The Perfect 10 Day Northern Italy Itinerary by Train

Nothing Familiar Italy Travel Guide

Our northern Italy itinerary will take you from the bustling streets of Milan to the small canals of Venice, and everywhere in between! To make your trip as stress-free as possible, we’ll break down transportation, hotel recommendations, and what to do in each city. This northern Italy travel itinerary by train is based on our very own 10 day trip. Get  ready for a magical time eating and walking your way through these amazing cities.

10 Days in Northern Italy Itinerary by Train

Milan ⸰ 2 Nights
Bergamo ⸰ 2 Nights
Verona ⸰ 2 Nights
Bologna ⸰ 2 Nights
Venice ⸰ 2 Nights

We chose to take on northern Italy by train and it was super easy and comfortable! All the major cities on our 10 day Italy travel itinerary were accessible by public transportation, and the train was also a great way to see the beautiful Italian countryside.

Be aware that there are different prices based on whether you book direct or indirectly. The cheaper options are often the indirect trains, but they can take twice as long to get to your destination.

If you’d prefer a road trip, renting a car is another amazing way to see this region of the country. Also, check out our general travel guide for Planning a Trip to Italy.

2 Nights in Milan 

Start your 10 day Italy itinerary by arriving in the giant city of Milan. Italy has an international reputation for being cutting edge in the fashion industry, and Milan is at the heart of that.

From the gleaming storefronts to stunning historical architecture, this is the perfect place to start your journey through northern Italy by train.

Malpensa is the main international airport of Milan, which is located about an hour away from the city. Buses run every 30 minutes from the airport to Milan’s main train station, and tickets can be bought onboard for around ten Euros.

Below we’ve listed some of our must-do activities if you only have two days. Be sure to read more of our favorite things to do in Milan Italy before your visit.

  • Window shop in the global capital of fashion and design.
  • Walk the rooftop of the Duomo di Milano (Milan Cathedral).
  • Stroll through Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Italy’s oldest active shopping mall which looks like a museum!
  • See one of the world’s most famous 15th-century murals at Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper.
  • Experience the art of Aperitivo in Navigli on the Milan Canals.

Milan Hotel Recommendations: Bulgari Hotel Milano is simply one of the best luxury hotels in the world. For a unique hotel stay, check out Nhow Milan. Budget travelers will enjoy the Babila Hostel and it’s great location.

Next Stop: Bergamo, Italy
How To Get There: 45 minute train ride from Milano Centrale

northern Italy by Train

2 Nights in Bergamo Italy

Bergamo is a booming city that every traveler should see on their 10 day Italy itinerary. The shining Bergamo old town or Citta Alta, sits atop the hill and overlooks the city.

You’ll be awestruck by the beautiful views and architecture from here! When we visited in early May, we were stunned to see the snow-capped peaks of the Italian Alps in the distance.

Bergamo also has the perfect small town feel to soak in the sights after Milan, and change it up on your awesome northern Italy itinerary by train.

  • Stroll through the impressive San Giacomo Gate which protects Bergamo.
  • Walk the city walls over lower Bergamo and gaze at the massive mountains in the distance.
  • Take in the history of Citta Alta as you hop between pizza shops and local bakeries.

Day Trip to Lake Como

For your second day in town, consider a day trip to the famous Lake Como. It’s very easy to add to your northern Italy itinerary as it’s just an hour away.

There are only a handful of times that the train runs and it’s best to leave as early as possible. However, if you plan it right, you can spend all day in the Italian sun as you cruise by ferry around the lake.

Take the Bergamo to Lecco transfer to the train Varenna Esino. From here you can explore the town or take the ferries to Bellagio and Menaggio. Just make sure not to miss the train back to Bergamo to avoid being stuck for the night!

Bergamo Hotel Recommendations: The GombitHotel is a super upscale accommodation, positioned in the heart of Bergamo Alta. Hotel Piazza Vecchia and B&B Entro Le Mura are perfectly located near the main square. On our last visit, we stayed at the MammaMia apartments with views of Bergamo old town.

Next Stop: Verona, Italy
How To Get There: 1 to 2 hour train (depending on direct or indirect)

10 day Italy itinerary

2 Nights in Verona

Verona Italy is a magical city filled with small walking streets, amazing history, and the home of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. The size also makes it perfect to explore on foot! This is great because there are actually no cars allowed in the main areas.

One of the many highlights is crossing the famous Ponte Pietra bridge (built in 100 BC) and walking up to the Verona castle for a view of this fairy tale city. Read our complete guide for more fun things to do in Verona Italy before your trip.

  • Buy the Verona Card to explore historical sights like the Verona Arena and Torre dei Lamberti.
  • Visit the Castelvecchio, which is an art museum inside an old castle.
  • Hike to the San Pietro Castle overlooking Verona for sunset.
  • Add a day trip to the beautiful Lake Garda to your northern Italy by train itinerary. 

Verona Hotel Recommendations: Hotel Milano & SPA***S – is a luxury hotel with views of the roman amphitheater. Marconi Rooms and Apartments has a medieval-style vibe in the heart of the city. If you’re doing your northern Italy itinerary on a budget, then the Posada Verona Hostel may be perfect for you!

Next Stop: Bologna, Italy
How To Get There: 1.5 to 3 hour train (depending on direct of indirect)

Verona Italy

2 Nights in Bologna 

We didn’t originally plan to visit Bologna on our 10 day Italy itinerary, but it ended up being one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. Now we’re not just saying that because we had the best pizza of our lives in this city, but that was a huge bonus!

Bologna radiates with life, as it’s home to many students and young professionals. At any time of day, you can see people of all ages enjoying the city and feasting on yummy food. By adding this to your Northern Italy travel itinerary by train, you’ll quickly see why it’s become known as the culinary capital of the country!

  • Walk Bologna’s Portico di San Luca to the Sanctuary of the Madonna.
  • Join the locals and enjoy a drink on the steps of the Basilica of San Petronio.
  • Find Italy’s second leaning tower.
  • Visit the famous Mercato Delle Erbe.
  • Eat your way through the city with our self-guided Bologna food tour.

Bologna Hotel Recommendations: Grand Hotel Majestic gia’ Baglioni is set in an 18th century palace with modern amenities. Does it get any better than that?? Another historic stay with a slightly lower price tag is Residenza Bianconcini. Budget travelers should also check out the Dopa Hostel in Bologna.

Next Stop: Venice, Italy
How To Get There: 1.5 to 3 hour train (depending on direct of indirect)

northern Italy itinerary by train

2 Nights in Venice

There is no city in the world like Venice! From the maze of small streets to the long canals and grand squares, it’s one of the only places in the world that mass tourism hasn’t undone its charm.

When it rains the city floods and long planks are set up to avoid the rising inches of water. Yet, when it’s sunny, the entire city sparkles with light. This is such a special destination and will make the perfect end to your 10 day northern Italy itinerary.

Here’s our top things to do in Venice Italy on your first trip. You’ll also want to 

  • Get lost exploring the canals and small winding streets of the city.
  • Cross Rialto Bridge for the best views of the Grand Canal.
  • Jump on a half-day tour of the islands to Murano, Burano and Torcello.
  • Take a food tour of the best cheap bars in Venice to experience the cicchetti culture.

Venice Hotel Recommendations: The Gritti Palace sits right on the Grand Canal and is complete with high-end luxury rooms. For a bed and breakfast style accommodation, check out Scalon del Doge and its typical Venetian style. Generator Venice is a great budget option near St. Marks Square.

Ready to pack your bags and move to Italy yet? I recently loved reading “A Dream of Italy” which is the perfect fun vacation book.

northern Italy by train

Have any questions about traveling in northern Italy by train or want to share your own top picks for a 10 day northern Italy itinerary? Leave us a comment below!

Safe Travels,
Brigitte and Jake

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Northern Italy Itinerary

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Brigitte

2 Comments

  1. Gary Francis
    February 2, 2020 / 7:50 am

    Looks fabulous. Staying at least a couple of days in each location is by far the better way to go.

    • Brigitte & Jake
      February 2, 2020 / 10:01 am

      We agree! So much to see in the North… We loved taking our time to enjoy it!

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