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10+ Easy Day Trips From Milan For A Perfect Escape
There are many beautiful places around Milan, both natural and man-made. However, do you know which are the most suitable for a day trip? Is there anything noteworthy when visiting these places? Cabin Zero has helped you compile more than 10 of the most interesting destinations for day trips from Milan. There are also extremely useful tips on eating, travelling, and costs from real experiences that you should not miss. Read the article below to start preparing for your trip.
How to pick your day trips from Milan:
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If you love castles: Lake Garda (Sirmione) or Turin (Royal Palaces).
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For wine enthusiasts: Piedmont is #1 (Red wine), Verona is #2 (Amarone/Valpolicella).
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If you are after nature and green: Lake Como or Maggiore (Mountains/Gardens).
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Culture/History is your cup of tea? Florence.
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If you are a Foodie: Bologna
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If you want ocean views: Cinque Terre or Genoa.
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Lake Como
First ever place to visit from Milan - Lake Como. Photo by Michal Ludwiczak on Adobe Stock
Lake Como is one of the most famous destinations for day trips from Milan, with its poetic scenery and friendly tourist culture. You can travel by train from Milano Centrale to Como San Giovanni in about 40 minutes for only €5.47/person.
Visitors often come here to admire the Alps and the mild weather. The lake has a featured Y shape created by an ancient glacier. It’s easy to take the most impressive photos for you to post on social.
Lake Como has been famous since the Roman period, so the resorts and villas are quite bustling. The chance to meet celebrities here is quite high! Typical activities here include hiking (green-way walk is beginner-friendly), trekking, cycling, and water sports, or you can just sit on a boat and go around the lake to see the beautiful scenery.
Don't forget to try dishes made from fresh lake fish, such as Risotto con Filetti di Pesce Persico or Missoltini.
A day trip to Lake Como will cost around €100 to €150, including food and other expenses for ferries to nearby locations or attractions.
Piedmont
The best day trip from Milan for wine enthusiasts. Photo by monticellllo on Adobe Stock
Piedmont is located about 160km northeast of Milan, famous for its wine and food. Visitors can travel to Piedmont by train, and it only takes about 1.5 hours. This is a famous place with the Alps and picturesque rolling hills that have been recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
Besides wine bars, there are plenty of things to see and do. You will have the opportunity to visit Lake Orta, where a small island with Baroque-style buildings is located. There are also loads of Baroque historic sites and castles to walk through. Piedmont is also an interesting place for winter sports such as skiing or guided truffle hunts with trained dogs. Another unique experience is to see whale skeletons at fossil museums.
A day here will cost you around €100 to €300 for food, transport, and entrance fees to attractions or entertainment activities.
Verona
The birthplace of where Romeo and Juliet started their love story. Photo by rh2010 on Adobe Stock
If you love Romeo and Juliet, this is a must-see destination, as Verona was the setting for this legendary love story. Juliet's house and balcony are must-see attractions with tickets starting at around €6. Trains are still a convenient and much cheaper way to travel than cars for day trips from Milan. The total travel time is around 1.45 hours, and the return trip costs around €15-€35.
Visitors are often drawn to the well-preserved Roman ruins, such as the Arena di Verona, an arena that combines modern and classical influences and still hosts events to this day. You can also visit other places like the Ponte Pietra, taking photos on the bridge at sunset or sunrise with the backdrop of medieval castles and magnificent villas.
Verona is famous for its wines such as Valpolicella, Ripasso, and Amarone. Don't forget to try Risotto all'amarone, a typical Verona rice dish cooked with Amarone della Valpolicella wine. And there’s no better place to taste this dish than Trattoria al Pompiere.
On average, a trip to Verona will cost around €207 for basic expenses such as food, transportation, and entrance fees at attractions. Be sure to leave some budget and time for the next nearby day trip from Milan destination right below.
Lake Garda
Where the water meets mountains for whoever loves hiking and cycling. Photo by Flaviu Boerescu on Adobe Stock
The lake is bordered by the dramatic peaks of the Dolomites in the north and rolling hills in the south. The beauty of the poetic scene here is hard to describe in words. Roman ruins and medieval villages will take you back in time to learn about the rich history of the area. Or at least give you beautiful pictures to post on social networks.
There are many fun activities for tourists suitable for day trips from Milan, including hiking, sailing, windsurfing, cycling, and swimming. Then, you can experience the thermal spas in the Sirmione area located on Lake Garda's southern tip. There is also Gardaland, one of Europe's most popular theme parks, which is the favourite of families with young children.
The cuisine of Lake Garda is famous for its fresh lake fish and distinct local products like Garda DOP olive oil, which gives it a very distinctive taste. Don’t forget to try notable wines like Bardolino and Lugana.
Peschiera Del Garda is a train away from the Verona Station (around 12 minute). So it makes sense to explore and stay in Verona one day then go to this day trip from Milan the next. The cost of a trip from will be from €50-€120/person if you travel on your own, and from €115-€130/person if you choose to go on a tour.
Cinque Terre
A unique experience when visiting a coastal city. Photo by dudlajzov on Adobe Stock
Cinque Terre consists of five small villages located along the Mediterranean coastline and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. It is sure to be a destination that will give you an unforgettable experience.
As coastal villages, the most popular activities here are hiking and water sports. You can explore terraced vineyards and olive groves built by the locals thousands of years ago, or visit the villages on a network of footpaths. Tourists coming here also have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the clear blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea or go kayaking.
Cinque Terre is famous for its wine and a rich local cuisine that is not overly commercialised and still retains its own unique characteristics. Don't forget to try its unique wines, such as Cinque Terre DOC and Sciacchetrà, along with fresh seafood.
To travel from Milan to Cinque Terre, the most convenient means of transport is the train, and it will take about 3 hours. A boat is also an option, but it will take longer and is not suitable for day trips from Milan. Cars are not allowed here, so you can also remove it as an option.
A trip to Cinque Terre will cost around €170 - €220 if you join a tour and €70 - €90 if you plan it yourself.
Bergamo
Best option for day trips from Milan for ancient architecture lovers. Photo by Patryk Kosmider on Adobe Stock
Bergamo is one of the most unique towns in Italy because it is surrounded by the Venetian walls. In the 16th century, these walls were built to prevent invaders, with a length of nearly 6km. Now, it has been recognised by UNESCO as a world heritage site and welcomes many visitors.
There are 4 ways to travel from Milan to Bergamo, including train, bus, car (ride share or drive), and taxi. Travelling by public transport, such as trains and buses, is the cheapest. If you want more convenience, go by taxi. If you travel in a group or with your family, you can drive yourself, but remember to research the parking places in Bergamo. Or better yet, you could book a RyanAir flight for a day trip here if your home country is nearby (remember to watch out for the hand luggage rules).
Popular activities for tourists often focus on sightseeing. The city is divided into two parts: Città Bassa (lower part) and Città Alta (the higher part). Whichever you go with, exploration will be rewarded. Bergamo has a unique funicular system that takes tourists to high places, so you don’t have to worry about transportation here.
A trip from Milan to Bergamo will cost around €35-€60/ person, including transportation, food, and incidentals.
Lake Maggiore
One of the best day trips from Milan for outdoor water activities. Photo by mojolo on Adobe Stock
Lake Maggiore is the second largest lake in Italy and the largest in southern Switzerland. The train is the most convenient way to get there from Milan, and it only takes about 1 hour. You can also go by car, but parking can be a bit of a challenge, especially in small towns and during summer holidays or Easter.
Compare to Garda and Como, the Lake Maggiore is much more relaxed and less touristy. Stresa is a beautiful town and worth a stay for a few nights since Maggiore is larger than Como.
When you come to Lake Maggiore, you will spend most of your time participating in outdoor activities such as hiking on the Chestnut Trail from Stresa or water sports such as sailing, canoeing, yachting, scuba diving, and water skiing. You will be entertained while admiring beautiful landmarks such as the Borromean Islands or Monte Tamaro and Mottarone.
There are also other interesting destinations for those who want to explore history, such as the Rocca di Angera fortress located on the southern shore.
The cost of a day trip to Lake Maggiore will be around €50-€80/person for basic activities and public transport. If you go on a tour and want a slightly more upscale experience, it will cost around €125-€175/person.
Turin
Certainly the most underrated day trip from Milan yet. Photo by Luca on Adobe Stock
Turin is located in the northwest of Italy and is an important industrial city. Explore historic piazzas like Piazza Castello and Piazza San Carlo to admire the unique Baroque architecture and learn about the royal lifestyle. Also, don't miss Mole Antonelliana, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the city from its glass elevator ride.
The Egyptian Museum is another attractive destination in Turin, where you will have an amazing experience with more than 30,000 artefacts. It is considered the second most important Egyptian collection in the world, after the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. Entrance fees start from €14.
The one thing many people even make this far is just for the chocolates. Be sure to visit CROCI to grab some souvenirs back home.
The fastest way to get there is by train, and it only takes about 46 minutes. You can also take the bus to save for a cheaper option, or drive if you want a more private experience.
The cost for a day trip in Turin will be around €150-€188/person, including food, entrance fees, and transportation.
Florence
The mesmerising beauty of Florence. Photo by travelview on Adobe Stock
Florence is located about 300km southeast of Milan and is a famous city of culture, architecture, and painting in Italy. 60% of the world's most important works of art are located in Italy, and approximately half of these are in Florence. This is the ideal place for day trips from Milan to discover more about the birthplace of the famous story of Pinocchio, piano, and opera.
One of the must-see tourist attractions is Santa Marie del Fiore, a cathedral the size of a football field built in the 1400s with more than 1 million bricks. This is a great work of Florence and the pride of Italy. You can also visit the Basilica di San Lorenzo, one of the oldest churches in Florence, which serves as the final resting place for many famous Italians. Please remember to dress appropriately, as these are sacred places.
Those who are art enthusiasts certainly cannot miss the Uffizi Art Gallery, the largest collection of Renaissance art in the world. Go early when it opens or after 3 pm to avoid the crowds and give yourself ample time to contemplate the arts.
If you have time, take a walk on the Ponte Vecchio bridge. This is a landmark that even Hitler refused to destroy because it is so beautiful.
Don't forget to try Florence's most famous dish: Bistecca alla Fiorentina, a thick-cut T-bone steak, and Negroni, a classic aperitif cocktail.
The cost of visiting Florence in a day from Milan is around €150-€200/person, including guided tour, entrance fees, transportation, and food. If you plan it yourself, it can be a bit cheaper.
Venice
Sit on the gondola and enjoy the view of Venice leisurely. Photo by rh2010 on Adobe Stock
Venice is one of the best day trips from Milan and is located about 280km east of the city. The fastest and most convenient way to get there is by train, which takes about 2 hours and costs from €18. If you want a more private experience, you can drive yourself, but it’s not allowed to drive into the city center, so you’ll have to park your car in designated garages at the entrance to the city, which is quite expensive.
Venice has so many attractions that a day is only enough to visit the famous places like St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, and the Rialto Bridge.
St. Mark's Basilica is a symbol of power and wealth with opulent Byzantine architecture and many significant golden features that cover 85,000 square feet (8,000 sq meters) of interior mosaics. Spend about 1-2 hours here to cover additional areas like the museum terrace, and about an extra 20-30 minutes if you wish to climb the bell tower.
The Doge's Palace is famous for its Venetian Gothic architecture and centuries-old history and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you can admire frescoes and works by famous Venetian artists. Normally, tourists will spend about 1-2 hours, but 2-3 hours is also a reasonable amount of time. Book your tickets in advance to avoid long lines and consider the audio guide.
The Rialto Bridge is Venice's oldest and most famous bridge over the Grand Canal. The most popular activities here are riding a gondola and exploring the shops lining the bridge. This is also a great place to get beautiful photos of panoramic views of the Grand Canal.
Don't forget to try famous dishes in Venice, such as Sarde in saor, Bigoli in salsa, or Fegato alla veneziana.
The total cost to visit Venice for a day will be from €60-€100/person, including transportation, food, and entrance tickets.
Bologna
Admire the architectural marvels in Bologna and fill your stomach with delicious dishes. Photo by espiegle on Adobe Stock
Bologna is not a hustling tourist city like Venice or Florence, so it is often the choice for day trips from Milan for those who love slow experiences. Despite being a small city, there are still notable landmarks here.
The most prominent is the iconic Two Towers. This is one of the rare buildings in the city that still retains its ancient beauty and stands the test of time despite many other structures being demolished. You can have a panoramic view of Bologna from the taller tower called Asinelli Tower. Wear comfortable shoes if you don't want your feet to swell after climbing 498 steps, and book your tickets in advance.
Piazza Maggiore, known as the heart of Bologna, is another must-see. You will see the Fountain of Neptune and climb the Clock Tower (Torre dell'Orologio) for panoramic city views. Or if you're still tired from climbing the Asinelli Tower, you can visit the Basilica of San Petronio, Bologna's cathedral, and the tenth-largest church in the world by volume. Nearby, there's the Quadrilatero market for a stroll and some shopping.
Bologna is also a culinary capital known as "La Grassa" ("The Fat One") thanks to its fresh, high-quality ingredients. There's even a food tour where you can sample famous pastas like tagliatelle and tortellini, cheese, and cured meats.
Bologna is about 200km southeast of Milan, and the most convenient way to get there is by train. It takes about an hour and tickets start at €14. The total cost of a day trip to Bologna is €118/person, including food, transport, and entrance fees.
Genoa
Get a breath of modern air mixed with ancient architecture at Genoa. Photo by muratart on Adobe Stock
Genoa is the most populous city in Italy and is located about 150km south of Milan. You can get there by train, bus, or by driving. The travel time by means of transport is similar, but the train is still 30 minutes faster than the other two options. If you choose to drive, like many day trips from Milan, be prepared for parking in Genoa to be quite difficult due to the narrow, crowded roads and many restricted traffic zones.
This is a suitable destination for those who love history because you will be spoiled by many Renaissance and Baroque architectures listed by UNESCO. One of them is Palazzi dei Rolli, a typical symbol of Genoa's wealth and power during its golden age.
The Aquarium of Genoa is the next destination for your day trip. This is the largest aquarium in Italy, with lots of mesmerising aquatic species, and it welcomes over 1.2 million visitors each year. Visitors usually spend around 2.5 hours here and buy a combo ticket to visit other attractions in the Porto Antico complex. Remember to buy tickets online in advance to avoid the queues.
The total cost for a day trip to Goena is €140-€160/person, including guided tour, transportation, and meals.
Start Your Next Trip Now
There are many suitable locations for day trips from Milan for you, along with unique and interesting tourist attractions. The destinations that Cabin Zero has shared above are all located around Milan and are very easy to travel as well as suitable for a basic travel experience. Hopefully, with the tips we have compiled, you will have your next vacation full of fun and unforgettable memories. Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below, and follow the next articles for more useful information about travel. Until next time, take care!
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