If you love Italian food and wine (who doesn’t?), historical and natural landmarks, underrated cities, and enchanting towns, you’ll surely be inspired by this list of some of the best road trips from Milan.
Exploring Italy by car is always a good idea, and Milan is one of the easiest cities to get to, so here are six wanderlust-fueling routes starting in the capital of Lombardy.
*This post may contain affiliate links from which I earn a commission (for more info, read my disclosure). As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
*I try to keep the information on this blog as updated as possible, but I still recommend consulting the latest prices, opening hours, and other details on the official website of each site, hotel, and tour, as well as checking the updated public transport routes and timetables.
Six of the Best Road Trips From Milan
Milan to Ascona Road Trip
By Zoe from Together In Switzerland
For a stunning Milan road trip idea that includes seeing a gorgeous lake and traveling all the way up to Switzerland, take a local route via Lake Maggiore to the final destination of Ascona, Switzerland. Consider dedicating at least 5 days to see everything this route offers.
It’s best to enjoy this trip without driving on the toll highway roads, so from Milan, start your drive towards the regional park Pineta di Appiano. This gorgeous park is perfect for starting your adventure with some time in nature.
Afterward, you need to drive via Gallarate towards Lake Maggiore, to Arona, which is stunning to stop for photos and a bite to eat or drink. Another highlight of Arona is a swim on a hot summer’s day, such as at the Spiaggia del Sorriso.
From Arona, follow the lakeside road to the north, through Meina, Lesa, and Stresa. Stop here for the views and to enjoy a walk along the promenade.
A recommendation is to stay a night or two here as you’ll love exploring the gorgeous Borromean Islands, which are easily reachable with a boat taxi for less than 10 euros.
Follow the route via Verbania and Cannobio before the final stop in Ascona, Switzerland. Ascona has an Italian atmosphere with a twist of Swiss vibes.
It’s a must to spend at least 1 whole day and night here, as Ascona offers lots to do, including local hikes up the mountain, restaurants on the water’s edge, and a beautiful trip to the botanical garden at Brissago Island.
South Tyrol Road Trip
By Paul from Paulmarina
A road trip from Milan to South Tyrol is a journey that you don’t want to miss if you are looking for scenic views, untouched nature, and authentic North Italian towns.
This trip starts in Milan and takes you on the first day to the romantic town of Lecco, located on Lake Como. Your trip ends after 5 days in the South Tyrolean mountain province, Val Venosta.
Day two takes you in the morning to Morbegno, a village noted for its architectural beauty and historical center, and in the afternoon to Sondrio, a town known for its vineyards and the Masegra Castle.
Day three takes you to Tirano, a little gem in the Italian alps well-known as a pilgrimage site and for its pewter handwork. On the same day, visit the timeless castle ruins in Grosio and the fascinating Bronze and Iron Age rock engravings.
On day 4, you’ll visit Parco Nazionale dello Stelvio, and the Stelvio pass will take your breath away with its stunning landscapes of pristine nature. The 5th day will be dedicated to the province of Val Venosta.
Stop over at the abbey of Monte Maria or take a stroll through the medieval town of Glurns on the former Roman trade road, Via Claudia Augusta.
The glorious end of your journey is the bell tower in Lake Resia. Not only the views will catch your attention but also its tragic story.
Milan to Rome Road Trip
By Clotilde from A Princess Travelling With Twins
From Milan, you can get to Rome in less than 4 hours with fast trains, but although the train allows you to appreciate the landscape, nothing surpasses a road trip by car with the possibility of stopping wherever you want.
After leaving Milan, the first stop is the Certosa di Pavia, a majestic place that includes a monastery and a sanctuary of extraordinary beauty.
Afterward, you can choose to explore the underrated Parma for its richness in fine arts or continue for a relaxing stop at the Terme di Tabiano.
On the second day, a stop in Bologna is a must. Even in the rain, you will have no problem getting around the enchanting historic center by walking under the 6km of arcades. Go in search of the symbolic towers of the city, and do not miss tasting the delicious tortellini.
It is a short step from Bologna to Florence, but before exploring the capital of Tuscany, take a detour to spend a day in the delightful Lucca before returning to Florence, where you will spend the fourth day.
After walking every corner of the enchanting Florence in one day, leave the motorway on the fifth day and allow yourself to spend 48 hours in the Chianti villages, in Siena and its surroundings.
This area of Tuscany is so incredibly rich in picturesque places that you could stay here for a month without getting bored.
In a couple of days, be sure to stop at least in Castellina in Chianti, Radda in Chianti, Siena, and Montalcino to savor a glass of Brunello.
On the last day, visit Orvieto to admire its majestic cathedral, a must-see before entering the Eternal City. If you can, plan a 4-day itinerary in Rome to appreciate its beauty.
A Road Trip From Milan to Stuttgart
By Diana from Travels in Poland
There are several ways to drive from the stunning northern Italian city of Milan to southern Germany. Driving through Switzerland is one of the best and most beautiful ways to see three countries and some of the most scenic views of the Alps in Europe.
The first memorable stop is Lake Como. With the beginning of the Alps surrounding it, a narrow two-lane road encircles the entire lake and makes for amazing views when driving around.
While the city of Como itself is a popular stop, it’s in the northern town of Bellagio where you see the splendor of the lake.
From Bellagio, a boat ride to Varenna and Menaggio (and back to Bellagio) is a quick one-day way to explore the lake and the unique towns it’s home to.
For a night stay, slightly south of Bellagio is the lake’s longest town of Lezzeno, which has quirky airbnbs and a few hotels on the shore that offer water activities in the summer.
Heading north, Lake Lugano is a gorgeous stop on the border of Switzerland and Italy.
A funicular that takes you up to Monte Bre shows spectacular views of the lake, as does the funicular to Monte San Salvatore. Villa Fogazzaro Roi, located alongside the lake, has beautiful gardens to visit.
Next, sitting on Lake Lucerne, the city of Lucerne is home to the Swiss Transport Museum, a museum dedicated to cars, trams, airplanes, and even ships. If you’re a history lover, the Chapel Bridge is worth a walk-through as it is over 600 years old.
Lucerne is on the edge of the beginning of the Swiss Alps, and the beautiful scenery looking across the lake toward southern Switzerland is captivating.
The last stop is Zurich, a rather flat city in regards to topography, however, the trams running through, the small shops, and the bustle of an international city make it a great place for food and a quick rest before ending the road trip in Stuttgart.
Italian Lakes Road Trip
The Italian lake district is a wonderful destination for a one-week road trip from Milan, though it can easily be extended to 10 days or even two weeks. It offers an ideal combo of picturesque lakeside towns, natural landscapes, and tranquil beaches.
From Milan, drive to Lake Garda, the largest lake in Italy, for 3-4 days. Since it takes time to travel from town to town due to the winding roads, it’s better to focus on a certain area of the lake each day.
In northern Lake Garda, visit Limone sul Garda, Riva del Garda, Lake Tenno, and Borgo Medievale di Tenno (a true hidden gem in northern Italy). In the east, head to Bardolino and the colorful Malcesine, and in the south, visit Peschiera del Garda and Sirmione.
Next, drive to the luxurious Lake Como, which is especially known for its villas (some of which function as museums and others as hotels or event venues), and spend a day exploring the towns of Varenna and Bellagio.
Continue to the stunning Lake Maggiore to see towns and cities like Cannobio and Stresa, and don’t miss out on the Borromean Islands and their infamous villas and gardens.
Before returning to Milan, end your Italian lakes road trip at the underrated Lake Orta. Its most known town, Orta San Giulio, is an absolute delight to wander and is a must-see in the region of Piedmont.
Not sure how to pass the time? Here are some amazing ideas for things to talk about on a road trip!
Northwest Italy Road Trip From Milan
There’s no shortage of beautiful places to visit in Lombardy, Liguria, and Piedmont, so why not plan a circular northwest Italy road trip from Milan?
In 8-12 days, you can see some of the historical and natural highlights of these regions, along with some hidden gems, but the full bucket list is huge, so it’s important to prioritize.
Spend a few days in Milan, admiring the famous Duomo, visiting the UNESCO-listed Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, touring the Pinacoteca di Brera, and wandering its stylish districts.
Next, spend a day in Pavia and marvel at the 14th-century Visconti Castle and the historic monastery Certosa di Pavia.
Continue to the coastal city of Genoa for 2 days to visit the Royal Palace Museum, Piazza Raffaele de Ferrari, and Via Garibaldi with its gorgeous palazzos.
Before getting to Turin, stop at the small city of Asti, though you can choose to visit Alba, Barolo, or Bra instead. This is a great area to explore if you’re a truffle addict, a foodie, and a wine lover, and its rolling hill views are not too shabby either.
There are so many things to do in Turin, so it’s worth at least 2-3 days of exploration, with its UNESCO-listed royal residences of the House of Savoy, open-air markets, historic cafes, chocolate shops, and incredible museums like the Egyptian Museum and National Museum of Cinema.
Before returning to Milan, head north to the city of Biella and the nearby Sanctuary of Oropa, the Alps’ most significant sanctuary dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
Other Italy Travel Guides
Read more about Turin, Milan, and northern Italy:
- Turin vs Milan
- Turin travel tips
- Where to stay in Turin
- Hidden gems in Turin
- Turin in winter
- Reasons to visit Turin
- Things to do in Vicenza
- Things to do in Milan on a rainy day
- Non touristy things to do in Milan
- Milan in 4 days
- Things to do in Milan in December
- Day trips from Milan in winter
- Is Aosta worth visiting
- Where to stay in Aosta Valley
- Places to see in Aosta Valley
- Aosta Valley road trip from Turin
- Best places to visit in October in northern Italy
- Places to visit in Northern Italy in winter
Read more about Italy:
- Best places to visit in central Italy
- 7-day Rome-Florence-Venice itinerary
- Places to visit in Italy in winter
- Piazzas in Italy
- Romance novels set in Italy
- Italy travel quotes
- Gifts for Italy lovers
Other related posts:
*Your emil address will not be published. By using this form you agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website