Northern Italy Grand Road Trip: 15 Days from Milan to Venice
A two-week road trip traversing Northern Italy, connecting Milan, Lake Como, Lake Garda, the Dolomites, and Venice.
This grand itinerary connects Northern Italy's cities, lakes, and mountains into a west-to-east, one-way route. Compared to typical two-week road trips, it places Verona before Lake Garda to reduce backtracking. With six nights in the Dolomites, it leaves plenty of buffer for weather and hiking. Perfect for first-time visitors with ample time. Cars are not needed in Milan and Venice; we recommend picking up your car when leaving Milan and returning it immediately upon arrival in Venice. Inquire about one-way rental fees in advance.
Dolomites cable cars mainly operate in summer, with some facilities closed in May and October.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrive in Milan & Visit the Duomo
Milan（Milan Cathedral、Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II、Teatro alla Scala）
Take the airport express to Milano Centrale (approx. 50 mins), transfer to the metro to reach the historic center, and explore on foot.
Stay: Duomo District
Day 2 · The Last Supper & Navigli District
Milan（The Last Supper (Santa Maria delle Grazie)、Sforza Castle、Pinacoteca di Brera、Navigli）
Take the metro and walk from Santa Maria delle Grazie to Sforzesco Castle, heading to the Navigli district in the evening.
Tickets for "The Last Supper" are extremely limited and must be booked 2 to 3 months in advance.
Stay: Duomo District
Day 3 · Pick Up Car & Drive to Lake Como
Lake Como（Bellagio、Villa Melzi Gardens）
Pick up your car in the city, drive about 1.5 hours to Bellagio, park at your hotel, and switch to the ferry.
The roads on the Bellagio peninsula are narrow and get congested on summer weekends; it is best to depart in the morning.
Stay: Bellagio
Day 4 · Ferry Tour of Varenna & Famous Villas
Lake Como（Varenna、Villa Carlotta、Villa del Balbianello）
Take the ferry from Bellagio to Varenna, Tremezzo, and Lenno (15 to 30 minutes per leg), hopping between them throughout the day.
Stay: Bellagio
Day 5 · Bergamo Upper Town to Verona
Milan（Bergamo Città Alta） → Brescia & Lake Iseo（Sirmione, Lake Garda）
Drive about 1.5 hours to Bergamo, 1.2 hours to Sirmione, and another 45 minutes to Verona.
Sirmione's parking lots often fill up in the morning; there are fewer crowds in the evening.
Stay: Historic Centre
Day 6 · A Day in Verona's Old Town
Verona（Arena di Verona、Piazza delle Erbe、Juliet's House、Castel San Pietro & Ponte Pietra）
Park outside the historic center and explore on foot all day. Cross the river to Castel San Pietro at dusk for the sunset.
The historic center is a ZTL (Limited Traffic Zone); confirm parking arrangements with your hotel in advance if driving.
Stay: Historic Centre
Day 7 · Northward Along Lake Garda's East Coast
Verona（Bardolino、Malcesine & Scaliger Castle、Monte Baldo Cable Car） → Trento（Riva del Garda）
Drive along the eastern shore via Bardolino and Malcesine to Riva del Garda (approx. 1.5 to 2 hours, prone to summer traffic).
The queue for the Mount Baldo cable car can exceed 45 minutes; arrive early.
Stay: Riva del Garda
Day 8 · Trento to Val Gardena
Trento（Piazza del Duomo & Neptune Fountain、Castello del Buonconsiglio） → Dolomites（Ortisei & Val Gardena）
Drive from Riva to Trento (approx. 1 hour), then take the A22 to Ortisei (approx. 1.5 hours).
Stay: Ortisei
Day 9 · Seceda Ridge Day
Walk from Ortisei to the cable car station (approx. 30 minutes round-trip) and spend half a day hiking on the mountain.
For summer 2026, cable car time slots must be booked online. Keep an eye on the schedule for the last cable car down.
Stay: Ortisei
Day 10 · Alpe di Siusi & Sassolungo
Dolomites（Alpe di Siusi、Sassolungo (Langkofel)）
Take the cable car from Ortisei up to the meadow. Walk or take the internal shuttle bus during the day, and return to town in the evening.
The road to the meadow is closed to private cars during the day; non-guests must take the cable car up.
Stay: Ortisei
Day 11 · Half-Day in Val di Funes
Drive from Ortisei to Santa Magdalena (approx. 40 minutes), walk around the village for views, and return in the afternoon.
Roadblocks are now in place at the viewpoints; visitors must park at the village entrance and walk 20 to 30 minutes.
Stay: Ortisei
Day 12 · Over the Passes to Cortina d'Ampezzo
Dolomites（Sella Pass、Pordoi Pass & Sass Pordoi、Lagazuoi & Falzarego Pass、Cortina d'Ampezzo）
Drive via the Sella, Pordoi, and Falzarego passes to Cortina (approx. 3 hours including stops).
The Gardena Pass is reportedly subject to traffic restrictions starting September 2026; this route takes the Sella pass instead.
Stay: Cortina d'Ampezzo
Day 13 · Tre Cime di Lavaredo & Lago di Braies
Dolomites（Lago di Braies、Lake Misurina、Tre Cime di Lavaredo）
Drive from Cortina to Braies (approx. 1 hour), then head to Rifugio Auronzo in the afternoon (approx. 1 hour).
Both the toll road to Tre Cime and access to the lake area require advance reservations during the summer peak season.
Stay: Cortina d'Ampezzo
Day 14 · Descend the Mountains to Venice
Venice（Grand Canal & Rialto Bridge、St. Mark's Square & Basilica、Doge's Palace）
Drive from Cortina to Piazzale Roma (approx. 2 to 2.5 hours), return your car, and take a vaporetto (water bus) to the main island.
Stay: Dorsoduro
Day 15 · Burano & Departure
Take the water bus to Murano and Burano (approx. 1 hour total), return to Fondamente Nove, and transfer to the airport bus.
It is best to choose a late evening flight, or move the island excursion to the afternoon of Day 14.
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- Milan, Lake Como & Scenic Trains Loop
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