Italy is a diverse land of rich culture, cuisine and natural beauty, with a rustic south and historic central regions. Yet it’s the elegant north of il bel paese that tempts us back time and again.
Northern Italy is a vivid tapestry of natural beauty, world-class wine regions and cosmopolitan cities. Read on as we explore the best places to visit in Northern Italy – and how to enjoy them in style.
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Lake Garda & Lake Iseo: Our favourite Italian Lakes
Undoubtedly, the famous lakes are among the best places Northern Italy has to offer. While Como, Maggiore and Orta are undeniably beautiful, we’re especially drawn to Lake Garda and Lake Iseo.
Cutting into the edge of the Italian Alps, Garda’s pristine blue waters and alpine backdrop are simply enchanting. Beyond its natural splendour, we love the charming towns and sweeping roads that ring the lake, not to mention the wealth of lakeside hospitality. Opulent hotels and gourmet restaurants line the shores, and few things compare to a hot pizza and a chilled glass of Franciacorta enjoyed while gazing across the clear water.
Additionally, Lake Garda is a joy to drive around, with surprisingly quiet, wide and well-maintained roads by Italian standards. Whether you take a scenic drive along the shoreline or head onto the waters on a chartered boat tour, Garda is a delight to explore.
The same is true of Lake Iseo, an hour west of Garda. Iseo is framed by soaring mountains, Italian cypress trees and quiet villages, yet the true appeal of this hidden gem is its tranquility. It offers classic Italian lake beauty with far fewer crowds.
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The Dolomites & Northern Italy’s alpine passes
Must visit places in Italy don’t come more remarkable than the Dolomites – a spectacular mountain range spanning multiple regions, and home to rugged peaks, verdant valleys and year-round vistas that stop you in your tracks.
The range is also laced with roads to tempt any serious driver, with twists, turns and straights that demand full concentration. Breathtaking mountain passes come thick and fast, including Livigno, Aprica, Mendola and Gardena, all surrounded by snow-capped mountains, vine-covered hills, mountain streams and dense evergreen trees. There’s a real sense of exclusivity as you cruise these exhilarating passes in a latest-release Ferrari or Lamborghini, knowing you’re experiencing a true bucket-list journey.
Then there’s the crown jewel: Stelvio Pass, often called the best driving road on Earth. Connecting the towns of Bormio and Stelvio, the pass begins in an alpine forest and climbs more than 9,000 ft via heart-pounding switchbacks and Tyrolean villages, offering unforgettable views of the Dolomites.
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Milan: Fashion capital of Italy (and the world)
For elegance in Italy, look no further than Milan – the cutting-edge fashion capital of the world and one of the best places to visit in Northern Italy. As Lombardy’s largest metropolis, Milan is a prime destination for culture, history, shopping and style.
Immerse yourself in the city’s rich past, with highlights including the famed La Scala opera house, Leonardo da Vinci’s iconic Last Supper mural, and the soaring gothic beauty of the Duomo di Milano. Then explore the shops in Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II – Italy’s oldest active shopping gallery – where luxury titans like Gucci, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Dior, and Prada line the elegant mosaic-floored halls. This gallery is a hive of activity, home to cafes and restaurants – perfect for a leisurely lunch and a spot of people-watching.
The city is not only home to acclaimed fashion boutiques, but it also brings together celebrated designers, models and aficionados for Milan Fashion Week. Held twice annually (February and September) across prestigious venues throughout the city, it’s one of the ‘Big Four’ global fashion weeks and an essential event for anyone in the world of fashion.
Milan is also a haven for high-end hospitality, with standout properties like the lavish Hotel Principe di Savoia setting lofty standards for every other hotel in the city. No visit is complete without dining in decadence at the three-Michelin-starred Enrico Bartolini al Mudec, located within the city’s Museo delle Culture. You can join us for an insider’s city tour of Milan on our luxury Italian Grand Prix adventure.
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Charming towns & hidden gems in Northern Italy
Northern Italy may be home to magnificent cities, although equally worthy of your attention are its smaller towns, where you’ll find beauty, charm and unique appeal.
Cortina d’Ampezzo
Nestled in Italy’s stunning Dolomites, Cortina d’Ampezzo is a cute ski resort that blends alpine beauty with Italian style. Among the best small towns in Northern Italy, it’s a year-round destination with incredible skiing in winter (once hosting the Winter Olympic Games in 1956) and gorgeous hiking trails during the summer. This high-end town can be seen as the Italian equivalent of Aspen or St. Moritz, attracting aristocracy and celebrities from around the world.
Cinque Terre
Cameras at the ready – it’s difficult to take a bad photo when visiting Cinque Terre. This legendary stretch of coastline is home to five mesmerising hillside villages, including the picture-perfect fishing port of Vernazza. Then there’s Manarola, where tightly clustered multi-coloured houses cling to the cliffs. With its captivating blend of man-made charm and natural beauty, Cinque Terre has rightfully earned its place as one of the must visit places in Italy.
Erbusco
The sleepy town of Erbusco is easily missed, but do so at your misfortune. Seen as the home to Franciacorta – Italy’s famed sparkling wine – this picturesque town is well positioned for exploring the region’s fine vineyards and historic estates. For such a small town, Erbusco also boasts a wonderful culinary scene, with dishes paired with the complex local vino, naturally.
Merano
Merano is a famed spa town in the South Tyrol region that blends Mediterranean and Alpine cultures – it’s surrounded by mountains yet dotted with palm trees. Merano is worth a visit for its thermal spas, of which there are dozens. This includes the Terme Merano complex, with 25 pools, both indoors and out. Along with elegant promenades, intriguing architecture and fine-dining options, it’s the perfect spot for rest and relaxation in Northern Italy.
Sirmione
Jutting into Lake Garda, the picturesque peninsula of Sirmione features a charming old town with arched streets, a fortified port and medieval castle. Driving through these narrow streets in a fleet of vibrant supercars, as we do on our Italian supercar driving tour, is a magical experience. Sirmione is also a destination for relaxation, with secluded lakeside beaches, thermal hot springs and several sumptuous five-star hotels, including our favourite, the palatial Villa Cortine.
Bellagio
No list of the best places to visit in Northern Italy would be complete without a nod towards Bellagio, perched at the meeting point of Lake Como’s three branches. Undoubtedly one of Italy’s most beautiful lakeside towns, its cobbled lanes, elegant villas and panoramic views offer charm in abundance. Stroll the medieval stone stairways (salite) and boutique-lined streets, indulge in lakeside dining and enjoy a romantic atmosphere that’s difficult to find anywhere else.
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Discover the Lugana wine region
While illustrious appellations of Chianti and Barolo may dominate discussion about Italian wines, the lesser-known Lugana wine region is one of the most underrated places in Northern Italy.
This scenic region spans across parts of Lombardy and Veneto, along the southern banks of Lake Garda. The terroir is typically calcareous and mineral rich, with a consistently moderate climate. This region produces the Turbiana grape, which delivers typically fresh, dry and versatile white wines with crisp acidity, minerality, and notes of green olive, citrus and apple. These wines are extremely easy to drink, although the region is now producing more complex varieties.
Visiting Lugana presents opportunities for gourmet dining experiences and exclusive tastings at renowned wineries, such as Ca’ dei Frati, Ca’ Maiol, Fraccaroli, and Bertoldi.
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Why Northern Italy remains one of the world’s finest places to visit
Few places in the world can match the effortless allure or diversity of Northern Italy. From its breathtaking peaks and classy cities to its gentle vineyards and gourmet regional dishes, there’s an abundance of variety to be immersed in.
Travelling through this region is a life-affirming experience. One moment you’re sweeping through iconic alpine passes in the Dolomites; the next, gliding alongside the sparkling waters of Lake Garda.
Northern Italy presents an intoxicating blend of elegance and adventure. Cultural immersion in historic cities like Milan and Turin, framed by natural beauty and stunning countryside, all complemented by the height of opulence.
Whether you’re sipping aged Barolo in the Langhe, marvelling at Renaissance treasures in Verona, or exploring the Dolomites, every day feels full of possibility.
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Experience the region at its best with our luxury tour of Northern Italy
If you are interested in a luxury adventure in this wonderful region, join us on our bucket-list tour of Northern Italy.
On this grand tour of a lifetime, you’ll experience self-driving an entire fleet of supercars as you cruise from Germany to Northern Italy via the Swiss Alps. Explore captivating scenery, feel the incredible performance of your supercar, and indulge in the finest European hospitality.
Learn more about this unique tour or any of our extraordinary European adventures by speaking with our friendly travel concierge team today.
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