Last updated on November 15th, 2024.
The northern Italian city of Milan in Lombardy should need no introduction.
A fashion, art and architectural mecca, Milan attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to its center each year.
But Milan is a destination that you can comfortably see within two to three days.
If you’re looking for some travel ideas for your northern Italy itinerary, these Milan day trips are worth considering.
In this post, I’ll be sharing some of the best day trips from Milan Italy. It’ll include day trips from Milan by train, places to visit near Milan and a trip to the Milan countryside.
The guide will first list the nearest places to Milan before providing options for further away destinations.
Ideal travel ideas to add to your Italy bucket list use this post to plan your Italy trip.
8 best day trips from Milan: nearest places
Lake Como
For many local Milanese, there’s one destination that dominates the list of weekend trips from Milan.
The magnificent Lake Como (Lago di Como) makes an ideal day trip from Milan, and it isn’t that far away. A perfect Milan weekend getaway, it’s something I can attest to having spent 3 days in Lake Como.
Another draw of visiting Lake Como is that it makes one of the best beach day trips from Milan.
For many visitors, the best way to travel from Milan to Lake Como is by train. Train journeys from central Milan can range from 39mins to 1hr 40mins depending on your end destination on Lake Como.
The upside of taking a train between both places is the convenience and price. Trains in Italy (usually) run to schedule and are a comfortable way to reach your destination.
However, the downside of traveling by train from Milan to Lake Como is accessibility. Renting a car allows you the freedom to visit more places, and at your own pace, around Lake Como.
Milan to Lake Como by car
Many Milanese will likely travel to Lake Como by car.
From the center of Milan (near Milan’s famous Cathedral) to Como by car, the journey takes around 1hr and 7mins. In distance this translates to approximately 32mi (51.3km).
One of the best day trips from Milan, Lake Como is unmissable.
Bergamo
Situated about 32mi (51km) northeast of Milan is the city of Bergamo.
By car, the journey can take approximately 1hr 8mins (depending on traffic). Traveling by train from Milan to Bergamo is straightforward and consists of 4 stops and around a 48-minute train ride.
What is Bergamo famous for?
Visitors might recognize Bergamo for being the location of one of 3 of Milan’s international airports (Milan Bergamo Airport).
But Bergamo is a destination in itself and one that seamlessly blends historical and artistic attractions.
Things to do in Bergamo Italy
Some of the best things to do in Bergamo on a day trip from Milan include:
Explore Bergamo’s Upper Town (Città Alta) and Lower Town (Città Bassa)
Città Alta is the historic part of Bergamo. Surrounded by Venetian walls, the Upper Town is characterized by narrow cobblestone streets, medieval and renaissance buildings and quaint piazzas.
At its heart is Piazza Vecchia (Old Square). It’s here where you’ll find the Palazzo della Ragione and the notable 12th century bell tower (Campanone). The medieval palace is today a government building, but it’s also used as a courthouse, library and a theater.
The Lower Town of Bergamo is the modern part of Bergamo. Explore its wide avenues, shops and admire the contemporary architecture.
Both the Upper and Lower towns are connected by a funicular railway that makes it easy to explore both areas.
Brescia
Approximately 57mi (91.2km) to the west of Milan’s city center is the small historic city of Brescia.
A car journey that’ll take around 1hr 20mins, Brescia makes one of the more unique day trips from Milan.
Should you not plan on renting a car in Italy, Brescia is also easily accessible by train. A direct train from Milano Centrale station will get you to Brescia in about 38mins.
Things to do in Brescia Italy
Brescia’s historical sites and pretty streets are its biggest draw. Walk the historic medieval center of Brescia Old Town to visit its castle and to see its Romanesque cathedral.
The medieval Brescia Castle (Castello di Brescia) is situated on Cidneo Hill and offers panoramic views of the city. Its history dates to Roman times but has since undergone various modifications throughout the ages.
Brescia Cathedral (Duomo Vecchio) is another notable landmark in Brescia. Blending various architectural styles like Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance, visitors are immediately captivated by its striking facade.
Monza
The city of Monza is located about 12mi (19km) northeast of Milan, or 36mins by car from the center. By train it’s even quicker from Milano Centrale at just 11mins away.
Monza’s close distance to Milan makes it an easy day trip from Milan.
Monza’s most famous landmark is the Royal Villa of Monza (Villa Reale). The grand neo-classical estate has royal apartments, a chapel, park and gardens. Villa Reale was once the residence of the Austrian Archduke Ferdinand.
A 17-minute walk, or 5-minute drive, from the villa is another of Monza’s most notable sites. Monza Cathedral (Duomo di Monza) is best known for its Romanesque and Gothic architectural style and striking marble facade.
The final notable attraction about Monza is its racetrack. The Autodromo Nazionale Monza is synonymous with hosting high-speed motorsport events.
Day trips to the Milan countryside
Don’t limit your travels to only seeing the surrounding places near Milan. A short distance from the city center are some tranquil and picturesque spots tucked away in the Milan countryside.
Map: best day trips from Milan
Chiaravalle
A 27-minute drive (or 2 bus rides away) from Milan’s center is the small town of Chiaravalle. Technically, Chiaravalle is still a neighborhood of Milan, but its landscape is completely immersed in the countryside.
Many visitors come to Chiaravalle to see Chiaravalle Abbey. Founded by Saint Bernard of Clairvaux in 1135, entrance to the abbey is free. People are drawn to the 12th century abbey to see its Gothic and Romanesque influences.
Notable artists, like Bernardino Luini from the Milan area, contributed to its interior decor between the 16th and 18th centuries.
While here, don’t miss out on seeing the medieval Chiaravalle Mill in the abbey’s complex. Spread out over two floors, the building houses large rooms and a vegetable garden. Monks from the abbey sell homemade products like beer and wine in the monks’ shop.
Chiaravalle Abbey (Abbazia di Chiaravalle), Via Sant’Arialdo, 102
Trezzo sull’Adda
About 25mi (41km) from Milan is Trezzo sull’Adda. The small town’s reachable by car (around 46mins) or by public transport (approximately 1hr 21mins).
However, what makes Trezzo sull’Adda one of the more interesting day trips from Milan is that it’s reachable by bike.
Get on your bike
Keen cyclists can follow the cycle path from Milan that runs along the Martesana Canal. Watch as the scenery slowly transforms from noisy urban landscapes to greener and quieter pastures.
Along the canal path are 18th century villas, small bridges and an ancient mill. As you arrive in Trezzo sull’Adda, its most notable landmark, Trezzo Castle (Castello di Trezzo), will come into view.
The 14th century medieval castle overlooks the Adda River and has been a key defensive structure throughout its history. Today, it serves as a venue for cultural events and exhibitions.
Also, worth seeing while here is the industrial village of Crespi d’Adda. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the workers’ village stopped operating at the end of the 19th century. It’s a fascinating look into how the industry worked in the past.
Check the website for the most up-to-date opening times and ticket information.
Industrial Village of Crespi d’Adda (Villaggio operaio di Crespi d’Adda), Corso Alessandro Manzoni, 18, 24042 Capriate San Gervasio
Morimondo
Escape to a green oasis in the Milan countryside with a visit to Morimondo.
Located around 24mi (38 km) from Milan, the town’s reachable by car (50mins), public transport (1hr 14mins) or by bike. Its farmhouses, rice paddies and orchards are a far cry from the noise and crowds you’ll find in Milan’s center.
Like Chiaravalle, Morimondo Abbey is the small town’s most notable landmark. It was founded in 1134 by monks from the Cistercian monastery of Morimond in France.
Notable features include the wooden choir complex made up of 40 stalls that was built in 1522 and historic artwork. The oldest paintings inside Morimond Abbey date to 1515. They represent Madonna and Child and the infant St. John between St. Bernard and St. Benedict.
Morimondo Abbey (Abbazia di Morimondo). Piazza Municipio, 6
Pavia
Roam the large green spaces and immerse yourself in the rich history on a day trip from Milan to Pavia.
Approximately 29mi (46km) from Milan, visitors can reach Pavia by car (52mins) or by public transport (47mins).
In Roman times, the city was known as Ticinum. It would later become the capital of the Lombard Kingdom in the 6th century.
Things to do in Pavia
Some places of interest in Pavia include:
- Visconti Castle. Built in the 14th century, it served as a residence for the Visconti family and a defense for the city. Today, the castle hosts an art museum.
- Cathedral of Pavia. A medieval church blending a mix of architectural styles, including Romanesque and Gothic elements. Construction began in the 15th century.
- Certosa di Pavia. The Carthusian monastery built in the late 14th century is known for its elaborate architecture and artwork.
- University of Pavia. Founded in 1361, it’s one of the oldest universities in Italy.
- Enjoy the scenery. Bike or walk along the river and sample some local wines produced in the nearby hills.
8 road trips from Milan
Explore more of Lombardy and neighboring regions in Italy by embarking upon one of these fun road trips from Milan.
Day trips from Milan to Switzerland
Escape the city of Milan, and Italy, altogether, by embarking on one of these day trips from Milan to Switzerland.
Situated in the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino, Lugano is set on the shores of Lake Lugano.
Surrounded by the Alps, the city also makes one of the best day trips from Milan in winter.
The distance from Milan to Lugano is 49mi (79km), which is around 1hr 22mins by car. Alternatively, a direct train from Milano Centrale will get you to Lugano in about 1hr 18mins.
Spectacular views from the Bernina Express from Milan
One of my favorite Milan day tours is to book a ride on the Bernina Express. It’s considered one of the world’s most scenic train journeys, taking passengers across the glorious Swiss Alps and Italian Alps.
There are several excellent tour options to experience the Bernina Express from Milan. They include:
Swiss Alps Bernina red train and St. Moritz tour from Milan – includes scenic coach tour and free time to explore St. Moritz
St. Moritz and panoramic Bernina Express tour from Milan – includes guaranteed seats in the panoramic carriage on the Bernina Express train
Lake Maggiore
Swap the beauty and splendor of Lake Como for the equally majestic scenery of Lake Maggiore.
Located around 56mi (90km) from Milan, the lake is home to the incredible Borromean Islands. We visited each of them, Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Isola dei Pescatori on our 2 days in Lake Maggiore.
Milan to Lake Maggiore by car will take around 1hr 43mins, not factoring in traffic. By train from Milano Porta Garibaldi to Porto Valtravaglia will take around 2hrs.
Isola Bella is home to a striking baroque palace and one of the most incredible gardens in all of Italy. Picture colorful blooms and foliage spread over terraces with pure white flamingos roaming the gardens.
Mother island (Isola Madre) is a botanist’s living dream. Home to a villa, the island also hosts exotic botanical flora and fauna and a famous cypress tree.
Fishermen’s Island (Isola dei Pescatori) lives up to its name. It’s still inhabited by locals, many of which are fishermen that make their living from the lake.
One of my favorite day trips from Milan, Lake Maggiore will not disappoint.
Orta San Giulio
While visiting Lake Maggiore, I highly recommend following in our footsteps by making the short journey to Orta San Giulio. From the town of Stresa, it’s about a 29-minute drive to arrive at the charming borgo.
Traveling directly from Milan to Orta San Giulio will take approximately 53mi (85km). This is around 1hr 22mins by car or 2 hours by train, starting from Torino Porto Nuova station in Milan.
Overlooking Lake Orta (Lago d’Orta), one of the best things to do in Orta San Giulio is to visit its island.
San Giulio Island is about a 5-minute boat ride from Orta San Giulio. The only island on Lake Orta is home to a monastery, on which you’ll encounter ‘silence’ and ‘meditation’ paths.
Monte Isola
Another small island that makes one of the best day trips from Milan is Monte Isola.
Around 64mi (103km) from Milan, Monte Isola sits in the middle of Lake Iseo (Lago d’Iseo).
Reachable by ferry from both the Bergamo and Brescia side of the lake, the island is steeped in nature.
Visitors come to explore Monte Isola on foot, by bicycle or on horseback. The Sanctuary of the Madonna della Ceriola offers panoramic views of the surrounding hills.
Another plus of visiting Monte Isola is that only residents’ motorbikes and scooters are allowed on the island.
After exploring Monte Isola, head back to Iseo to sample the local dishes in one of the trattorias in town.
Lake Garda
Shared by 3 regions in northern Italy, Milan to Lake Garda makes one of the best day trips from Milan.
The journey time from Milan depends on where you plan to visit around Lake Garda. Given it’s the largest lake in Italy, it’s advisable to know which part you’d like to visit beforehand.
Towns to visit on Lake Garda from Milan
On the Lombardy side of Lake Garda are pretty towns to visit such as:
- Salò (75mi/121km)
- Gardone Riviera (78mi/125km)
- Sirmione (81mi/131km)
Car journeys from the center of Milan to Lake Garda can range from about 1hr 35mins to 1hr 50mins.
There’s plenty of things to do in one day in Salò. Walk the lungolago (river path) to enjoy views of Lake Garda, visit its palace and explore the pretty town center.
Gardone Riviera is best known for being home to the Vittoriale degli Italiani. The citadel was the former residence of Italian poet and playwright Gabriele D’Annunzio. Other activities here include hiking, mountain biking and Nordic walking.
Sirmione is one of the more popular towns to visit on Lake Garda. It’s home to Scaliger Castle and the historic village enveloped within it. Taking a boat cruise around Sirmione allows for better views of the castle and of Lake Garda.
Longer day trips from Milan
The following lists some longer day trips from Milan. While doable, it’s worth considering staying over given the longer distance and journey time.
Venice
While both Milan and Venice are situated in northern Italy, the travel time between the two is considerable. It’s approximately 165mi (265km) or 2hr 50mins by car from Milan to Venice. Taking the train from Milano Centrale to Venezia Santa Lucia will take around 3hrs 15mins.
Personally, I don’t think day trips from Milan to Venice is enough to visit the island city. But should your Italy itinerary be limited, aim to leave Milan as early as possible.
Cinque Terre
The distance between Milan and Cinque Terre in Liguria is approximately 143mi (230km). Traveling by car or by public transport will take around 3hrs 10mins.
Like Venice, leaving as early as possible is essential if visiting Cinque Terre from Milan.
Pisa
Pisa is situated on the west coast of Tuscany. With around 175mi (282km) between Pisa and Milan, I wouldn’t consider it one of the best day trips from Milan.
Driving from Milan to Pisa could take around 3hrs 11mins. The public transport option from Milan to Pisa, consisting of 2 trains, could take around 3hrs 40mins.
What are your thoughts on this list of the best day trips from Milan? Are there any places that stand out to you? Let me know in the comments below.
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Welcome to my site. I'm Lisa, an Italy-based travel and lifestyle blogger behind Following the Rivera. Find out more about me and my story.
What are the nearest places to visit from Milan Italy?
1. Lake Como
2. Monza
3. Chiaravalle
4. Trezzo sull’Adda
5. Morimondo
6. Pavia
Lake Como sounds wonderful! These day trips all sound so lovely. It is nice to have such a great variety of options from Milan.
It’s a beautiful lake and a perfect day trip from Milan 🙂