Northern Italy itinerary: lakes, mountains and medieval villages

From the canals of Venice to the mighty Dolomites and the stunning Italian Riviera, there's so much to see and experience in this part of the country, so not everything is included in this list.

However, we have spent a considerable amount of time in the north of Italy, and this is what we’d recommend if you have some spare time, a bit of extra cash and the luxury of travelling a little slower.

You'll need at least two weeks for this itinerary, although you may choose to take much longer than that. As people travel for varying lengths of time and enjoy travelling at different paces, I've deliberately kept this itinerary flexible.

This way you can decide how much time you'd like to dedicate to each of the places in this beautiful region. If it all feels a bit rushed, do what we do - pick your priorities and leave the rest for another trip!

Fly into Milan and spend a few days there (1-3 nights)

It doesn't need to be Milan... It could be Genoa or anywhere that isn’t predominantly a tourist town. Starting out in a working city gives you a chance to ease into the Italian way of life without a million tourists.

Saying that, Milan in particular is a great introduction to Northern Italy: there's plenty of shopping, famous brands and a café culture. All in all, a great place to recover from jetlag. There are some big attractions in Milan (the Duomo, La Scala, the Galleria, and Leonardo's The Last Supper to start) so there’s lots to see, but not enough to be overwhelming. Even if you're only able to spend a day in Milan, the train station has connections everywhere, so it’s a good place to start navigating public transport.

Recommendations:

Stay at the NYX Hotel Milan with cool rooms, a convenient location and a rooftop terrace

Visit the Duomo, La Scala and the Galleria

Book a guided tour to see The Last Supper

Explore the Dolomites (3-7 nights, or more)

For truly spectacular scenery and and some insight into a different side of Italy, spend some time in the Dolomites. The area is good for walking, hiking and mountain in the summer and skiing in the winter. Pick a town to base yourself in - Bolzano and Trento are popular choices - just keep in mind that locals are more likely to speak German than English, or even Italian.

Most of this region was Austrian until it was annexed by Italy after World War I and it shows in both the food and the culture. Italy is renowned for its regional rivalries but that is even more marked here. Spend some time in the museums to find out more about the area's fascinating history (and see some examples of the war bunkers), then dedicate the rest of your trip to enjoying the scenery.

Although the train network is good, it's worth hiring a car for this part of your trip or take a day trip into the mountains. Go north from Bolzano and visit Val Pusteria lake, a long valley home to stunning landscapes and the famous Lago di Braies. An alpine lake nestled in the mountains, it's worth the walk to get there, and you can even row a boat on the water in the summer. Nearby Lake Dobbiaco is not as famous and is a great option for kids. Other nearby attractions include wine tasting at monasteries and marvelling at the beautiful frescoes inside the cathedral in Bressanone.

Recommendations:

Stay at the Parkhotel Laurin in a historic building in Bolzano's Old Town. For a more affordable option on the train route, pick Boutique Exclusive B&B in Trento

Visit the Val Pusteria, Val di Funes and the Puez-Odle Natural Park, and the elegant town of Cortina.

Book a day trip into the mountains if you aren't travelling by car.

Spend at least one night in Venice (1-3 nights)

Venice can be madness during the day, full of crowds, tourists on gondola rides and tours from cruise ship. To see another side of the city, spend at least one night there (we recommend three). At night, the city seems to relx, the crowds thin, and the vibrancy and magic come through. St Mark’s Square is especially beautiful at night, with live music and soft lighting.

During the day, see some of the many attractions in Venice. Visit the famous Bridge of Sighs - its name is a reference to the bridge being the last thing many convicted criminals saw before they were executed (it was originally part of the prison complex). Then head to the Venetian Ghetto, the old Jewish District.

Established in the 1500s, it was the world's first ghetto and is still a predominantly Jewish neighbourhood today. Consider stopping at one of the local restaurants for lunch. Delicious and affordable, you'll be able to sit by the Grand Canal and watch the world go by.

zastavkin | depositphotos

Getting lost in Venice is a prerequisite for any visit, so take your time wandering through the narrow streets. Then take a break from that (and the crowds) and take a ferry to one of the neighbouring islands. Murano, Burano and Torcello and famous for their glass, lace and cathedral respectively. You can visit all three in a whirlwind tour, or just go to one for a deeper perspective on its history and culture.

Recommendations:

Stay at Rosa Salva, a historic boutique hotel near St Mark's Square or read our Venice neighbourhood guide.

Visit the Rialto Market, St Mark's Basilica and Doge’s Palace - this tour gets you priority access to the last two

Book a day trip to the neighbouring islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello.

Relax in a typical Italian town (3-7 nights)

We suggest somewhere in the Emilia-Romagna region, however, the location isn't that important - find somewhere that resonates with you. Then take a week (or longer if you have time) to experience the food, surroundings and quirks of that particular location.

One of the things that we noticed in Italy was that people are fiercely proud of their town and region (especially when compared to other places in the country). Spending longer somewhere starts to give you a more in-depth perspective of that place, and its own unique brand of tribalism. It's a double-edged sword - if you stay too long, you quickly realise that there's a good chance you'll never belong.

Regardless, there's definitely something amazing about slowly starting to realise how locals see and feel about this place that most people only see for a day or two. In fact, you may even find yourself returning there on your next trip to Italy.

If you don't have time to relax in Emilia-Romagna, consider spending a few days Verona on your way to or from the Dolomites. Otherwise, base yourself in one of Liguria's seaside towns along the Italian Riviera and get a taste of village life while doing day trips to the Cinque Terre and surrounding towns.

Recommendations:

Stay at Albergo La Rocca, a traditional hotel in the beautiful medieval town of Brisighella

Visit the Vena del Gesso Romagnola Regional Park and the nearby city of Bologna and see the stunning mosaics in Ravenna.

Take one of the longer walks in the Cinque Terre (budget 3-7 nights in Liguria)

The Cinque Terre are five famous fishing villages dotted along the coast of Liguria, with a national park rising into the hills behind them. While it's a tourist tradition to walk between them, you can also visit them by train or boat. I'm going to break with tradition and suggest you do the latter... with the caveat that you should do one of the longer walks in the national park, perhaps between just two of the villages.

The main benefit in doing one of the longer walks is that it tends to go higher - meaning you get the really spectacular views of the villages. These routes are also quieter, so there's most space for walking, taking a break and photos without crowds of people. The Cinque Terre are famous for the terraced vineyards on the clifftops, and the higher paths (some of which are practically goat tracks) take you through them, along with colourful flowers and amazing views of the ocean. Just make sure you go prepared with enough water and snacks (unlike us).

Whatever your path, stay in Monterosso for dinner. One of the bigger towns, there's a large, sandy beach if you want to have a swim after your walk. Otherwise, try one of the lovely restaurants in the town - the seafood risotto we had at a tiny restaurants in Monterosso was one of our best meals in Italy.

Recommendations:

Stay at the Hotel Miramare & Spa in Sestri Levante, a seaside town situated conveniently between the Cinque Terre and Genoa. For more ideas read our guide on where to stay in the Cinque Terre.

Visit the Cinque Terre and nearby towns of Portofino and Santa Margherita Ligure (more on this below)

Visit Portofino from Santa Margherita Ligure

During your stay in Liguria, take the opportunity to visit these two towns. While Portofino is a household name, Santa Margherita is probably one of the loveliest towns in the Italian Riviera. With pretty coloured buildings, a walkable harbour and some great food and restaurant options, Santa Margherita is an affordable alternative to Portofino. Its good train and bus connections also make it a great base for exploring the region.

From Santa Margherita, you can take a ferry to Portofino or you can walk along the coast. I suggest you walk there - the route hugs the coastline, you can see villas and resorts tucked into the hillside and stop at pebbled beaches for a swim. The water is visible all the way - dark blue, silky and tempting - until you finally reach the rocky inlet and tiny town of Portofino.

The town is small but beautiful, and you can see where the movie stars spend their holidays. Consider staying for lunch, but Portofino is expensive - don't be surprised if you find yourself opting for a beer from the corner store instead, enjoyed on the waterfront near where the luxury yachts are docked. An afternoon should be enough to see the town, then take the ferry back to Santa Margherita, for an on-water perspective of both seaside towns.

Get to know Genoa (1-3 nights)

Potentially Italy's most underrated city, Genoa is a coastal city situated on the Ligurian Sea. Historically a maritime city state like Venice, there's a wealth of art, culture and history to see in this beautiful city. You'll have no shortage of things to do in Genoa.

The historical centre is surprisingly large and full of gems and photo opportunities. Take a break from the winding cobblestoned streets and explore Via Garibaldi, the 16th Century street home to a range of palaces and museums - Palazzo Rosso, the Palazzo Bianco, and the Palazzo Doria Tursi all show works from famous Italian artists and the buildings themselves are worth a visit.

The old port of the city, Porto Antico, should definitely be on your list. The old port has been completely revitalised and is home to the largest aquarium in Europe with over 15,000 animals belonging to 400 species. While you're in the area, go up the Bigo elevator for panoramic views of the city and the old harbour.

For a break from the city, take a walk along the Corso Italia, a three-kilometre route along the coast of Genoa. Keep going until you get to Boccadasse, the old "fishermen's district" of Genoa. With a pebbled beach, pastel-coloured houses and colourful fishing boats, Boccadessa gives you a wonderfully different perspective of the city. And, while you're here, be sure to try some of the excellent fish restaurants.

While we're on the subject of food, Genoa has many dishes worth sampling. As well as the obligatory seafood, be sure to try the pansotti alla salsa di noci, a pasta stuffed with chard and ricotta, topped with a walnut sauce. Other stars include fish stews, pandolce (a local version of pannetone and like buridda and ciuppin; capponmagro, the elaborate seafood and vegetable salad (typically prepared at Christmas); and wonderful sweets like pandolce (Genoa’s answer to panettone) and the gobeletti, Liguria's tiny jam tarts.

Recommendations:

Stay at the Hotel Palazzo Grillo in a historic building in Genoa's old town.

Visit the Porto Antico, Via Garibaldi, and the old fishing village of Boccadasse

Book a traditional Genoa food tour to try the local treats.

Admire the view at Lake Como (1-3 days)

Before heading back to Milan, spend a few days relaxing on the shores of Lake Como. Renowned for being the playground of the rich and famous, the edges of the lake are dotted with tiny, colourful towns and villages.

Bellagio is easily the most famous place to stay on Lake Como, however for a more affordable trip pick one of the smaller towns. Varenna and Lecce are both stunning, while the tiny village of Agregno gives you a completely different experience of the lake.

Spend your time exploring a couple of the lakeside towns (make sure you spend at least an afternoon exploring Bellagio) and relaxing on a terrace with a lake view. If you're in the mood for something more active, there are hiking and cycling trails near many of the towns or rent a boat or kayak and get out on the water.

Recommendations:

Stay at Villa Lina a pretty bed and breakfast with lake views in the charming town on Tremezzo. For more ideas, read our guide on where to stay in Lake Como.

Visit the enchanting towns of Bellagio and Varenna

Book a boat rental, lake cruise or kayak tour