Where to go from Milan for 1 day – 20 most interesting places
Home to the world-famous La Scala Opera House, Armani and fashion boutiques, after Rome, Milan is the most sought-after tourist city in Italy. You can diversify your stay with trips to its surroundings and neighboring cities. And there are a great many of them here, irresistibly attractive, with a rich past, beautiful nature. No wonder these places are chosen for permanent residence by Hollywood celebrities. The article gives recommendations on where to go from Milan for 1 day on your own. Google map helps you navigate in any city.
Bergamo
This name immediately revives Goldoni's play “Truffaldino from Bergamo” and Konstantin Raikin, who brilliantly played the main role in it. There are 7 options for traveling to Bergamo: train, bus, metro and bus, taxi, rental car, Uber. It is more economical to travel by train Re 2 from Milano Centrale station, paying 4-6 € for 48 minutes.
Google map will help you navigate the city, you can use it to get directions. Upon arrival at the station, you can buy a daily ticket (3.5 €) and freely use all types of public transport. The pearl of Bergamo is the Upper Town (old center), a must-see destination. On Piazza Vecchia you will see medieval buildings: the Contarini fountain with sculptures of lions, the magnificent building of the Town Hall, the Torre del Campanone tower.
After passing through the arch, you will find yourself in the nearby Duomo Square, where the very beautiful main cathedral of the Duomo Bergamo is located. There is also the Church of St. Mary Maggiore, where you can go b/p. The ashes of General Bartolomeo Colleone lie in the Colleoni Chapel adjoining the temple. In the warm season, it is worth visiting the Botanical Garden, which is unusually picturesque. Near the station of the 2nd funicular is located pl. Citadella with 2 used museums.
Take the funicular up to the fortress of San Viqilio. From its observation deck, a stunning panorama will open. In the Lower City, the art gallery deserves attention, with 10 exhibition halls demonstrating paintings by famous painters of the 16th-19th centuries. In any of the huge number of food establishments you can have a delicious meal for an average of 15-20 €.
How to get around Italy? We would like to recommend several services on whose websites you can buy tickets for buses and trains in Italy:
Verona
The birthplace of Romeo and Juliet is located at a distance of 160 km. The easiest way to get there is by high-speed train Italo Treno, departing from the central railway station, for example, at 8.34. To save money, you should buy a ticket in advance for 9.9 €, on the day of the trip its price is from 14.9 €. After 1 hour 14 min. you are in the legendary Verona, replete with architectural and religious monuments.
Among them is a striking example of Gothic – the Basilica of San Fermo. The striped facade of the church catches the eye from afar. Inside there is a real art museum with the famous sculptural composition “Lamentation of Christ” and the fresco “Madonna Enthroned with Child and 2 Saints”. In the upper halls of the basilica, the mausoleum of the members of the Della Torre family was built.
The Museum Castle of Castelvecchio is another monument of Gothic architecture, a treasure trove of 14th-century painting. located on the banks of the river. Adige. The palace and landscape complex of Giusti among the hills in the east of Verona will amaze your imagination.
The exquisite palace is surrounded by the most beautiful “Italian” Renaissance gardens with centuries-old cypresses, statues, amazing landscape patterns. It will be interesting to visit the square. Signoria or Dante, where the Scaliger Arches of the 12th century are located. – royal sarcophagi, a monument to Dante, the Palace of Justice, etc. The Cathedral and other temples “painted” with colored marble will cause admiration.
Sirmione
The charm of the blue Lake Garda, an authentic town with an ancient fortress awaits you on a trip to Sirmione. It is located on a narrow p / island, slanting into the lake. The most convenient way to get to the town (if you do not plan to rent a car) is by train from the central railway station. He travels 1.25 hours, arrives at the Desenzano Del Garda-Sirmione station, the ticket costs 9.2 €.
Change to the city bus – and in a few minutes you enter the city. At the entrance to Sirmione, get off to see the 13th century Scaliger castle. Battlements, watchtowers of a powerful fortress are transferred to the Middle Ages. Everything in this museum, where you can walk along the walls, climb the observation deck, breathes with cozy antiquity.
At the pier, stop at a thermal hydrogen sulfide spring. Leaving the fortress, take a walk along the pedestrian street. Corso Vttorio Emanuele. There are many souvenir shops, shops where you can buy something as a keepsake. You can have a bite to eat relatively inexpensively in one of the cafes, away from busy tourist routes, where prices are cheaper.
Of undoubted interest will be the ancient church of St. Mary Maggiore 15 in, the interiors of which are decorated with ancient frescoes. Notable is another, the Lombard church of San Pietro in Mavino, with a Romanesque bell tower. The unique monument of the ancient Roman era “Grotto Cattula” – the ruins of a once luxurious estate, surrounded by olive groves, is worthy of attention.
Iseo
A truly magical panorama opens up before everyone who visits Lake Iseo. It is more convenient to get to it by car, using the Internet car rental service. But there is also a railway connection – a train with a change in Brescia (timetables and prices on the Trenitalia website) Charming towns (Iseo, Lovere Castro, Sarnico, Pisogne, etc.) surround a lake 25 km long and 5 km wide.
Each of them produces some kind of product: olive oil, milk, meat, wine. You can drive around them in a day, stopping at some of them. Lovere amazes with its houses with frescoes on the facades and bright shutters on the windows. In Sarnik, you will walk through the authentic quarters of the Middle Ages, admire the chic Art Nouveau villas.
Pisogna, where almost every house is entwined with wild grapes, will delight with abundant greenery. In the city of Italian champagne Franciacorte, famous for its wineries, you can buy a bottle of branded wine. If time and budget allow, you can take a tour, for example, to the Berlucchi winery (20€), where they will offer 3 glasses of champagne with snacks.
The town of Iseo of the same name will indulge you with beautiful views. Of the sights in these towns, the most interesting are the Bishop's Tower (12th century), the Church of Santa Maria in Valvendra, St. Peter's Cathedral, the Pinacoteca of the Accademia Tadini, the chapel of the Madonna del Cerion, the commune of Capo di Conte with rock paintings (10 thousand years BC).
Genoa
Is it possible not to visit Genoa, famous for its merchants, where the unsurpassed genius of the violin Paganini and the great discoverer Columbus were born?! The most convenient way to get to the beautiful city of dreams is by Trenitalia train. They run frequently and quickly, and a discounted ticket (from 9 €) is sold on the Russian-language website Omio. The first point of the route in the ancient port city is the embankment and the port.
There is something to see even for sophisticated tourists. A huge Aquarium, a magnificent copy of ship 17 in the Neptune Galleon, the Galata Museum, the Biosphere, the Panoramic Elevator – each of the attractions is unique.
Passing on the square Caricamento, you will see the inimitable 13 Palace in San Giorgio, which is hard to look at without admiration. Bright sculptures and picturesque frescoes adorn the facades of the building. From him on st. St. Lorenzo reach the main cathedral of the same name, unusually beautiful. After admiring the cathedral, go to the central square De Ferrari. Along the way you will see the Porta Soprano, a medieval gate.
A modest house of Columbus hid in one of the corners. On Ferrari Square, admire the most beautiful buildings along its perimeter: the Doge's Palace, the Opera House, etc. Walking along the Palace Quarter, marvel at the view of luxurious buildings – the palaces of the Genoese aristocracy.
Turin
The oldest city in Italy became close to Russian sports fans in 2006 during the Winter Olympics. Turin has daily express trains from Italo and regional trains from Trenitalia. If you do not need to save money, buy a ticket from the machine at the central station, get on the train, and after 1 hour 15 minutes. you are in the capital of Piedmont. For 1 day in the “city of royal residences” and the “shroud of Turin” you will see the most interesting objects of the historical center. The first of them is Piazza Castello, with the castle fortress Palazza Madama of the 13th century, the royal theater of Reggio, with the armory of LAmeria Reale, 3 grandiose monuments and 4 fountains. On st. Vla Palazzo di Citta is the court church of St. Lawrence.
Royal sq. marked by the brilliant Royal Palace (19th century), with gardens, fountains, sculptures, and many halls. Outwardly, the strict facade attracts with the grace of the neoclassical style, while the interior (30) amaze with the splendor of baroque and rococo. Immediately behind the Royal Palace is the Church of St. John the Baptist, where the Shroud of Turin is kept in an attached chapel. In the coastal zone of the Po River, a beautiful palace rises – Valentine's Castle (18th century). At first it was a fortification for protection, named after the patron saint of lovers, whose relics were kept in the church of St. Witt (now unsaved).
Bologna
Bologna, like all Italian cities, has its own “highlights”. The main city of the gastronomic region of Emilia-Romagna is known for the production of premium cars, fine wines, parmesan and other exclusive products. The focus of attractions makes the city an open-air museum.
A cheap way to get to Bologna is comfortable buses FlixBusby making many flights (from 4.25 am to 2.15 am) from the Lampuqnano bus station. Travel time 2.5 hours, ticket – 9 €. To see the iconic sights of the city, you should go to the Great Square (Piazza Maggiore), the former market (13-18 in). The oldest building here is the Palace of City Administration with a high Arengo bell tower. To the south is the Church of St. Petronius – a fine example of Gothic.
On the western side is the Palazzo de Accurio, which houses the Morandi Museum of Painting. Near Piazza Maggiore, the monumental fountain “Neptune”, located on the square of the same name, will attract attention. You will not be able to pass by the famous skyscrapers of the 13th century. – Falling towers of Asinelli (97 m) and Garisenda (48 m) Today, out of 80 such structures, 20 remain. Almost all of them are concentrated around squares. Monastery complex of St. Stephanie (Pl. St. Stephanie) impresses with its churches: the Crucifixion, Saints Vitalius and Agricola, St. Holy Sepulcher, Trinity. An interesting tourist site is the Isolani House (Maqqiore Street), shrouded in legends. Overflowing with aesthetic emotions, add carnal pleasures to them during a dinner of delicious national dishes.
Padua
The special flavor of a cheerful student city with the country's oldest university, late Gothic architecture and a network of canals can charm the most sophisticated tourist. And getting there will not be a big problem. Fr trains depart from Milano Centrale station to Padua, travel time 1.59 hours, ticket price from 17 to 70 €. Arriving in the ancient city (12th century BC) of the province of Veneto, start your tour from the historical part of Padua.
Separate sections of powerful protective walls, organically inscribed in the modern architectural appearance, are still preserved here. The peculiarity of the old center is 12 km of covered portico galleries, decorated in various styles and allowing sightseeing during the rain. The sacred object of Catholics – the Scrovegni Chapel impresses with the famous frescoes of Giotto (14th century) – a masterpiece of world art. The plots of the frescoes are a detailed history of the life of Christ.
Otherwise, Scrovegni is called del Arena, because next to it, during excavations in 17, the ruins of a Roman amphitheater (27 BC) were discovered. Prato della Valle is also located on the site of a Roman amphitheater built in 60 AD. The largest sq. Italy and Europe is decorated with 78 sculptures of respected residents and guests of Padua: Galileo, Libya, Petrarch, etc.
They are located on pedestals around an elliptical canal with bridges and a green island inside. It is worth visiting Signoria Square with the Admiralty and the Arc de Triomphe, the Duomo with the Cathedral, the University of Padua to get a better idea of this extraordinary city.
Venice
The most romantic city on the water, mysterious and unique, attracts with its unique beauty and incredible architectural monuments. You can arrive in Venice in 3 hours in a rented car, without adjusting to the schedule of trains and buses. From the central railway station and Rogoredo from 5 am, every 2 hours, trains leave for 2.5 hours. Leaving Venice from the Santa Lucia station building, you will see the luxurious Scalzi Bridge.
You can start your acquaintance with the city with a vaporetto ride along the Grand Canal, along which there are 200 luxurious palaces (palazzo). You should get off at the pier. San Marco is the heart of Venice. Here is the cathedral of the same name, where the relics of the saint are kept. The magnificent 99-meter tower of the bell tower will immediately catch your eye, where you should climb and survey the panorama of the city.
It was at the top of the bell tower that Galileo first showed his telescope to the republican rulers (beginning of the 17th century). An “Angel” descends from it on the day of the Venice Carnival. The graceful beauty of the Doge's Palace is amazing and amazing. Walking along the Schiavoni embankment to the street. Campo Zaccaria, see the Church of San Zaccaria, with the relics of St. Zacharias, father of John the Baptist.
It is impossible to see all the churches of the city, of which there are more than 150. It would not be out of place to see the Gothic Cathedral of Santi Giovanni e Paolo, the oldest church of San Giacomo di Rinalto, the Temple of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, the church of Santa Maria della Salute. It is impossible not to walk along the Rinalto Bridge, not to visit the Academy Gallery with a rich collection of works of art from the 13th-18th centuries.
Stress
The town-commune on the shores of the wonderful Lake Maggiore is a truly heavenly place. The incredible charm of nature in Stresa is in harmony with the landscape and architectural beauty of buildings, squares and parks. No wonder Hemingway, Byron, Shaw liked to visit here, built the villas of J. Clooney, Ronaldinho and other celebrities. The historical center of the city is located on the coast, the rest of the parts are located on the 3 Borromean Islands. You can come here by the regional train Trenitalia, 1st flight from 5 am.
The Stresa station is located on a hill, all roads lead to the lake past the most beautiful villas and old hotels. The magnificent Alps, at the foot of which are full of city buildings, surround the blue expanse of the lake – you freeze in delight from the views. Walking along the pedestrian zone with comfortable benches, past the unusually picturesque areas of the hotels is a great pleasure.
After admiring the architectural masterpieces of the 19th century in the historic center of Stresa, it is worth taking a boat trip to Isola Bella. Tickets are sold at the box office, but you can order an individual tour in one of the stalls in front of the pier. Not only the beauty of Isola Bella attracts tourists, but the 13th century St. Catherine's Monastery is the main attraction of the island. It must be remembered that from 12.00 to 14.00 the monastery is closed.
Luino
A small charming town on the coast of Lake Maggiore, bordering Switzerland, Luino has its origins in the Roman era. The most convenient way to travel to Luino is by regional train from Milano Porta Garibaldi station. The journey takes an average of 1 hour 30 minutes. Like all local settlements, Luino enchants with surrounding landscapes, magnificent villas and a special identity.
The culture, way of life and mentality of the townspeople bear the imprint of Swiss, Austrian and Italian influence, which makes the town particularly attractive. Tourists stroll along the beautifully designed promenade, admiring the lake and majestic mountain views. The modern promenade is the pride of the people of Luin, a modern project by the architect Marforio. Traditionally, all visitors ride boats and boats on the lake, and then immerse themselves in the historical setting of Luino. Inspection of local monuments and monuments gives vivid impressions. It is interesting to visit the church of Santuario Beata Verqine del Carmine and other cathedrals. A visit to one of the local restaurants will be a great pleasure.
The family restaurant with a 150-year history, Al Cantione, enjoys the greatest popularity here. Located in the heart of Luino, this authentic establishment has known many celebrities. Film shots were filmed here, famous writers and directors dined. The menu has a lot of fish dishes, pasta with cheese, wonderful desserts. You can go to the local flea market if it's a weekend.
Pescatori Island
Boats and ferries go to the tiny island (375×100 m) from all the coastal towns on Lake Maggiore. You can easily get into the atmosphere of a piece of earthly paradise in the middle of the water from Stresa, Luino, Licorno, etc. On the Fishermen's Island, where 50 people live permanently, there are no cars, there is a peaceful silence. Its territory is occupied by fishermen's houses (about 100), restaurants, cafes and bars. In recent years, tourists have been actively visiting the fabulous island, which the locals are happy to meet.
Restaurants and cafes serve fresh fish and seafood dishes. Souvenir shops and boutiques sell unique handicrafts. The main attraction of Pescatori is the Church of San Vittore, built in honor of St. Victor Maurus. Interesting rarities in it are frescoes of the 16th century, an altar with 4 busts of bishops of the 17th century and the remains of a chapel of the 11th century. One of the bishops, Saint Charles Borromeo, “gave” the name to the archipelago.
Horta San Giulio
A trip to Orta San Giulio will allow you to see the beauty of the Alpine Lake Orta, in which, according to legend, dragons lived, admire the amazing views of the Alps and the architecture of a tiny island. The easiest way to get to it is by rented car: there are no transfers, the journey takes 60 minutes. Even if it is more expensive by a few euros than by train or bus, it is much more convenient.
It is worth a trip here because of the absolutely irresistible views and monuments of the Middle Ages. There is only 1 Way of Silence on San Giulio Island, which contains unique sights included in the UNESCO heritage list. Each building here is marked with a philosophical statement placed on a tablet.
Today, some buildings (the Bishop's Palace, the Benedictine convent) are closed for restoration. Churches of the 16th-18th centuries, the monastery library, the basilica of St. Julius were opened. According to the legend, the Greek saint Julius expelled dragons from the island, as the frescoes of the 15th-16th centuries tell. As a raft, Julius used his cloak to cross the island and destroyed the dragons.
Lecco
The city of romantics, with a complex historical fate, is located in the most picturesque surroundings of Lake Como, where 2 rivers (Adda and Lario) form Lake Garlate. A panorama of bizarre cliffs surrounds Lecco, making the city a climbing destination. There are excellent lifts here, a group of local famous climbers are aptly called “Spiders”.
You can come to Lecco (78 km) by train, rented car, taxi. By train Re 8, 10 from Milano Centrale, bus 157 (station Piazza del Duomo) go with a transfer, as a result, the distance and price increase. If it is profitable to rent a car, you will get there in 60-65 minutes, spending 7€ on gasoline. Lecco, which became a province of Lombardy in 1992 and has long been famous for silk weaving, and later for steelmaking, today is a sports and tourist resort.
The old center does not have ancient castles and palaces, mainly these are neoclassical buildings of the 19th century, the author of the project was D. Bovara. The main attractions are located on the central square. “XX Settembre”. Church of St. Nicholas with the highest bell tower in Italy, the Palazzo of Fear – a museum. It is interesting to walk along the streets named after Giuseppe Bovara, Rome with a watchtower, shops and restaurants.
Nesso
Everyone who comes to this authentic town by Lake Como gets the feeling that Nesso has not been touched by the frantic pace of modern life. Here it flows smoothly, peacefully, calmly on the old streets, with stunningly beautiful architecture. To find yourself in a medieval fairy tale, you need to take train 10 at the Central Station. Get to st. Como S Giovanni (36 min.) from it go to the station. Como San Giovanni. There, take the bus C30 (40 min), get off at the station. Nesso. The most popular natural attraction among tourists is the waterfall dell Orrido, pouring crystal jets against the backdrop of lush greenery. Despite the small area, Nesso pleases with its architectural sights. The ancient arched bridge of the Roman era is impressive.
It is interesting to visit the church of San Martino of the 12th century. with a majestic bell tower. In the church of Santa Maria in Vico, it is worth seeing the paintings of Benzi. And the church of St. Peter and Paul 17 will delight in baroque decorations. Not far from it are the Mazero Cave – a mysterious hydrogeological formation. Lunch at one of the local restaurants, where the hospitable owners will serve fish dishes, will certainly bring pleasure.
Como
The resort pearl of Italy – Lake Como is becoming more and more attractive in the world. Literally from all sides it is surrounded by charming towns and luxurious villas of Hollywood and football celebrities, millionaires and billionaires.
A trip to the city of the same name Como, located on the southwestern coast, will allow you to see not only interesting monuments, but the irresistible beauty of the surroundings of the lake. In Como, electric trains depart from 3 stations, the movement starts from 05.29 am to 00.25 am, the fare is 4.8 €. Car rental – approximately – 13 €. The unusually picturesque city enchants with its ancient villas, castles and churches.
The center of Como is the center of churches and palaces. Among them are the Dome Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, which delights in appearance and interior decoration, the Basilica of Sant'Abbodino. The Palace of Broletto attracts attention. It is worth visiting the A. Volta Museum, Baradello Castle. Walking along the embankment, you can see the magnificent villa Olmo. Then take a boat ride on the lake, admire the amazing coastline.
Varenna
The most sun-kissed eastern town of the coast of Como – Varenna is located on one of the sides of the “offshoot” of the lake. Local residents (900 people) differ from the rest of the population in a cheerful disposition and cheerfulness. Their houses, like in Venice, approach the very water, and boats literally moor to the threshold. Re 8 trains run to Varenna, covering 70 km in 1 hour 3 minutes. Tickets (5-7 €) are purchased at vending machines or ticket offices.
I have been quarrying marble in Varenna for several centuries, which explains the strength of character of its inhabitants. One of the ancient monuments is the Castello di Vezio11 in, more precisely, the preserved fragments: the wall and the observation tower. On the suspension bridge, tourists climb to the top of the tower and from there admire the views of the lake. Walking along the path around the castle, one cannot help but admire the incredibly beautiful flower garden. On the territory of the castle today there is a falconry, where birds of prey are bred.
Beautiful villas Monastero 3 in, Cipressi 15 in. antique style delight. A perfect example of Italian architecture is the Church of St. George, included in the UNESCO list, is also interesting. Among the natural attractions of Varenna is the shortest river in Italy, the Fiumelatte (milk river), 250 m long. Each winding street paved with stone is a kind of monument to Varenna. Each house, with its brightly painted ivy-covered arched façade, is like a souvenir.
Lugano
The city of the Italian part of Switzerland, Lugano, located on the shores of the lake of the same name and surrounded by the most beautiful Alps, is worthy of your attention. In the 9th century it was a significant trading center. The local population speaks Italian. It has something to see, in addition to magnificent landscapes. The most convenient way to get here is by the N10 electric train, new and comfortable.
The journey takes 1 hour 8 minutes, the ticket costs from 27 to 50 €. Walking along the embankment under the canopy of plane trees, watching swimming swans is an obligatory ritual for tourists. City parks, full of flower beds and subtropical flora, will give you a lot of vivid impressions. Here is the Chocolate Museum, the only one in the world. Visiting the Cantonal Museum of Art, you will get acquainted with many works of Italian and Italian-Swiss masters of painting.
There is also a municipal museum where works by local artists are exhibited. Noteworthy is the ancient church of Santa Maria degli Angioli, with an amazingly beautiful fresco by Luini (da Vinci's student). It will not be superfluous to visit the temple 15 in San Rocco, which has preserved the authentic altar and frescoes of Discopoli. You can have a delicious lunch in one of the Italian restaurants – they have more choice and cheaper prices.
Brescia
The ancient city of the Gauls was once the capital of the Cenomanians, the allies of the Romans. Many monuments of the Roman, Lombard and Mussolini eras have become UNESCO World Heritage Sites. From Art. Milan Central to Brescia go by electric trains F1, in 36 minutes. they cover a distance of 83 km. It is better to leave early in order to have time to see the main attractions in Brescia. And there are plenty of them here.
The old city is a square, bounded along the perimeter by boulevards. In the western part is the Cydnean Hill with the castle of the same name, surrounded by a park. The central Gramci street leads to Piazza Vittoria, decorated in the era of Mussolini (30s of the 20th century). Here, the Palace of the Post Office attracts attention, on both sides of which there are 2 towers: Torrione and Revolution.
Buildings of the Renaissance era (15-16th century) lined up next to Victoria Square della Loggia. The city hall is now located in the luxurious palace of Palazzo Loggia. Famous Venetian architects worked on its design. Opposite the palace there is an interesting arched building with the Orolojo clock tower at the top. The metal figures of the “keepers of time” strike the bell every hour with hammers. All local buildings are true masterpieces of architecture.
Locarno
A trip to the Swiss Italian-speaking city is an opportunity to admire fabulously beautiful views all the time. The beauty of the snowy peaks of the Alps, deep gorges with rivers and waterfalls, dense forests and amazing bridges will take your breath away. Although you need to get there with a transfer, this inconvenience is offset by amazing experiences. From the Central Station every 30-50 minutes. Trains leave for Domossola. First flight at 06.12. the last one is at 21.29, the journey takes 1.5 hours. Panoramic trains run from Domossola to Locarno (1.51 hours, timetable on the vigezzianacentovalli website). You can return by ferry from Locarno to Stresa (April-October), and from Stresa by train.
Locarno is as delightful as the road to it. The main square of Grande is a favorite place for citizens and tourists to relax: arches, pizzerias, cafes. West of Sq. Grande in the building of the Visconti Castle – Archaeological Museum with rarities of Ancient Rome. On foot or take the funicular up to the church of Santuriano della Madonna del Sasso, perched on a cliff. If you wish, you can take the funicular even higher. In the historical center, it is worth visiting Casa Rusca – an art gallery, palaces, temples. A walk along the embankment covered with flower beds is a pure aesthetic pleasure, just like a visit to any local cafe.