Italy’s Northern Lakes Road Trip + Map – The Travel Tinker Way 🚗
Northern Italy’s lakes are the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation. Imagine starting in Milan, winding along Lake Garda’s cliffside roads, hopping between pastel lakeside towns, and finishing at Lake Como with water sports, hiking, and sunlit gardens. This 7-day road trip keeps drives short, days full, and gives you time to savour local flavours, sip lakeside espresso, and wander cobbled streets. This itinerary balances iconic spots with hidden gems. Pack your walking shoes, your camera, and your sense of wanderlust, the northern lakes await. 🇮🇹
Italy's Northern Lakes Road Trip
🚗 Quick Trip Facts
- Length: 7 days / 6 nights
- Best time: Late spring (May-June) or early autumn (Sept), warm weather, fewer crowds, perfect photo light
- Driving: Mostly 1-2.5 hour hops on scenic roads
- Vehicle: Small car recommended for narrow lanes; automatic if you don’t love hill starts
- Extras: Ferries connect towns on both lakes, relaxing alternative to driving
🚗 Recommended Car Rental: DiscoverCars
🔥 Recommended Tour: Lake Como boat Tour
🗺️ Itinerary — 7 Days of Lakeside Magic
Day 0 — Arrival in Milan / Transfer to Sirmione
Arrive in Milan and pick up your rental car. You can either overnight in Milan or head straight to Sirmione on Lake Garda, about 1hr 20min – 1hr 50min away. Even a short evening walk along the lake is a perfect introduction to this trip.
📍 Things to do:
- Stroll along Sirmione’s waterfront
- Grab gelato in the evening
- Relax at a lakeside café and watch the sunset
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: If you want to explore Milan on your first day or your last, head to the Duomo early doors, to avoid the crowds!
🗺️ Related Article: Milan, Italy: An In-Depth Guide for First-Time Visitors
Day 1 — Sirmione: History and Lakeside Charm
Sirmione’s peninsular old town is packed with medieval charm and Roman ruins. Take your time wandering cobbled streets, explore the castle, and enjoy panoramic lake views.
📍 Things to do:
- Explore Scaliger Castle and its towers
- Visit Grotte di Catullo Roman villa ruins
- Wander the old town alleys and browse boutiques
- Sunset walk along the waterfront
👉 Good to know: Early mornings are quieter for photos at the castle before the day-trippers arrive
Day 2 — South Garda loop: Desenzano and Salò
Drive to nearby lakeside towns for a relaxed day of swimming, paddling, and strolling along promenades. These smaller towns are less crowded and perfect for sampling local life.
📍 Things to do:
- Walk Desenzano’s lakeside promenade
- Rent a paddleboard or small boat in Salò
- Lunch at a family-run trattoria
- Explore Salò’s piazza and cathedral
- Evening gelato in Sirmione or overnight in Salò
Day 3 — Scenic Drive to Malcesine
Take the Gardesana road with its cliffside viewpoints, stopping at small villages along the way. In Malcesine, ride the cable car up Monte Baldo for hiking or paragliding.
📍 Things to do:•
- Cable car ride to Monte Baldo summit
- Short hike with panoramic views
- Explore Malcesine’s cobbled streets and harbour
- Evening aperitivo by the lake
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: Cable car tickets are cheaper late afternoon, and sunset views are incredible
🗺️ Must-Read: A Guide to Visiting Lake Como, Italy: Your In-Depth Travel Companion
Recommended Tours and Tickets From Get Your Guide
Powered by GetYourGuide
Day 4 — Riva del Garda: Northern Lakes Adventures
A short drive brings you to Riva del Garda, where rugged cliffs and windsurfing hotspots set a dramatic northern-lake scene. Stroll the fortress and enjoy some fresh-air activities.
📍 Things to do:
- Visit Rocca di Riva fortress museum
- Try windsurfing or sailing lessons
- Walk the lakeside park and pier at sunset
💡 Fact: The northern lake is wilder and less crowded, perfect for outdoor adventure
Day 5 — Lake Como: Bellagio and Varenna
Drive via Bergamo’s Città Alta for coffee and panoramic views, then reach Lake Como. Afternoon ferry rides let you hop between towns. Evening lakeside dinner is a must.
📍 Things to do:
- Explore Bellagio’s narrow streets and shops
- Ferry to Varenna for a lakeside stroll
- Visit Villa Melzi gardens
- Dinner overlooking the lake
Day 6 — Lake Como Adventures
Spend the day on or beside the water. Kayak, speedboat, or hike along the eastern shore. Soak in the villa gardens and tranquil lakeside towns.
📍 Things to do:
- Morning boat rental or kayaking
- Hike a portion of Sentiero del Viandante
- Stroll gardens at Villa Carlotta or Villa del Balbianello
- Lakeside aperitivo in Bellagio or Menaggio
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: Weekends get busy on Como ferries; early mornings or late afternoons are quieter
Day 7 — Return to Milan
Drive back to Milan to drop off the car and catch your train or flight home. A final breakfast by the lake or a quick café stop en route is the perfect send-off.
📍 Things to do:
- Breakfast by the lake before leaving
- Quick coffee stop at a small town on the way
- Optional stroll in Milan if you have extra time
Access to the map
No sign up required and totally FREE. Literally just using Google Maps to plot your route! Saves you messing! We don't gatekeep here! Enjoy.
Map will be located under "YOU" and then under "MAPS".
ℹ️ Add the map to your Google Maps app.
After opening Google maps, click YOU and then scroll down to MAPS. It should be located there. Any issues, just get it touch, it’s no problem!
🛑 Pit Stops & Side Detours
- Grotte di Catullo, Sirmione – Roman ruins with shaded paths and lake views
- Monte Baldo cable car, Malcesine – short hikes or paragliding launch point
- Riva del Garda waterfront – windsurfing and rugged cliffs
- Bergamo Città Alta – hilltop medieval town, perfect espresso stop
- Villa del Balbianello or Villa Carlotta – gardens, villa interiors, cinematic backdrops
🍽️ Local Eats Worth Chasing
- Bigoli or lake fish dishes in Como
- Risotto al tastasal in Bergamo
- Pizzoccheri near Valtellina-style spots
- Limoncello, olives, and citrus treats around Sirmione
- Family-run gelato shops in small piazzas
🎶 Road Trip Playlist
- Paolo Conte – “Via Con Me”
- Fleetwood Mac – “Everywhere”
- Tame Impala – “The Less I Know The Better”
- Lucio Dalla – “Caruso”
- Khruangbin – “Dern Kala”
- Italian radio for midday local vibes
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: Download offline – signal can drop out.
🎙️ Podcasts to Queue Up
- Slow Travel Italy – relaxed stories and local picks
- The Moth – true tales for laughs or sniffles
- Conquering the Alps – outdoor/adventure episodes
- Food podcasts about Italian regional cuisine
🎒 Road Trip Essentials
- Maps & offline GPS
- Chargers, power bank, car mount
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Swimwear + quick-dry towel
- Reusable water bottle, small first-aid kit
- Cash and cards
- Sunglasses & light layers
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: Book parking in Como/Bellagio in advance during high season, lakeside towns get very crowded
Rent a Car
Access to the map
No sign up required and totally FREE. Literally just using Google Maps to plot your route! Saves you messing! We don't gatekeep here! Enjoy.
What to know How to Plan or Save for a Trip? Here are our best:
FAQs
How long should I spend at each lake?
Aim for 2–3 nights at Lake Garda and 2–3 nights at Lake Como to soak in the sights without rushing. Short stays work, but you’ll miss the relaxed pace and ferry rides.
Can I start this trip in Venice instead of Milan?
Yes! You can begin in Venice, drive west to Lake Garda, and follow the same loop. Expect an extra 2–2.5 hour drive on the first day.
How do I get the FREE map?
The free map is available via Google Maps with no signup required. After clicking the “View Map” link, go to “Your Places” > “Maps” in the Google Maps app to find the route. Save it for offline use, especially in areas with spotty signal.
Are ferries necessary between towns?
Not necessary, but highly recommended. They’re scenic, stress-free, and give you a break from driving while hopping between towns like Bellagio, Varenna, and Menaggio.
What’s the best time of year to visit?
Late spring (May–June) or early autumn (September) offers warm weather, fewer crowds, and stunning light for photos. Summer is popular but can be crowded in Sirmione and Como.
Travel Planning Resources
Ready to book your next trip? These trusted resources have been personally vetted to ensure a smooth travel experience.
Book Your Flights: Kick off your travel planning by finding the best flight deals on Trip.com. Our years of experience with them confirm they offer the most competitive prices.
Book Your Hotel: For the best hotel rates, use Booking.com . For the best and safest hostels, HostelWorld.com is your go-to resource. Best for overall Hotel ratings and bargains, use TripAdvisor.com!
Find Apartment Rentals: For affordable apartment rentals, check out VRBO. They consistently offer the best prices.
Car Rentals: For affordable car rentals, check out RentalCars.com. They offer the best cars, mostly brand new.
Travel Insurance: Never travel without insurance. Here are our top recommendations:
- EKTA for Travel Insurance for all areas!
- Use AirHelp for compensation claims against flight delays etc.
Book Your Activities: Discover walking tours, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more on Get Your Guide. They have a vast selection of activities to enhance your trip. There is also Tiqets.com for instant mobile tickets.
Book The Best Trains: Use Trainline to find the most affordable trains or Rail Europe for rail passes!
Travel E-SIMS: Airalo Worldwide! Use your mobile phone anywhere!
Need More Help Planning Your Trip? Visit our Resources Page to see all the companies we trust and use for our travels.
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Author
Nick Harvey
Hi, I am Nick! Thank you for reading! The Travel Tinker is a resource designed to help you navigate the beauty of travel! Tinkering your plans as you browse!
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