From magnificent lakes & charming medieval towns to food & wine destinations, there is so much to see near Milan. Check our top-17 Milan day trips ideas and discover the best day trips from Milan.
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Milan is a great destination for any traveler searching for the perfect combination of gastronomy, nature, art and fashion. The city is surrounded by other wonderful attractions that can steal everyone’s hearts, from endless mountain ranges in Lake Como, picturesque vineyards of Barolo wine region, Renaissance breath in Florence and romantic gondola ride in Venice.
So, where to go from Milan for a day? Let’s discover together the best day trips from Milan and how to combine your vacation in Milan with other best places to visit in Italy to experience the most amazing Italian landscapes, culture and cuisine to the fullest.
1. Lake Como Boat Tours: Admire Star Wars & James Bond Filming Locations with Alps Mountain Ranges and Luxurious Villas
Emerald water, endless mountain ranges, charming and quaint colorful fishing villages. Milan to Lake Como day trip is a perfect break for any traveler who wants to step back from the fast-paced lifestyle of Milan.
Lake Como is famous for its marvelous villas located all along the waterway from Cernobbio to the beautiful towns of Bellagio and Varenna, in the middle of Lake Como. Some of the most famous villas in Lake Como are undoubtedly Villa del Balbianello (chosen as Lake Como Star Wars filming location), villa of George Clooney, Villa Carlotta, and Villa d’Este, a 5-star luxury lakefront resort (we can arrange lunch reservation for our dear clients to enjoy this stunning villa). Taking a boat ride with your loved one to admire all these beautiful villas is undoubtedly an unforgettable memory for your Italy trip.
Lake Como wedding is also a highly celebrated event that transforms every bride and groom into the most fairytale event of their lives.
In our other blog article about the best villas to visit in Lake Como, we have explained in detail the history of Como and its various famous villas to provide you deeper understanding of this renowned destination.
If you would like to visit the lake during your vacation in Italy and Milan, our private Milan to Lake Como tour with a professional car service with a private driver will guarantee a perfect day at Lake Como. Otherwise, if you would like to meet new travelers, our top rated small-group Milan to Lake Como tour will ensure all skip-the-line tickets to avoid any waiting lines, especially in the high season.
2. Taste the Best Barolo Wine in Piedmont on a Day Trip Wine Tour to Piedmont & Alba, the Land of Langhe
Worldwide famous red wine of Barolo is from the Langhe area, a wine region in Piedmont and one of the best places to go in Italy for wine enthusiasts. Barolo is the top level Nebbiolo wine, made from Nebbiolo grapes and originally from the town Barolo.
Located in just a 90-min drive from Milan, Barolo is one of perfect Milan day trips for travelers seeking authentic Piedmont culinary experiences. With a private visit to the Barolo wine region, visitors will learn not only about the winemaking process, but also about the history of Barolo wine, which started from the famous winery Marchesi di Barolo. Last but not least, extensive Barolo wine tasting with the collection of top-level Barolo will impress any wine lovers.
On a day trip from Milan to Barolo wine area it is possible to visit at least two different wineries, have enough time for an amazing lunch in a local restaurant and a visit of Piedmont’s beautiful medieval towns.
It is necessary to have a car to explore this region, so to complete a perfect Barolo wineries day trip from Milan, we may suggest to book our professional car service with a private driver to accompany you along the picturesque vineyard hills of Langhe area and visit the beautiful medieval towns, such as Grinzane Cavour, Neive or Monforte d’Alba.
If you would like to explore the legendary Barolo wine area, our Barolo private wine tour from Milan is a perfect option to ensure the highest level of comfort. You will also enjoy a careful winery selection thanks to our extensive knowledge of the region and Barolo wines gained through our multiple field trips.
3. Enjoy Truffle Hunting Experience in Piedmont with the Italian Truffle Dog and Truffle Master near Alba
More than just a top wine destination, Langhe and its surrounding area of Alba is also the origin of truffles, especially the distinctive white truffle. For any truffle lover one of the best things to do in Italy is to observe a trained truffle hunting dog (Lagotto Romagnolo) and his master on the mission to discover the truffle treasure.
The dog master will explain to every visitor the educational and selection path the dog has been given and how it is trained to detect the truffles. The most exciting experience is probably tasting the fresh truffles that you just discovered during the journey with the lovely truffle dog.
This day trip can be conveniently combined with Barolo wine tour from Milan.
4. Day Trip From Milan to Florence to Explore Renaissance Masterpieces
While Florence is about in a 3-hour drive from Milan, the train connection between two cities is above excellence. Direct train from Milan will bring visitors to Florence Italy train station in just 90 minutes, making it the perfect location for a day trip from Milan into Renaissance.
There many things to do on Milan Florence day trip, but we would suggest visiting the famous museum of Uffizi, which display marvelous painting of Botticelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, admire David statue in Accademia Gallery and join a private guided walking tour in Florence with the best tour guides in Florence Italy to learn about the city history and architecture.
The perfect end of your day trip would undoubtedly be crossing the Ponte Vecchio Bridge, leading to Boboli garden, the residence of Medici family and Piazzale Michelangelo with stunning panoramic view of the city. For food lovers, Mercato Centrale is a wonderful option to taste the local cuisine from Florence steak to lampredotto.
If you want to understand better the glory history of Florence and its Renaissance culture, our Florence private guided tour with a professional local guide will provide you comprehensive knowledge of Florence architecture, arts and gastronomy.
5. Verona, Sirmione and Lake Garda: The Pearl of the Alps
Verona, the birthplace of Romeo and Juliet is a lovely town between Milan and Venice, making it the perfect option for a day trip from Milan or a day trip from Venice. Being a important medieval town in Northern Italy since Roman Empire time, Verona has the second biggest Roman open theater, the Arena di Verona that hosts up to 15000 people.
One of the must-see attractions within the area of Verona is Lake Garda, the biggest Italian lake and often considered as a sibling of Lake Como. While there are many activities to do in Lake Garda, the best option to relax and immerse into the lake’s beautiful nature is taking a boat ride along the Sirmione Peninsula, reaching the charming town of Desenzano or Lazise. Lake Garda boat tour has been increasingly popular in the last years – feel free to contact us to book a private experience.
6. Taste the Legendary Amarone Wines near Lake Garda
Milan is surrounded by Italy’s most extraordinary wine areas. Besides Barolo from Langhe (that we mentioned above in this blog article), another legendary region is Amarone wine from Valpolicella area (on the right side of Lake Garda, that’s why its full name is Amarone della Valpolicella).
After a boat ride to admire the beauty of Sirmione, there is no better way to complete the Milan day trip than joining a winery tour to try top level Amarone (for example: Masi Amarone or Tommasi Amarone). Besides participating in the exclusive degustation of a vintage Amarone wine, visitors will also learn in detail how Amarone della Valpolicella is made and what made it such a special red wine compared to any other red wine in the world. Amarone wine region is also conveniently located to visit some of Lugana wineries (Lugana is an excellent white wine produced on the lower side of Lake Garda).
7. Milan to Venice Day Trip with Venice Gondola Tour
The beauty of Venice can hardly be described fully by words and a visit to Venice is always love at first sight. If you are planning what to do in Italy for Europe trip and will travel to Milan, don’t skip Venice as it is much more than a tourist location. Located in the Northern East side of Italy, Milan is the closest big metropolis to Venice, making Milan to Venice day trip the most popular option for travelers to experience two best places to visit in Italy.
The direct fast train from Milan to Venice is about 2h30 minutes, with 2-3 departures every hour from both Trenitalia and Italo.
Once you arrive in Venice Santa Lucia train station (which is in the historical center of Venice), be ready to get lost among thousands of charming and colorful Venice canals.
If you are interested in the history of this beautiful city, which has always been an important Italian port kingdom since the Roman Empire, you can book our private guided tour to discover all the best things to do in Venice, including skip-the-line tickets to the St. Mark’s Basilica & Doge Palace, detailed explanation of historical landmarks such as Piazza San Marco, Rialto Bridge and Grand Canal and much more.
The tour can also include the visit of Doge Palace medieval prisons area and a private gondola ride and a visit to the Murano glass factory or colorful Burano island.
8. Day Trip from Milan to Liguria Coast (Italian Riviera). Explore Genoa, Portofino and the Hidden Gem of Santa Margherita Ligure
Liguria is the closest beach region to Milan (90-min drive), and it offer multiple extraordinary locations.
Historically, Genoa has always been one of the most important hubs in the Mediterranean area and it is still the busiest port in Italy. Being an important marine gate to connect Europe with the rest of the world, Genoa was one of the richest towns in Europe.
After Genoa, let’s head to the two famous seaside colorful towns of the region: Santa Margherita Ligure and Portofino. After World War II, Santa Margherita became a famous resort town in Italy, thanks to its beautiful, charming and colorful houses along the sea. Portofino Italy located at the tip of the peninsula is a famous vacation destination among celebrities ( e.g: Kadashian’s wedding) with many high-end boutiques and you will be surprised by the amount of super-yachts docked in this beautiful village.
9. Explore France/Italy Mountains on a Day Trip From Milan: Tour du Mont Blanc.
Mont Blanc or Monte Bianco (in Italian) is officially the highest peak of the Alps mountain range in Europe. However, even without extreme physical training, every traveler can enjoy Mont Blanc peak thanks to the extraordinary cableway system of the skyway Monte Bianco.
With less than a 2-hour drive from Milan, a private driver can accompany you directly to Mont Blanc to admire this majestic gift of nature. The Skyway Monte Bianco reaches up to 3.466 meters at Punta Helbronner, ensuring the phenomenal view of the Alps. To make the experience extra special, you can also enjoy an exclusive lunch in Kartell Bistro at the top of Mont Blanc, a lifetime culinary event!
For travelers seeking to learn more about the Mont Blanc region and its surrounding, a visit to the beautiful towns of Courmayeur on the Italian side and/or Charmonix on the French side will be a loving experience.
This Milan day trip can also be conveniently combined with visit of the wineries of Val D’Aosta region, renowned for its complex and mineral wines.
10. Bernina Express Day Trips from Milan. Heading To The Wonderland
Bernina Express train ride is one of the most popular day trips from Milan. A train to wonderland is not an overstatement for Bernina Express that passes through emerald lakes of the Alps and boundless ice glaciers. This glacier express route connects the 2 countries Italy and Switzerland, starting from Tirano (which can be reached from Milan in less than a 2-hour drive and include a stop in Lake Como & Varenna) with the final destination of St. Moritz, one of the closest Swiss Alp town to Milan Italy.
Bernina Express is not an ordinary train route, its glass ceiling opens to the unlimited sky, assuring that visitors will not miss any beautiful landscape of the Alps, crossing 55 tunnels and 196 bridges.
Be ready for an unimaginable land fully covered in magical snow.
11. Wine Tours from Milan: Franciacorta Wine Tour and Lake Iseo
Franciacorta is a relatively young Italy wine region, but it lacks no excellent products. Specializing in bubble wine and sharing the same méthode champenoise with Champagne, Franciacorta is the land of the most extraordinary sparkling wine in Italy.
Laying on the border of Lake Iseo, Franciacorta inherited the rich character of Lake Iseo soil, making its wine less acidic than its Champagne peers. An extensive visit to Franciacorta wineries, such as Berlucchi, Bellavista and many others will help visitors learn in depth the Franciacorta winemaking process and how the elegant and smooth bubbles of Franciacorta allow a wide variety of wine & food pairings, making it not only a festive choice.
In between winery visits, a short break to enjoy the beauty of Lake Iseo is a must. Adore this quiet and charming pre-Alp lake with a boat ride near Monte Isola – one of the biggest lake islands in Europe.
If you are searching for a modern, contemporary touch to Italian culture, a visit to Franciacorta and Lake Iseo will amaze you. Our private tour to Franciacorta and Iseo has been well received by many clients who plan a special occasion with their family or partner.
12. Modena Day Trip from Milan: Lamborghini Museum & Ferrari Factory Tour
Modena, the birthplace of Italian supercars, is a perfect location for a day trip from Milan for speed lovers.
Located in a 90-min drive from Milan, Modena is the place to learn everything, from the starting days to the most excellent models of the two legendary sport cars: Lamborghini and Ferrari.
Enjoy a comprehensive visit to the car museums of the brands: Ferrari Museum and Lamborghini Museum to admire in real life the best models ever produced, as well as Ferrari Factory Tour & Lamborghini Factory Tour.
To apply all you have learnt into reality, speed up with Ferrari test drive near Ferrari Maranello area after full technical instruction of an expert.
Both Ferrari and Lamborghini Museum are not in the center of Modena City, thus, train connection is not the best option.
If you would like to visit Modena and its super cars legendary story, don’t hesitate to contact us. We will prepare all the visits and test drive in advance to ensure your smooth trip to the land of world level speed.
13. Day Trip From Milan to Parma: Italian Gastronomy Capital, one of the Best Places to Go in Italy for Food Lovers
Parma is the home of the world’s finest prosciutto ham and aged cheese Parmigiano. Parma’s gastronomy is a legend at worldwide level for its curated and sophisticated culinary approach. The province imposes extremely strict regulation of production from breeds feeding to end production inspection of its signature Prosciutto and Parmigiano. Check our previous blog articles about Parma prosciutto and Parmigiano production for curious facts, best cheese & ham factories as well as detailed information about the history of these two famous products and their strict regulations.
Joining an in person visit to the family-owned Prosciutto and Parmigiano factory, you will learn in detail how Parmigiano Reggiano cheese is made and what is the real difference between Parmigiano Reggiano vs Parmesan. Meanwhile, the Parma ham tour will explain the ham’s strict aging process and how the breed is carefully selected to ensure the top-quality meat.
Modena, which is only 30-minute drive from Parma, is a perfect added option for travelers who want to learn more about Italian best balsamic vinegar, the world’s most expensive condiment known as Black Gold.
14. Day Trip from Milan to Lake Maggiore, Stresa & Borromean Islands
To complete the list of most famous lakes in Northern Italy, Lake Maggiore is a must-see option. Located on the west side of Milan, Lake Maggiore offers a perfect lake day trip in absolute calmness and relaxation compared to its siblings of Lake Como and Lake Garda.
Crossing both Italy and Switzerland, Lake Maggiore is famous for its beautiful town of Stresa and exquisite architecture of the Borromean islands. Named after the aristocratic Borromeo family (who established extensive banking structures in Milan in the XXIII century), Borromean islands and its palaces are splendidly furnished with fine arts, historical palazzos, eclectic sculptures, beautiful gardens and rare species.
A delightful boat ride around the Borromean islands, en route to the Switzerland side of Lake Maggiore is a beautiful option for those seeking to understand the Italian art of slow living.
15. Milan Day Trip to Lugano. Discover the Switzerland Mediterranean Land
Belonging to the Italian speaking area Ticino of Switzerland, the lake town of Lugano offers an unique Swiss vibe with Italian sun kissing weather.
Milan to Lugano day trip can be easily organized thanks to the 2 cities’ close distance of only 70 km (60-min drive) or direct train connection. Considered as a favorite vacation destination among Swiss society, Lugano offers multiple options for who wonders: what to do in Lugano?
Being the closest Swiss Alp town to Milan Italy, there is so much to explore. From boat cruises along Lugano lake to panoramic view of the Alps on Monte San Salvatore and luxury bespoken Swiss watch stores, Lugano has everything that a traveler can ask for.
16. Bologna Food Tour on a Day Trip from Milan to Bologna
There is no doubt that ragu alla bolognese is the most beloved sauce for many Italian dishes, from spaghetti bolognese to lasagna. So why is it called bolognese sauce? It is simply thanks to the land it comes from: Bologna, one of best places to visit in Italy for food lovers.
Well connected with Milan by both car and train (90-min drive), with its famous bolognese sauce, tortellini and mortadella, Bologna will not disappoint travelers searching for authentic Italian cuisine. Boglona belongs to the same region with Parma and Modena, therefore, joining Bologna food tour, you can also learn and taste the best quality Parma prosciutto ham, Parmigiano and excellent Modena Balsamic vinegar.
The medieval historic center of Bologna with 180 towers will make the day trip from Milan to Bologna even more fascinating. Bologna holds the record of the world longest porticoes (an UNESCO heritage) and its Neptune Fountain and the ‘’Two Towers’’ (the symbol of the city which is considered the twin of Pisa tower due to its leaning, similar like the famous Pisa Leaning Tower) are simply marvelous.
17. Milan Shopping Outlet Day Trip
Milan is known as a fashion capital and for fashion lovers, there is nothing better than a day off for shopping in Milan.
While there are many high-end stores all over the city center including La Rinascente and the famous district of Monte Napoleone, Milan shopping outlets are the dream location for a quality shopping.
The biggest outlet near Milan is Serravalle Designer Outlet, on the way to Piedmont and Portofino, making it a perfect break for the day trip to Barolo wine area and Portofino.
Another great outlet near Milan is Franciacorta Village near Lake Iseo or Fidenza Outlet, located just in 50-min drive from Milan in the direction of Parma, which can be combined easily with a Parma/Modena or Ferrari, Lamborghini day trip.
We hope that our ideas for 17 best Milan day trips will inspire you to discover Milan and Italy out of ordinary route. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us by email or WhatsApp for any suggestions or support to plan your next tailor-made and stress-free Italian vacation.
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