If you’re planning a trip to Milan—plan a couple of places that you can quickly reach by train. You definitely won’t regret adding one of the lakes or small towns with beautiful architecture.
Milan is the capital of Lombardy and a convenient city for day trips around Northern Italy. From Milan, we even went to Switzerland—the logistics are very convenient. In 20–120 minutes by train you find yourself at lakes, in medieval towns, in gastronomic capitals, or at mountain viewpoints. Below—details about each popular place within a couple of hours from Milan: what to see, how to plan your day, and how best to get there.
1. Como (Como) — Lake, Villas, and Panoramas
Travel time: ≈ 40 minutes
Como is a classic lakeside town with a picturesque promenade, majestic cathedral, and access to one of the most beautiful Italian lakes—also called Como. It’s perfect for a romantic or family day trip.
Must-see: Duomo di Como (Cathedral), Lungolago promenade, Villa Olmo, Tempio Voltiano (Alessandro Volta museum), Como–Brunate funicular for panoramas, a walk or ferry to Bellagio/Varenna.
How to get from Milan: Trenord or regionale trains from Milano Centrale or Milano Porta Garibaldi; some routes depart from Milano Cadorna (shorter if you’re in the west of the city). Travel time ≈ 35–45 min. Regional train tickets are usually cheap (€4–€10); faster options are more expensive.
Itinerary for the day: arrive in the morning → stroll the old town + Duomo → funicular to Brunate (morning for photos) → lunch on the promenade → after lunch, ferry to Bellagio (if you want to extend the day) → evening train back.
Lifehack: buy ferry and funicular tickets separately, and book ferry tickets in advance in season. For the best views, go up to Brunate before sunset.
2. Lugano (Lugano, Switzerland) — the Tropics by the Alps
Travel time: ≈ 1 hr
Lugano is a Swiss city with Italian charm: palm trees, tidy promenades, and great mountain views. The trip is a little “cross-country adventure” with a sense of Alpine elegance.
Must-see: Riva promenade, Parco Ciani, Monte Brè or Monte San Salvatore (views), LAC—arts center, old town with narrow streets, Gandria—a fishing village on the shore.
How to get there: direct TILO/Trenord trains from Milano Centrale; time ≈ 55–70 min. Tickets are more expensive than regional ones in Italy (about €15–€35, depending on train type).
Itinerary for the day: morning train → walk along the promenade + breakfast → ascent to Monte Brè or San Salvatore → lunch in the old town → Parco Ciani and LAC → evening train to Milan.
Lifehack: If you want to save, take regional trains with a transfer—sometimes much cheaper.
3. Stresa (Stresa) — gateway to the Borromean Islands
Travel time: ≈ 1 hr
Stresa is an elegant resort on Lake Maggiore, from where boats depart to the Borromean Islands—one of Italy’s most photogenic palace and garden ensembles.
Must-see: Isola Bella (Borromeo Palace and stunning gardens), Isola dei Pescatori (small fishing village), Villa Pallavicino, cable car to Mottarone (lake views).
How to get there: Regional trains from Milano Centrale; time ≈ 55–70 min. In season, ferries between the islands run regularly; separate boat tickets are bought at the pier.
Itinerary for the day: morning train → walk along the Stresa promenade → ferry to Isola Bella (early for fewer crowds) → lunch on Isola dei Pescatori → return, cable car to Mottarone or Villa Pallavicino park → back to Milan.
Lifehack: If you want to visit all the islands—buy a day pass for the ferries. in cold weather fewer trips operate—check schedules in advance.
4. Turin (Torino) — museum, chocolate, and architecture capital
Travel time: ≈ 50 min
Turin is a majestic city with royal palaces, excellent museums (including the Egyptian Museum), and a renowned coffee and chocolate tradition.
Must-see: Mole Antonelliana (Cinema Museum), Museo Egizio (Egyptian Museum), Palazzo Reale, Parco del Valentino, Piazza San Carlo, cafés on Via Po, chocolate shops.
How to get there: High-speed Frecciarossa / Italo trains from Milano Centrale or Milano Porta Garibaldi; time ≈ 45–55 min. High-speed tickets from €15–€35 (depending on early booking).
Itinerary for the day: early train → Mole Antonelliana + Cinema Museum → walk Corso Vittorio → lunch at a traditional trattoria → Museo Egizio or Palazzo Reale → coffee and pastry in the center → evening train.
Lifehack: Museo Egizio requires 2–3 hours for a full visit—book tickets in advance. Turin is famous for its chocolate workshops—take a short tasting tour.
5. Bergamo (Bergamo) — medieval gem
Travel time: ≈ 50 min
Bergamo is a city of two “faces”: the modern lower town and the charming Città Alta (upper town) with narrow streets and panoramic views.
Must-see: Città Alta and Piazza Vecchia, Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, Cappella Colleoni, Rocca, children’s museum (perfect for families).
How to get there: Trenord/Regionale from Milano Centrale or Milano Porta Garibaldi; time ≈ 45–60 min. Cheap regional tickets usually €4–€10.
Itinerary for the day: arrive → funicular to Città Alta → explore Piazza Vecchia and the Cathedral → lunch in a trattoria → walk along the walls and park → return by train.
Lifehack: Città Alta is very nice to walk on foot, but wear comfortable shoes—the streets are cobbled.
6. Monza (Monza) — park, racetrack, and royal estates
Travel time: ≈ 20 min
The closest “big city” offshoot from Milan: the huge Monza park, the royal villa, and the world-famous racetrack.
Must-see: Autodromo Nazionale Monza (museum and track tours), Parco di Monza (giant park for picnics), Villa Reale (royal gardens), Duomo di Monza.
How to get there: regional Trenord trains from Milano Centrale/Porta Garibaldi; time ≈ 15–25 min. Very convenient for a half-day excursion.
Itinerary for the day: morning arrival → walk in the park and visit the villa → Autodromo (tour) → lunch in the center → evening train.
Lifehack: If you’re an F1 fan—check the schedule for track tours; on event days access is limited.
7. Verona — city of love and the ancient arena
Travel time: ≈ 1 hr 15 min
Verona is perfect for a romantic day: Roman arena, Juliet’s courtyard, medieval squares, and restaurant terraces with pasta and wine.
Must-see: Arena di Verona (Roman amphitheater), Casa di Giulietta – Juliet Capulet’s house, Piazza delle Erbe – the Herbs Square, very beautiful, Castelvecchio – medieval castle and Scaliger Bridge, and Ponte Pietra. Also, take in the city view from St. Peter’s hill.
How to get there: Frecciarossa/Italo or regionale veloce from Milano Centrale; time ≈ 1h10–1h20. High-speed tickets—from €15–€30 (with early booking).
Itinerary for the day: arrival → Arena + Piazza Bra → walk to Piazza delle Erbe → Casa di Giulietta → lunch with local cuisine → Castelvecchio and the Adige river → return.
Lifehack: in summer, operas are held in the Arena—if you’re lucky, plan for an evening in Verona and a concert. Casa di Giulietta is crowded—an early visit helps avoid lines.
Recommended reading: Verona – what to do in the most romantic city in Italy
8. Desenzano del Garda (Desenzano) — gateway to Lake Garda
Travel time: ≈ 1 hr 15 min
Desenzano is one of the most convenient towns on the southern shore of Lake Garda: port, beaches, markets, and easy ferries to other resorts.
Must-see: the port and promenade, Castello, archaeological museum, shopping streets, boat trip to Sirmione.
How to get there: Regionale or regionale veloce trains from Milano Centrale; time ≈ 70–80 min. Regional tickets are cheaper; express trains are more expensive.
Itinerary for the day: morning train → walk around the port → ferry/taxi-boat to Sirmione → lunch by the lake → evening coffee and train back.
Lifehack: from Desenzano it’s easy to combine a one-day trip around the lake—plan according to the weather.
Recommended reading: Holidays at Lake Garda
9. Vicenza — Palladio and Renaissance elegance
Travel time: ≈ 2 hr
Vicenza is a paradise for admirers of Andrea Palladio’s architecture. The city is intimate, elegant, and less touristy than Verona.
Must-see: Teatro Olimpico, Basilica Palladiana, Villa La Rotonda (outside the city), Corso Palladio, Palazzo Chiericati.
How to get there: by regionale or Frecciarossa trains from Milano Centrale; time ≈ 1h45–2h. Due to the distance, it’s better to leave early.
Itinerary for the day: morning train → Teatro Olimpico + Piazza dei Signori → Corso Palladio → lunch → Villa La Rotonda (if you have time) → return.
Lifehack: for architecture fans—Vicenza gives more “architectural context” than any other city in the region.
10. Parma — gastronomic paradise
Travel time: ≈ 1 hr 15 min
Parma is a place for gourmets: home of prosciutto di Parma and Parmigiano-Reggiano, plus a rich history and refined architecture.
Must-see: Palazzo della Pilotta, Teatro Farnese, Duomo and Baptistery, Museo del Prosciutto (some farms around Parma offer tasting tours), Parco Ducale.
How to get there: regionale veloce from Milano Centrale; time ≈ 1:10–1:20. Tickets available for both regional and high-speed trains.
Itinerary for the day: morning arrival → Duomo + Baptistery → Mercado/lunch with prosciutto + Parmigiano → museum or gastro tour → return.
Lifehack: if you want a true gastronomic experience—book a small farm tour or tasting in advance.
Tips about Logistics, Tickets, and Day Optimization
- Where to depart from: by train from one of Milan’s stations—Milano Centrale (most connections), Milano Porta Garibaldi, and Milano Cadorna (for Como).
- Train types: regionale/Trenord—cheap and quite fast for closer destinations; regionale veloce/Intercity—faster; Frecciarossa/Italo—high-speed (fastest, more expensive).
- Tickets: regional—several euros (€3 to €12). High-speed—from ~€15 to €40+, depending on rate and purchase time.
- Plan morning trains: to maximize your time on site; return in the evening—less crowded and cheaper.
- How to save: combine regional and high-speed segments; use intermediate stations (for example, get to a major hub by regional and transfer to high-speed).
- Local holidays: on holidays and during festivals, transport and attractions can be crowded—book tickets and museums in advance.
- Watch for strikes: Transport companies in Italy often strike, including railway workers.
Useful articles and links:
- Venice – independent trip for three days
- Summer vacations on European lakes
- Where to stay in Cinque Terre
Car rental – I search at Rentalcars.com
Hotels – I traditionally book everything through Booking.com
Insurance I buy on Hotline.Finance
