Northern Italy Travel Guide

Covering eight administrative regions that stretch from the stunning and exclusive Lake Como to the romantic scenes of Florence, the northern Italy boasts some of the country’s most dramatic scenery and spectacular architecture.

Starting from the very north of Italy, the names of the cities and towns will spark a light of imagination, wonder and contrast that makes Italy such an exciting place to visit. From Milan, a metropolis that looks into the future, to Lake Como, where rugged mountains and charming lakeside villas surround vast lakes. You are then met with the floating city of Venice, an art-lovers paradise that twists and winds through the charming small alleys and plazas that are steeped in history. A day in Venice would not be complete without the lulling feeling of the boat rocking side-to-side as you navigate the city - and this is just the beginning of northern Italy!

If you thought you would be left weak at the knees when visiting Venice, a weekend in Genoa may sweep you off your feet. 

The gateway to the Italian Riviera, Genoa’s bustling seaport leaves nothing to the imagination; the city brings history to life in a way that you have never quite seen before. The rustic grandeur of the old town and its narrow winding streets will take you through a maze of charming streets that tower over your head, uncovering artworks, monuments, and little snippets of the city’s delectable food scene. 

Northern Italy guides you through some of the most iconic images of Italy, while still holding an air of curiosity that attracts an adventurous heart. Whether you are looking to sample the flavours of the north, be encompassed by the high mountains and streaming rivers or wish to get lost in the architecture and sculptures of some of Italy’s best; northern Italy has what you are looking for.

As much of northern Italy is taken up by the Southern Alps, the climate tends to be cooler in most areas; however, it is also the largest climatic zone in the country, which means freezing winters and hot summers - perfect for a holiday in Italy at any time of the year!

For great walking and hiking in the mountains where it’s slightly cooler or a chance to spend time at the beach and swim in the sea, the best time of year to travel is from mid-May to October. In July and August, temperatures reach up to 30 degrees; however, this is also the time when the rain comes from the mountain ranges, so be prepared and pack for the odd shower!

For winter sports lovers, winters in the very north of Italy provide perfect cool temperatures and great snow, delivering perfect conditions for skiing in an Alpine-like climate.

Wander through Northern Italy’s Fast-Paced Metropolis, Milan 

As the largest city in Italy, Milan has a plethora of activities that allow you to get to know a little bit of its history as well as what the city is about today.

While there are a host of architectural wonders that are spread across the city, an iconic structure that you cannot miss is Milan Cathedral. This Italian Gothic style cathedral took an impressive 600 years to complete. Which will be understood as you approach it; the building is as monumental as the city. 

Milan architectural wonder does not stop at cathedrals and churches; it extends to the shopping malls too. The Grand Galleria is exactly what you thought an old street in northern Italy would be, except that it has transformed into a shopping mall, complete with frescos and fountains - it’s one of the oldest in the world. 

To continue with the grandeur, tie in your Milan trip with a mountainous break in northern Italy to get the perfect balance of city hype and nature escape.

Explore the Floating City of Northern Italy, Venice

An iconic image of Italy that is recognised across the world, Venice is at the top of many a bucket list. The art and architecture that is crammed into this city are overwhelming at any time of year; however, some places are unavoidable when in the floating city.

One of the most captivating locations in northern Italy, Piazza San Marco is home to some of the finest examples of Italian architecture in the world. It is said that Napoleon once referred to the square as “the drawing room of Europe”.

Dominated by the church of Saint Mark and the landmark of the clock tower, each part of the piazza deserves attention, the finite detail and mastery can be seen everywhere.

To get to the heart of the artistic culture of Venice, a day trip to Burano as part of a longer trip of northern Italy is a must. The small island is famous for its intricate lace, traditional Venetian vibe and for being the home of many iconic artists in the city. You can take a water bus to the island and walk around at your leisure. You’ll fall in love with the small-town friendliness of the locals and the quaint houses that line the cobblestone streets.

Lay Eyes on Northern Italy’s Bustling Sea Port, Genoa

Once a valuable maritime trading port, Genoa is a seaside city often forgotten. The city still has a quaint and charming vibe and is filled to the brim with stunning architecture, a fact that is often overlooked in favour of the infamous cities of Florence and Rome. 

Having once between a powerful republic in the 16th and 17th centuries, Genoa has numerous palaces that are lavish in design. It’s powerful position also led to many paintings from great masters being brought to the city and many more that contributed to Genoa’s historic centre, which is one of the largest in Europe. 

You could incorporate Genoa into your  holiday in northern Italy while visiting nearby Cinque Terre.

Discover the Medieval Grid of Bologna

Bologna is a city in red, with various tints found in almost every building. Cloisters line the streets forming the world’s largest row of porticos that take you through some of the highlights of the city and unveil its hidden canals and industrial past.

Bologna is home to the world-renowned Bolognese dish, although, it’s not just the rich, meaty sauce that you should pay attention to, it’s the homemade pasta too; Bologna is infamous across Italy for its pasta.

Bologna is easily accessible from several of northern Italy’s larger cities, as a city that can be explored on foot in a day, it’s the perfect day trip from Rome or as part of a longer trip like this 9-Day Gastronomic Rome to Venice Adventure.

Step in a Shakespearean Play in Verona

Perhaps best known for creating the setting for William Shakespeare's infamous Romeo & Juliet, Verona is a sleepy medieval town set along the winding Adige River in northern Italy.

Amid romantic Renaissance buildings, Verona is centred by a huge amphitheatre that was built in the 1st century. Still in use today, the amphitheatre hosts theatre performances and operatic symphonies that provide a once in a lifetime experience in the centre of this beautiful northern Italian city. 

Within close reach of Lake Garda, Verona is the artistic addition to your holiday in northern Italy that when paired with the dramatic scenery of the lake, creates the quintessential Italian experience like on this 24-Day Best of Italy Cities & Countryside trip. 

Visit Northern Italy’s Westernmost City, Turin

Very much the forgotten superstar of northern Italy, Turin is the westernmost city that has been overshadowed due to the mighty fame of nearby Rome and Venice.

The centre of the city is small, so Turin is best navigated on foot, where you'll find yourself wandering through open tree-lined boulevards and cobblestone streets, passing by piazzas that are surrounded by museums and art nouveau cafes. Its quaint feel is typified by its renowned reputation for art, food and wine, not to mention its proximity to the northern Italian mountain ranges that can be seen lingering in the distance at almost any point in the city. 

Northern Italy is vast, however, this does not mean it isn't well connected!

For a flexible and easy-going way to explore this beautiful part of Italy, you can use public transportation. All of northern Italy’s cities more or less have the same systems in place such as the train, tram or bus. Alternatively, you can arrange private transportation with one of our Local Designers.

How to Get to Milan in Northern Italy

An eclectic metropolis of a city, you can access any part of Milan at any time of the day. There are buses, trams and Metro services that operate for no more than €1.50, meaning you can hop around the city until early evening with great ease. From Milan, you are just a short distance from northern Italy’s gem, Lake Como, which can be accessed by train or private car.

If you want to incorporate Florence in your trip to Milan, you can catch the train from the city centre. If you leave in the morning, you'll make it just in time for lunch, as the train takes just 4 hours. If you want to make it to Genoa, you'll be looking out to the coast within 2 hours. 

How to Get to Venice in Northern Italy

The floating artistic city of Venice is one that is best to explore either on foot or by boat. There are water taxi services that run at all times of the day. Using this service is an essential part of your Venetian experience and a must if you want to get from A to B with ease! 

For the complete Italian experience, you can add Venice to your Italy trip at the beginning or end by incorporating Rome while travelling through Tuscant. 

How to Get to Verona in Northern Italy

To explore the medieval beauty of Verona, it's best to take the public transport system as it is easy to navigate. There are regular stops that will get you around the city efficiently. Should you wish to take a taxi at your convenience, there are designated taxi ranks.

You can get to Venice from Verona or vice versa using the train service, and it takes just an hour and a half.

Car Rental in Northern Italy

No matter where you wish to travel in the north of Italy, hiring a car is always an option. This way you can access little-known parts that will astound you with their beauty. It is advised that you avoid driving around city centres as the traffic systems can be confusing and, therefore, dangerous for those who do not know the roads.

While hiring a car is possible in any of the main cities in the north of Italy, it is much cheaper if you pre-arrange your car hire, which can be organised by one of our Local Designers in Italy.

Bicycle Hire in Northern Italy

Alternatively, there is a bike scheme, which is becoming increasingly popular across Europe and should definitely be taken advantage of! All you need to do is sign up, and you can pick up and drop off bikes at designated parking spots across the city.

Accommodation in Milan

If you want to visit the fashion capital of northern Italy but are on a tight budget, Biocity Hotel, although one of the cheaper options in the city, is definitely not lacking in style. Most of the rooms at Biocity have beautiful ornate balconies that look out onto the Milan. All of the rooms have a colour therapy shower, which is a unique addition to the amenities in the hotel.

Biocity Hotel is just outside of the central district of the city, giving you the benefit of being just moments from all the attractions while paying slightly less than you would pay in the centre of the city. 

If this is your first time in Milan, stay in an area similar to this or even closer to the centre so you can find your way back with ease in your free time.

Accommodation in Venice

To experience Venice, you have to be at the heart of it, and we've made some recommendations that could not be more Venetian. 

Perfect for families who are looking to travel to absorb the rustic Venetian atmosphere, Hotel Arlecchino offers picture-perfect canal-side accommodation that meets the desires and needs of budget travellers. With large rooms and al fresco dining, the hotel is ideal for both short and long stays in the city. 

Facing the Rialto Bridge, Hotel San Cassiano Ca Favretto is one of the finest hotels in the city, it's picturesque location, and 14th-century design will take your breath away. 

Once home to an important Venetian artist, the hotel's history and grandeur can be felt in every room, decorated with Venetian antiques and adorned with Murano-style chandeliers. Although parts of this hotel may feel like a museum, the rooms are equipped with all of the modern amenities you would expect in a hotel of its class.

Accommodation in Bologna

Facing onto a park in the centre of the city, Hotel Mercure Bologna Centro exudes the charm of the people of Bologna and the northern Italian city itself. The location of this hotel makes it ideal for solo travellers visiting the city; all of the attractions are just a short distance from the city. 

The train station is just behind the hotel for easy access to nearby Parma and Genoa, and Venice and Florence, which are slightly further away.

Accommodation in Turin

A luxurious boutique escape in the centre of the city, TownHouse70 is modern and spacious yet retains its Italian charm with an outdoor terrace and relaxed atmosphere. Just moments from the main attractions of the city and surrounded by restaurants and bars, TownHouse70 is excellent for couples and solo travellers looking to find their way around the city. 

The TownHouse70 is an extravagant way to start your holiday in northern Italy. To continue the decadence, you can make your way to Lake Garda then next day just like in this 8-day trip to Turin, Lake Garda, Venice and Rome, it only takes 2 hours!

Milan, the Home of Risotto

Milanese food is refined yet comforting. Eating here will make you feel warm inside like your long-lost Italian grandmother came to the restaurant to serve you with your favourite childhood dish. It's also home to some of the most famous Italian dishes in the world, including risotto.

Although its origins are contested between north and south of Italy, the grand title of the original risotto lies with Milan (we think), and 'it's everywhere! 

For the original flavours of Milanese risotto, you can visit almost any "trattoria" or "osteria" and find risotto on the menu. Although, please be aware that these restaurants change their menus daily, so it might not always be there. 

Venice, the Heart of Northern Italy’s Seafood Scene

As a famous port city, when visiting Venice, you have to enjoy the seafood that comes into this magical city. 

One of the most famous dishes, well-loved by Venetians, is 'Baccala' Mantecata, a dish that is so true to Venice, you will struggle to find it elsewhere in the country. The dish is made of salted Norwegian stockfish (which is often replaced with codfish), that is boiled in milk with garlic and served mashed on grilled polenta. 

The dish comes from 15th-century sailors who were shipwrecked on a paradise island off of the coast of Norway, where locals taught them how to beat the fish until it became a creamy paste. Most local restaurants will serve this dish, particularly "cantinas" that specialise in antipasti.

More Risotto in Verona

Yes, please! 

Italians take this dish seriously. You could travel around the north of Italy sampling different versions of risotto and never get bored! In Verona, locals love risotto al tastasal, which is served with ground pork and a sausage-like sauce. Rice is one of the staples of Italian cuisine, so much so that there is a festival dedicated to the grain held annually in Verona.

The people of Verona love to stick to their origins when it comes to food; you'll find traditional meats, cheeses, polenta and biscuits everywhere when wandering the streets. 

The Hearty Pasta Dishes of Bologna

In case you had not realised already, Bologna is the founding home of the world's most-loved pasta dish, Bolognese. 

The list of food that you must try in Bologna is quite intimidating and most of the dishes are wholesome and filling, so it's best to take your time. 

Top of the list has to be tortellini - Bologna is the land of stuffed pasta! Most notable of which is Tortellini in Brodo, which is a delicious dish of little parcels in a rich meat broth. You'll find this outstanding dish in most restaurants around the city as it is a favourite among locals.

The cost of your trip to northern Italy will vary depending on the following:

• Length of your trip
• Whether you wish to travel in Summer or winter
• Your accommodation
• How many locations you want to visit
• Number and types of activities you want to do
• Number of meals you wish to include
• How much you want to spend on shopping

Your customised trip could be your most significant purchase of the year, so to ensure it is one of the most memorable yet, contact one of our Local Designers in Italy who are ready and waiting to make it so. 

Everyone one has a different idea of what makes a perfect holiday, whether you want to hop from site to site or sit on a beach, you are the only one that can decide. When thinking of your custom trip, this is all you need to think about; our Local Designers will do the rest. Covering everything from your airport pick up to restaurant suggestions and everything in between.

The cost of a tailor-made northern Italy tour varies greatly depending on this choice.

As an example of a luxury trip through Northern Italy, this 9-Day Luxury Rome to Venice Journey costs around $5,510 per person and features:

• 5-star accommodation
• 25 activities
• Airport transfers and transport by private car
• Ground transportation
• Travel insurance
• 8 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 1 dinner

The cost of a tailor-made northern Italy trip starts at roughly $2,000 per person for a 7-day trip. As an example, this 7-Day Milan, Florence and Venice trip starts at approximately $1,780 per person and includes:

• 4-star hotels
• An assortment of guided activities and day tours
• Airport transport
• Ground transportation
• 6 breakfasts

By adjusting parts of a trip, you can create a more budget-friendly trip: travelling by bus or train will make your trip cheaper than travelling by private car; staying in less popular but equally delightful towns will also reduce the cost; and choosing to join group tours rather than individually guided tours will create a more budget trip. 

On the flip side, adding Michelin-starred dining opportunities, unique customised experiences and 5-star boutique hotels creates a luxury custom trip.

Everyone has different interests, priorities and preferences when it comes to planning a trip to Italy or anywhere in the world for that matter. With Designer Journeys, you can browse our range of fully-customisable Italy trips and tailor any one of them to your preferences with an expert Local Designer. Or better yet, select what you want out of a trip using the 'Design your Own Trip' function and let a Local Designer design your perfect trip.

When in Northern Italy, you’ll find that the largest festivals that are worth going to are in the East. 

Venice Biennale, Northern Italy’s Biggest Arts Exhibition

Held every two years between May and November, Venice is taken over by hundreds of exhibitions that cover every nook and cranny of the city. The Biennale d’Arte is regarded as one of the most important art exposés in the world, as artists from countries across all continents are invited to represent their country in Venice. 

The Biennale does not just cover fine art; numerous exhibitions include theatre, film, dance and architecture that are all centred around a theme that changes every year.

Carnevale in Venice: A Must-Do in Northern Italy
February

In Spring, the city of Venice comes alive in all its 18th-century glory. In February, the week before Lent, Catholic countries across the world celebrate what we have now come to know as Mardi Gras, or Martedi Grasso, as it is known in Italy. However, in Venice, it’s still called by its old name, Carnevale. 

Every part of Italy celebrates Carnevale in its own way, however, Venice is a little special; locals pull out their 18th-century finery in all its masqueraded and corseted glory and take to the streets. It has been voted as one of the best places to visit during this time, earning its reputation for its elaborate decorations. 

Opera in Arena in Verona

There is no better setting for a theatre performance than in the Roman amphitheatre of Verona. Throughout the Summer from June to August, the arena hosts modern theatre performances alongside opera and classical plays. Every year, there is a performance of Aida, just as the theatre has done since 1913.

Regata Storica in Venice

Regata Storica, one of the most traditional events in Venice, is a chance for another part of Venice to demonstrate its refinery as boats and gondolas of the city are decorated and paraded down the Grand Canal. 

This spectacular event brings locals and their children on the first Sunday in September, to watch a historical boat parade and a series of rowing races, while enjoying the exciting atmosphere that fills the city. 

Festival Shakespearian in Verona

If there was not a festival dedicated to Shakespeare, would it really be Verona? 

Set in the ambient setting of Teatro Romano, over the Summer months (June - September), there are numerous showings of Shakespeare’s favourites, as well as ballet performances and concerts that range from opera to jazz.