Best Day Trips from Milan (With Tours + Transport Tips)

Last updated on April 10th, 2026 at 09:08 pm

Ever wondered if Milan is worth visiting, or if it’s just a pit stop between Rome and Venice? I totally get it. It feels like Milan is the forgotten stepchild of Italy sometimes. People think it’s all fashion, business, or soccer and never any fun. But hear me out…as someone that’s been visiting family in Milan since they were little. One of the best things about visiting or staying in Milan is how easy it is to explore nearby Italian towns and cities. That’s right, I’m talking about just how easy it is to take incredible day trips from Milan.

Thanks to its killer location in northern Italy, Milan is basically a launchpad for adventure. Want to sip world-class wine in the mountains of Barolo or on the shores of Lake Como? Easy ✅ Thinking about a quick trip to Verona or even skipping over to Switzerland? Consider it done. There are so many amazing day trips from Milan that you could spend a whole week there and never run out of options.

In this post, I’ll show you the top 6 best day trips from Milan whether you’ve got one spare day or a couple — updated for 2026 with current tours, prices, and transport tips. There are definitely plenty more day trips from Milan out there, but I think these six strike the perfect balance of wine tasting (of course), culture, and stunning scenery. They’re also the ones my family and I keep coming back to which is I’m really excited to share them with you!

The best part? I’ve done allll the research (with day trip links provided) so you don’t have to! Just sit back relax and envision yourself on a quick Italian getaway from the city. So let’s get into it 👇

Ps. If you’re hanging around Milan and looking for plans, this 3-day Milan itinerary should have you covered.

Read more on Italy 🇮🇹

• The Perfect Milan 3-Day Itinerary for First Timers
• Where to Stay in Milan: Top Neighborhoods for First-Time Visitors
• The Best Things To Do in Milan in November
• The Complete Cinque Terre Travel Guide and Itinerary
• Best Bakeries in Milan, Italy – Top 5 Pasticcerias You Absolutely Need to Try
• The Perfect 3 Day Rome Itinerary for First Timers
• Palazzo Velabro Review: Where Luxury Meets Roman History
• The Complete Cinque Terre Travel Guide and Itinerary

This site contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them (which will likely go towards overpriced airport wine or buying my dog more unnecessary toys). However, none of that impacts the integrity of my reviews. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Day Trips from Milan at a Glance

Planning for day trips from Milan but haven’t booked your hotel yet? Don’t worry I gotchu! Here are my top picks for the best boutique hotels in Milan for your stay:

• Milano Dreams, for on-the-go travelers looking for a clean budget-friendly hotel, located steps away from Milano Central Train Station
• Galleria Vik Milano, for an unforgettable experience when you literally get to wake up overlooking the incredible Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. This hotel is also from one of my absolute favorite brands in the world, SLH.
• The Street Milano Duomo, for a cozy classic 11-room boutique hotel located 300 feet away from Piazza Duomo.
• Casa Baglioni, for unbeatable luxury with a focus on art, design, and culinary experiences such as a private wine cellar tasting and Michelin-starred rooftop dining

Staying for longer than a day? Make sure to head to my other post for a complete guide to the best boutique hotels and neighborhoods in Milan for first-time visitors: Where to Stay in Milan: Top Neighborhoods for First-Time Visitors

Top 6 Best Day Trips From Milan

🗺️ Destination	🚆 Travel Time	✨ Best For	💰 Train Cost (2026)
Piedmont / Barolo	~1.5 hrs by car; 1–1.5 hrs by train (to Turin)	Wine lovers, foodies	From ~€15 RT
Lake Como	~1 hr by train	Scenery, romance, boat trips	From ~€10 RT
Verona	~1.25 hrs by train	Culture, history, romantics	€15–€35 RT
Cinque Terre	~3 hrs by train	Hikers, coastal lovers	From ~€25 RT
Florence	~2 hrs by train	Art, history, architecture	€20–€60 RT
Switzerland (Lugano/St. Moritz)	~1.5–2.5 hrs by train	Scenery, alpine adventure	From ~€25 RT

Look, I get it…”top day trips from Milan” blog posts are a dime a dozen on the internet. Everyone and their mom has a list. Funny enough, my actual mom and I do in fact have a list. But hear me out: I’ve been traveling to Milan annually for over 10+ years to visit family, so while my go-to Milan city recs might be kind of basic (because all I do is eat and chill with my relatives) — my day trips from Milan game is on point. Why? Because my family is always eager for a good day trip out of the city. So if you’re looking for a solid mix of classic favorites and some lesser-known day trips from Milan, keep scrolling. You’re in for a treat.

Ps. Planning your first trip to Milan and need a game plan? I’ve got you. Check out my 3-day Milan itinerary right here.

#1. A Scenic Wine-Lover’s Day Trip from Milan: Piedmont

You all know I looooove my wine so it’s only natural that I’m recommending a Northern Italy wine country destination for a day trip from Milan! Piedmont (or Piemonte) is one of the best wine producing regions in Italy. Known particularly for its Nebbiolo red, a day trip to this region opens up a world of wine tastings and vineyard tours, all within easy reach of Milan. If you’re a fan of wine or simply looking to escape to the countryside, then a visit to Piedmont is one of the top day trips from Milan.

How to get to Piedmont from Milan

For Milan day trips, the best way to explore Piedmont is by car, as its quite a rural area and the various villages, vineyards and wineries are spread out over a large area. The villages of Barolo and La Morra are just under 2 hours away by car. If hiring a car and driving isn’t an option for you, then the easiest way to explore the region is to take a train from Milan to Turin, the gateway to Piedmont. The journey takes between an hour and an hour and a half and from here you can get a taxi. While getting a taxi is possible, I’d definitely recommend just booking yourself onto a tour, since there’s a bunch of wine tour options from Milan to Barolo and elsewhere.

Best & Highly-Rated Day Trips from Milan to Piedmont

I told you I’d do all the hard work, so I scoured the top sites and reviews for Milan-to-Piedmont tours and these are the top 3 that I found:

• Barolo wine Tasting, Alba, UNESCO Castle: Small Group from Milan – I looove small group tours because they’re the perfect size for travelers. Not too big that it feels like herding cattle, but not too small that awkward silence is uncomfortable. Also this tour is a fantastic deal for 11 hours of gallivanting through Italian wine country! → Book this tour
• Barolo & Barbaresco Wine Tasting Tour–Alba & Piedmont from Milan – Another great option for exploring Barolo nation. It’s crazy to think that you can actually visit and taste your way through all the wines that you might usually order at an Italian restaurant in your hometown!!! (I think I seriously only ordered Barbera and Barolo once I got home after this trip lols) → Book this tour
• Piedmont Winery Tour: Taste Barolo, Barbaresco & Traditional Food – Don’t feel like joining a tour all the way from Milan? That’s cool too. This one’s a good option for those who are already in the Piedmont or Alba region. At least make sure to hit up a winery for the full experience. Especially so you can see the blue sky and rolling hills across the valley. → Book this tour

3 Things to Do in Piedmont

• Wine Tasting in Barolo — Barolo is the epicenter of the wine industry in Piedmont and as you’re short of time on a day trip, I’d head straight here. Barolo itself is a tiny commune, home to only around 750 people. And yet in the town and the surrounding area, there are more than 500 different wineries and tasting rooms! Many producers offer tastings and winery tours by appointment, allowing you to wander through vineyards, sample award winning local wines and explore historic wine cellars, some of which date back hundreds of years. Some of the top rated Barolo wineries to visit include Marchesi di Barolo, Ettore Germano (I loved this one a lot), and Cantina Francesco Borgogno. As well as wine tastings, Barolo is home to a Wine Museum, located in the Falletti Castle. Delve into the history of wine production in the region and enjoy a tipple at the museum’s tasting experience. The castle itself dates to the 10^th century and is the main landmark to see in Barolo.
• Truffle Hunting in Alba — Alba is another small town in the Piedmont region, but this town is renowned around the world for its white truffles – one of the world’s rarest and most sought after ingredients. White truffles, known locally as “tuber magnatum pico” cannot be cultivated – they only grow wild and are in the same price bracket as caviar and kobe beef. The truffle season runs from around October to December, and it’s possible to book excursions with local “trifalos” (truffle hunters) and their sniffer dogs to search out the truffles in the groves and forests of Piedmont. Not only is this a unique experience, it’s a great way to take in the stunning landscapes of Piedmont on foot. Your guide will be able to teach you all about truffles and their use in cooking, as well as how their trusty hounds are trained to sniff out the rare fungi. The best part? Whether you find any truffles or not, most experiences end with a tasting, allowing you to sample the best and freshest white truffle shaved over pasta, eggs or cheese. The town of Alba itself is also worth an hour or two of your time. It’s a classic Italian commune, home to a Gothic cathedral, crumbling Roman ruins and charming piazzas.
• Exploring Turin — Turin is another of those cities like Verona. You are unlikely to dedicate an entire trip to visiting the capital of Piedmont, but the city can be easily reached from Milan by train, making a day trip a feasible way to visit for a few hours and take in the main highlights. Turin is a largely industrial city, but it was once the historic capital of the Kingdom of Savoy, and there are still signs of this former power everywhere you look. Highlights of a Turin day trip include Palazzo Reale, the Royal Palace, whilst the city’s trio of royal residences is completed by the Palazzo Madama and Palazzo Carignano. The city also has a host of fantastic museums including the Museo Nazionale dell’Automobile for car lovers and the Galleria Civica d’Arte e Contemporanea for Italian and European art. Turin is also renowned as a chocolate producer, and the city is awash with family-run chocolatiers. Make sure to enjoy a bicerin, the city’s iconic cream-topped fusion of coffee and hot chocolate. And if you are going to visit a chocolatier to indulge your sweet tooth, then Guido Gobino has a handful of branches around the city center and is widely regarded as one of the best.

#2. A Glamorous Day Trip from Milan: Lake Como

Okay, let’s knock this one out of the way asap because you can find Lake Como on basically every list of recommendations already. So feel free to skip if this is your 89th time reading about a day trip to Lake Como from Milan. I promise I list better ones below!

Arguably the most famous of the Italian Lakes, it’s easy to visit Lake Como and the beautiful town of Bellagio from Milan! As well as being one of the most beautiful spots in Italy, Como offers a change of pace, a far cry from the hustle and bustle of the busy city. Here’s how to plan the best Lake Como day trip from Milan!

Ps. Need more help planning your Milan getaway? I’ve written a full guide with a 3-day itinerary for first-time visitors!

How to get to Lake Como from Milan

The easiest way to get to Como is by train, making it one of the most popular day trips from Milan. Trains leave Milan Central Station about every 30 minutes and it’s only an hour or so to Como Lago station in Como town. Located right by the lake, you can choose to stay in Como or make use of the ferry services to visit Bellagio and other towns around the lake, like Varenna. Trains back to Milan run until at least 21:00, so there’s no rush to get back. If you’ve got a hire car, it’s a ~47 mile drive, taking about an hour and a half to get to Bellagio from Milan.

Best & Highly-Rated Day Trips from Milan to Lake Como

As I mentioned earlier, a trip to Lake Como is probably one of the most popular day trips from Milan. And the options to get there can be overwhelming AF. Which is honestly why I like to join a group or private tour. Because who wants to deal with driving in a foreign country?

There’s a ton of different operators out there but I rounded up the Top 3 guided day trips from Milan to Lake Como. I scoured a ton of different websites and read all the reviews for you so you don’t have to deal with the research yourself. And these were the Top 3 I came across:

• The Best of Lake Como. Bellagio & Lugano Small Group Tour (I love small group tours so I definitely recommend this one. All of the reviews are stellar and it’s extremely reasonably priced for an entire 12-day adventure). → Book this tour
• Italy and Switzerland Day TripL Lake Como, Bellagio, and Lugano from Milan – This tour seems great because you get to pack in a second country in such a short amount of time! → Book this tour
• Bellagio & Varenna – Small Group Tour from Milan with Boat Cruise – If you’re visiting Milan in the months of May-October then you should 10000% opt for this one because a boat cruise on Lake Como is pretty much as George Clooney as it gets. It’s also a great way to see the area from a completely different vantage point. Plus you know I love my boooooats! → Book this tour

3 Things to Do at Lake Como

• Explore Bellagio — Como is pretty, like PRETTY pretty. So if Bellagio is known as the ‘Pearl of the Lake’, you can imagine just how beautiful this place is. If you’ve only got time to visit one destination on the shore of Lake Como, make it this one. What makes Bellagio so special is that it’s located on a peninsula at a fork in the lake. This means that Como surrounds Bellagio on three sides! As well as being able to enjoy views over the lake, Bellagio town itself has so much to offer. You can wander through  the town’s main street, Salita Serbelloni, which is home to colorful buildings and a range of boutique shops and bougee art galleries. For lunch, stroll along the promenade until you find a restaurant with the best view, and maybe tuck into the local delicacy: perch risotto. And you should also have time to take in the 12^th century Romanesque Basilica di San Giacomo in the main plaza, Piazza della Chiesa.
• Go beyond the usual spots on the ferry — As part of your Milan to Lake Como day trip, you should have plenty of time to add visits to Varenna and Menaggio to your Bellagio exploration. These two equally pretty towns are located in close proximity to Bellagio and the ferry easily connects the three points of the “Golden Triangle”.  In Varenna, highlights include the Passeggiata degli Innamorati (“Lovers’ Walk”), which takes you on a romantic stroll from the boarding area into the heart of town along an over-water walkway, with picturesque views of Como and the surrounding mountains. You can also explore the lakeside mansion and botanical garden at Villa Monastero and/or make the uphill hike to Castello di Vezio, which boasts one of the best views of Lake Como. Then there’s Menaggio, a slower and lesser-visited spot, where you can stroll around a compact historic center, sample local gelato and relax with a coffee or glass of wine in Piazza Garibaldi. The lakeside promenade, Viale Benedetto Castelli is another wonderful walk.
• Relax on the beach —You won’t find any beaches during your Milan trip, you won’t be surprised to hear, so why not pack your swimsuit and a towel for your Milan to Lake Como day trip? In summer, the lake is swelled by crystal clear glacial meltwater, making the beaches incredibly attractive, if a bit nippy. There are beaches dotted all around the lake, but the best ones near Bellagio are the pebble San Giovannia beach or the artificial sand beach at Lido Bellagio Beach Club.

#3. A Culture-Packed Day Trip from Milan: Verona

Another of my favorite day trips from Milan by train is Verona. Verona is one of those places that you’re not going to book a whole trip to, it’s too small and there are bigger and better places to visit. But this doesn’t mean it isn’t a beautiful little city to visit, which is why a day trip from Milan to Verona makes so much sense!

How to get to Verona from Milan

The train is once again your best bet when it comes to day trips from Milan to Verona. Trains depart the central station every 30 minutes or so and the journey time to Verona’s Porta Nuova station is about an hour and quarter. Costs vary depending on the season and how early you book your tickets, but in 2026 you’re looking at something like €15–€35 for a return ticket. It’s about a 20 minute walk from the station in Verona to the city center, or you can hop in a taxi. To be honest, even if you’ve hired a car for your Milan day trips, I’d still take the train to Verona – the drive is about 2 hours each way and you’ll need to pay at least €10 in tolls, so it’s not worth it IMO. Parking in Verona can be tricky too, as it really isn’t that big.

Best & Highly-Rated Day Trips from Milan to Verona

• Verona and Lake Garda Day Trip from Milan – The creme de la creme of day trips to Verona! This small group tour is perfect for people who just want to relax and experience all that Verona and Lake Garda have to offer. You get picked up and dropped off at your hotel, it includes a two-hour walking tour, stops for snacks and lunch, and so much more. Highly recommend this day trip for the faster-paced traveler like myself (or for the traveler who doesn’t know when they’ll get to visit Italy or Verona again). → Book this tour
• From Milan: Verona & Cruise to Sirmione – If you’re visiting Italy then you definitely can’t be afraid of the water because so much of their beauty can be found alongside a body of water! Especially in Verona and Lake Garda! → Book this tour

3 Things to Do in Verona

• Visit Casa di Giulietta — If you know anything at all about Verona, it is most likely that the city was the setting for one of the world’s greatest plays: William Shakespeare’s tragic love story, Romeo and Juliet. And if interested in literature, visiting Casa di Giulietta is a great way to spend your Milan to Verona day trip. The name of the house translates quite literally to “Juliet’s House” and this 13^th century building really was owned by the Cappello family, said to be the inspiration behind the warring Montagues and Capulets in Shakespeare’s play. You can actually visit the courtyard for free, where you’ll find inscriptions from lovers and a statue of Juliet that is said to bring good luck to those who touch it. Juliet’s Balcony was added in the 20^th century by an enterprising salesman and it costs a few euros to venture out here, but it’s worth doing even just for the photo. There’s a small museum included in the ticket price that tells you a bit more about the house and the Capello family.
• Check out the Arena di Verona — A lot of people don’t realise that Rome’s legendary Colosseum was not a one off – the Romans built amphitheaters like it all over Italy, and Verona’s arena is one such example. It’s located in the heart of the city’s historic center, in Piazza Bra, and despite the collapse of the outer ring during an earthquake in 1117, in many ways the amphitheater is actually even better preserved than the Rome Colosseum. Dating to the 1^st century, the amphitheater once held an incredible 30,000 spectators and is still used today for concerts, with a capacity of 15,000 or so. Like the Colosseum in Rome, the Arena di Verona held gladiator battles and wild animal shows. If you’re only visiting Verona for the day, I recommend joining this walking tour to get all the high-lights!! And it’s so much better when you have someone telling you where to go and explaining to you the history so you can just focus on learning!
• Enjoy the view from Castel San Pietro — The last train from Verona back to Milan doesn’t normally leave until between 22:00 and 23:00, which means you should have time to enjoy a sunset at Castel San Pietro. From Ponte Pietra you can either climb the 100 or so steps on foot or ride the funicular to the top of Colle San Pietro. The castle itself isn’t open to the public but you can admire the exterior and enjoy the dazzling views over Verona’s rooftops and of the Arena di Verona. Bring a cheeky bottle of wine and some plastic glasses if you like, relax as the sun goes down and then make your way back down the hill and to the station for the perfect end to your Verona day trip.
  

#4. A Breathtaking Colorful Day Trip from Milan: Cinque Terre

Now this day trip from Milan might be a bit of a stretch but is still totally doable! Just prepare yourself for a long day. The five coastal village of Cinque Terre are one of the highlights of visiting Italy, so it’s well worth the effort to make this day trip happen. Although you’re welcome to do it on your own, I’d probably recommend booking a tour of Cinque Terre from Milan, which is going to be far easier to organize and run more efficiently than if you try to plan this day trip yourself.

Staying in Cinque Terre longer than a day? Then check out my first-timer’s guide to spending 2 days in Cinque Terre.

How to get to Cinque Terre from Milan

If you’re not visiting through a guided tour, then the best way to get to Cinque Terre is, surprise surprise, by train. From Milan, it’s ~3 hours each way to La Spezia, from where you can take regional trains to all five villages. Buy a Cinque Terre card as soon as you arrive — in 2026 the card starts from around €7.50 per day — as this allows you to travel on all of the trains connecting the villages for a single price (and to use the hiking trails in the area). You do the math, 6 hours+ of travel doesn’t leave you loads of time, so get on the first train out of Milan to arrive in Cinque Terre by mid-morning.

The driving distance from Milan is about ~150 miles and takes roughly 3 hours. But it’s important to know that cars aren’t allowed in the villages of Cinque Terre and parking is a nightmare unless you’re on a licensed tour – so really don’t bother with this option.

Best & Highly-Rated Day Trips from Milan to Cinque Terre

• From Milan: Cinque Terre Full-Day Guided Trip With Cruise – hahaha I’m literally laughing as I type this because I’m realizing how impossible it is to visit Italy without going on a boat. Which is why you 100% should book this full-day guided trip from Milan (cruise included). The views of the villages from the water are absolutely stunning. I promise you’ve never seen anything more colorful before in your life!!! Plus, you can relax and not deal with any of the logistics of getting to Cinque Terre which can be kinda a hassle. → Book this tour
• Cinque Terre Full-Day Tour from Milan – Another great option to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site from Milan! → Book this tour
• Completely Private + Personalized Day Trip Cinque Terre from Milan – If this isn’t your first Discover Over There article then you can probably guess by now that I’m a little bougie. I made $25k my first year as a flight attendant so I think I deserve to indulge in life now that I’m in my early (or mid ew) thirties. And I basically spend all my money on traveling anyways. If you’re not trying to rub elbows with other tourists (I get it), then I definitely suggest booking this personalized + very private Cinque Terre experience. It includes everything from first-class train tickets, to a private guide, to a walking tour, a boat cruise between villages, and so much more. → Book this tour

3 Things to Do in Cinque Terre

Five villages, one day – sounds difficult? You’ll struggle to visit all five on a day trip, especially if you want to spend long enough in each one to get a feel for it. So here are my three favorites.

• Visiting Vernazza and go hiking — They call it the “jewel of Cinque Terre” and if you have to pick one village in the region to visit, make it this one. It’s arguably the most picturesque, with a tiny harbor and colorful houses built in the traditional Ligurian style. The main square is a scenic spot for a morning coffee (or an Aperol spritz) and you can enjoy a climb up the medieval tower of Castello Doria, for panoramic views of the coastline and the pastel colors of the surrounding buildings. If you’re in the mood and have the time for a short hike, then Vernazza, like all five of the villages, is connected by the Blue Trail, a ~7.5 mile walking route that links them together. Walking at least one of the sections between the villages is highly recommended, and Vernazza is located ~2 miles from Corniglia and ~2 miles from Monterosso, both feasible hikes for a day trip.
• Cinque Terre Lunch Boat Tour — Five villages in one day? I know. Hard but totally possible. ON A BOOOOOAT. Again, Italy is not for those who hate the water lol. Pretty sure every recommendation on this list so far has included some sort of body of water. But that’s because it’s an absolute MUST!! But seriously, going on a lunch boat tour of Cinque Terre is definitely the way to experience the area in such a short amount of time. You’ll get to see all the stunning photo spots, learn about the history, and get an authentic and fresh seafood lunch onboard. Also a kid-friendly activity if that’s your thing! (not mine… yet).
• Dine from a hillside cliff in Riomaggiore — Riomaggiore is the southernmost village of the five, and a good start point if you are determined to take in all five villages in one day. Known for its fine dining restaurants and terrace bars, one famous landmark here is the Castello di Riomaggiore, a clifftop castle offering spectacular views back over the village. If you’re exploring Cinque Terre with your significant other then this village is widely regarded as the most romantic of the five, perfect for an anniversary trip or a seafront meal. The colored houses are at their most vibrant here and there is a small pebble beach with access to the sea.

#5. A Timeless Day Trip from Milan: Florence

The last of my recommended Italian day trips from Milan is a biggie. Florence is the Renaissance capital and one of the world’s most cultural cities. Home to iconic artwork like Michelangelo’s David and architecture like the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, it’s well worth visiting on a day trip from Milan if you have the time.

How to get to Florence from Milan

Once more, the train is your friend, the Italian rail network being efficient and quick. It takes just under 2 hours to get to Florence from Milan by train, with regular departures every half hour or even more frequently at peak times. As always, book early for lower fares — in 2026, you’re looking at anything from €20–€60 for a return ticket. Driving isn’t really a viable option for a day trip from Milan to Florence, as the ~196 mile journey is going to take you around 3.5 hours each way, leaving very little time for exploring.

I will admit, you really want more than one day in Florence, as there is just so much to see and do. But if you’re planning one of these day trips from Milan, let’s make it count aka try to start early and hop on the first train you can to squeeze the most out of your time in the Renaissance capital.

Best & Highly-Rated Day Trips from Milan to Florence

• From Milan: Florence and Pisa Day Trip – 2 iconic Italian cities in one trip? Yes please!! If your stomach can handle all the pasta of course. No but seriously, one of the best parts about Florence is that it’s really close to Pisa. Making it really convenient to visit both in one day! If logistics aren’t your thing, I definitely recommend booking this full day tour to maximize your time in Italy. Everything is taken care of for you including transportation, main sights, an English-speaking guide, and more. Florence and Pisa are both small so this guided tour is a great way to hit all the hi-lights in less than 24 hours. → Book this tour
• From Milan: Florence Walking Tour with Train Tickets – Another really great Florence day trip option from Milan. A little less travel since you’re not visiting Pisa but just as educational and beautiful! If you loved visiting Navigli in Milan, I promise you’ll love Florence. Watching the sunset at Ponte Vecchio is truly an unforgettable experience. This guided tour comes with train tickets, assistance at all the meeting points in Florence, a local professional guide, and more! All the reviews give 5 stars for organization which you know is key to a great tour experience. → Book this tour
• Florence Renaissance and Medieval: Day Trip from Milan by High-Speed Train – Has anyone ever been to Medieval Times as a kid? Or just me 😂 Okay well I promise you Florence is nothing like that haha. I just always think of the horses from Medieval Times anytime I see the word Medieval. Anyways, this full day tour from Viator is also a great option for those not wanting to deal with the stress of planning a day trip to Florence. You seriously can’t go wrong with any of these options! → Book this tour

3 Things to Do in Florence

• Take in the city’s best galleries & museums — This Florence day trip needs to run like clockwork to help you get the most from your time here. So if you’re planning to visit some of Florence’s legendary art galleries, make sure to pre-book so you don’t have to waste time queuing. The Uffizi is the most famous gallery in the city (and maybe the world), home to iconic works such as Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus, Leonardo da Vinci’s Annunciation and Caravaggio’s Medusa. Book a time slot online (the earlier the better) and start on the top floor, which is where most of the gallery’s big hitters are located. As well as the Uffizi, you’re going to want to take in the Galleria dell’Accademia, if only to see Michelangelo’s David. The sculptor carved this legendary statue out of a single block of marble more than 500 years ago. The statue was originally located in the city’s Piazza della Signoria, but was moved inside for its own protection in 1910. There’s a replica statue in the piazza now which can act as a backup if you don’t have time to visit the gallery! If you’re purely in Florence for the galleries and museums, you should have time to squeeze a third into your Florence day trip, and I’d recommend the Museo Leonardo Da Vinci, an interactive museum that has brought to life some of da Vinci’s models and machines. Tickets start at $10/person so it’s also an incredibly affordable activity. Replicas are based on his drawings and notes, and you can even interact directly with his inventions.
• Discover the Duomo — If there’s one unmissable landmark in Florence, it’s the Duomo, the Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore. Located in the very heart of the city, the Gothic cathedral was completed in the 15^th century and its iconic dome was engineered by another important Renaissance figure, Filippo Brunelleschi. Once the largest church in the world, it remains one of the biggest and most impressive today. The entrance ticket actually gives you three days of access, which goes some way to conveying its size, though this isn’t very useful to us on a day trip. For an express visit to the cathedral, I’d make the 463 step climb to the top of the dome. This is the highest point in Florence and offers an unrivaled view over this historic city. You can also opt to climb Giotto’s Bell Tower, admire the stained glass windows and mosaic floor of the interior and head underground to the Crypt of Santa Reparata, the oldest part of the Duomo.
• Take in the Palazzo Vecchio — Palazzo Vecchio is a warren of historic government buildings, dating back to the Medici rule over Florence. It’s also used as the Florence city hall to this day. There are two ways to visit the Palazzo Veccio, or “old palace”. You can purchase a ticket to enter the museum and enjoy a deep dive into this historic building. Or you can have a quick wander around the lower level of the palace for free, which still allows you to get a sense of the grandeur of the place, home to historic marble columns and elaborate frescoes. If you pay for full access, you can take in many more of the palace’s grand rooms, climb the tower for views over the city (not as good as at the Duomo) and see the death mask of Dante, iconic Italian poet and writer. Keep in mind that the palace is only open from 15:00 to 20:00 Friday to Monday, and plan your Florence itinerary accordingly.

#6. A Cross-Border Day Trip from Milan: Switzerland

My final recommended Milan day trips aren’t to another Italian city, but across the border into neighboring Switzerland. Milan is approximately ~155 miles from the Swiss border, and there are several great options for visiting this alpine nation from Italy, and ticking another European country off your list as part of your Milan trip.

How to get to Switzerland from Milan

Sorry if I sound like a broken record, but you’ll want to take the train to Switzerland too. From Milan central station, it’s possible to reach Swiss destinations including Lucerne and Lugano, on the shore of Lake Lugano. Driving is also a viable option and gives you more flexibility to visit smaller alpine towns and villages in the Swiss Alps or near the border. American travelers don’t need a visa for a day trip to Switzerland, which is in the Schengen Area, but if driving then you may need a Swiss motorway vignette toll sticker, which you can purchase online.

Best & Highly-Rated Day Trips from Milan to Switzerland

• Small-Group max 18 Bernina UNESCO Scenic Train on the Swiss Alps – can you tell I love my small group tours by now?? They’re seriously the best. And this full-day tour has over 500+ 5-star reviews for a reason. You basically get to see all of Lake Como as well so this specific Milan to Switzerland tour is definitely great value for money! → Book this tour
• Swiss Alps Bernina Red Train and St.Moritz Tour from Milan – okay I thought 500 reviews were a lot but clearly this one has it beat with over 2300+ reviews from travelers. A visit to St. Moritz is pretty freakin’ iconic even if you’re not a celebrity or in the market for a designer watch. I’ve visited in both winter and summer and it’s all really magical and quaint no matter when you go! Just be prepared for a loooong day but this day trip is totally worth it to see the magic of the little red train 🚂 → Book this tour

3 Things to Do in Switzerland

• Ride the Bernina Express to St Moritz — The Bernina Express is without a doubt Europe’s most scenic rail journey, crossing from northern Italy into Switzerland and reaching the popular alpine resort town of St Moritz. The train is boarded from Tirano, which you can reach by regional train from Milan in 2.5 hours. Another early start and some planning is required if you want to make this happen, but it’s very doable. There are also lots of tour package options online for riding the Bernina Express from Milan, which are worth checking out if you don’t want the hassle of organizing the day trip yourself. From the train station in Tirano, the UNESCO-listed Bernina Express route winds its way through alpine scenery. In total, the route crosses 196 bridges, charges through 55 tunnels, rumbles over historic viaducts and climbs to heights of more than 7,000+ feet. From the large windows on the train, you’ll be able to see rugged mountain peaks, crystal clear glacier lakes, rural villages and cascading waterfalls including the Cascada da Bernina. The train from Tirano to St Moritz takes just under 2.5 hours, giving you plenty of time to explore St Moritz before you begin your journey back to Milan.
• Visit Lugano — Lugano is perhaps the simplest option for a Swiss day trip from Milan. Surrounded by mountains and on the shore of a lake with the same name, this Italian speaking city is easily reached on the train and offers a compelling blend of Italian, Swiss and Mediterranean influences. The city isn’t that big, and a day is plenty of time to take in all the main highlights. To really make the most of the surroundings, I’d recommend starting with the funicular ride up to the summit of Monte Bre, where on a clear day you can see for miles around over the surrounding lakes and mountains. There are a few great restaurants at the top too, perfect for lunch with a view. Down at the waterfront, it’s easy to book a cruise on Lake Lugano or you could hike the 2.1 mile Olive Grove Trail, which connects the villages of Gandria and Castagnola on the outskirts of Lugano. As the name suggests, the trail winds through olive groves and also offers stunning views of the lake. If you prefer to simply kick back with a coffee and relax, then the main square of Piazza della Riforma is Lugano’s beating heart.
• Explore the castles of Bellinzona — Bellinzona is the capital of the Ticino region of Switzerland, and is also easily reachable by train from Milan. It has a popular Christmas market during the festive period, but is even better known for its three historic castles, which have been combined as a One UNESCO World Heritage Site. Castelgrande, Sasso Corbaro and Montebello are each worth visiting, with well-preserved ruins overlooking the mountainous Swiss alpine scenery. You’ll also want to spend some time exploring the historic Old Town of Bellinzona and if visiting on a Saturday, you can throw yourself into the lively local market. Bellinzona is very compact and easily walkable, and the train ride from Milan is incredibly scenic, passing through the mountains of southern Switzerland.

The 6 Best Day Trips From Milan: Final Thoughts

If you’re spending time in Milan and you’ve already taken in the Duomo, seen an opera show at La Scala and admired Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper at the Santa Maria delle Grazie church, then Milan day trips can be a great way to explore more of Italy or neighboring Switzerland.

Milan’s location is absolutely prime for day trips, with many options reachable in 2 hours or less on Italy’s efficient train network. Top day trips from Milan by train include exploring the Uffizi Gallery in Florence strolling along the shoreline of Lake Como or popping into Switzerland aboard the Bernina Express. But there are plenty of Milan day trip options if you’ve got time to spare on your visit to northern Italy.

Did you get a chance to check out any of these day trips from Milan? Let me know in the comments below!

Visiting other parts of Italy?

Check out my other travel guides on Italy here.

Visiting other parts of Europe?

Check out my other travel guides on Europe here.