9 Day Northern Italy Itinerary (Perfect Planner + Map)

👉 Jump to:Day 1 |  Day 2 |  Day 3 & 4 |  Day 5 |  Day 6 & 7 | Day 8 | Day 9 | Map |  Getting Around |  Tips |  FAQ

This epic Northern Italy itinerary includes all the incredible sights, foods, and natural beauty you won’t want to miss. From Milan and Venice to the picturesque towns of Lake Como and Cinque Terre, there is a lot to see and do in this region. 

I spent a lot of time traveling throughout Italy on my recent solo trip. I picked up a lot of tips and local knowledge along the way. So, I created this complete 9-day itinerary to help you discover the best of Northern Italy, without the hassle.

This perfectly planned itinerary will bring you to all the top destinations and includes attractions and food recommendations along the way. 

Let’s dive in!

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9 Day Northern Italy Itinerary

Day 1 – Milan

📍 Google Maps | Where to Stay in Milan | 19 Best Day Trips from Milan |Milan Itinerary – A Foolproof 3 Day Planner

🌞 Morning

Begin your morning in Milan’s city center with a breakfast of sweet pastries and coffee on the greenery-covered patio at Café Trussardi. After eating, go inside the stunning 245-year-old Teatro Alla Scala opera house right next to the cafe. 

Then, walk just one block away to browse the luxury shops and “spin on the bull” for good luck at Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the oldest mall in Italy.

Continue strolling through the mall until it opens up into Cathedral Square where you’ll see the towering Duomo Di Milano, one of Milan’s most famous attractions. Take plenty of photos of this famous Milan landmark from the outside before going up to the roof for expansive views over the city (book tickets in advance).

⛅ Noon

After working up an appetite at Duomo Di Milano, head around the corner from Cathedral Square to Panzerotti Luini. Here, order a classic Italian baked good—a panzerotti—for a snack. Eat your panzerotti on the go as you head to the Ambrosian Library to see artwork by Italian artists, Da Vinci, Botticelli, and Caravaggio. 

Treat yourself to an afternoon gelato at Ciacco just a street away from the art museum before grabbing a cab to Sempione Park. Wander around the park and spot landmarks like Sforzesco Castle,Branca Tower,and Arco della Pace.

Next, head over to Santa Maria delle Grazie. Join this Skip The Line Tour to see “The Last Supper” painting with your own eyes. Then, head back toward the city center to relax and eat an affordable pizza for lunch at Piz.

🌃 Evening

As the evening rolls around, make your way to the Navigli district along the city’s canals for an aperitivo at UGO Cocktail Bar. Once you’ve finished your drink and the sun has set, take a stroll along the canals to see the neighborhood lit up with life.

End the first night of your Northern Italy itinerary by eating at one of the best restaurants in Milan,Al Coniglio Bianco. This charming restaurant next to the Naviglio Grande serves traditional Lombardy cuisine, like risotto alla Milanese with osso buco.

Day 2 – Lake Como Towns of Varenna, Bellagio, and Menaggio

📍 Google Maps

🌞 Morning

Explore Lake Como and its magical little towns on the second day of your Northern Italy itinerary. You’ll start the day in Varenna, where the train comes in from Milan. 

First, get a boost of energy with a powerful shot of espresso and a hefty panini from Al Barilott. Take a quick walk to the lakeside gardens of Villa Monastero, which is the perfect place to snap some selfies and capture the essence of Lake Como.

Then, grab a taxi up to Castello di Vezio to get another perspective over the lake and mountains from a 12th-century castle. 

⛅ Noon 

Take the relaxing 15-minute ferry ride from Varenna to Menaggio in the afternoon. Upon arrival, grab a pastry from Il Fornaio and then walk over to Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi to eat your snack and people-watch. 

Hail a taxi and go to Villa Carlotta, a lush 14-acre botanical garden and museum that’s a Lake Como hotspot for local culture and photography. Head back to the center of Menaggio for lunch at Il Ristorante Di Paolo.

🌃 Evening

Travel from Menaggio to Bellagio on the ferry for the final stop of this day in Lake Como. 

Stroll the streets of Bellagio to see all the cute boutiques and souvenir shops. Next, make your way to Punta Spartivento to watch the sunset and take in clear views of Lake Como. 

Have a freshly made pasta dinner from La Lanterna during the high season, or grab a simple slice of pizza from La Grotta during the low season. 

After dinner, sip on a glass of wine with a cheese board from the cozy Angolo DiVino Enoteca Wine Bar to end the second day of your Northern Italy itinerary.    

Days 3 & 4 – Cinque Terre

📍 Google Maps

🌞 Morning

Get to know the five photogenic villages of Cinque Terre over the next two days, starting from Monterosso al Mare. After arriving in the seaside village, immediately go to Bar Lo Spuntino for a flaky croissant and cappuccino with ocean views. 

Splurge on a beach chair and umbrella at Scoglio di Monterosso and hang out at the beach before it gets too busy. Then, continue to the next Cinque Terre town of Vernazza.

⛅ Noon

Take a stroll around the Port of Vernazza for incredible views of the colorful town against the mountains and all the docked fishing boats. Walk your way over to the nearby Doria Tower and climb up its steep stairs to reach a panoramic perspective of the Cinque Terre. 

Stop into Gelateria Il Porticciolo to try their cinnamon flavor of gelato. Then, go to Ristorante La Torre for a seafood lunch with a side of jaw-dropping mountainous views.  

🌃 Evening

Climb up the stairs to the Scalinata Lardarina scenic viewpoint in the town of Corniglia. Finally, while you still have a little daylight left, grab a table on the terrace at La Scuna Wine & Beer. Here, you can watch the fiery Cinque Terre sunset with a cocktail in hand.

🌞 Morning

Start your second day of exploring Cinque Terre in the tiny town of Manarola by ordering a breakfast plate and coffee from Da Aristide. Next, visit the Manarola Overlook Viewpoint located just five minutes away on foot for a superb perspective over the town and coast. 

⛅ Noon

Proceed to the town of Riomaggiore in the afternoon. Enter the 763-year-old Castello di Riomaggiore for a bit of history and some of the spectacular scenery Cinque Terre is famed for. 

For lunch, order the squid ink ravioli and strawberries in Chantilly cream for dessert at Osteria La Torpedine. Next, rent a kayak or paddleboard from Cinque Terre Dal Mare to spend some time on the water and get one of the best views of Riomaggiore from the sea. 

🌃 Evening

Once you’ve dried off, indulge in an aperitivo as you watch the sunset at Old School Cocktails & Food. Follow it up with a heartier dinner from La Cantina del Macellaio just a two-minute walk away before turning in early for the night. 

Day 5 – Parma & Bologna

📍 Google Maps (Parma) | 📍 Google Maps (Bologna)

🌞 Morning

Kick off the fifth day of your Northern Italy itinerary in the beautiful city of Parma. Get a baked good and an espresso from the local hotspot of Bar Caffetteria Rustici. Head into the heart of the city to see the Cathedral of Parma and the Giuseppe Garibaldi Monument.

Afterward, join this half-day Guided Small-Group Parmesan Cheese and Parma Ham Tour with Tastings at two authentic production factories. It’ll give you a crash course on the importance of these foods in Parma.  

⛅ Noon

In the afternoon, stop into Salumeria Garibaldi Srl Parma to pick up some cured meats and to-go dishes. Continue your Northern Italy itinerary by hopping on the train to Bologna about an hour away. 

Upon arrival, check out Bologna’s bustling Piazza Maggiore surrounded by landmarks like Fontana del Nettuno,Palazzo d’Accursio, and Palazzo Re Enzo.

Next, grab a ticket to the Archaeological Museum of Bologna for a peek at thousands of ancient artifacts inside an old palace. Once you start working up an appetite again, head to Mercato di Mezzo where you’ll find a charming food court with a selection of restaurants. 

🌃 Evening

Take a walk around Parco della Montagnola as the day turns to night and take in the local lifestyle around Bologna. Pop into Osteria del Sole to taste wines from the Romagna region at a bar that’s been around since the 15th century. 

End the Bologna night of your Northern Italy itinerary with dinner at Sfoglia Rina. Order the freshly made tortellini with parmesan cream or the classic bolognese lasagna. Try to arrive at the restaurant before or after prime dinner hours as they don’t accept reservations in advance.

Days 6 & 7 – Venice

📍 Google Maps

🌞 Morning

Dedicate two full days of your North Italy itinerary to Venice, one of Italy’s most iconic cities.

Power up with a quick breakfast from La Lista Venezia. Then, take a walk along the Grand Canal, which is why Venice is ranked as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Take a classic gondola ride by booking this Venice: Off the Beaten Path Private Gondola Ride. It costs less than half the amount you’d normally pay for a gondola ride on the spot.

⛅ Noon

Eat a traditional Venetian lunch with perfect canal views at Osteria Bancogiro. Next, wander through the fresh produce and seafood stalls at Rialto Market.

Then, walk over the beautiful Rialto Bridge and watch the gondolas float through its archway. Continue about ten minutes on foot to the city’s gorgeous Renaissance Clock Tower.

🌃 Evening

Right before dusk, go up to t fondaco Rooftop Terrace to watch the sunset turn the sky ablaze over Venice and the Grand Canal. Once it’s dark outside, wait for a table at the nearby Ristorante La Piazza and order the seafood pasta or the blackened squid ink spaghetti. 

At Vino Vero, have a natural wine tasting and get recommendations from the staff to pick the ideal glass for you. Finally, soak in the Venice late-night scene at TiME Social Bar.

🌞 Morning

Wake up early on the seventh day of your Northern Italy itinerary and buy breakfast on the go from Farini Bakery before heading to St. Mark’s Square.

Take a good walk around the astounding exterior of Saint Mark’s Basilica and enter to see the even more impressive interior. Next, walk just two minutes away to the Gothic-style Doge’s Palace and take this Doge’s Palace Guided Tour with skip-the-line access. 

⛅ Noon

Head to Trattoria Al Gazzettino for lunch and order the taglioni with scallops and mushrooms or the beautifully plated crab pasta. 

Cross over the Ponte dell’Accademia bridge to reach the Peggy Guggenheim Collection where you’ll see works by artists like Jackson Pollock, Picasso, Salvador Dali, and more. Then, visit Scuola Grande di San Rocco, a different type of art museum from the 16th century.

🌃 Evening

Reserve a table for dinner in the garden at Poste Vecie with its fancy 1500s decor. Get the black tagliolini with crab meat sauce for your main course. Order a tiramisu for dessert. End the evening with a nightcap and some tunes at Bacaro Jazz.

Day 8 – Verona & Lake Garda

📍 Google Maps (Verona) | 📍 Google Maps (Lake Garda)

🌞 Morning

Begin the 8th day of your Northern Italy itinerary in the idyllic city of Verona. Have a late breakfast of Instagrammable avocado toast at Elk Bakery.

After eating, stroll a minute down the street to the Casa di Giulietta, which is rumored to have inspired Shakespeare’s most famous play,Romeo and Juliet. Here, you can enter the courtyard for free to catch a glimpse of Juliet’s Balcony and see the notes left behind by romantics passing through. 

⛅ Noon

Pay a visit to Verona Arena, a Roman amphitheater where gladiators once fought to the death. Today, the arena is used for musical performances. After visiting the Verona Arena, have lunch at Ristorante Il Cenacolo and savor some Amarone red wine risotto. 

Hire a private car or take public transportation to the town of Garda on Lake Garda, the largest lake in Italy. Wander Garda’s historic center and views of the glassy lake. Then, take a leisurely hike around Lungolago Pincherle with the remaining daylight. 

🌃 Evening

Since you’re right next to Lake Garda, take the opportunity to dive into the seafood culture on the lakeside terrace of Osteria al Porto. Order Spaghetti allo scoglio or the grilled trout and make sure you try one of their fun, fruity cocktails.

Once you’re finished with your seafood feast, head over to Ostaria Can e Gato for a few glasses of wine in a very atmospheric setting with live music. 

Day 9 – Brescia

📍 Google Maps

🌞 Morning

The final day of your Northern Italy itinerary will be spent in Brescia, a city known for its historic attractions and amazing culinary scene. Have a cappuccino and a simple sandwich from Café Gramsci to fuel up for the day ahead. 

Check out the clock tower and Renaissance architecture around Piazza della Loggia. Then, visit the enormous Santa Giulia Museum, which is located inside an old monastery complex and is deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

⛅ Noon

Enjoy a budget-friendly and delicious lunch spread at Ma!osteria, which comes with an appetizer, an entree, bread, water, and coffee. After lunch, splurge on a sweet treat at the best gelato shop in Brescia, Gelateria Del Biondo (there are plenty of vegan flavors here, too). 

Next, explore a few of the city’s major art museums, such as the Pinacoteca Tosio Martinengo and the Diocesan Museum of Brescia.

🌃 Evening

In the early evening, make your way up to Brescia Castle on the hilltop overlooking the city. Take a guided tour of this 14th-century castle for deeper insights into the area’s history before watching the sunset from the fortress. 

For your final dinner in Northern Italy, book a table at the romantic, family-run Trattoria Urbana “Mangiafuoco.” Treat yourself to one of the highlights on the menu, like the piatto del prevosto or the tagliolini with goose ragù. Don’t skip out on dessert, either!

Following dinner, hit up the local watering hole called Lio Bar to dance the night away and celebrate your completed Northern Italy itinerary. 

Northern Italy Itinerary Map

Here is a Google Map with all the stops, attractions, and hotels mentioned in this post.

How to Get Around in Northern Italy

🚆 Public Transportation – The most affordable way to tackle a Northern Italy itinerary is by using the country’s excellent public transportation system. Bus and train tickets around the region are budget-friendly and the vehicles are always clean and comfortable. 

🚕 Taxi/Ride-Share – Taxis and ride-share apps are useful within a city, but avoid using them to get between different places in Northern Italy. It’s the most expensive and complicated way to explore the region. Ride-share apps like Uber are also only available in major cities like Milan. 

🚗 Renting A Car – It’s definitely possible to rent a car and take a Northern Italy road trip to experience the entire region. Car rentals are reasonably affordable and you can use Discover Cars to ensure you’re getting the best price possible. 

👉 Pro Tip: Just make sure you get your International Driver’s Permit before arriving in Italy or you won’t be allowed to rent a car. An IDP costs 20 USD and can be acquired through AAA. 

Itinerary Planning Tips

Tip #1 – Use the In-Lombardia Website To Find Local Events In Northern Italy

The In-Lombardia website is an official search engine for finding all types of events across Northern Italy. This is a great resource for discovering local events during your trip. Just filter the results with your trip dates and the types of activities you’re interested in. You’ll be filling up your Northern Italy itinerary with extra activities in no time. 

Tip #2 – Take Advantage Of Free Attractions In Big Cities

Northern Italy is one of the most expensive regions in Italy and one of the most expensive places to backpack in Europe. The average travel cost is 70 € to 150 € per day depending on the season. With that being said, major cities in Northern Italy can be surprisingly budget-friendly if you stick to free activities.

For example, some of the best things to do in Milan are completely free, like hanging out at Piazza Del Duomo, wandering the courtyard of Castello Sforzesco, and window shopping at Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. 

Tip #3 – Get A Trenitalia Pass For Public Transportation

A Trenitalia Pass allows you to use public transportation in Northern Italy freely for a certain period of time. It saves you from constantly rushing to buy a ticket every time you get to the train station. 

The 15-day pass with 7 journeys is perfect for this Northern Italy itinerary. There is also a 7-day and 30-day pass available. 

Tip #4 – Take A Regional Cooking Class In Northern Italy

Take a cooking class on your Northern Italy trip to learn how to make famous Italian dishes in the region where they were invented. Tiramisu, panna cotta, ragù alla Bolognese, and pesto sauce all originate from Northern Italy after all. 

In this Fresh Pasta And Tiramisu Cooking Class, you’ll learn a secret recipe passed down through generations from a Michelin-trained chef. It even won a Viator Experience Award in 2023.

Tip #5 – Plan Your North Italy Trip For Spring Or Summer

Winters in Northern Italy are harsh, with average temperatures dropping below 0℃/32 ℉ and wet weather being the norm. That’s why the best time to visit this region is during the warmer months from late May to September.

If you do decide to travel to Northern Italy in the winter, pack cold weather gear to ensure that you’re comfortable throughout your trip.

Tip #6 – Get Your International Driver’s Permit For A Road Trip

Travelers taking a North Italy road trip must get their International Driver’s Permit (IDP) before they arrive in Italy. You can easily get your IDP through AAA in the United States for just $20.  

Tip #7 – Leave Extra Room In Your Bag For Clothing Purchases

Leave a little extra room in your bag for all the wearable souvenirs you’ll inevitably buy in Northern Italy. It’s hard to resist the beautiful clothing and accessories around fashion hotspots like Milan and Lake Como. 

Tip #8 – Be Flexible With Your Northern Italy Itinerary

Include a little wiggle room in your Northern Italy itinerary to accommodate for local recommendations and time to wander around without a definitive plan.

It’s tempting to schedule your entire Northern Italy itinerary down to the last second. However, leaving some flexibility in your itinerary can make your trip less stressful and allow you to discover some amazing things along the way. 

Tip #9 – Taste Traditional Lombardy Dishes In Northern Italy

Many of the country’s most beloved traditional dishes such as risotto, osso buco, minestrone alla Milanese, and cotoletta come from North Italy. Take the opportunity to try some of these classic Northern Italian dishes while you’re exploring the region.

Tip #10 – Use GuruWalk To Find Free Walking Tours

Check out GuruWalk or Free Tours by Foot to find tips-only walking tours around major cities in the northern region of Italy. 

Walking tours are one of the easiest ways to understand the layout of a city while learning a bit about its background at the same time. This is ideal for a 9-day North Italy itinerary since you’ll have more limited time in each city. 

FAQ About Planning an Itinerary for Northern Italy

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That’s a wrap on this ultimate Northern Italy itinerary. Thanks for reading! Are you struggling to decide between visiting the major Italian cities of Milan or Florence? Read my honest review of Milan vs Florence, next.