Northern Italy: Lake Como, Venice, Milan & the Dolomites
Villas and ferries on Lake Como, The Last Supper and the Duomo in Milan, Venice by gondola and water taxi, and the jagged peaks and high meadows of the Dolomites in summer.
- Best time to go
- May, June and September for the lakes and Venice. The Dolomites' lifts and trails are open from mid-June to late September; many Lake Como hotels close from November to March.
- Flying from India
- Milan has limited non-stop flights from Delhi; otherwise one stop via the Gulf or a European hub, about 11 to 14 hours. Fly home from Venice to avoid backtracking.
- Visa for Indian passports
- Schengen short-stay visa: one visa covers every Schengen country on the route. Apply at the consulate of the country where you spend most nights, up to six months ahead; spring and summer appointments fill early. Fingerprints and a photo are taken at your first border under the EU Entry/Exit System.
- Currency
- Euro. Cards are widely accepted; keep a little cash for ferries, cafés and gondolas.
Northern Italy at a glance
Lake Como is the heart of most northern Italy trips. Ferries criss-cross the lake between Bellagio, Varenna and Menaggio, and the great villas, Balbianello, Carlotta and Melzi, open their gardens from spring to autumn. Milan is an hour away by train: book well ahead for Leonardo's Last Supper, climb to the Duomo's rooftop terraces among the spires, and walk the Galleria and the fashion streets.
Venice is two and a half hours east by fast train. Stay at least two nights so you can see it after the day visitors leave: early mornings in St Mark's Square, the Rialto market, a gondola through the back canals and the glass-blowers of Murano and the colourful houses of Burano. From mid-June to September, add the Dolomites for cable cars to Seceda, walks across Alpe di Siusi and the loop around the Tre Cime di Lavaredo.
Must-see
- Bellagio, Varenna and Villa del Balbianello on Lake Como
- The Last Supper, Milan
- St Mark's Square and the Doge's Palace, Venice
- Murano and Burano
- Seceda and Alpe di Siusi in the Dolomites
Food to try
- Risotto alla milanese
- Lake fish such as missoltini and perch
- Cicchetti in a Venetian bacaro
- Tiramisù, created in the Veneto
- Canederli dumplings in the Dolomites
Where to shop
- Quadrilatero della Moda (Via Montenapoleone), Milan
- Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Milan
- Silk scarves and ties from Como
- Murano glass from the furnaces
- Burano lace
Where to Stay
Areas and styles of stay we book most often. We shortlist specific hotels once we know your dates and budget.
Lake Como, Bellagio and Cernobbio
Lakeside villa hotels
Historic villas turned hotels with gardens running down to the water, private boat docks and lake-view terraces, mostly open from late March to early November.
Venice, Grand Canal and San Marco
Palazzo hotels on the canals
Restored Gothic and Renaissance palazzi with their own water entrances, where water taxis drop you at the door, a short walk from St Mark's Square.
Dolomites, Val Gardena and Alta Badia
Mountain spa hotels
Family-run Alpine hotels with spas and South Tyrolean cooking, close to the cable cars for Seceda and Alpe di Siusi.
Signature Experiences
Moments we build Northern Italy journeys around
A day on Lake Como by boat
Hop between Bellagio, Varenna and Menaggio on the public ferries, or take a private wooden motorboat past the villas to Villa del Balbianello's gardens.
The Last Supper
Leonardo's mural in the refectory of Santa Maria delle Grazie is seen in small groups for 15 minutes. Tickets are released in batches months ahead; we secure them as soon as your dates are set.
Gondola through the back canals
A private gondola from a quiet stazio rather than the Grand Canal, gliding under small bridges past palazzi most visitors never see.
Murano's glass furnaces
Watch a master glassmaker shape molten glass in a family furnace, with a guide to show you how to tell real Murano glass from imports.
Burano's coloured houses
The fishing island 40 minutes from Venice by water bus, known for its brightly painted houses, lace-makers and seafood risotto.
Tre Cime di Lavaredo
The classic Dolomites walk: a 10 km loop around the three great rock towers from the Auronzo hut, mostly level and possible for most fit walkers from late June to September.
Planning Your Journey
Timing, routing and what our specialists tell every Northern Italy traveller
When to visit
April to June
Villa gardens in bloom (azaleas and rhododendrons in April and May), comfortable temperatures and fewer crowds.
July and August
Hot in Milan and Venice, perfect in the Dolomites. Italians holiday in August, so book early.
September and October
Warm lake days, the Venice Film Festival and wine harvests. Dolomites lifts close by the end of September.
Getting there and around
Open-jaw flights
Fly into Milan and home from Venice. Milan Malpensa is about an hour from Lake Como by car.
Between stops
Lake Como to Milan is about an hour by train, and Milan to Venice 2½ hours by high-speed train. The Dolomites are 3 hours by car from Venice.
Insider notes
Venice day-tripper fee
Venice charges day visitors an access fee on peak days. Staying overnight in the city exempts you, another reason to stay at least two nights.
Book The Last Supper first
It is the hardest ticket in northern Italy. If official slots are gone, we use licensed guided tours that include entry.
Lake Como by ferry, not car
The lakeside roads are narrow and parking is scarce. Ferries are quicker and far more scenic.
Dolomites season is short
Most lifts open from mid-June and close by late September. July and August are busiest; late June and September are ideal.
Northern Italy: Common Questions
Bellagio and Varenna for village charm and ferry links, Cernobbio for grand villa hotels near Como town, and Tremezzo for views and gardens. We match the village to your plans.
Plan your Northern Italy journey
Speak to a specialist.
Share a few details and one of our Northern Italy specialists will get in touch, usually within a working day.
Journeys from here
Itineraries that include Northern Italy
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