Best daytrips from Milan by car and train

Milan’s location is perfect for enjoying trips away from the crowd. Read our guide about the best places you can go to near Milan.

Sofia

9 minute read

Updated on 5 Mar 2024

Living

Milan is located in a perfect location for organizing weekend or day trips. The capital of Lombardy is near many beautiful Italian cities and neighbouring countries like Switzerland, making it easy to travel by car and by train.

If you’re looking for some fun ways to spend time away from your daily work or study life in Milan, here’re the the best locations for a day or weekend trip from Milan:

Dolomites
Lago di Como
Lago di Garda
Cinque Terre
Bergamo
Turin
Bologna
Florence
Switzerland
Winter destinations on a budget

1. Dolomites

There's an Italian joke that perfectly describes the magic of the Dolomites: "only the sea is missing." This is not entirely correct, because one of the reasons why Dolomites were included in the UNESCO World Heritage sites is the many lakes and fantastic scenarios that you can admire here.

What to do in the Dolomites

Visit Madonna di Campiglio, a world-famous ski resort located at 1500m between the Brenta peaks and the Adamello and Presanell glaciers.
Enjoy skiing or hiking in Cortina D’Ampezzo
Take the funicular to reach Alpe di Siusi and enjoy the view over the alps.
Book a day at the beautiful spa in Pozza di Fassa.
Stop in one of the many farmhouses in the alps and try the local food: Casunziei, Polenta, Strudel, cheese and drink some Grappa.
Enjoy the waterfalls at Cascate di Cavalese.

How to get to the Dolomites

By car: 313 km from Milan, you’ll find Dolomiti. It takes an average of 3h 30m to get here by car.

By train: the train from Milano Centrale to Dolomiti di Brenta takes 3h 30m and can cost around €50 - €130.

2. Lago di Como

The city of Como and its lake are considered one of the best places to visit close to Milan. Whether you want to go on a romantic, active, relaxing, or child-friendly holiday, Como will provide the most memorable experience.

What to do in Como

Walk through the luxurious villas of Como: Villa Saporiti, Villa Gallia, and Villa Olmo.
Take a funicular to the old village on the hills of Brunate for a spectacular panoramic view.
Take any of the 4 boat tours from near Piazza Cavour as it’s the best way to discover the beauty of the Como.
Visit the Cathedral of Como in the historic town centre.
Go on a food tour to taste the local cuisine, such as Fritto Misto di Lago Missoltini, and Polenta.
Shop for silk items as Como is Italy’s silk capital.

While in Como, visit or stay at Bellagio, also known as the gem of Lake Como. This quaint and charming village is so breathtaking that many celebrities have chosen to rent one of the beautiful villas here.

What to do in Bellagio

For postcard views of Lake Como, visit Parco di Villa Serbelloni, a huge park outside Villa Serbelloni, or the botanical garden in Villa Melzi.

Villa Serbelloni is open from March to November and can only be visited with a guided tour.
Villa Melzi is open from March until October.

Swim and sunbathe at San Giovanni Beach.
Go for a 10km hike on Greenway dei Patriarchi and enjoy the view at the top of the mountain.

How to get to Como and Bellagio from Milan

Como and Bellagio are respectively located 50kms and 80kms away from Milan and can be reached by car or by train.

By train: A train from Milano Cadorna or Milano Central Station to Como Lago Station will take 40 minutes.

To go to Bellagio from Milan, take the train to Varenna. You’ll be there in a bit more than 1 hour. If you’re already in Como, you can either drive or take the local ferry or bus.

3. Lago di Garda

Italy’s largest lake — Lake Garda — is one the most beautiful lakes that span an area of 370 square km. It’s the perfect place for couples, families with children, and groups of friends as the lake and its surrounding villages offer plenty of activities.

Adventure lovers can enjoy mountain biking, hiking, climbing, lake diving, sailing, and more in towns such as Arco.
Families and adventurers will love visiting Italy’s biggest adventure theme park: Gardaland. In addition to the many rides, the park has a 3D cinema hall and many live shows for children. Tickets start at €40.
Food fanatics can try wine tours in Bardolino or Lazise or famous local products, such as lemons, oranges, and olives.
Those on a relaxing or romantic holiday can stroll the historic streets, relax by the lakes and thermal springs, picnic by the mountains, visit the castles, and more.

While in Garda, it’s a good idea to b. This resort town is one of the busiest in this area and it’s best to visit it off-season to enjoy the beauty without the tourists.

What to do in Sirmione

Visit Castello Scaligero, a beautiful castle at the village entrance.
Book a visit to the Grotte di Catullo to see the remains of a Roman villa built in the 1st century AD. If you intend to visit both Grotte di Catullo and the castle, the total price is about €14.
Enjoy a swim at Jamaica Beach or take a boat tour to the nearby islands and stop at Isola Dei Conigli to sunbathe and swim.
Book a day or a weekend at the spa and enjoy the view of the lake from the thermal pool.

Both Grotte di Catullo and Castello Scaligero are free for everyone on the first Sunday of each month.

How to get to Garda and Sirmione from Milan

By car: Garda and Sirmione are 134km from Milan and reachable by car in a bit more than 2 hours.

By train: You can take a direct train from Milano Centrale or Milano Cadorna to Peschiera del Garda or Desenzano del Garda. The journey takes 57 minutes.

4. Cinque Terre

The popular Cinque Terre consists of 5 little coastal villages that are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. These villages offer breathtaking views of colourful houses perched atop the steep cliffs.

What to do in Cinque Terre

You can travel by bus, boat, train, foot or ferry between the 5 villages: Corniglia, Monterosso, Manarola, Vernazza, and Riomaggiore. If you’re here on a 1-2 days trip, then here’re some things you can do:

Enjoy the long white sand beach at Monterosso, enjoy lunch with a view at Nessuno Dorma in Riomaggiore, walk the hills of Manarola, or hike any of the cliffs.
Enjoy their breathtaking view of the sea in Portovenere, visit the church of Sant Pietro, and climb the castle.
Visit one of the many vineyards for a relaxing break and try the local wines Cinqueterre and Sciacchetrà.

How to get to Cinque Terre

By car: You can reach Cinque Terre in a bit more than 3 hours by car.

By train: If you take the train from Milano Centrale to Monterosso or La Spezia, you’ll be able to reach Cinque Terre in 3 hours. Tickets are not expensive and can cost only €14 if you book in advance.

5. Bergamo

Bergamo is one of the most interesting cities in all of Lombardy: it’s known for its artistic and cultural heritage, green surroundings and interesting gastronomic tradition.

What to do in Bergamo

Bergamo has 2 parts: Bergamo Alta, the upper city, and Bergamo Bassa, the lower city. Here’s what you can do on both sides of the city:

Walk alongside the 16th century UNESCO Venetian walls of the city.
Ride to the top of Bergamo Alta with the funicular or climb up the steep streets.
Visit Museo Donizettiano, a palace turned museum.
Visit the historic centre and marvel at the gorgeous gothic decorations inside the Cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore.
Go for a walk in nature at Parco dei Colli.
Eat the original Stracciatella ice cream at La Marianna and try Polenta e Osei and casoncelli for some local flavours.

How to get to Bergamo from Milan

By Car: Bergamo is located 50km away from Milan and you can reach it in 40 minutes by car. However, finding parking in Bergamo is hard because the city is mostly a pedestrian zone.

By Train: Trains run every hour from Milano Centrale and Milano Lambrate and take 40 minutes to get to Bergamo.

6. Turin

Turin is a city of thousands of shades: the ancient Savoyard capital, the birthplace of the resurgence, the city of art and culture and the epicentre of innovation. No wonder why so many locals love Turin.

What to do in Turin

If you’re visiting Turin for the first time and would like to take a quick tour of the city, here are the best things to do in Turin in just one day that you shouldn’t miss.

Visit Monte Dei Cappuccini
Visit Palazzo Reale and Palazzo Madama
Walk around Mercato di Porta Palazzo and buy some local food
Go for a wine tasting tour
Enjoy a chocolate-making class and learn how to make Gianduiotto

How to get to Turin

By car: Turin is located 144 km away from Milan and in a bit more than 1 hour by car.

By train: You’ll be able to reach Turin in 1 hour with the direct train from Milano Centrale to Torino Porta Nuova.

7. Bologna

Bologna is a truly unmissable city: its main features are the arcades, the ancient towers and the red-roofed houses. Not to mention that this incredible city is well-known as one of the food capitals of Italy.

What to do in Bologna

Bologna is an underrated but beautiful historical city that will take your breath away. If you’ve the luck of finding yourself in this charming city, here’re the best things to do in Bologna while you wander through the narrow streets and the red-roofed houses of the city:

Walk through Piazza Maggiore in the historic centre.
Enjoy a day in the nature at Parco della Villa Ghigi and Orto Botanico Dell’università di Bologna.
Stop at a local restaurant (Trattoria) to taste the local Tagliatelle alla Bolognese and Gnocco Fritto with ham.
Enjoy the view of Bologna from Torre degli Asinelli.

How to get to Bologna

By car: Bologna is 212 km from Milan and reachable by car in a bit more than 2 hours.

By train: Trains to Bologna run from Milano Centrale, Milano Porta Garibaldi and Milano Rogoredo.

7. Florence

Florence is a true open-air museum: beyond all the amazing art, historic buildings and ancient bridges that you can admire in this city, every corner will surprise you.

What to do in Florence

Admire the Duomo di Firenze, the main symbol of the city
Cross Ponte Vecchio from which you can see the ancient goldsmith shops and jewellers' windows.
Go for a walk in Giardino del Bobolino, a park surrounded by caves, fountains, lawns, and paths.
Try Bistecca Alla Fiorentina, the most tasty Italian steak and treat yourself with an ice cream walking in Oltrano.
Explore Florence underground and Le Burelle: underground corridors that were used as a prison in the Middle Ages.

How to get to Florence

By Car: You can reach Florence by car in a bit more than 3 hours. However, keep in mind that Florence is mostly a pedestrian zone city and parking is expensive.

By train: You can reach Firenze Santa Maria Novella from Milano Centrale in 2 hours by train. The average price for tickets is €12, but they can be cheaper if you book in advance.

8. Switzerland

Thousands of people visit Switzerland from afar to admire its beautiful landscapes. Luckily for you, Switzerland is a few hours away from Milan! Here’re some places you can visit in Switzerland from Milan:

St. Moritz

Take the world’s steepest rail, The Bernina Express, to ski town St. Moritz. Not only will you travel on a UNESCO train line but the journey itself is breathtaking as you’ll see gorges, cross bridges, and go through numerous tunnels.

You can take a train from Milan to Tirano as The Bernina Express departs from this small town.

Lugano

Lugano is a city that has a beautiful blend of Swiss and Italian cultures, cuisines, and enchanting neoclassical architecture. Once in Lugano, you can:

Visit the Lugano lake.
Go for a walk at Lungolago di Lugano.
Take a funicular rail.
Go for a hike on Mont Brè.
Go for a walk through Sentiero Dell’Olivo and reach Borgo Gandria for a truly local experience.

Reaching Lugano by car is easy and takes a bit more than 1 hour. To cross the border by car, get a vignette for your car's windshield. It costs 40 CHF and is valid for a calendar year.

To reach by train, take the direct line from Milano Centrale to Lugano; this will take a bit more than 1 hour. Prices depend on when you book the tickets and usually cost €12 to €24.