12 easy day trips from Milan by train

You will need at least 2 full days to scratch the surface of Milan. The city has plenty of ancient monuments, museums, and culinary attractions.

However, if you are staying longer, or Milan is simply your entry point into Italy but you are looking for something to see outside the city, you are in luck. There are plenty of great day trips you can do from Milan, and for most of them you do not need a car! The train network offers a great selection of high-speed and regional trains.

From the calm beauty of Lombardy’s great lakes to the buzzing city centre of Bologna, from undiscovered gems like Parma and classics like Verona, you will be spoiled for choice!

the best Day trips from Milan by train

Here is my shortlist of stunning destinations you can easily visit as day trips from Milan

To make the day trip enjoyable and not too tiring, I have kept to strict criteria. All the destinations I have selected are between 1 and 2 hours from Milan, so you will not be spending a half of your day on the train, and you will have plenty of time to enjoy the destination of your day trip.

I have also opted for a balance of natural beauty and cultural sights, and mixed bucket list destinations with hidden gems. So, without further ado, here is my list of great desinations for an unforgettable day trip from Milan:

1. Lake Maggiore
2. Lake Como
3. Lugano
4. Parma
5. Bologna
6. Torino
7. Verona
8. Bergamo
9. Rimini
10. Genova
11. Modena
12. Garda Lake

1. Lake Maggiore

I have a soft spot for Lake Maggiore. Despite its name, it is not the biggest Italian Lake, but it is certainly one of the most beautiful. Besides, the train route between Milano and Stresa, called ‘the pearl’ of the Lake is one of the most scenic in the whole of Italy!

Now, There is nothing scenic about the first part of this trip. This is a case of delayed gratification. But wait until you hit Arona, and the peaceful shores of Lake Maggiore, come into view. You can get off at Arone, or continue onward another 20 minutes to Verbania or Stresa.

Despite being so close to each other, the three towns all have their own character. Arona has a lovely medieval city square, and a delightful Lungolago facing the Rocca di Angera on the opposite shore; Verbania, on a promontory overlooking the lake, offers spectacular views and is also home to Villa Taranto, one of Italy’s most famed botanical gardens. As for Stresa, its turn of century grand mansions are a throwback to the days of the Grand tour, when the likes of Dickens and Hemingway where visitors.

They are all delightful. Arona From the train you will admire the Isole Borromee, the three tiny islands that decorate the middle of lake Maggiore like jewels.

Wherever you are, your gaze will be drawn to the three islands scattered like precious stones in the middle of the lake – the isole Borromee. Even if you are on a day trip, don’t pass on the change to explore at least one of them.

To plan your Lake Maggiore escape, check this posts.

The Milano-Stresa trip is a slow (One and a half hour) Regionale service.

2.Lake Como

Lake Como is much more than the playground of the Milanese rich and the international jet. it is a gorgeous glacial lake carved into the mountains between Italy and Switzerland, with incredible views at every conrner.

For a day trip. a great option by train is Varenna. You’ll have two of the most magnificent villas on your doorstep, Villa Monastero and Villa Cipressi, which you can visit with a combined ticket. If you go in spring, Varenna is is one of the best places around the lake to catch the wisteria in bloom.

From Varenna, you can catch a ferry to Bellagio, where you can visit Villa Serbelloni, once home to Leonardo. As your ferry arrives, look out for the wisteria laden pergola of the Hotel Florence terrace, and if you have time stop for a drink or a bite to eat in a wisteria cloud!

3. Lugano

Did you know that Milan is closer to Lugano than to Bologna or Verona?

The Lugano region, the southernmost tip of Switzerland, is at the same latitude as Lake Como! There are plenty of services to Lugano from Milano Centrale

The city centre is compact. On the walk from the station you will come across the Renaissance cathedral of San Lorenzo, and then the charming Piazza della Riforma, Lugano’s elegant main square. But the real beauty of Lugano, for me, is the way the city embraces the surrounding nature.

The Lungolago is very picturesque, and there is also a lush Lakefront park (Parco Ciani).
There are also Funiculars taking you to to Monte Brè, and Monte San Salvatore, and in both cases you will be rewarded with breath taking views – and hiking opportunities if you fancy it.

4. Parma

first a Roman colony, then a city state, then a duchy, Parma is one of these delightful examples of Provincia Italiana where taste, high culture and love of food rule supreme. After a metropolis like Milan, it will feel delightfully compact and easy to enjoy,

the cathedral boasts incredible frescoes by Correggio and is considered one of the masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance; the beautiful gothic baptistry is one of the seminal buildings of medieval Italian art. Another highlight is Palazzo della Pilotta, built by the powerful Farnese family in the 16th century. Nowadays it is a great civic complex, housing amongst others the Archaeological Museum, and the National Gallery (with a vast collection of artistic masterpieces by Correggio and Parmigianino), the Bodoni Museum (Bodoni was one of the first printers), and last but not least the Farnese Theatre, an incredible example of 17t-century wooden theatre.

Plus of course there is the food! The city is home to Parma ham and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. The city centre is dotted with traditional osterie where you can have local food and great wines in relaxed and unpretentious settings.

For my in-depth guide to the beauty of Parma, check this post.

5. Bologna

High-speed trains make the capital of Emilia Romagna very easy to reach from Milan,

Bologna is not just delightful food – although that will inevitably be part of the experience. It is the seat of the oldest university in Europe, and boasts a beautifully preserved Medieval centre, as well as a rich creative scene, and excellent museums.

Bologna’ss Porticos are on the UNESCO World Heritage list. built as an extension to city dwellings throughout the middle ages and the Renaissance, They are an incredible journey (literally as well as symbolically) through the city’s history and creativity.

The heart of the centre is Piazza Maggiore, where the cathedral of San Petronio and the medieval Palazzo di Re Enzo, are located. Between the Piazza and the medieval Due Torri (‘two towers’) ubiquitous on Bologna postcards, is a grid of characterful tiny medieval roads brimming with artisan food stores, leather and fashion boutiques. Nearby is the unmissable late Roman/Lombard/early medieval complex of Santo Stefano which includes a 2000-year-old late Roman Christian church.

Here is a post to read more about Bologna.

6. Torino

Northern Italy’s two largest cities are just over an hour from each other. Yet they share a very different history and are visually different too.

in the 19th century, after the reunificationf of Italy, Torino was briefly its capital, and prior to that it was the capital of the Kingdom of Piedmont. The Savoy dynasty embellished it with some of Italy’s most striking baroque architecture. But Torino’s history started way earlier. Founded as Augusta Taurinorum by the great emperor itself, it has retained the Roman grid layout and some incredible Roman buildings. For baroque, stroll through the elegant Piazza Castello and Piazza San Carlo, and visit the magnificent Church of the Consolata, The city’s Roman highglight is the still-standing roman gate (Porta Palatina), The King’s and queen’s palaces (Palazzo Reale and Palazzo madama. The latter Ihouses an art and design collection comparable to London’s V&A.

Speaking of museums, one place in Torino where you will find crowds, unless you are really lucky, is the world-famous Museo Egizio (the largest collection of Egyptian Antiquities in the world after Cairo). Make sure to book it in advance.

A real highlight of your trip will be the amazing food scene (Torino is part of Piedmont and the first large city to embrace the slow food movement). The quality is incredible, even by high Italian standards. If you are visiting on a cold day, a glass of bicerin in one of the historic cafes is a must!

Want to visit Torino? Here is a post to help you plan.

7. Verona

There are direct High-speed services between Milano and fair Verona.

Verona is magical at any time of the year. and it can be very atmospheric in autumn and winter. I have memories of eating roasted chestnuts in the fog on a cold November day, as the great churches and palaces took on the ghostly appearance of buildings in impressionist paintings, and then warming up in a riverside osteria, with a hearty traditional meal of polenta, sipping some local Valpolicella.

There is an incredible amount to see and do, so you will have to make choices, but a walk around the town will allows you take in all the main sights from outside, and then you can choose what to visit. the Arena, its iconic amphitheatre, is not the only Roman building that has survived. The river Adige is crossedby the Roman Ponte Pietra, one of the city’s most incredible sights.

along the river you will also find Castelvecchio, the medieval residence of the lords of Verona. After taking a look at Juliet’s balcony, take the time to explore at least one of its 4 great churches (the cathedral, San Zeno, San Fermo and Sant’Anastasia) and watch the world go by in Piazza delle Erbe, built over Verona’s Roman forum. Two millennia later, it is still the city’s official meeting place, with its outdoor cafés and colourful market.

8. Bergamo

Bergamo’s airport is considered Milan’s third after Linate and Malpensa, but there is so much more to this Lombard city than a runway! I consider it one of Italy’s hidden gems.

First of all, Bergamo it is not one city but two: The Città Bassa (Lower City) is modern, whereas the Città Alta (Upper City), perched on a hill and encircled by impressive Venetian walls, is a journey back in time.

When you step out of the funicular and begin to explore the Città Alta, the city will begin to disclose its secrets to you. Piazza Vecchia, the heart of the Città Alta, is a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture, framed by the Palazzo della Ragione, with its striking sundial, and the Campanone, Bergamo’s civic tower.

The Cappella Colleoni, the mausoleum of one of Italy’s most famous fifteeth-century condottieri, is the least warlike building you can think of – a serene beauty laced with intricate details. The Romanesque basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore is another highlight. And if you love art, the Accademia Carrara boasts an impressive collection of paintings, including works by renowned artists like Raphael and Botticelli.

Like Verona’s, Bergamo’s charms extend beyond the main squares and famous buildings. Wandering through the narrow, cobbled streets will replay you with picturesque corners, and allow you to discover charming eateries where you can have a lunch of polenta taragna, a local speciality made with Buckwheat,

9. Rimini

I need to make an admission. Rimini is actually 2 hours and 6 minutes from Milan. But it is such an interesting destination that I think it is worth statying on the train a few minutes longer.

Do you remember Caesar’s famous words: ‘The Dice is cast?’ He pronounced them before Crossing the Rubicon, this momentous event in Roman history happened in Rimini, and a few years later his successor Augustus had a stelae erected to commemorate the event. The stelae still stands!

Rimini was an important city in Roman times: it was a Regina Viarum, a ‘queen of roads,’ at the crossroads of three of the most important Roman roads in Italy. It also remained a very important city throughout the middle ages and the Renaissance.

So despite being a relatively small city it boasts both wonderfully preserved Roman monuments, architectural highlights of the Italian Renaissance, such as Leon Battista Alberti’s Tempio Malatestiano below, Medieval pictorial masterpieces from the likes of Giotto. It was also the birth place of Federico Fellini, and the allure of his magical hovers over his beloved city.

Add to that the delicious food of Emilia-Romagna and long sandy beaches. The latter can get very busy in July and August, but are very relaxed at other times.

To plan a short break in Rimini, check out this post.

10. Genova

From the fog of Milan to the glittering Ligurian Sea in less than two hours? It is possible, and you will disocver a magical city that is having a bit of a Renaissance at the moment. Lonely Planet has nominated as one of the best destinations for 2025, as it will encourage more people to visit and discover a very unique and special italian destination.

in medieval and early modern times, Genova, the capital of Liguria, used to be a political and Economic power, vying with Venice and Barcelona for domination in the Mediterranean trade with the East.

This rich history has left plenty of traces in its beautiful UNESCO-World-Heritage historical centre, with its maze of carrugi (tiny medieval alleys), lively squares, and magnificent palaces and churches such as the 11th-century cathedral of San Lorenzo.

Genova’s daring sea-faring spirit is not just a thing of the past. one of the city’s 20th-century son is the architect Renzo Piano, the creator of the Centre George Pompidou. His restoration of Genova’s old port is another instance of his innovative and irreverent style.

If you prefer to go straight for the sea, plan a coastal walk. You can reach the postcard-perfect village of Nervi, stopping in the delightful fishing villages of Vernazzola and Boccadasse, and keep smelling the sea and the fragrant Ligurian flora along the Via Aurelia. When you reach Nervi, follow the signs for the Passeggiata Anita Garibaldi, the enchanting promenade that winds along the cliff.

11. Modena

A visit to its cathedral is enough to justify a day trip to Modena. When I was studying Art history in high school in Italy, The 12th-century Modena cathedral was taught as a supreme example of early Romanesque art. The grandiose cathedral was commissioned by Matilda of Tuscany, the Grancontessa who ruled over a half of Italy and defied the power of Emperor Henry IV.

Her architect, Lanfranco, replaced the earlier Basilica with a building that was innovative in many ways. For example, he paid homage to the spendor of Roman temples by covering his church with Ancient Roman stones.

The sculptures are the work of Wiligelmo, which could be considered the Giotto of sculpture, His name is mentioned in an inscription that gives the cathedral’s foundation as 1099 and indicates he was the sculptor. This makes him the first sculptor whose name is recorded since the the days of the Romans! The individuality of his work and His co-workers willingness to acknolewdge an individual’s creation marks, in a way the end of the dark ages. It appropriate then, that the marble covering of the cathedral coats the brickwork in a white cloak.

Modena’s historic centre includes other highlights such as the Ducal Palace and the Galleria Estense Art Gallery. The city is also notoriusly the home of Ferrari, and you can visit Enzo Ferrari’s former Factory (‘officine’), now a Museum. It is right next to the train station, you will probably see it even before you get off,

Of course, Modena is also one of Italy’s food capitals. Balsamic vinegar, filled pasta, andlocally sourced ingredients produce mouth-watering dishes. For wines, the Lambrusco from the hills around Castelvetro is delightful.

12. Garda Lake

I kept another lake for last. Lake Garda, the largest lake in Italy, is another delightful day trip from Milano. Desenzano del Garda and Peschiera are the main train stations on the Lombard side of the lake.

Desenzano has a picturesque picturesque harbor and lakeside walk, the ruins of a Roman villa, and a Veronese (Scaliger) Castle with stunning lake views. From Desenzano, you can also catch a ferry to Sirmione, a thin peninsula jutting into the lake, with another Veronese Fortress, and the Grotte di Catullo, the ruins of an ancient Roman villa overlooking the lake, that was probably the home of the Poet Catullus and is mentioned in his poetry.

If you choose Peschiera, you have equally interesting options. The town’s Venetian Fortifications are on the UNESCO World Heritage list. They were Built over the ruins of an earlier Roman fortress, The water of the lake and of the Mincio river forms canals all around it, creating a very unique environment. Once you have finished exploring, You can relax on a beach or catch a ferry to Bardolino, on the Verona side of the lake, to try their famous for its wine in situ.

Ready to plan your trip?

The main train operator in Italia is Trenitalia. They run the Frecce High-speed network, as well as the Regionale (regional trains) services. Italo is another provider of High-speed services between the main cities. If you need to book indirect services and combine operators, You can Book through Trainline or Raileurope.

If you are visiting one of the Lombardy lakes (Garda, Maggiore, and Como), you can Use this website for Ferry timetables and tickets.