Welcome to this comprehensive guide featuring my 10 day Northern Italy itinerary.
Whether you’re embarking on your first journey around this side of the country, or are a seasoned traveller looking to have the most refined experience, I believe this itinerary is perfect if you want to visit the main cities and towns in north east Italy.
This itinerary is designed to take you away from Venice, where the tour starts, and lead you through the picturesque landscapes of Veneto and Lombardy.
If your travel dreams include going for morning strolls along the shores of Lake Garda and discovering the charming mediaeval streets of Verona, then look no further!
This itinerary is just what you’re looking for. Join me, a girl born and bred in Veneto, on a journey that promises to unveil the beauty and charm of Northeast Italy.
Northern Italy itinerary (10 days)
In this northern Italy itinerary guide, I’ve tried to include the top destinations to not miss in northern Italy, especially if you’re interested in exploring the Veneto region.
I created a handy map that shows every stop of this itinerary. I’ll also explain how you can get around northern Italy, share some transportation tips, and finally my suggested itinerary with ideas on things to do and see for every destination.
Northern Italy itinerary map
I have created an itinerary map below. To download this Northern Italy itinerary map, simply click on it and Google Maps will automatically save it to your maps.
Keep it handy and use it as a resource to refer back to whenever you need, before and during your trip. To help you even more, I also included the must-see attractions for every single destination, so you have everything in one place!
How to get around Northern Italy
Getting around Northern Italy by car and public transport is as easy as can be. If you prefer to have flexibility and complete freedom, the best option is a car rental.
Completing this itinerary in low season or during the shoulder seasons is more convenient because you can find good deals with several car rentals. Highways in northern Italy are well-maintained but you pay tolls to access them.
As you can imagine, the main perk of driving is to stop as many times as you want and make some detours if you feel like it (or even stop off for snacks).
I also want to encourage renting a car to explore the Dolomites and Lake Garda. There are many lovely villages in both locations and all close one the other.
Despite their closeness, it can take some time to get from one place to the other by public transport. That’s why the car is the best option for these specific destinations.
Northern Italy by Train
For my readers that are not considering driving in Italy, you can still reach every location mentioned on this itinerary. Trenitalia and Italo high-speed trains can take you from Venice to Verona and then onto Lake Garda and Milan in no time.
From Venice, I recommend joining a tour or getting the bus to the Dolomites and arriving in Cortina. You can easily get to Lake Garda from Verona and vice versa by train or by bus. The positive side of travelling by train is that you don’t have to think about parking once you get to the destination, and just start your exploration!
For this itinerary I suggest combining both modes of transport as you can quite easily rent a car in Venice that will allow you to reach the Dolomites in 2 hours.
Once there, you can explore alpine villages at your own pace and then drive down Lake Garda. Here you can continue your road trip along the scenic Gardesana Orientale road and stop along the way to visit different lakeside villages and towns.
You can drop the car in Verona, visit the city and then get a high-speed train to Milan. After exploring Milan, you can simply get another high-speed train and travel back to Venice where this itinerary ends.
Got travel insurance for Northern Italy?
World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while travelling and claim online from anywhere in the world.
10 days in Northern Italy itinerary
With no further ado, let’s dive straight into this 10 days in Northern Italy itinerary and find out how you can spend your time in this magical part of the country!
Before getting into this, I’d like to clarify that this itinerary starts and ends in Venice so you can plan your travel around one of the airports near Venice if you choose.
However, feel completely free to readapt it based on your arrival and departure airports that could alternatively be Verona or even Milan (see examples below):
- Milano Malpensa,
- Milano Linate,
- Milano Bergamo.
As always, if you need my help and another pair of eyes to look at your itinerary/plan, or need more personalised plans, just email me at [email protected].
Now…Let’s go!
Venice (Day 1 & 2)
For the first two days (day 1 and 2) of this northern Italy itinerary you’ll explore the unique streets and piazzas of Venice to get yourself acquainted with the region.
The city of canals and bridges is packed with things to do and see and 2 days are definitely not enough but you can certainly get a glimpse into its timeless beauty.
Since you’re currently planning your trip to northern Italy, I invite you to read my popular 2 days in Venice itinerary which contains a full schedule and personal tips.
While in Venice, don’t miss:
- St. Mark’s Basilica: the religious heart of Venice, you can marvel at the outstanding Byzantine architecture and intricate golden mosaics covering its facade. For just 3 euros, you can get to visit the inside too.
- Doge’s Palace: the former residence of Venice’s doge, the chief magistrate of Venice. It’s adorned with masterpieces by Titian and Tintoretto. No visit is complete without crossing the Bridge of Sighs. I recommend booking a guided tour of St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace and skip the lines.
- Gondola ride on the Grand Canal: a gondola ride lasts around 30 minutes so you can easily fit one in. I recommend getting the gondola from less touristy locations but with scenic routes, like from the pier Santa Maria del Giglio.
- Rialto Bridge and market: one of the best places to take pictures of the Grand Canal! The Rialto bridge and market are the most vibrant places in Venice and the best to find fresh fish and seafood for your meals.
With 2 days in Venice you can indulge in some of the must-eat Venetian foods, visit the famous Libreria Acqua Alta and other lesser known gems, but also go for a stroll around the neighbourhoods of Dorsoduro and San Polo.
Where to stay in Venice
Here’s my personal selection of recommended places to stay in Venice:
- Palazzo Venart Luxury Hotel ($$$): a stunning 16th-century palace inside and out, overlooking the Grand Canal with a in-house 2 Michelin star restaurant.
- Hotel Al Ponte Mocenigo ($$): a 3 star hotel housed in a Venetian palace, only 10 minutes walk from the train station and Piazzale Roma.
- Alla Corte Rossa ($): this lovely B&B is only 2 minutes walk from the vibrant Campo Santa Margherita, in Dorsoduro. The perfect neighbourhood to enjoy the most authentic side of Venice.
There are so many other options, as you can imagine. See my guide that looks at where to stay in Venice in more detail to review more types of accommodation.
The Dolomites (Day 3 & 4)
The following stop of this itinerary are the beautiful Dolomites. This mountain range extends for nearly 16000 km in north east Italy, more precisely in the Veneto and Trentino Alto Adige regions.
From Venice, you can either join one of the organised day trip tours to Dolomites that will take you back to Venice once finished.
Alternatively, you can get the Cortina Express bus from Piazzale Roma that takes between 2 to 3 hours to get to Cortina. The bus stops in different places along the way such as Valle di Cadore, Borca di Cadore and San Vito di Cadore.
I suggest hiring a car in Venice (or Mestre) and driving to a village of your choice in the Dolomites. Any village near Cortina d’Ampezzo is perfect to explore the entire area. See my guide to driving in Venice for more ideas on how you can plan ahead.
These are some of the unmissable things to do in the Dolomites:
- Trek the Tre Cime di Lavaredo: this group of mountains never fails to mesmerise people. I went hiking around the area a couple of times in the past and absolutely recommend it!
- Get the cable car to Cinque Torri: take a scenic ride up to Cinque Torri for panoramic views of the Dolomites. If you’re into rock climbing you can embark on this activity too.
- Marvel at the turquoise waters of Lake Sorapis: I also completed this hike in the past and have a vivid memory of this glacial lake. Over the years, tourists have taken over this place, but it’s still worth planning a trek to visit it (avoid the crowds by travelling on weekdays).
- Visit Lake Misurina: It’s a perfect spot for leisurely walks and to take in the beauty of this side of the Dolomites.
Where to stay in the Dolomites near Cortina d’Ampezzo
Here’s my personal selection of places to stay in or near Cortina d’Ampezzo:
- HOTEL de LEN $$$: it’s a 4-star hotel only 200 metres away from Cortina’s city centre. Check out the spectacular views you can enjoy from this property!
- B&B Hotel Passo Tre Croci Cortina $$: this cosy B&B is near Misurina Lake, the Tre Cime of Lavaredo, the Sorapis Lake. It’s basically the perfect place to stay to start exploring the side of the Dolomites.
- Albergo Chalet Lago Antorno $: the property overlooks the Antorno lake offering lovely views. It blends perfectly the typical alpine style with stylish and modern furniture.
Lake Garda (Day 6 & 7)
From the Dolomites, drive down to Lake Garda, your next destination of this northern Italy itinerary. By car you drive along the Gardesana Orientale road and visit a couple of villages and towns of your choice.
Some places you can stop by along the way arriving from the Dolomites are:
- Malcesine;
- Torri del Benaco;
- Bardolino;
- Lazise sul Garda;
- Peschiera del Garda;
- Sirmione.
Lake Garda, which is also called Lake Benaco (did you know?) is located in north east Italy and it’s the largest lake in the country. Its coasts belong to 3 different regions: Veneto, Trentino Alto Adige and Lombardy.
By following this itinerary you’ll cover the main locations worth visiting on Veneto’s side. If you happen to have more time on your hands, you can also take a look at my Lake Garda itinerary if you want see how I recently spent my time here.
Here’s some ideas on what you can do in each place:
- Malcesine: Take the cable car up to Monte Baldo to enjoy spectacular views over Lake Garda and the surrounding mountains.
- Torri del Benaco: Visit the Scaliger Castle, the mediaeval castle and stroll around the streets and piazzas of this charming village.
- Bardolino: this town is famous for its wine production. You can visit a local vineyard to taste Bardolino wine and learn about the traditional wine-making process.
- Lazise sul Garda: spend a day at the Thermal Park at Villa dei Cedri or simply visit the picturesque Lungolago Marconi, the promenade from where you can capture incredible sunset pictures.
- Peschiera del Garda: this town is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is known for the impressive fortifications and charming canal-lined streets.
- Sirmione: here you can visit the Scaliger Castle, the Grotte di Catullo and the thermal baths.
Where to stay in Lake Garda
Here’s my personal selection of recommended places to stay in Lake Garda:
- Aqualux Hotel Spa Suite & Terme $$$: this 4 star hotel in Bardolino is a brand new retreat space perfect for anyone looking for a luxurious stay and to make the most of the extensive spa facilities.
- Bardoliners $$: this lovely guest house is just in front of the beach of Bardolino and you can find good deals even if booking last minute!
- Hotel Castello S. Antonio $: is only 1.6 km from Lazise sul Garda. From this top rated property you’ll enjoy fantastic views of the lake and the surrounding hills.
Verona (Day 5)
From the southern shores of Lake Garda, you can reach Verona in less than 30 minutes and start your exploration of the famous City of Love.
Verona is known for:
- The beautiful Roman amphitheatre called Arena di Verona;
- Juliet’s Balcony from where Juliet used to secretly whisper love words to Romeo according to Shakespeare’s tragedy;
- The vibrant Piazza delle Erbe where you can stroll among the lively market stall and admire the towering Torre dei Lamberti, and Piazza dei Signori with at its centre the monument to Dante Alighieri;
- Castelvecchio, Verona’s castle and most important defensive construction of the Scaliger family;
- The Scaliger tombs, just a few steps away from Piazza dei Signori.
After dropping off your car, you can spend the rest of your time exploring all these attractions during your day 5.
Everything in Verona is within walking distance and you can get the Verona city card and skip the line access to the Arena and visit Juliet’s house and other city museums.
I also recommend going for a walk along the Adige river, crossing the Ponte Pietra and getting the cable car or walking up to Castel San Pietro. From there, you can admire incredible views of Verona from above and it’s a popular spot around sunset.
Milan (Day 8 & 9)
From Verona Porta Nuova, you can get a Trenitalia or Italo high-speed train to Milano Centrale, where you’ll spend 2 days.
Milan is a cosmopolitan city, also called the Fashion capital city and you’ll pretty soon understand why, simply walking around its streets.
Despite its modern look, there’s a lot of history and architectural masterpieces to explore during your time here.
Here’s what you can do in 2 days in Milan:
- Duomo di Milano: visit the impressive Gothic cathedral that stands at the heart of Milan. You can also get to its rooftop terrace from where you can enjoy amazing panoramic views of the whole city and beyond.
- Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II: the 19th-century arcade features majestic glass and iron roofs and it happens to be one of the world’s oldest shopping malls in the world too!
- Sforza Castle: this is Milan’s castle that houses museums and art collections.
- Santa Maria delle Grazie: this church that looks like many others is actually home to Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper’. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most important artistic sites in the world.
- Navigli district: no stay in Milan is complete without indulging in the much beloved Milanese’s happy hour. Just go for a stroll down the Navigli promenade and stop for a drink (or two) along the way.
The rest of your time, I suggest going for long walks in the Brera district, in the Sempione park and do some (window) shopping in the Quadrilatero district and Corso Venezia.
Where to stay in Milan
Here’s my personal selection of recommended places to stay in Milan:
- Sonder Missori $$$: only a few minutes walk from Duomo, the 4 star property features modern apartment that blend contemporary style with comfort.
- Zebra Naviglio $$: located in the Navigli neighbourhood, Zebra Naviglio is a boutique 3 star guest house with artistic flair and modern amenities.
- Hotel Repubblica $: located near Milan’s central train station and major shopping districts, this 2 star hotel is the ideal choice for budget travellers.
Venice (Day 10)
From Milano Centrale, you can travel back to Venice, the starting point of this 10 day itinerary by high-speed train. You’ll arrive at Santa Lucia train station.
Depending on what time your flight is, you can either get a bus or water bus to Marco Polo airport or spend some extra time in Venice, exploring the neighbourhood of Cannaregio.
I like to recommend that visitor to Venice go to Cannaregio because it is one of the closest districts to the station and one of the best to explore with limited time.
Here in Cannaregio neighbourhood you can:
- Walk past the Ponte delle Guglie;
- Visit the Jewish Ghetto, the oldest ghetto in the world;
- Do some bacari hopping along Rio della Misericordia. Take a look at my Cannaregio walking bacari map to learn more!
To make sure you have all in order for the airport, check my guides to find out how to get from Venice city centre to Marco Polo airport or from Venice to Treviso airport.
10 days in Northern Italy itinerary
This Northern Italy itinerary is perfect if you have 10 days to explore this side of the country, and even better if have a special interest in the Veneto region.
The good news is that you can choose to complete it by train, by car or ideally, combining these 2 modes of transport. What I like, and I think you will like about it too, is all the diverse landscapes that you get to visit in such a short span of time.
With it’s starting point in Venice, then heading up on over to the majestic Dolomites, then to some of the charming villages that surround Lake Garda and the rich cities of Verona and Milan, this itinerary has literally it all!
Feel free to complete the itinerary in reverse and change the arrival or even the departure airport (if necessary) to make it fit to your exact needs.
Also, if you have more time in Italy to spend, why not see this list of some of my favourite cities in Veneto for ideas on places that you can visit while in the region?
📌 Like this article? Click to Pin it…
If you found this Venice travel guide helpful, feel free to buy me a virtual coffee here.
“Dear traveller! Some links in this post contain affiliate links. Meaning, if you click through and make a tour booking or reserve a hotel, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Your support means a lot to me and helps me to keep creating and maintaining the quality of this site for you.”
