Attractions Nearby Milan, Day Trips and Excursions

(Milan, Lombardy, Italy)

Visitors staying in Milan often choose to explore the attractions around the Lombardy region, with a number of outlying famous lakes being perfect for excursions, such as those of Como, Garda and Maggiore. These come with excellent facilities, including hotels and restaurants with impressive waterfront views.

There are also some very pretty villages, castles, museums, villas and gardens dotted along the shores. During the busy summer season there are various cultural events staged within reach of Milan, including Lake Maggiore's well-attended music festival - the Settimane Musicali di Strasa. There are many other smaller lakes and natural attractions nearby, which are particularly peaceful and unspoilt areas to visit.

Lake Maggiore

Address: north-west of Milan
Fed by the Ticino River, the Maggiore is the second-largest lake in the whole of Italy. It is around 212 square km / 82 square miles in size, with a maximum depth of around 370 metres / 1,220 feet. In 1826 the introduction of ferry services helped to develop the area. This large lake features many attractions on its shores and highlights include:

• Isole Borromee - one of three islands
• Castles of Malpaga - opposite the Cànnero Riviera, these castles belonged to the Mazzardites, who were pirates of the lake, being built in the 13th to 14th century
• Stresa - an old fisherman's village that became popular after articles by famous writers, such as George Byron and Charles Dickens
• Villa Taranto - featuring one of Italy's most well-known botanic gardens which was founded in 1931, containing specimens of plant species from all over the world
• Santa Caterina del Sasso Ballaro - this monastery is perched on a rocky outcrop near Laveno and was built in the 12th century by a local merchant
• Rocca di Angera - an imposing medieval fortress, with 14th-century frescoes and a doll museum
• Sesto Calende - the town museum in Piazza Mazzini, displaying many interesting Bronze Age artifacts excavated nearby
• Arona - an enormous statue of San Carlo Borrome, with a 35-metre / 115-foot staircase leading to some superb panoramic views

Lake Como

Address: north of Milan
Also often referred to as Lario, this is the third-largest lake in Italy and the deepest, with a maximum depth of around 410 metres / 1,345 feet. The lake is shaped like an upside-down 'Y' and there is a scenic road that follows the ancient Strada Regina, which is lined with villas and gardens.

Features of the lake include:

• Como - this cathedral has a large dome and construction began in 1396, finally ending in 1740
• Bell Tower - this tower on Santa Maria Maddalena is one of the main symbols of the lake
• Bellagio - with spectacular views from the Spartivento point, Bellagio is positioned at the junction of the arms of Lake Como and is one of the most popular lakeside spots
• Cernobbio - the 16th-century Villa d'Este is now a hotel and has some beautifully landscaped gardens with many fountains
• Desenzano - known for its many pubs and evening entertainment, with some of the largest nightclubs and discotheques in Italy
• Gravedona - Santa Maria del Tiglio in Gravedona is the most famous Romanesque construction in this region and features an unusual octagonal bell tower
• Crotti - these typical mountain caves are situated in the upper Lario region and have been used as wine cellars since the 19th century
• Vezio Castle - this medieval castle, near Varenna, is built on the site of a Roman tower and has wonderful views
• Varenna - this small village has some of the best preserved pathways, consisting of raised boardwalks and steps
• Tremezzo - the Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo was built in 1843 as a wedding gift for Carlotta of Prussia

Lake Garda

Address: east of Milan
Lake Garda is the biggest lake in Italy and was created by natural glaciation. On the northern side there are steep cliffs and rugged outcrops, contrasting with the smaller hills at the southern end. The lake has become a popular area for windsurfing and sailing, and many well-known regattas are held here, such as the Centomiglia. Notable attractions include:

• Gardone Riviera - this is a pleasant tourist resort and nearby is the Vittoriale degli Italiano, where the writer Gabriele d'Annunzio lived for many years
• Sirmione - this well-preserved Roman villa is one of the most impressive examples of a Roman residence in Northern Italy
• Desenzano del Garda - a popular and lively town, full of history
• Villa Bettoni - Bogliaco features some elegant rooms with frescoes and masterpieces painted by Reni and Canaletto
• Limone sul Garda - full of citrus trees, which are believed to be the reason that locals have the longest life expectancies in Italy
• At Torbole - this has recently become a popular surfer's paradise
• Punta San Vigilio - named after the bishop from Trent who brought Christianity to the area in the 4th century
• Camaldolite Hermitage - with some truly impressive panoramic views
• Torri del Benaco - this small fortified town was a major stop between Riva and Garda and features a castle, which now houses an interesting museum, with many prehistoric finds

Other Smaller Lakes Nearby Milan

• Lago d'Orta - situated in the lower Alps region, this lake is surrounded by soft hills and scenery, with many small villages dotted around the shore and perched on terracing
• Lago di Varese - with pleasant scenery and rolling green hills, this basin was created by glacial movement and many prehistoric remains were found on the Island of Isolino Virginia, which are now on display at the Villa Ponti museum
• Lago d'Iseo - also known as Sebino, this lake extends between the provinces of Bergamo and Brescia and is the seventh-largest in Italy
• Lago d'Idro - this is the highest lake in Lombardy and was converted into an artificial basin in 1932 to provide both hydroelectricity and irrigation