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Attractions Nearby Milan (Milan, Italy)



Milan, Italy is full of many fantastic tourist attractions, but within a short journey from the city there are countless other superb places well worth a visit. Whether you are looking for historical Milan landmarks and buildings or beautifully landscaped gardens in Milan, you can be sure that you won't have far to travel.

Nearby Milan there are several large lakes, with excellent facilities for visitors, including hotels, restaurants and cafés with wonderful views, lining the lakes fronts. There are also some very pretty villages, castles, museums, villas and gardens dotted along the lake shores. In the summer there are many cultural festivals and events, such as the Settimane Musicali di Strasa music festival at Lake Maggiore. There are many other smaller lakes near to Milan as well, which are particularly peaceful and unspoilt areas to visit.




Attractions Nearby Milan: Lake Maggiore - north-west of Milan
Fed by the Ticino River, the Maggiore Lake is the second largest lake in the whole of Italy. It is around 212 square km / 82 square miles in size, with a maximum depth of around 370 metres / 1,220 feet. In 1826 the introduction of ferry services helped to develop the area. This large lake features many attractions on its shores and highlights include:

• Isole Borromee - one of three islands on the lake
• Castles of Malpaga - opposite the Cànnero Riviera, these castles belonged to the Mazzardites, who were pirates of the lake, and were built in the 13th to 14th century
• Stresa - an old fisherman's village that became popular after articles by famous writers, such as George Byron and Charles Dickens
• Villa Taranto - featuring one of Italy's most well-known botanic gardens which was founded in 1931, containing specimens of plant species from all over the world
• Santa Caterina del Sasso Ballaro - this monastery is perched on a rocky outcrop near Laveno and was built in the 12th century by a local merchant
• Rocca di Angera - an imposing medieval fortress, with 14th-century frescoes and a doll museum
• Sesto Calende - the town museum in Piazza Mazzini features many interesting Bronze Age artifacts excavated nearby
• Arona - an enormous statue of San Carlo Borromeo includes a 35 metre / 115 foot staircase, leading to some superb panoramic views

Attractions Nearby Milan: Lake Como - north of Milan
Also often referred to as Lario, this is the third largest lake in Italy and the deepest, with a maximum depth of around 410 metres / 1,345 feet. The lake is shaped like an upside-down 'Y' and there is a scenic road that follows the ancient Strada Regina, which is lined with villas and gardens. Features of the lake include:

• Como - this cathedral has a large dome and construction began in 1396, finally ending in 1740
• Bell Tower - this tower on Santa Maria Maddalena is one of the main symbols of the lake
• Bellagio - with spectacular views from the Spartivento point, Bellagio is positioned at the junction of the arms of Lake Como and is one of the most popular spots on the lake
• Cernobbio - the 16th-century Villa d'Este is now a popular hotel and has some beautifully landscaped gardens with many fountains
• Gravedona - Santa Maria del Tiglio in Gravedona is the most famous Romanesque construction in this region and features an unusual octagonal bell tower
• Crotti - these typical mountain caves are situated in the upper Lario region and have been used as wine cellars since the 19th century
• Vezio Castle - this medieval castle, near to Varenna, is built on the site of a Roman tower and has wonderful views
• Varenna - this small village has some of the best preserved pathways on the lake, consisting of raised boardwalks and steps
• Tremezzo - the Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo was built in 1843 as a wedding gift for Carlotta of Prussia

Attractions Nearby Milan: Lake Garda - east of Milan
Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy and was created by glaciation. At the northern end of the lake there are steep cliffs and rugged outcrops, contrasting with smaller hills at the southern end. The lake has become a popular area for windsurfing and sailing and many well-known regattas are held nearby, such as the Centomiglia.

• Gardone Riviera - this is a pleasant tourist resort and nearby is the Vittoriale degli Italiano, where the writer Gabriele D'Annunzio lived for many years
• Sirmione - this well-preserved Roman villa is one of the most impressive examples of a Roman residence in Northern Italy
• Desenzano del Garda - a popular and lively town, full of history
• Villa Bettoni - Bogliaco features some elegant rooms with frescoes and masterpieces painted by Reni and Canaletto
• Limone sul Garda - full of citrus trees which are believed to be the reason for the locals having the longest life expectancies in Italy
• At Torbole - this has recently become a popular surfer's paradise
• Punta San Vigilio - named after the bishop from Trent who brought Christianity to the area in the 4th century
• The Camaldolite Hermitage - with some truly impressive panoramic views
• Torri del Benaco - this small fortified town was a major stop between Riva and Garda and features a castle, which now houses an interesting museum, with many prehistoric finds

Attractions Nearby Milan: Other Smaller Lakes Nearby Milan

• Lago d'Orta - situated in the lower Alps region, this lake is surrounded by soft hills and scenery, with many small villages dotted around the shore and perched on terracing
• Lago di Varese - with pleasant scenery and rolling, green hills, this lake basin was created by glacial movement and many prehistoric remains were found on the Island of Isolino Virginia, which are now on display at the Villa Ponti museum
• Lago d'Iseo - also known as Sebino, this lake extends between the provinces of Bergamo and Brescia and is the seventh largest lake in Italy
• Lago d'Idro - this is the highest lake in Lombardy and was converted into an artificial basin in 1932 to provide both hydroelectricity and irrigation

 
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