Milan is, without doubt, one of the most vibrant cities in Italy. It is of course a tourist hotspot but is known for its vibrancy and – of course – iconic fashion. We have been here plenty of times and we have seen all of the main sights, including climbing the Duomo and walking along the canals. For our more recent adventures here we have also ventured out from the main city. There are so many day trips from Milan and this quick guide features my favourites. Enjoy!
Best Day Trips from Milan | Your Quick Guide
Lake Como
馃殑 40 mins by train
Lake Como is a must-see for anyone. It is easily one of the prettiest destinations in Europe and each year attracts millions of tourists. From Milan, one of the best day trips is to Como town. The train journey here will take just under an hour via a train from the main station. When we took this train in the Summer of 2025, it was incredibly busy – think commuters on the Northern Line vibe.
Once you get to Como town you have a few different options. In the town itself there are a few places to explore. You have a range of shops, exclusive caf茅s and restaurants and some really pretty churches. Without a doubt though, the best thing to do is to head to the shores of the lake. You could either relax here and enjoy, or take a ferry across to the famous villages off Bellagio or Varenna.
Top Tip: Similarly to if you were off to Venice for a day trip, leave Milan as early as possible. You’ll be able to beat the crowds and enjoy this place that little bit better. Trust me – it gets absolutely packed here.
Bergamo
馃殑 50 mins by train
Bergamo is one of my favourite day trips from Milan. If you haven’t heard of it before, you might have seen a picture of the beautiful Citt脿 Alta (Upper Town). It is a beautifully preserved medieval walled-city perched on a hilltop. It is lesser-known than the obvious day trips, such as Como, so you won’t find an extensive amount of tourists here. What you will find is the classic Italian renaissance feel; cobblestone streets and the golden-orange roofs.
Pavia
馃殑 30 mins
Pavia is another option for those people who want that classical renaissance architecture. It’s only half an hour or so by train from Milan. There isn’t a lot to see here, but it is a quieter place to unwind and to escape the hustle and bustle of Milan. Some good options though include a trip to the Art Gallery at Visconti Castle, or the see the University History Museum. Aside from this, you have plenty of Basilicas to see and even the local fortified bridge.
Top Tip: If you are after a slower, truly-Italian pace – pick this one.
Turin
馃殑 45 minutes – 1 hour by train
Turin is a fantastic day trip option from Milan and is surprisingly close. It is known for its blend of history and culture, including the legendary Fiat Factory which featured in the Italian job (which is now the lovely DoubleTree Hotel.- I would really recommend).
What I love most about Turin is its unmistakable Northern Italian flair and the options available for exploring. Of course, you need to stop at Piazza Castello and Via Roma, but I would seriously recommend visiting the Mole Antonelliana. It is a beautiful church which features a glass elevator in the heart of the atrium. It is quite scary to take up, but you get arguably the best view of the city.
Lago Maggiore (Stresa)
馃殑 1 hour 10 minutes
If Como was that little bit too busy for you, I would suggest Lago Maggiore. It is further away (around 90 minutes by train), but has arguably just as nice views but without as many tourists. You’ll likely end up in Stressa, which is one of the resort towns on the shores.
Once again, I would still recommend getting here early to avoid any crowds. Once you get here though you’ll be able to explore the lake, including the nearby Borromean Islands. You also have some lovely boutique shops in Stressa to explore.
What I Love: Lake Maggiore has a different vibe to Como. It feels more similar to Annecy or Thun (Switzerland). You’ll get the warm, Italian architecture and colour against the cooler Alpine palette. It is a winning combination.
Monza
馃殫 45 minutes by car/ 馃殑 45 minutes
You’ll likely associate the name ‘Monza’ with motor sports and rightly so. The town is home to one of the world’s most famous and oldest Formula 1 circuits. If racing just isn’t your thing, fear not – the town is perfect for people who want to soak up history.
First off is the historic centre, which is where I’d start. From here it isn’t far to the Duomo di Monza, which is an incredibly impressive building. It is also home to the Iron Crown, one of the most important relics in Christianity. You also have the Royal Villa of Monza – possibly my favourite part – which has vast parklands which are perfect for an afternoon stroll.
Franciacorta
This one is a bit more abstract, but I stand by it as a top day trip from Milan. The Franciacorta Wine Region is one of the best for sparkling wines, and it is only an hour or so away from the city.
The issue is (hence why there is no time above) it is near-impossible to get there by train. You can either drive to some vineyards here (such as Il Dosso di Archetti Luca or Marchesine), or book a tour through a reputable travel company. If it was me, I would definitely recommend the latter so that you can really enjoy the tasting without worrying about being the ‘designated driver’ for your group.
Wine-aside though, the region is beautiful and the views are worth the trip, even if you don’t like wine.
Verona
馃殑 1 hour 15 minutes
Verona has a special place in my heart. It was where we had our minimoon and it is a really beautiful place. The train here is a bit longer than some of the others that I have mentioned, but I think that it is well-worth the effort.
One of my favourite things to do in Verona is pottering about the Old Town. You can walk past the old Arena di Verona (one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheatres) and then head deeper to find the legendary Juliet’s House. One thing that people don’t often do though is to cross the bridge across the river and club up to the Punto panoramico.
For more inspiration, check out our post on 24 Hours in Verona | Your Short Guide. If you fancy staying longer, why not consider a day Trip to Sirmione from Verona.
Final Thoughts | Day Trips from Milan
These are my top day trips from Milan and there are enough to keep you busy here for a good week or so. What make this place so good is that there is a huge variety, with day trips for all sorts of travellers. If you want more information on Milan, why not check out my post on 48 Hours in Milan | How to Spend Two Days.
