Day Trips from Milan

Did you know that there are so many things to see and do just a short distance from Milan?

I’m sharing my experience as a solo traveler at Lago di Como, along with some ideas for other day trips on my bucket list that I’ve already researched.

So, let’s go to it! My day trip experience from Milan.

Before starting my trip, I warmed up with a morning walk and a coffee with a friend. At 8:00 AM, I left Porta Romana and walked to Castello Sforzesco. I love morning walks, and since it was July, the sun was already warm but still pleasant—perfect for a day trip.

Behind Castello Sforzesco, we stopped at a café for a coffee. It was my first time in this area, and I found it very lively, with a university vibe, lots of cute cafés, and people already jogging or working out in the morning.

Martesana pastry shop
It’s actually more of a pastry shop, but perfect for a sweet treat with a good coffee.

After breakfast, I said goodbye to my friend and set off on my solo day trip from Milan. Getting to Como was super easy, and now I’ll tell you how my day went.

1. Como
Why visit?
A stunning place less than an hour from Milan. Como offers a mix of lake and mountains, with Christmas markets in winter, breathtaking views in autumn, and plenty of outdoor activities in summer, like boat rides, water sports, or simply relaxing in the sun. There are also amazing restaurants.

Cosa vedere?
Lungolago di Como, perfetto per una passeggiata.

Basilica di San Fedele

Duomo di Como, un capolavoro gotico.

Funicolare per Brunate, con vista spettacolare (6€ A/R).

Instead, I decided to go hiking! Walking is one of my passions, and I think it’s the best way to explore a new place.

It’s pretty easy to find the trail even without Google Maps. There are signs starting from the Duomo leading to the trail entrance. The difficulty is low, but it’s all uphill. After walking around the town and the lake, it can be a bit tiring but totally doable.
Duration: 1h30
Distance: 3km (6km if you walk back down)

On the way up, I saw a family of wild boars—my first time seeing them! I was alone and a little scared because people say that mother boars can become aggressive to protect their babies. But in the end, if you respect them and don’t do anything, they stay calm.
At the top, I was starving, so I stopped at the first place I found for a big plate of pasta. Only after that did I finally enjoy the well-deserved view from the lighthouse. In the end, the real reward isn’t just the food, but the moment when you stop, breathe, and take in the place you’ve reached.

Fun facts
George Clooney owns a villa on Lago di Como.
Como is famous for its high-quality silk production.

How to get there from Porta Romana
-Tram: Take Tram 9 from Viale Tunisia to Milano Centrale (10 min, €2.20).
-Train: From Milano Centrale to Como San Giovanni (40 min, €5-8 one way).
-Walk: From the station to the city center (10 min).
-Total travel time: ~1 hour (by train, but the enjoyment and coming back it the entire day – I went at 10:00am and ame back at 8pm in Milan)
-Round-trip transport cost: ~€15-20

As said before, near Milan there are many places to visit and easy to get to. For the next time you go to Milan, it is definitely worth taking 1 day to do a day trip.

2. Pavia – Culture, history, and good food
Why visit?
Pavia is a university town with a relaxed atmosphere and a historic center full of medieval and Renaissance monuments. Perfect for a stress-free cultural trip.

What to see
Ponte Coperto, the city’s symbol.
Duomo di Pavia, with one of the largest domes in Italy.
Castello Visconteo, home to Pavia’s Civic Museums.
Certosa di Pavia, one of the most beautiful monasteries in Italy (free entry).

Fun facts
The philosopher Descartes studied in Pavia.
The city is home to one of the oldest universities in Europe (1361).

How to get there from Porta Romana
Metro: Take M3 (yellow) from Repubblica to Milano Rogoredo (5 min, 2.20€).
Train: From Milano Rogoredo to Pavia (30 min, 5-7€ one way).
Walk: From the station to the historic center (10 min).
Total travel time: ~50 min
Round-trip transport cost: ~14-18€

3. Lago d’Iseo and Monte Isola – Nature
Why visit?
Less touristy than Como and Garda, Lago d’Iseo offers incredible landscapes. Monte Isola, the largest inhabited lake island in Europe, is perfect for a day of walks and good food.

What to see
Monte Isola, a car-free island ideal for biking and walking.
Santuario della Madonna della Ceriola, with breathtaking views.
Lungolago di Iseo, great for an aperitivo at sunset.

Fun facts
In 2016, artist Christo created “The Floating Piers,” a floating walkway on the lake.
Monte Isola is famous for its traditional cured meat, “Soppressata di Monte Isola.”

How to get there from Porta Romana
Metro: Take M3 (yellow) from Repubblica to Milano Centrale (2 min, 2.20€).
Train: From Milano Centrale to Brescia (50 min, 7-10€ one way).
Local train: From Brescia to Sulzano (30 min, 3€).
Ferry: From Sulzano to Monte Isola (5 min, 5€ round trip).
Total travel time: ~2 hours
Round-trip transport cost: ~25-30€

4. Vigevano – Renaissance history
Why visit?
Just minutes from Milan, Vigevano is an elegant town with one of the most beautiful squares in Italy, perfect for a cultural day trip.

What to see
Piazza Ducale, designed by Bramante.
Castello Sforzesco di Vigevano.
Museo della Calzatura, perfect for fashion lovers.

Fun facts
Leonardo da Vinci contributed to the city’s architectural projects.
Vigevano is considered the capital of luxury footwear.

How to get there from Porta Romana
Tram: Take tram 9 from Viale Tunisia to Milano Porta Genova (15 min, 2.20€).
Train: From Milano Porta Genova to Vigevano (35 min, 5€ one way).
Total travel time: ~1 hour
Round-trip transport cost: ~14-15€

These destinations are all easily reachable by train from Milan and with a friendly budget under 60€ for the day.

Enjoy this one! =)