Discover the Best of Northern Italy on this Road Trip with Hertz
From a glamorous holiday in Milan to the serene shores of Lake Garda, northern Italy packs an extraordinary range of experiences into a relatively compact journey. Fashion and football, lakeside villages and Alpine scenery, ancient ruins and world-class opera all feature on this route. Use the Hertz Road Trip Planner to explore the full itinerary for your northern Italian adventure.
NORTHERN ITALY ROAD TRIPS, LAKE DRIVES AND ITALY TRAVEL INSPIRATION
From Lake Como to Lake Garda, explore the finest cities, lakeside towns and natural landscapes of northern Italy with your favourite rental car
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Best of Northern Italy
Milan - Lake Garda
The ultimate tour across the marvellous north of Italy, Milan to Lake Garda is a route filled with stunning architecture, an abundance of nature and a wide variety of historical hotspots waiting to whisk you back in time. Travel high and low, from spectacular mountain backdrops to quaint town squares, all filled with the flavour of Italy.
Best of Northern Italy
Stop 1: Basilica di Santa Maria delle Grazie 1/14
Start your Italy road trip in style by exploring the world’s fashion capital, Milan. Kick things off with a tour around the Basilica di Santa Maria delle Grazie, where you can catch a glimpse of Leonardo Da Vinci’s iconic The Last Supper. The church itself is also something of a masterpiece thanks to its ornate interior. On a bigger scale altogether, Milan Cathedral in Piazza Duomo is an iconic creation that took nearly six centuries to complete.
Best of Northern Italy
Stop 2: La Scala 2/14
While in Milan, make some time to visit La Scala, one of the world’s renowned homes of ballet, opera and theatre. Drink in the breathtakingly beautiful architecture of the Museo Teatrale alla Scala and embark on a tour to get a glimpse into its storied past. If you’re lucky, you might even be able to book tickets for a show. Inside the auditorium, you’ll be met by a work of art in itself, with regal gold embellishments, plush red velvet seating and a magnificent shimmering chandelier.
Best of Northern Italy
Stop 3: San Siro Stadium 3/14
Sport is a big deal in Milan, particularly when it comes to football. The city’s fans are fiercely loyal to one of two teams – the black and blue of Internazionale, or the red and black of AC Milan. Despite the rivalry between the two teams, the San Siro is the home of both, making for some colourful displays and electric atmospheres when derby day rolls around. It’s well worth trying to secure a ticket for a Serie A match if you happen to be in town, or simply explore the museum and book a place on a stadium tour.
Best of Northern Italy
Stop 4: Sacro Monte di Varese 4/14
Sacro Monte di Varese sits more than 2,500 feet above sea level and is one of the nine sacred mounts that make up the UNESCO-listed Piedmont and Lombardy sites. Venture up the hill to the site and explore the medieval village that’s perched on top of it. It’s a truly spiritual location, situated on the Holy Road, which consists of 14 chapels lining the route. Sacro Monte di Varese is perhaps the most beautiful of them all, and the view from the top is truly spectacular.
Best of Northern Italy
Stop 5: Campo dei Fiori Regional Park 5/14
Get out and explore nature with a hike through Campo dei Fiori Regional Park. This sprawling reserve features both man-made and natural monuments, as well as a variety of flora and fauna. Venture to the highest point by bike or foot for spectacular views stretching as far as the eye can see. Explore the variety of natural wonders on offer, from the dry meadows featuring naturally growing orchids to the groves of fragrant chestnut trees.
Best of Northern Italy
Stop 6: Laveno Mombello 6/14
Perhaps one of the most beautiful spots on Lake Maggiore, the landscape garden on Cerro Beach is a must-visit. Wander through the quiet town to soak up its serene atmosphere, before paying a visit to the International Museum of Ceramic design, a window into the past featuring historic relics of the town’s former booming ceramic and pottery industry. Next, hop on a cable car up to Mount Sasso del Ferro – a viewpoint where you can watch the colourful display of paragliders and hang gliders racing through the clouds.
Best of Northern Italy
Stop 7: Como 7/14
With the majestic Alps as a picturesque backdrop, Como is a destination popular with visitors and locals alike. The area was once established as both an Alpine garrison and holiday destination, by none other than Julius Caesar, in the 1st Century BC. It also features Italy’s third largest lake, the perfect spot for a peaceful walk along the water or to just sit back and take in the magnificent view. Drop into the city of Como itself, featuring gorgeous Renaissance architecture and an array of great restaurants to try out.
Best of Northern Italy
Stop 8: Brunate 8/14
Park up your car and head for the hilltop village of Brunate, via the charming funicular railway. A quiet town perched high in the clouds, the views of the valley below are second to none. The train runs every 30 minutes to the atmospheric viewpoint at the top, 2,000 feet above sea level. Revel in the stunning views across the Alps and take some time to look around the opulent villages created by the rich families who established Brunate as Italy’s prime holiday destination.
Best of Northern Italy
Stop 9: Monza 9/14
For those with a need for speed, a visit to Monza and its iconic Formula One racetrack is a must. This incredible track was built in 1922 and is known for its unique parabolic curve. Time it right and visit at the time of the annual F1 race to enjoy an adrenaline-filled visit, or book and have a go on the track yourself. After you’ve enjoyed the thrills of race day, head into Monza town itself. It’s a pretty little destination featuring handsome medieval architecture and cobbled streets.
Best of Northern Italy
Stop 10: Venetian Walls 10/14
In the fortified city of Bergamo, you’ll find the Venetian Works of Defence – a UNESCO-listed site featuring a near four-mile-long circuit of ancient brickwork to enjoy. Take a romantic walk along the walls that have served as protection to the historic city for more than four centuries and let your mind wander back in time. Although the walls were originally built in the 1500s to withstand attack, the enemies never came, which means they remain incredibly well preserved to this day.
Best of Northern Italy
Stop 11: Piazza Vecchia 11/14
Visit the Piazza Vecchia and discover all of Bergamo’s museums in one place. Stop by the Contarini Fountain, grab a coffee at one of the many cafes and enjoy the pretty architecture encircling the bustling square. Visit the Angelo Mai Library, where you’ll find books and manuscripts dating back nearly 600 years. Afterwards, wander around the walls of the Palazzo della Ragione, a government building featuring stunning medieval architecture almost 1,000 years old. It’s especially beautiful at night, when the walls are bathed in brightly coloured lights.
Best of Northern Italy
Stop 12: Parco dei Colli 12/14
Bergamo is surrounded by acres of rolling parkland, perfect for a peaceful stop off. Featuring 400 different types of plant, 160 species of bird and a plethora of reptiles and aquatic life, it’s a must-see for nature lovers on the lookout for something out of the ordinary. Hop on a bike or don your hiking boots and set off to explore. Alternatively, climb the stairs to San Vigilio Castle and enjoy stunning views of the surrounding green countryside or visit the former Astino monastery, dating back to the Middle Ages.
Best of Northern Italy
Stop 13: Capitolium o Tempio Capitolino 13/14
One of the delights of Brescia is the glimpse it offers into the past. Allow yourself to step back into the age of the Roman empire as you explore relics and ruins stretching back as far as the first century BC. Snap pictures of the multi-coloured columns and stop by the Republican sanctuary, where you can view well-preserved mosaic floors and murals. Brescia is a must-see, offering an idea of what northern Italy might have been like during the empire’s heyday.
Best of Northern Italy
Stop 14: Sirmione - Lake Garda 14/14
Complete your tour in Sirmione, a stretch of land reaching out into Lake Garda that boasts soothing, crystal-clear thermal waters and spas to relax in after a long drive. The area is, of course, also rich in cultural and artistic heritage, with ruins of Roman villas to explore and a romantic city centre complete with narrow alleyways and cobbled streets. Stone walls and rustic building fronts look over the water, with cafes and restaurants open all day from which to enjoy the spectacular view.
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