Planning the ultimate northern Italy road trip and have no idea yet where to go? Then I’ve got you covered!
My husband and I have taken the perfect 10-day Italy road trip, and I can tell you – the planning was a hassle! Since the trip turned out to be so perfect, I would say it was worth it!
So you can skip all the tedious planning, I will share all the details about our road trip in this post.
This includes an amazing 10-day Italy road trip itinerary and a two-week Italy trip itinerary, hotel recommendations, and the best things to do in each town.
Let’s get to it!
10-Day Northern Italy Road Trip Itinerary: at a Glance
- 2 nights in Milan
- Quick stop in Lago di Garda
- 1 night in Verona
- 3 nights in Venice
- 1 night in Florence
- 1 night in Pisa
- 1 day in Cinque Terre
- 1 night in Milan
For the 10-day Northern Italy road trip itinerary, I definitely suggest visiting famous cities such as Milan, Venice, and Florence. But also the smaller cities, such as Verona and Pisa, are worth visiting.
As for beautiful scenery, we have added Lago di Garda as well as Cinque Terre to the itinerary. Both destinations are extremely beautiful and definitely worth a visit.
We have started and ended our road trip in Milan. Milan has the best airport connection in the area. Also, rental cars are cheaper if you return them to their original destination, so we planned this as a round trip.
2 Week Northern Italy Road Trip Itinerary
- 2 nights in Milan
- 1 night in Lago di Garda
- 1 night in Verona
- 2 nights in Venice
- 2 nights in Florence
- 1 night in Pisa
- 1 night in Cinque Terre
- 1 night in Genoa
- 1 night in Milan
10 days is a good time for this road trip itinerary. However, we felt like we could have used some additional days at some of the stops.
I don’t recommend adding more stops to the already busy itinerary, but I would add some more nights to Florence, Lago di Garda, and Cinque Terre.
Milan
We chose Milan as a starting point for our ultimate Northern Italy road trip.
The city is easy to reach by plane, and we could easily find a rental car there. We decided to sleep in Milan for two nights, so we would have enough time to explore the city.
Milan Things to Do
Milan is a beautiful city and has many great things for you to see. First and foremost, I suggest a nice walk through the city to pass by some famous landmarks.
My three favorite things to see in Milan were the Duomo di Milano, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, and the Sforza Castle.
If you are planning this trip ahead of time, you might want to reserve a spot to see the famous Last Supper painting.
Football fans will be drawn to the San Siro Stadium, which is the home of AC Milan and Inter Milan.
The famous La Scala opera house is the place to be for lovers of the theater. You should also explore world-class museums such as the Pinacoteca di Brera and the Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology.
The Santa Maria Delle Grazie is an amazing place to visit as well; this is where Leonardo Da Vinci painted The Last Supper.
If you are not sure where to go, I have a couple of great suggestions for tours and day trips in Milan that you can choose from. Booking some day trips or tours ahead of time can save a lot of hassle and is a convenient way of exploring a city.
Lago di Garda
After leaving Milan early in the morning, we headed towards Verona.
On the way, we stopped at the Lago di Garda for lunch and to explore a bit. We loved this small pit stop because everything was lovingly decorated and very quiet at the time.
Lago di Garda is the largest lake in Italy. It offers stunning natural beauty with crystal-clear waters. I absolutely loved the picturesque landscapes.
We did not stay overnight on this Northern Italy road trip. If you have time available, I suggest staying at least one night at the Lefay Resort and Spa – the view from their terrace is to die for!
Lago Di Garda Things to Do
Garda’s shoreline is filled with beaches, promenades, and waterfront restaurants, perfect for a lunchtime snack on the water. It is not hard to find something to do here.
Lago di Garda is surrounded by charming towns and villages, such as Sirmione and Malcesine. Both of them are great places for a lunch stop.
In summer, the lake is ideal for water activities like swimming, sailing, and windsurfing. Historical sites like the Scaliger Castle and Roman ruins should definitely be on your list!
We only stayed there for a couple of hours, but if you have the time, make sure to book a full-day Lake Garda tour.
Verona
Our second (overnight) stop on our 10-day northern Italy road trip was Verona.
The small city of Verona is famous for being the home of Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet. We arrived late in the afternoon in Verona and strolled around the city.
Verona is very walkable – and you can easily explore it without a guide.
We stayed for one night at the Hotel Leon d’Oro in Verona. The hotel was within walking distance of all major sights, we got free breakfast, and the rooms were very nice and spacious.
The Due Torri Hotel in Verona is also a great option.
Things to Do in Verona
First of all, you need to visit the iconic Verona Arena! It is an ancient Roman amphitheater that hosts opera performances and concerts. It also looks super stunning from the outside
Explore Juliet’s House (Casa di Giulietta) and its famous balcony! It is a popular spot for lovers and fans of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.” It was my favorite thing to do in Verona.
Wander through Piazza delle Erbe. This is a vibrant square surrounded by colorful buildings, cafes, and a lively market. A great spot for an Aperol Spritz!
Take a stroll along the Adige River and enjoy the picturesque views of Verona’s bridges and historic architecture.
Visit the stunning Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore. This is an impressive Romanesque church with beautiful frescoes and a beautiful courtyard.
Venice
From Verona, we headed straight to Venice.
Including Venice in the road trip was slightly difficult, because you can not bring cars into the city. However, we still desperately wanted to spend New Year’s Eve in Venice, so we made it happen! And it was much better than I could have imagined.
The best option to stay in Venice with a car is on the Lido di Venezia. That’s a small island just off the coast of Venice city. You can reach it by ferry, which is super easy and cheap. We stayed at Hotel Villa Laguna, and it was, in my opinion, the best stay on this trip.
Venice is a unique and enchanting city in northeastern Italy. Venice is commonly known as the “Floating City.” It is built on 118 small islands, and they are connected by a network of canals and bridges.
Venice is especially famous for its picturesque canals, gondolas, and beautiful architecture. You can find many charming streets in Venice and see hidden gems, cute little shops, and local restaurants.
Sadly, Venice is also facing some challenges. Rising water levels and over-tourism impact the island. They are trying to fight both, sadly to no avail.
However, it is still one of my favorite cities in the world – one you absolutely need to see.
Things to Do in Venice
We spent our first day in Venice exploring the famous sights of the old city center. Strolling alongside the canals, walking over the Rialto Bridge, and ate a pizza to go.
We checked out the Bridge of Sighs, took a gondola ride, and marveled at the Campanile and San Marco Square.
We visited the Doge’s Palace and had a coffee in one of the oldest cafes in the world, Caffe Florian.
Venice is pretty easy to explore on foot. You can just dive right in and walk around the little island. The charm of Venice definitely lies in the picturesque little alleys with a mystical feel to them.
On the last day of the old year, we spent touring the small islands of Murano and Burano. They are famous for their colorful houses and their arts and crafts, such as glass blowing.
Check out the Grand Canal, something you need to see on this Italian road trip.
You can take a water taxi or a guided tour to the islands, or simply catch a ferry! This is definitely one of my favorite things to do in Venice and on this 10-day northern Italy road trip!
Florence
Our next stop on the 10-day northern Italy road trip was Florence. After a bit of a drive, we arrived in the beautiful city and checked into our hotel. There are many amazing things to do in Florence.
Our hotel experience in Florence was somewhat of a surprise. We booked the AC Hotel Firenze by Marriott, and we got upgraded to their best suite because of our Marriott Members Status. 10/10 recommend!
Florence is located in the heart of Tuscany. The city is renowned for its rich history, art, and architecture. It is also considered the birthplace of the Renaissance.
Florence’s historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is filled with stunning architecture, charming streets, and lively piazzas.
Things to Do in Florence
We explored the beautiful city center on foot and checked out the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the famous Ponte Vecchio, and the Galleria Uffizi.
Uffizi Gallery is home to an impressive collection of Renaissance masterpieces. You can see Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus” and da Vinci’s “Annunciation.”
Another great thing to explore in Florence is the famous David statue by Michelangelo. Make sure to book a tour for this part of the trip, so you can skip the endless lines and see the statue with a guide.
Explore the Pitti Palace and its Boboli Gardens. They are a stunning oasis of beautiful lawns, fountains, and sculptures.
Also make sure to discover the beauty of the Basilica of Santa Croce, the final resting place of renowned figures such as Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli.
Pisa
We continued our 10-day northern Italy road trip towards Pisa to stay for another night.
We opted for the AC Hotel Pisa by Marriott again because of its great location and parking spaces.
Pisa is a historic city in Tuscany. It is mostly famous for its iconic Leaning Tower, but there is a lot of other cultural heritage to see as well.
Aside from the Leaning Tower, the Piazza dei Miracoli is also home to the magnificent Pisa Cathedral and the Baptistery. Both are extremely impressive to see.
The city’s historical center is also a great spot to check out. It has medieval architecture, including the well-preserved Piazza dei Cavalieri. This used to be the political center of Pisa.
Make sure to stroll along the Arno River and enjoy the atmosphere of the Lungarni, the picturesque waterfront promenades.
Try some typical Tuscan dishes, such as Cecina (chickpea flatbread) and Cacciucco (a seafood stew).
This is a relaxing stop on the road trip itinerary, but one we enjoyed immensely.
Cinque Terre
A dream of mine was visiting the famous five villages of Cinque Terre. So we added the stop at the last minute to the itinerary.
Cinque Terre, the five towns, is a string of five old fishing villages perched high on the Italian Riviera in the region of Liguria. The towns are called Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso.
We did not stay overnight, but we had a full day to explore since the drive from Pisa was very short.
During the summer months, these villages are incredibly touristy and impossible to explore. We were grateful to have them almost to ourselves. Make sure to bring good shoes; there is a lot of walking down steps involved.
I have also visited Cinque Terre on my Western Mediterranean Cruise, in case you feel like exploring the area on the water.
Making It a Two-Week Northern Italy Road Trip
If you have a bit more time on your hands, then I suggest making this a two-week northern Italy road trip. We felt slightly rushed with our itinerary, and we would have loved to spend an extra night in Cinque Terre, Florence, or Genoa.
In my opinion, two weeks is a great amount of time for this northern Italy road trip, and if I had to do it all over again, I would stay even longer!
Some people also add on places like Bologna, Lake Como, the Dolomites, Turin, Siena (the Piazza del Campo and the Torre del Mangia are amazing), Modena, or Lake Maggiore. Cortina d’Ampezzo and San Gimignano are also favorites. Northern Italy has truly so much to offer.
Not ready to end your time in Italy just yet? After Northern Italy, you should check out the beautiful Puglia region.
Important Information for Your Italy Road Trip
🚗 Plan your route and destinations. I suggest picking the hotels below because they have great on-site parking and are very centrally located. This saves a lot of stress
🚗 Pack essential supplies for the drive, including water and snacks. Make sure your car has a first-aid kit and an extra wheel.
🚗 Get your vehicle serviced before hitting the road. If you have a rental car, you don’t need to worry about that one. The company will take care of it. I suggest booking with DiscoverCars, we have always had great experiences with them.
🚗 Bring a physical map or have offline navigation options. Sometimes there is no phone reception, so unless you have GPS in your car, I suggest bringing a travel guide with a map.
🚗 Carry emergency supplies like a first aid kit.
🚗 Enjoy the journey and embrace unexpected detours. Don’t get worked up about detours; they can be fun!
🚗 Italy requires you to pay tolls on the road; keep that in mind while budgeting! Usually, they take credit cards, but make sure to bring some cash.
🚗 In case of an emergency, for immediate medical attention or to call an ambulance, dial 112 from any telephone in Italy.
🚗 Make sure you have an international driving permit.
🚗 Make sure to inform yourself about the country in detail; there are a lot of useful things you need to know about Italy before you go.
🚗 Check out this list of 20 Italy travel apps to download from my friend Jade.
Conclusion: Northern Italy Road Trip Itinerary
I really hope that this Northern Italy road trip itinerary will help you have the trip of a lifetime. All of the stops on this itinerary are incredibly interesting and beautiful.
The typical Italian cuisine, stunning architecture, and history make Northern Italy a great place for a road trip. The streets are in great condition, and driving is luckily very easy. This Northern Italy itinerary covers all the highlights you need to see!
About the Author
Hi friend, I am Sabrina, a passionate travel blogger and photographer from Austria.
I love capturing the world through the lens of the seasons, chasing soft spring blooms, golden autumn light, and cozy winter moments along the way. My goal is to help you discover destinations at their most magical moments.
