaten path.
Another option is one of Venice's art galleries, such as the Academy Galleries (Gallerie dell’Accademia) or the Peggy Guggenheim Collection.
In the early evening, be sure to catch the sunset, if possible from Lido di Venice. It’s one of my favorite places to watch the sun go down in northern Italy.
Day 2 – Venice islands or Prosecco Hills
Option 1: Venice islands
Explore the lagoon with a trip to Murano, Burano and Torcello.
Watch a traditional glassblowing workshop in Murano, walk among colorful houses and quiet canals in Burano, and cross the Devil’s Bridge in Torcello.
To go with a guide, consider a half-day boat tour. It’s an ideal chance to see beyond Piazza San Marco.
Option 2: Prosecco Hills
The Prosecco Hills (Colline del Prosecco di Valdobbiadene e Conegliano) are rolling hills of vineyards.
By car, the drive from Venice takes 1 hour to 1.5hrs depending on the route.
Public transport takes much longer (two trains and a bus; about 2.5hrs), so the easiest option without a car is a tour.
There are plenty of top-rated tours, some of which include lunch.
- Wine and food tour in the Prosecco Hills (5 hours)
Day 3 – Verona (and Lake Garda)
Verona is about the same travel time from Venice as from Milan.
Spend the morning or the whole day exploring using the Day 4 plan in Itinerary A.
For a half day, add a short trip to a Lake Garda town; several are reachable by train within about 30 minutes from Verona.
Day 4 – the Dolomites or Bologna
Option 1: the Dolomites
As in the first itinerary, I’d rather spend a night (or two) in the Dolomites than do a day trip.
A day trip only works if you stick to one city, such as Bolzano or Trento. A lake or a short hike is better with an overnight stay.
Unlike from Milan, Venice has an express coach direct to Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Cortina Express is an affordable and convenient way to reach the Eastern Dolomites. Recent fares have been around €15 one way, and the trip roughly takes 3 hours (from Venice Piazzale Roma).
By car, it takes about 2 hours.
Tour Cortina's town center and have coffee and pastries at a local pasticceria (patisserie).
For lunch, make the 24-minute drive to Lake Misurina (Lago Misurina). Pack a picnic and eat by the lake or dine at a roadside eatery.
See my Cortina d’Ampezzo travel guide for more ideas.
Option 2: Bologna
If you'd rather save the Dolomites for their own trip, visit Bologna instead.
The Frecciarossa high-speed train from Venice takes around 1.5hrs, and the drive is almost 2 hours.
Stroll through Piazza Maggiore, climb Asinelli Tower for views and sit down for tortellini in brodo or tagliatelle al ragù before walking off the meal under the porticoes.
Day 5 – Padua/Vicenza
Choose Padua or Vicenza (or both) for a quieter day trip.
Follow the Padua/Vicenza plan in Itinerary A, Day 6.
Add something extra, such as a guided visit to the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua or Villa Rotonda in Vicenza.
Day 6 – Milan
Start with a classic Italian breakfast at a Venice pasticceria. These serve coffee and brioche (croissants) as well as pastries:
- Pasticceria Rizzardini
- Bar Pasticceria Ballarin
- Pasticceria Bar Martini Di Palombella Lorenzo
- Pasticceria Targa
Then take an early train to Milan.
Use Itinerary A, Day 1 as a base. For something different, add some non-touristy things to do in Milan to your list.
Get reserved-entry tickets for Sforza Castle (Castello Sforzesco) for the art displays, or explore the grounds for free.
In the afternoon, step inside Teatro alla Scala. Choose between an entrance ticket to La Scala Theater Museum or a guided theater and museum tour.
End the day with dinner and a rooftop sunset. The Roof Milano, Mio Lab and SunEleven Rooftop Bar are among the options in the center.
Day 7 – Venice departure
Fly out from Milan Malpensa (MXP) or Linate (LIN). Use any extra morning time for a last coffee near the Duomo or a walk around Sempione Park.
⏩️ Read: 26 major international airports in Italy
5-day northern Italy itineraries
5 days from Milan
Day 1: classic Milan
Day 2: Lake Como (Varenna and Bellagio/Como and Bellagio)
Day 3: Verona and one Lake Garda town
Day 4: Venice
Day 5: Milan, then fly out
5 days from Venice
Day 1: classic Venice
Day 2: Venetian islands
Day 3: Verona (and Lake Garda (Sirmione or Bardolino))
Day 4: the Dolomites (Cortina d’Ampezzo) or Padua/Vicenza
Day 5: Venice, then fly out
Both versions of this 5-day itinerary are mainly by train.
Where to stay in northern Italy itinerary
Milan
There are plenty of options in where to stay in Milan. Neighborhoods to consider:
- Duomo: the historic center (see Milan hotels with Duomo views)
- Porta Nuova: modern, with independent bars and cafes
- Navigli: trendy, with a slight hipster feel
⏩️ Search for more hotels in Milan
Venice
Venice has districts for different travelers and budgets.
- San Marco is the busiest area, next to St. Mark’s Square
- San Polo, home to the Rialto Bridge, mixes tourist spots with local places
- Dorsoduro is large, with galleries and churches, while Cannaregio has plenty of cicchetti spots.
My guide on where to stay in Venice breaks down each neighborhood, with options for every budget.
Verona
Verona’s historic center is much smaller than Milan and Venice.
Stay inside it for easy access to the Arena and Piazza delle Erbe.
Some centrally located hotels in Verona:
- Luxury: Due Torri Hotel (5-star, spa, pet friendly)
- Mid-range: Opera Relais De Charme – Aparthotel (modern, family friendly, 3-minute walk to the Arena)
- Budget: Hotel Marco Polo Verona (spa, 8-minute walk to Piazza Brà)
⏩️ Search for more hotels in Verona
The Dolomites
For a week in northern Italy, choose one base in the Dolomites.
Cortina d’Ampezzo is reachable by car and coach, and Bolzano and Trento by train. Ortisei, Dobbiaco and Corvara are worth seeing but fit better in a separate Dolomites road trip itinerary.
My guide on where to stay in the Dolomites covers the top areas and towns.
Lake Como
Short train rides from Milan make Lake Como easy as a day trip.
To stay overnight, choose a town with good transport and ferry links: Varenna, Bellagio, Como and Menaggio all qualify. See where to stay in Lake Como.
Alternative 1-week itineraries in northern Italy
There are plenty more places you can mix and match for your itinerary.
Here are two other ways to see the north.
Turin (Torino) and the Langhe
- Days 1 to 2 (Turin): visit the Egyptian Museum, see the views from the Mole Antonelliana, sip a Bicerin at Caffé Al Bicerin and explore the Savoy residences. See 7 best Italy destination dupes.
- Days 3 to 5 (Langhe): spend a night in the wine town of Barolo, book a tasting in the heart of The Langhe and go truffle-hunting near Alba (peak time Oct to Nov).
- Day 6: visit Stupinigi or the Sacra di San Michele monastery on a Turin day trip.
- Day 7: Departure from Turin.
Milan and the lakes triangle
- Day 1 (Milan): follow the Itinerary A, Day 1.
- Days 2 to 3 (Lake Como): see the Varenna, Bellagio and Tremezzo triangle by ferry.
- Day 4 (Lake Orta): tour the island and borgo of Orta San Giulio.
- Days 5 to 6 (Lake Maggiore): see the three smaller islands on Lake Maggiore, and get tickets for the gardens and palace on Isola Bella.
- Day 7: depart from Milan.
Helpful Italy travel tips
- Most Italian cities add a city tax (ranging from €1 to €3) to your hotel stay per person per night.
- Venice charges a day-visitor fee, typically on weekends, from April to the end of July. See 11 things to know before visiting Venice.
- A single vaporetto ticket in Venice is valid for 75 minutes. Buy in advance to avoid the machine queue.
- Many restaurants add a small cover charge (coperto) per person. It's listed on the menu and isn't a tip.
- The Dolomites are cooler than the rest of northern Italy, so check what to wear in Italy as a local before visiting the region.
- Many state museums and archaeological parks are free on the first Sunday of the month (#domenicaalmuseo (Sunday at the museum)). Booking ahead is essential, and tickets at limited at popular sites. Check the full list to see what’s available.
Food and wine to try in northern Italy
- Lombardy (Milan, Brescia, Bergamo, Lake Como, parts of Lake Garda): risotto alla milanese, ossobuco, cotoletta alla milanese, Franciacorta.
- Veneto (Venice, Padua, Vicenza): sarde in saor, bigoli in salsa, cicchetti, baccalà vicentina, risotto all'Amarone, Prosecco DOCG.
- Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol (Bolzano, Cortina d’Ampezzo, the Dolomites): canederli in brodo, spätzle, speck, apple strudel.
- Emilia-Romagna (Bologna): tortellini in brodo, tagliatelle al ragù, mortadella, Parmigiano Reggiano.
Last words
What are your thoughts on this 1 week in northern Italy itinerary? Would you prefer to start your trip from Milan or Venice? Let me know in the comments below.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I’ve recommended. Thank you for your support.
Written by Lisa Rivera: Italy traveler and resident for 10+ years. First-hand researched for 2026.
FAQs on northern Italy itinerary
Yes, if you limit yourself to two bases. Seven days fits Milan, Lake Como and Verona, or Venice, Verona/Garda and the Dolomites. With 5 days, stay in one area and skip the Dolomites.
It usually means Lombardy, Veneto, Piedmont, Trentino-Alto Adige, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Liguria and Emilia-Romagna. Tuscany is treated as central Italy.
Start in Milan for Lake Como, Bergamo and Brescia. Start in Venice for the lagoon, Prosecco Hills, Verona, Lake Garda and Bologna. Flying into one and out of the other saves backtracking.
The Frecciarossa high-speed train takes about 2.5 hours, and journey times run from 2.5 hours to 2hrs 45mins depending on the service.
Yes, but it's tight. Plan 2 nights each, with the last day for the trip back. Trains reach Bolzano and Trento, and coaches reach Cortina d'Ampezzo. Rent a car only for remote areas.
Late spring and fall suit most itineraries. Summer is hot, so favor the mountains, and December to early March is for winter sports. See when is the best time to visit Italy.
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This is such a well-structured and inspiring itinerary! I’ve visited northern Italy a few times and love how this plan balances iconic places like Milan, Venice, and Lake Garda with gems such as Bergamo and Vicenza. The flexibility to choose between the Dolomites, Bologna, or Prosecco Hills makes it even better for different traveler styles. Your local insights really shine through—I’d definitely follow this itinerary on my next trip.
Thank you so much! I tried my best to make it realistic and with some easy day trip alternatives 🙂
Oh wow, what a great itinerary! This detailed guide with Milan and Venice options makes planning a trip to Northern Italy muuch easier. I've bookmarked it 😍.
Thanks, I'm glad you liked it!
I've been to Milan this year and had so much fun! This itinerary has so many things on it that I would have loved to visit - maybe I should book another trip.
I hope you do! There is plenty more to see here 🙂
Even though I've been to Venice I'm super keen to go again, especially as the weather didn't allow us to explore the islands while we were there. Both of these sound great, although if I went there are so many places I want to go to that I'd want to do two weeks minimum x
Two weeks is a much more enjoyable time though I know that not everyone has that luxury.
What you have done here is truly amazing! For someone who has never visited Italy, like me, this article lays it all out in a way that is easy to understand.
I appreciate your hard work and I will be saving this for the day I make it to that corner of the world!
Thank you so much Victoria, that's so kind of you to say! I hope you visit us one day here x
Wow what an incredible itinerary. Can’t go wrong with a readily thought out trip !
Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it
This brings me back a few years ago when I visited Italy, I had the time of my life...I can't wait to go back and visit all these amazing places and towns, amazing....
I'm happy to read that! I hope you come back again one day
It sounds like summer would be the best tie for my family to visit as we really do love long lazy days at the beach. It's good to know what you can cover in a 5 and 7 day time frame. I'd love to see the lakes!!!!
It's a good time to visit for the beach! The beauty of these itineraries is that you can choose to see what you want and leave out what you don't 🙂
Wow! Northern Italy sounds fantastic with so much to explore. I hope to take a trip in the future and see some of these wonderful places!
Me too, there really is plenty to see here 🙂
I would love to take an extended trip to explore Northern Italy. There's just so much beauty there!
There is plenty to see here!