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No holiday in Italy is complete without Milan. By showcasing its splendid palaces, churches, opera houses and other heritage structures, Milan attracts tourists around the year. Not only that, while holidaying in this beautiful city, you can also visit other scenic places in close proximity. These will make for perfect day trips from Milan, from where you can return the same day after a heart-warming excursion.

Let’s take a peek and discover the places that are perfect if you don’t want to venture too far from Milan.

13 Best Day Trips From Milan To Take In 2023

Not only sightseeing, but there are also a lot of local weekend trips from Milan that you can head to. These are some of the most amazing places to explore near Milan:

1. Pavia- The former Roman capital

Pavia

Known for renaissance monuments and around 100 medieval towers, Pavia is the perfect choice if you are looking for half day trips from Milan, Italy. While churches and cathedrals showcase beautiful medieval art and sculptures to cement its position as a culture-rich destination, Pavia is now popular as a university town and is frequented by tourists around the year. If you too have a soft spot for medieval art, vintage villas, old bridges, and aged cobblestone streets, Pavia is the place for you.

Distance from Milan: 35 km
Places to see in Pavia: Castello Visconteo, Pavia Cathedral, Ponte Coperto and San Michele Maggiore. If you are visiting the century-old University of Pavia, explore the garden which houses an exotic collection of roses and medicinal plants.

Must Read: Milan Restaurants: 10 Restaurants For Italian Flavours


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2. Bergamo- The walled city

walled city

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Bergamo is a walled city of the ancient era, located in the Lombardy region of Italy and is best known for its immense natural beauty. It is only a few hours away from Milan. With walls stretched out for nearly 5 km, the quaint city boasts of vintage buildings, churches, cathedrals and palaces. The old city of Bergamo is composed of an old walled core known as La Citta Alta. As it is located upslope, a funicular is used to shuttle tourists uphill. Thus, making it a splendid option if you want day trips from Milan by train.

Distance from Milan: 41 km
Places to see in Bergamo: Citta Alta, Cappella Colleoni, Santa Maria Maggiore and Piazza Vecchia

3. Bellagio- A spectacular lake town

Bellagio- A spectacular lake town

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Bellagio is counted among the most beautiful lake towns of Italy. Located by a peninsula that divides Lake Como into two, Bellagio is a sight to behold and is known as the ‘Pearl of Lake Como’. With sprawling gardens, vintage churches, shops, and restaurants, Bellagio is one of the best options for day trips from Milan. If you are a big fan of water sports, don’t forget to visit Pescallo, an old village just 10 minutes away from Bellagio. Located southeast of the main town, you can go kayaking or water skiing before returning to Milan.

Distance from Milan: 58 km
Places to see in Bellagio: Lake Como, Villa Carlotta, Villa del Balbianello and Giardini di Villa Melzi

Suggested Read: 20 Places To Visit In Milan To Know About Its Cultural Past & Rich Heritage

4. Franciacorta- For a heart-warming visual treat

heart-warming visual

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Treat your eyes and soul with the view of sprawling vineyards at Franciacorta. If it is one among the many day trips you take from Milan, then your trip to Italy can be considered complete. Franciacorta is a wine-growing region of Italy and known for housing the best wineries. If you are taking a trip to Milan, make sure it is in your ‘places to visit’ checklist. Also, do visit some of the vineyards, take guided tours to see how wine is processed, and taste the exotic varieties before leaving the city.

Distance from Milan: 70 km
Places to see in Franciacorta: Natural Reserve Sebino, St. Nicholas Abbey and Castello di Passirano

5. Lugano- The surreal Swiss beauty

Lugano- The surreal Swiss beauty

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Lugano is located on the Switzerland-Italy border and is the only Italian-speaking Swiss city. Lugano is hands down among the best places to visit in Italy. Featuring sparkling lake and stunning views of Swiss Alps, Lugano looks like a colorful picture-postcard and fascinates every avid traveler. It also has a throng of apparel stores which can enchant the shopaholic in you. So, if you want day trips from Milan to Switzerland, a visit to Lugano is a must.

Distance from Milan: 79.5 km
Places to see in Lugano: Lake Lugano, Villa Carlotta, Monte San Salvatore and Chiesa di Santa Maria degli Angeli.

Suggested Read: 13 Places To Visit To Experience The Lively Milan Nightlife

6. Sirmione- A beautiful lake city

lake view

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If you wish to enjoy the surreal beauty of Lake Garda – Italy’s largest freshwater lake – travel to Sirmione. As one of the top places for day trips from Milan in winter, Sirmione falls in the Lombardy countryside and exudes immense natural beauty and aura. Take leisure strolls on the beach or go on a cruise, there are numerous ways to explore the ancient Roman city. As an insider tip, do enjoy the breathtaking sunset at Sirmione before returning to Milan.

Distance from Milan: 132 km
Places to see in Sirmione: Scaligero Castle, Jamaica Beach, Grottoes of Catullus and Chiesa di San Pietro

Suggested Read: 10 Things To Do In Milan That Let You Absorb The Essence Of The City

7. Turin- City with historical significance

amazing view

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As the first capital of Italy, Turin has a global fame factor. Also, owing to its proximity to Milan, it has made its way as one of the best getaways near Milan. From age-old cafes, shops to vintage architecture and renaissance monuments, Turin has everything. If you are an incorrigible foodie, don’t forget to make time for Turin, the city that gave the world its first hard chocolate. If possible, spend an evening here for Magic Turin Evening Tour before returning to Milan.

Distance from Milan: 145.2 km
Places to see in Turin: Museo Egizio, Royal Palace, Mole Antonelliana and Palazzo Madama e Casaforte degli Acaja

Suggested Read: Shopping In Italy: 6 Best Places For The Shopaholics To Indulge In An Extravaganza

8. Genoa- Awe-inspiring view of the harbor

City view

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This is Italy’s largest port as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its scenic coastal location and stunning panorama are perfect for one and all, while the monumental public squares, boulevards, opera houses, bronze fountains and age-old Roman cathedrals make Genoa one of the top places to visit near Milan. While it may not be one of the easy day trips from Milan, it is, for sure, a place worth visiting at least once in a lifetime.

Distance from Milan: 117 km
Places to see in Genoa: Aquarium of Genoa, Piazza de Ferrari and Via Giuseppe Garibaldi

9. Florence

Florence city view

Marvel at ancient architecture and wander around the iconic landmarks at this Italian destination. Stroll in the Uffizi art gallery and witness the breathtaking views from the Duomo from the top. Florence makes for a great place to meander around in floaters and soak in some sunshine.

Distance from Milan: 315 km
Places to visit in Florence: Ponte Vecchio, Uffizi art gallery, Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

10. St. Moritz, Switzerland

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This might come as a surprise, but Switzerland is just a day’s trip away from Italy. This stunning Swiss town of Switzerland is full of scenic views of the Alps and includes most famous mountain resorts. Hop on the Bernina Express from Tirano and enjoy a scenic two and a half hours journey ascending from 429m up to over 1800 in the Swiss mountains making it one hell of a ride.

Distance from Milan: 166 Km
Places to visit: Corviglia, Lake St. Moritz, Piz Nair, Segantini Museum

11. Venice

Venice Gondola Cruise

Venic is Italy’s one of prized romantic cities that possesses several hidden gems and charming characteristics of a city that leave you dazzled you in every nook and cranny. The city’s majestic charm captivate you to take a trip from any part of the world, Venice is about a 3 hours journey from Milan and though it’s hard to fit all of Venice’s treasures into one day, a day trip certainly seems all worth it. Wander the cobbled streets, take a gondola ride in the waterways, and have a coffee in the famous Piazza San Marco.  

Distance from Milan: 270 Km
Places to visit: Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s Square, Saint Mark’s Basilica, Rialto Bridge

12. Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre in Italy

This picture-perfect scenic place is absolutely instagram-worthy from every angle. A day trip to this picturesque town will include unraveling the hills and rainbow hued houses, the five villages of Cinque Terre are going to be a delight to any traveler’s heart and soul. Capture the picturesque landscape views and enjoy a scenic drive down here.

Distance from Milan: 230 Km
Places to visit: Doria Castle, Via Fegina, Church of San Giovanni Battista

13. Verona

View of Verona during sunset

This historic city was the setting of Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo & Juliet’, with a medieval old town built between the meandering Adige River making a stunning backdrop for a romantic revival. Unravel the place of the world’s most famous lovers, Romeo & Juliet, through the streets immortalised in his play. Get a chance to see the balcony from which Juliet wondered ‘Where art thou Romeo?’.

Distance from Milan: 160 km
Places to visit: Lake Garda, Juliet’s House, Verona Arena, Osteria Sottocosta

Further Read: 14 Milan Shopping Places That Highlight The City’s Fashion Sense

Milan is a regional powerhouse in Italy, but more than that it is a testament to the country’s past and future. Not only for the unmatched shopping experience, but Milan should also be on the list of every traveler for the awe-inspiring landscape it showcases. Now that you know about all day trips from Milan, do include them while chalking out Italy packages with TravelTriangle.

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Please Note: Any information published by TravelTriangle in any form of content is not intended to be a substitute for any kind of medical advice, and one must not take any action before consulting a professional medical expert of their own choice.

Frequently Asked Questions About Day Trips From Milan

Is Tuscany in northern Italy?

Tuscany is in central Italy.

What travel modes are available for day trips from Milan to Switzerland?

The best way to travel from Milan to Switzerland is via trains.

How far is Lake Como from Milan?

Lake Como is about 84 km far from Milan.

How long is the train ride from Milan to Lake Como?

The average travel time between Milan and Como is 33 minutes.

Where should I visit near Milan?

Lake Como. Lake Maggiore. Lake Garda. Cinque Terre. The Wine Region. Franciacorta. Bergamo. Venice. Florence. Bologna. Pavia.


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