5 of the Best Day Trips From Milan

I love exploring Italy but often find you need to take a fair few days off to make the most out of your trip. After talking to some friends, they recommended that I look at trips from Milan. You can base yourself out of Milan or take a 1-2 hour train journey out of the city and spend a long weekend somewhere new. So that’s exactly what I have done for the last 2-3 years, most recently coming back from Genoa. Flights to Milan are more reasonable than most flights to Italy, and take less than 3 hours. Train travel is easy to navigate and fairly comfortable. So, if you are looking for a short Italian weekend trip that allows you to explore a number of under-the-radar spots, read on.

1. Bologna

One-hour train from Milan

Bologna can often get overlooked by the likes of Venice, Rome and Florence but this small city boasts cobbled streets, medieval architecture and some of the best food I’ve ever eaten in Italy. Bologna is a city that comes alive at night, walking the porticoes is a gorgeous way to stroll and mingle with locals.

Eat:

Everything! No matter how full you feel, there’s always room for a little more of Bologna’s amazing food. We booked in some of the popular restaurants in Bologna, including Trattoria da Me but we also had the best time popping into the local delis and charcuterie spots. Let your waiter pick your dishes for you (you will always be able to taste before you commit) but it was fascinating to have someone who cared so deeply about their produce, recommend a cheese or balsamic vinegar based on your tastes.

Drink:

Head over to Ghetto Ebraico. Rain, hail or shine, it’s the perfect place to sit, chill and chat. The streets are narrow, brimming with bars and restaurants and are full of people cooler than us! Grab an Aperol Spritz or Sparkling red and take in the atmosphere.

Do:

Walk off whatever you’ve had for breakfast, lunch or dinner. You can easily walk across the whole city and be sure to climb to the top of Bologna, the Asinelli Tower.

2. Genoa

Two-hour train from Milan

Our main reason for picking Genoa for one of our next places to visit was its closeness to Portofino. You can read a breakdown of our weekend in Genoa here. However, even without onward travel to explore the nearby towns, Genoa has medieval charm, complete with cathedrals, tiny alleyways and hidden piazzas. The town is easy to navigate and easy to wander around, freely. The old town especially is a maze of alleyways ripe for exploration.

Eat:

Our hotel recommended that we booked restaurants before we arrived, as Genoa is small and places get booked up quickly! They weren’t wrong, to get into some of the popular places, you do need to book. Trattoria Rosmarino was our favourite meal of the trip and they are in the Michelin Guide (but prices are fair), we did feel quite smug with our booking after seeing the queues of people trying to get in! Be sure to try the Lasagna el Pesto and I’d also recommend Officina di Cucina for another evening meal.

Drink:

Malkovich. You’ll need the password to get in and will find a clue on their Facebook page but it’s worth seeking it out. Creative cocktails in a speakeasy setting, I shouldn’t need to say anything more!

Do:

Walk! Soak up the town with a gelato as you work out the password for Malkovich.

3. Verona

One-hour-15 minute train from Milan

Romeo and Juliet’s stomping ground, it can be easy to forget the town is so much more than the background to an ill-fated romance. But head to Verona to be amazed by it’s architecture full of baroque masterpieces. In some ways, a visit can leave you feeling like you’ve just stepped onto the set of some oldie Italian Hollywood movie.

Eat:

The best food is to be found in the little trattorias and osterias, where the menus feature local produce and aren’t trying to impress. I’d recommend a small place with no real signage, called Trattoria Al Pompiere. The risotto takes 25 minutes to prepare and is seasonal, a must order.

Drink:
Verona is nestled in a wine region, so head to Enoteca Segreta. It’s a “secret wine bar” so can be difficult to spot, but it offers a curated selection of both local and national wines in addition to some lovely food options

Do:

Juliet’s balcony, whilst Verona offers so much more than just Shakespeare’s story, the balcony is worth a visit and near Piazza delle Erbe.

4. Lake Como

A one-hour train from Milan

The greatest lake for a reason. Equal parts glamorous and discreet, Lake Como draws in visitors seeking lavish lunches and boat trips across its sapphire water. A trip in nature has never made you feel closer to the life of A-list celebrities. To get the most out of Lake Como, I would recommend extending your long weekend, as you will struggle to fit everything in but even if you are limited on time, you won’t feel rushed and can still bask in everything Lake Como has to offer..

Eat:

Tomatoes! We were obsessed. We hopped back and forth from two deli’s serving the most divine bruschetta and tomatoes. We would have happily eaten tomatoes for every meal but if you are looking for something a little more substantial, head to the backstreets of Como. Ristorante Sociale offers the best bang for your buck in this pricey region, with its home-cooked meals attracting a large crowd of locals.

Drink:

The outside terrace at Bar Il Molo in Varenna is the most sought-after spot come aperitivo hour, as it affords incredible views of the lake.

Do:

Try and explore as much of the lake as possible, the boats are super cheap and frequent meaning you can hop around quite easily and get as much out of the day as possible

5. Lake Garda

One-hour train from Milan

Lake Garda can truly hold its own against the historic cities of Rome and Florence, it combines the very best of Italian sights: riviera colours, breath-taking mountains, amazing shorelines and historic architecture. Similar to Lake Como, you may want to spend longer here and visit the smaller villages and towns dotted about (I’d highly recommend Ville del Monte) but you can fill your day walking among the olive groves and vineyards, pick one of the main larger towns and explore. Riva del Garda, Desenzano del Garda, Peschiera and Saò are the must-see destinations. .

Eat:

Lake-fresh fish! Lake sardines, perches or whitefish, it’s all a must-try! I’d also recommend a food tour, so you can explore a little bit more of the island and discover some of the best local food.