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Two Week Northern Italy Road Trip Itinerary

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A road trip through Northern Italy offers a perfect blend of breathtaking landscapes, historic cities, and world-class cuisine. From the stunning lakes to the rolling vineyards and iconic landmarks, this guide covers the best routes, must-visit spots, and travel tips to help you plan an unforgettable journey. Ready to explore Northern Italy by road? Let’s get started! Updated January 2025

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Northern Italy Road Trip

There are many great places to visit on your Italian road trip, but the trick is limiting it to sites that will give you the most fantastic experience in the time frame you have to vacation in. This trip itinerary will help you plan an already well-driven route through some of the most beautiful places in Italy. 

church bells

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Lake Como hike

Northern Italy Road Trip Planner

Northern Italy Road Trip Route

Venice Northern Italy

Road trip around Italy for two weeks

Northern Italy Road Trip: Day 1 and 2 – Milan to Lake Como

Arriving in Milan is easy from any airport; follow the signs to pick up your car, check your Tripit app for your address to your accommodation in Lake Como, and begin your road trip to Northern Italy. 

Travel time from Milan to Lake Como

Depending on the airport you are flying into, allow 2 hours (to be on the safe side). Parking in Como can be difficult, so check with your accommodation before arriving. Dish to try – Antipasto originated in the Alps and is a great meal to enjoy while you people-watch in one of the alfresco restaurants.

como sunset

Accommodation in Como

This small luxury hotel is in a prime location overlooking one of Italy’s most famous lakes. Everything about it feels luxurious, parking is available, and breakfast is included. When you only have a short time to spend in one of my favourite places in Italy, this location ticks all the boxes.

The Hotel Plinius is clean and basic, has friendly staff, and is in a great location. The room has an ensuite and a Juliette balcony overlooking the streets of Como. The beds are a little more complicated than I would like, but this place is ideal for the cost. It does have parking, which is a bonus in this part of Italy.

Things to do in Lake Como

como

Northern Italy Road Trip: Day 3 Lake Como to Milan

Accommodation in Milan

Located at Via Santa Radegonda 14, Milan City Centre, 20121, walking distance to Duomo. The staff are friendly, and the rooms are modern, with an edgy feel topped off with the perfect rooftop breakfast area. There are parking facilities available and accessible wifi.

The location could not be any better. Perfect place with a direct view of the Duomo. The downfall to Amabilia Suites is there is no parking on-site, and children under 18 are not permitted. 

Things to do in Milan

 
Milan

Northern Italy Road Trip: Day 4 and 5 Milano to Verona

Travel time from Milano to Verona

Depending on your route, allow 2-2 and a half hours. When you arrive in Verona, the streets are narrow, so parking is complex, and many areas are metred parking. 

Northern Italy

Accommodation in Verona

Due Torri Hotel is at Piazza Sant’Anastasia 4, Verona Historical Centre, 37121 Verona. This excellent hotel has a great location and friendly staff close to Sant’Anastasia and Romeo’s house. Private parking is possible at a place nearby, but a reservation is needed and will incur a daily cost. 

Best Western Hotel Armando is located in the heart of the historic centre of Verona, within walking distance to the Roman Arena, Piazza Delle Erbe and most of the tourist spots. The rooms are clean, and the staff are friendly, but no parking is available. 

Things to do in Verona

Aperol Spritz

Northern Italy Road Trip: Day 6 Verona to Trento

Travel time from Verona to Trento

Allow 1 to 1.5 hours, and enjoy the gorgeous countryside. Stop to take photos if you need to; this part of Italy’s travel is spectacular and should be appreciated more for its journey than just its destination. 

Northern Italy

Accommodation in Trento

Hotel Norge is found at Trada Del Norge 3, 38123 Norge, about 5km from Trento city centre. The views here are hard to beat at any other place during this trip. The location might not be in the city centre, but these views are stunning. It has a spa centre and heated pool, something hard to find on this trip.

Al Cavour 34 is a pensione (bed and breakfast) with the most friendly staff, delightful rooms and cutest little balconies. Located in a central position in this gorgeous town. Wake up each morning to the sound of the cathedral bells and the smell of freshly baked cakes. Unfortunately, there is no parking at the pensione, but the staff will help you sort it out.

Things to do in Trento

Trento

Northern Italy Road Trip: Day 7 Trento to Venice

This northern part of Italy is a must! Everyone knows Venice and wants to tick off the city of canals on their bucket list! Venice is everything you can imagine. There is so much to do here, so one day on this Road trip wasn’t enough. Drink to try- Aperol Spritz, although it was thought to have been developed during the Austro-Hungarian Empire when the soldiers found Italian wine too strong to drink, added a spritz to their wine!

Travel time from Trento to Venice

St marks Square Venice

Accommodation in Venice

Anywhere in this city is a splurge! However, you will find that accommodation is more expensive here than in most areas of your trip. St Regis is a beautiful hotel located at San Marco 2159, San Marco, 30124, in a great location, Venetian style decore and a fabulous view. The downfall is this hotel is for adults over 18 only! 

Anywhere in Venice, it is an excellent location because there is something special around every corner. Pensiones are your best choice in Venice, and Pensione Accademia – Villa Maravege is in a great area within walking distance of the Gallerie Dell’Accademia.

Things to do in Venice

Gondola ride Venice Northern Italy

Northern Italy Road Trip: Day 10 Venice to Pisa

After breakfast, return to your car and head to the beautiful city of Pisa, where the Leaning town of Pisa is more striking in real life than ever captured on film or in a book. You can not help but be mesmerized by its beauty as soon as it pops its head into view! Finally, Cecina is a dish to try; not to be confused with the nearby town, it is a chickpea flour pancake; trust me when I say it is delicious!

Travel time from Venice to Pisa

This part of the road trip to Italy will take about four hours, so be prepared! You have a few options of places to stop off on the way. Firstly, you could stop off in Ferrara (where the city centre is included in UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage list).

You could also stop at Bologna, where the famous dish Spaghetti Bolognese (or at least very close by) originated! Or, of course, the more well-known city of Florence where you will find the statue of David and, of course, try a gelato where this world-famous creation was born.

Leaning Tower of Pisa

Accommodation in Pisa

Borgo Suite is close to everything. The apartment has plenty of room and can accommodate three couples easily. The staff are friendly, and the Borgo Suite is highly regarded, so book as soon as possible! It is just under one km from the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Street parking is available in this area.

For a budget accommodation hotel, Villa Kinzica is ideal for staying if you want the shortest walk to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. This mid-18th-century villa should not be overlooked! Public parking is nearby, but apart from that, this is a great little hotel, rooms are clean, and the staff are friendly.

Things to do in Pisa

Pisa Northern Italy

Northern Italy Road Trip: Day 12 Pisa to Sienna

Leaving Pisa after breakfast and heading to Siena’s beautiful medieval world heritage site. It is one of Italy’s most visited cities! So whether you are lucky enough to stay on the 16th of August when the Palio race (it’s still number 1 on my bucket list) or, like many others, you are there to discover why everyone loves this gorgeous city, you will not be disappointed. Dish to try – Pici alle briciole, a simple Tuscan pasta dish to ensure your mouth tingles when you finish. 

Travel time from Pisa to Siena

This part of your Northern Italy itinerary will take approximately 2 hours. There is some beautiful Tuscan scenery to enjoy along the way. When they say the sweeping hills of Tuscany, you will know exactly where that phrase comes from as you drive through an actual real-life painting. 

Pisa

Accommodation in Siena

The name of the hotel says it all. The Grand Hotel Continental Siena is an architectural delight. It is in a great location, and it’s worth staying just for the view of the city. This 17th-century building is within walking distance of the Piazza Campo, and although there is no parking at the hotel, there is parking at a nearby parking station for a fee. 

The view from this place is incredible! The rooms are clean, the staff are friendly, and the proximity to Piazza Campo is hard to beat. The downfall is that there is no parking, but if you are willing to walk a little, you can find parking in other areas of the town. 

Things to do in Siena

 
Siena

Northern Italy Road Trip: Day13 Siena to Milan

It is almost the end of your ultimate northern Italy road trip, and our final day is spent heading back to where it all began: Milan! There are a few places you can stop along the way, including Bologna, Parma, famous for Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and Prosciutto di Parma, both Italian staples. Otherwise, you could take a detour along the coast and spend some time in Genoa (the birthplace of Christopher Columbus). 

Travel time from Siena to Milan

This will be your most extended day trip yet, especially if you choose the scenic coastal trip. It will take you a minimum of 4 hours without stopping! However, if you choose the more scenic coastal route, expect to add another hour to your drive. 

Duomo Milano northern Italy

Northern Italy Road Trip: Day 14 Explore Milan

 

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  • Paula Barreca Barnes

    So 17 years ago, my husband and I set off with our little family in tow, embarking on a short-term assignment in Taiwan. Although without any knowledge of expat life or the Taiwanese culture, we took the chance and decided this would be an exciting little adventure; little did we know it changed the direction of our lives forever.

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