Getting from Milan to Lake Maggiore. Mojito and a great view: a beach holiday near Milan
From Liguria (from Genoa) to Milan is only 1.5 hours by train or car. And here, both in the city itself and in its environs, there are many interesting places.
Heading north
Lake Como
North of Milan - 40 km, located on the border with Switzerland.
Get 35-40 minutes by commuter regional train to the town of Como (Como). From the city of Como, just 5 minutes by train to the Swiss border.
Advantages: Mountain landscapes and the purest lake water. The place is famous for the villas of celebrities located here - George Clooney, Madonna, Ronaldinho, Sylvester Stallone and other most famous stars.
Entertainment: Walk around mountain paths to admire the beauty. Go to distant monasteries. Ride the funicular up the mountains. Ride boats on Lake Como between the cities on its shores.
Interesting cities: Como and Bellagio (luxurious villas and parks).
Lake Maggiore
40 km northwest of Milan, on the border with Switzerland.
Travel time 1 hour by regional train.
Advantages: Beautiful resort and fishing towns and villages, remarkable castles and villas, botanical gardens.
On Lake Modgiore:
Stresa is an admirable town: palaces and residences, green parks, Cannero Castle (Castelli di Cannero).
Borromean Islands (includes 5 small beautiful islands): Isola Bella, Isola dei Pescatori, Isola Madre and Isola San Giovanni - untouched nature, palaces, villas, botanical gardens
The town of Baveno - thermal springs.
To the Northeast, East
Bergamo
It is located 50 km north of Milan. The train ride takes about an hour. Magnificent landscapes and architecture: the Upper and Lower towns, medieval palaces, churches, a castle on a rock.
City Brescia- located northeast of Milan, from 45 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes railway transport. By car, about an hour on the way, the distance is 100 km. There are interesting historical and antique museums, a magnificent historical and architectural ensemble - the Old and New Cathedrals with amazing bas-reliefs, the city hall Palazzo dela Loggia, the ruins of the Roman forum, the magnificent ancient castle of Brescia.
Lake Garda
125 km east of Milan. The road to Lake Garda takes 1-1.2 hours by regional train, and by high-speed train it takes only 40 minutes. You need to go to the Desenzano station.
Pros: This is the best large lake Italy. Luxurious views. Olive Riviera and Lemon Riviera. Healing sources. Mud spas. Hiking tours along the mountain trails. On boats you can travel from one town to another.
From the town in the south of Lake Desenzano del Garda, you can reach Verona in 15-20 minutes by train.
Sirmione is a balneotherapy resort famous for its sulphurous springs.
Numerous climatic resorts: Desenzano, Garda, Peschiera del Garda, Salo, Lazise, Bardolino, Malcesine.
The famous amusement park "Gardaland".
Other cities worth visiting:
Sermione (on west bank lakes): Scaliger Castle, Catullus grotto, Boyola healing spring.
Malcesine: Castle of the Scaligers, a retreat for windsurfers and skydiving enthusiasts.
Limone sul Garda (in the west of the lake). - Lemon Riviera - around citrus trees.
Bardolino - many villas and palaces. Arco Castle (Castello di Arco).
Verona
From Milan to Verona 160 km (to the east). Travel time by train is about an hour.
In this, one of the most romantic cities in the world, there are many attractions. Here are the House and Courtyard of Juliet, the House of Romeo, the Antique Theater Arena di Verona (Arena di Verona). An interesting arched bridge Ponte Pietra (Ponte Pietra), built in the era of the Roman Empire. And also the Castelvecchio Castle, the Duomo di Verona Cathedral, the Church of San Zeno Maggiore, and others medieval castles and cathedrals.
Mantova
A trip to the town of Mantua can be combined with a visit to Verona. From Verona to Mantua by car only 30 minutes (45 minutes by train).
There is also a very romantic atmosphere and ancient monuments, as well as countless palaces and estates of Gonzaga, their vassals and favorites.
Vicenza
Then you can drive to Vicenza. From Milan it is at a distance of 215 km (by motorway), and from Vicenza to Verona, a distance of 53 km (by car). From Milan, it takes 1.5 hours by regional train, and less than an hour by high-speed train.
The city is famous for architecture and art. Monuments and urban villas created by the talent of Palladio, the great architect of the Renaissance, are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is worth seeing Piazza Castello, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Annuncata, the Palladio Basilica, the Capitanio Palace, the Chiericati Palace, the Olimpico Theater (also by Andrea Palladio).
Contra Porti- the main street ancient Roman city; Corso Palladio - the central street of Vicenza, it is full of both modern shops and ancient palaces, palazzos, as well as churches. Many of these buildings are by Palladio.
To the South East
Parma
From Milan to Parma, the distance is 124 km. By car, it's about an hour and a half. By high-speed train - 40 minutes.
Very beautiful old town.
Attractions:
Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta (11th century).
Ducal Palace Palazzo della Pilotta (16th century).
Farnese Theater (one of the largest theaters in Italy, seats 4 thousand spectators).
Church of San Giovanni Evangelista (The facade of the building and its halls are decorated with paintings by Correggio and Parmigianino, 15th century).
Monastery of Saint Paul.
IN National Gallery The city contains paintings by Leonardo da Vinci, Parmigianino, El Greco, Van Dyck.
Museum of Parmesan Cheese.
Another gastronomic attraction: in September, a grandiose gastronomic celebration is held - the Parma Ham Festival (Festival del Prosciutto di Parma).
Modena
Milan to Modena distance is 177 km. By car - about an hour and a half on the road, by high-speed train you can get there in less than 1 hour.
Interesting places and attractions:
Ghirlandina (bell tower) - business card Modena.
Palazzo Comunale (included in the UNESCO heritage list).
Modena Cathedral - oldest cathedral Italy.
Ferrari Museum.
Museum of Balsamic Vinegar.
Bologna
The distance from Milan to Bologna is 213 km (southeast). By car - about 2.5 hours on the way. By high-speed train Freciarossa - about 60 min.
There are simply unique ancient sights here, such as: the Towers of Bologna (11th century), the Basilica of San Domenico (13th century),
University of Bologna (11th century), Palazzo Podesta (13th century), Basilica of San Petronio (14th century), Bologna Cathedral San Pietro (11th century), Gardens of Montagnola (17th century)
And museums, theaters and libraries.
Bologna is home to the headquarters of such well-known and large industrial Italian companies as Ferrari, Lamborghini and Ducati.
South
pavia
The distance from Pavia to Milan is 35 km in a southerly direction. Getting here is very easy, it is only half an hour away by train.
Previously, it was called the "city of a thousand towers", but now very little of this antiquity has been preserved.
Attractions:
Certosa is a Carthusian monastery built in the Gothic style.
City Cathedral (Duomo).
Church of San Michele Maggiore XI-XII centuries.
Basilica of St. Petra "in the Golden Sky" - a monument of the Lombard style of the XII century, with the burial places of the Lombard kings.
Residence of the Milanese Visconti (XIV century)
Santa Maria di Canepanova is the best monument of Renaissance architecture.
Tourists pass Pavia when they drive from (or to) Genoa, that is, towards the Ligurian coast. (Genoa - 145 km, high-speed train less than an hour away).
West
Turin
Located 140 km west of Milan (by car). You can get there by regional train in 1 hour.
Turin is one of the ten most visited cities in Italy. Here you can admire the architecture in the styles of baroque, rococo, neoclassical and modern.
The city is known for its art galleries, palaces, theaters, museums, parks. Most of the castles, palaces, gardens and squares with buildings of interest to tourists date back to the 16th-18th centuries.
Worth to visit:
Mole Antonelliana, or the Tower of Passion, is Italy's tallest hand-built stone building. (Now located here National Museum cinematography in Italy).
Egyptian Museum.
Baroque Superga Monastery (burial place for members of the House of Savoy).
Residences of the House of Savoy in Turin and its environs are included in the UNESCO list of sites of historical importance:
Palazzo Reale with the Sabauda Art Gallery,
Palazzo Madama,
Palazzo Carignano,
Castle Valentine,
Racconigi Castle,
Stupinigi Castle near Turin.
Are you staying in Milan or Bergamo and want to take a day trip to Lake Como on your own? There is nothing easier. Even eight hours is enough to visit the most interesting places and villas, enjoy a boat trip and eat pizza.
And if you plan your trip well, you will get a day of rest, and not an intense running around. Author project about Italy Itally.ru Elvi Usmanova shared with Difficulties.net her experience of what to see in Como in the first place.
When I first went to Lombardy - a region in northern Italy adjacent to Switzerland, I doubted whether to go to Lake Como. I thought it was an expensive and pretentious place where vacationers flaunt along the embankment, walk new dresses and eat in expensive restaurants, and the prices are the same as in the Moscow Ritz-Carlton. These are such ridiculous stereotypes! Probably, someone goes precisely for this, but the bulk of people rest differently.
A lake of crazy beauty with a view of the mountains - I immediately fell in love. Look at the map - from Milan to Lake Como it's a stone's throw (~ 43-45 kilometers) to this inverted Y, each arm of which is 26 km long. From coast to coast at its widest point - 4 km.
A long time ago, only fishing villages stood along the banks of Como, but gradually aristocrats, business magnates, high-ranking military men, artists, captivated by the beauty of the local nature, occupied the best sites. The richer was new resident these places, the closer to the water he built a villa. That is why the most "freaky" views are from boats.
Look at the schedule and travel on the water. It's not difficult: ferries on Lake Como run all year round. And there are still small water carriers, but why spend extra euros?
The Milanese (and not only them!) adore the lake. They come for half a day, and for a couple of weeks - they live in numerous guesthouses, hotels or rent apartments. Cheaper where higher, away from the water.
When is the best time to go to Lake Como? In April-May or late September-early October, so as not to jostle among other tourists. This is the time of flowering azaleas or red leaves on maples. June is also not bad: you will have nice photos. And in July-August - only crowds in the background and sweaty faces. Plus, the prices at this time for accommodation are much higher. No, this is not at all what you dream about.
Below I give an approximate one-day itinerary along the "golden triangle" of Como: Varenna - Belagio - Villa Carlotta. For the first acquaintance it is enough, but, of course, this is a small part of the possible.
Ideally - to go around the lake completely, at least for a couple of days. But that's another story, and now a mini-case. Only what is needed and nothing more.
Here is the itinerary for a solo trip:
1. From Milan or Bergamo to Varenna
Train from Milan to Varenna:
From the central railway station Milano Centrale train leaves at 8:20, arriving at Varenna-Esino station at 9:23 (of course, you need to check the schedule every time before the trip). It is better to sit on the left side in the direction of travel - there are better views. The ticket costs from 6.70 euros. Don't miss this first train, the next one will leave for Varenna in 2 hours.
Train from Bergamo to Varenna:
There is no direct train, but it is convenient and with a transfer. We go like this: departure from Bergamo at 8:08, arrival at Varenna-Esino station at 09:23. Change in Lecco, the station is tiny, so you will quickly find your bearings. A ticket costs from 5.50 euros, it is better to take a return ticket right away. Trains from Bergamo to Lake Como run once an hour. And do not forget to validate the ticket, otherwise - a fine. Conductors run frequently.
From the station to the pier 300 meters. But do not rush to the boat right away, but go see this quiet and calm town.
Minimum program in Varenna
Walk along the promenade, walk to the main square, enjoy a strong and inexpensive espresso. Everything is close here. Route "station - Old city- coffee - mooring" will take at least 1 hour.
Maximum program
garden lovers and beautiful views I recommend Villa Monastero(Monastero) on Via Polvani, 4 (this is the continuation of Via 4 Novembre, which comes from the city center). From the pier to the villa - 750 meters, and a little longer - from the station. The long narrow garden along the lake is full of roses, magnolias and palm trees. It is neglected in places, overgrown, but very cute. You need at least half an hour for a walk, but at least 1.5 hours is better.
I don’t indicate the opening hours of Villa Monastero - it depends on the month, it often changes, sometimes the villa is closed for conferences, so check the schedule on the official website before your trip.
A ticket to the garden costs 5 euros, to the garden and to the villa - 8 euros (in 2018). Or you can buy a joint ticket to visit Villa Monastero and neighboring Villa Cipressi, whose tiny garden is especially beautiful during the wisteria bloom (April-May). Villa Cipressi is open from March until the end of October from 09:00 to 18:00 and in winter only on certain days, check the official website.
To the half-ruined castle of Castello di Vezio towering above the city (oh, what views of the lake from here!) - 20-30 minutes walk uphill, so it's better to visit it next time.
After completing this program, go down to the embankment, buy a ticket for the ferry and go to Bellagio, most beautiful city on Lake Como - guidebooks don't lie.
Villa Monastero
2. From Varenna to Bellagio
The boat leaves at 10:55, 11:30, etc.
The ferry from Varenna to Bellagio runs 1-2 times per hour, travel time is 10 minutes. From May to September, come to the box office in advance - for queue tickets. The boat has an open and closed part - for those who are cold.
Bellagio is located on the edge of the peninsula and is considered the most luxurious town on Lake Como. Of the minuses - a lot of tourists. Plan 3-4 hours for a walk around the city: the old center, numerous shops, lunch on the embankment or - cheaper - on the old streets away from the coast. There are many cafes and restaurants, but in the summer crowds of tourists storm establishments: at lunch, for example, it is difficult to find a table. And now the main thing: there are at least two beautiful villas here - Serbelloni and Melzi. The first one is generally near the pier, but they are allowed into the garden twice a day and by appointment. And to the second one you have to go 1.5 km. And even longer path through the garden. But it's easy to get into it.
Bellagio
Villa Serbelloni
If, after getting off the ferry, turn left along Piazza Giuseppe Mazzini, and after 200 meters turn right and go up to Piazza della Chiesa, 14, you will reach the Promobellagio information office. It's a five minute walk from the ferry.
From the tour office at 11 o'clock and at 15 o'clock starts walking tour through the garden of Villa Serbelloni, which dates back to the 15th century. 150 years ago, a luxurious hotel was set up in it, now it is the only 5-star hotel on the lake. Winston Churchill, Clark Gable, Al Pacino and many other famous people spent the night in it. For hotel guests, of course, the gardens are open, but the rest can only get on a guided tour from April to November.
The gardens are amazing, the views are amazing. Tours are booked in advance by phone. +39 031 951555 or + 39 031 950204. My advice: if you do not like to speak foreign languages, write to the mail [email protected] or sign up through their Facebook page (called Promobellagio). Please note: tours depart if at least 6 people have signed up.
The tour costs 9 euros and lasts 1.5 hours. If it's windy or rainy outside, then it's cancelled.
Villa Melzi
Go to Villa Melzi from the pier in the other direction for about 15 minutes. It is located on Via Lungolario Manzoni. The villa once belonged to Napoleon's associate Francesco Melzi. The coolest villa on the lake, purely in my opinion. The garden is well looked after, the paths are even, the bushes are trimmed, the flower beds are well maintained - a rest for the eyes. In April, there are already many flowers, and most importantly, multi-colored azaleas are blooming. The beauty is incredible. Flowering lasts until mid-May, but it all depends on the weather.
There is a tiny museum of archaeological finds (Etruscan, Egyptian and Roman). On the shore there is a Moorish arbor, and so Franz Liszt once worked in it.
Villa Melzi is open from the end of March to October, daily from 9:30 to 18:30. Entrance - 6.50 euros.
3. From Bellagio to Tremezzo to Villa Carlotta
The boat leaves, for example, at 16:24.
Six minutes by boat and you are on the western shore of Lake Como, in Tremezzo. From the Tremezzo pier to the famous Villa Carlotta - 5 minutes on foot.
The Prussian princess Charlotte received this villa as a wedding gift from her mother. It is a pity that the poor princess did not have a chance to spend a lot of time here - she died at 23 after the birth of her fifth child.
Not only the wonderful Botanical Garden, but also the building itself, bright and spacious, which houses the art collection. The interiors are impressive too, especially the princess room. Among the exhibits are the marble "Cupid and Psyche" by Adamo Tadolini, "Palamed" and "Terpsichore" by Antonio Canova and others. Don't forget to look at the ceiling on the second floor - fantastically beautiful!
By the way, recently the Italian fashion house Dolce & Gabbana filmed its Alta Sartoria collection for super-rich clients in this historic place. Jackets for 80 thousand euros and boots for 20 thousand looked good against her background. And I was glad that the villa received additional income that month.
But fashion is fashion, and usually the villa is open to everyone, although for a fee - a ticket to the garden and museum costs 10 euros. In the multi-level garden - a huge variety of plants and trees: camellias, azaleas, rhododendrons (150 varieties), laurel and citrus trees, bamboo and tea bushes. One hour was enough for us to make a circle around the garden, but you can come for the whole day. In summer it is cooler here and you can hide in the shade of trees, although there are just few flowering plants at this time.
The site has already announced the work schedule for 2019: from March 22 to September 29, it is open from 9:00 to 19:30. In other months it closes to visitors earlier.
Here she is - the beautiful Carlotta!
4. Back to Milan or Bergamo
There are two options here.
The first is to return by ferry to Varenna and there take a direct train to Milan or with a change to Bergamo.
The second is suitable for those who come from Milan: take a speedboat and go back to the city of Como. Of course, the city itself is no longer enough strength, but a boat trip is good in itself. On the way (on the right hand side) don't miss the gem - Villa Balbianello in Lenno, perched on a high slope. If I had a lot of money, I would choose her for life - she is hidden from prying eyes.
From Tremezzo, the speedboat departs at 18:16 and at 18:46. Travel time is 30-40 minutes, the ticket costs 10 euros. Have a good trip and impressions!
More photos of Lake Como
Varenna
Views from the ship on Lake Como and its unforgettable landscapes
Villa Melzi
By beauty Lake Maggiore can be safely called the most picturesque in Italy, it is for its magnificent views and captivating beauty that it has become famous all over the world, although in Russia not all of them even experienced tourists heard about him. The more famous Italian lakes are Como and Garda. Indeed, the Russian speech in the resorts of Maggiore was extremely rare, we traveled all over it up and down, on the water on a boat and on land on bicycles and a mountain train, admired the views of the sea surface, climbing into the mountains, and lying near the coast on sun loungers. So we had a real rest, managed to see a lot, and lazily lie by the pool.
They didn’t swim in the lake itself, it was somehow cool on our coast, although people were seen swimming on other beaches. Maggiore is the longest in Italy, but inferior to Lake Garda in area, Maggiore is also quite deep - more than 200 m deep. The climate is very mild, subtropical plants grow here all year round. There is no intense heat in summer, although in the afternoon in July-August the air temperature reaches +30 .. +33 degrees, however, the light breeze coming from the side of the lake is very refreshing, but strong winds No. The swimming season is short due to the low water temperature of the lake about +20 degrees in July-August. During the winter in the region, the lake helps maintain the warmer temperatures typical of the Mediterranean climate.
If Lake Garda is preferred by young people, then older vacationers go to Majora, mostly wealthy Europeans - French, British, Germans, and also a lot of Swiss, of course, due to proximity, and there are a lot of natural blue-eyed bright blondes, especially among children, t .e. they more or less successfully manage to keep the purity of the race. Also, the Italians themselves come to rest on Maggiore, their speech is melodious and emotional, pleasant to hear. In general, I concluded, especially against the backdrop of a recent trip to London, although I liked the capital of the Kingdom of Great Britain, but the Italian-Spanish countries, their cities, culture, cuisine, languages and climate are somehow closer to me for relaxation.
Lake Maggiore is located in northern Italy, on the border with Switzerland, which also captured a piece of the lake, but most of it still lies on Italian territory. It is convenient to get to the lake from Milan, from which it is only 85 km. Trains run directly from Milano Central station to Stresa station, the journey takes 1 hour. Upon arrival from Milan, we were fascinated by the beauty of the area - a picturesque greenish-blue lake, shrouded in lush fragrant vegetation and carefully surrounded by mountains. Sometimes the shores of the lake and the mountains are covered with a translucent haze, as if intending to hide its priceless treasures, and sometimes all the brightness and diversity are generously revealed to the eye.
LAKE COMO
An excellent alternative to the sea is the lakes, which abound in Lombardy. For example, Lake Como. We bring to your attention a list of equipped beaches, ideal for relaxation in the company of relatives and friends.
LIDO DI ARGEGNO
It was opened in 2014, since then it has not lost ground. Great place with pool, restaurant, bar and water area.
LIDO DI BELLAGIO
Almost Ibiza) An ideal place for a whole day of relaxation in an elegant atmosphere in one of the most beautiful towns on the lake - Bellagio. In the summer evenings, parties and events are organized on the beach, during the day time is devoted to the classic summer vacation. There is a bar where you can not only order a cocktail, but also have a delicious lunch. And, of course, a sandy beach equipped with sunbeds and umbrellas.
Sunbed and deck chair – 10 Euro
Sunbed and umbrella — 12 Euro
2 sun loungers and a tent - 60 Euro
LIDO DI FAGGETO
A wonderful place near Como, ideal for summer relaxation. Equipped with a small sandy beach, a bar and a covered terrace, there are shower rooms and parking for customers. wifi zone.
Admission is free and sun loungers can be rented.
LIDO DI LENNO
