10 days Northern Italy road trip itinerary

If you’re seeking an Italian vacation that delivers big on fine food, art and stunning natural scenery, look no further than the Northern Italy itinerary presented below. Covering the beautiful lakes region — along with Verona, Florence, Turin and the charming Cinque Terre — it invites immersion at every turn.

Still pondering where to travel in Italy and how long to visit? Our inspirational Italy itineraries cover a range of top destinations and trip durations. For example, you’ll find countrywide inspiration in our 7 day Italy itinerary, 10 day italy itinerary and 14 day Italy itinerary.

Alternatively, before deciding on Northern Italy, consider doing a deeper dive into other regions with our Southern Italy itinerary, Amalfi coast itinerary and Tuscany itinerary.

Day 1: Arrive in Bergamo, visit its historic heart

Day one of this richly rewarding Northern Italy itinerary begins in Bergamo — a beautiful city located 50km northeast of Milan.

Divided into the Città Alta (Upper Town) and Città Bassa (Lower Town), bella Bergamo is famous for its well-preserved Venetian walls (a UNESCO World Heritage Site, no less) and marvellous medieval streets, all set against a glorious backdrop of the Lombardy countryside. 

As such, its mix of splendid scenery and historic attractions sets a fitting tone for this entire Northern Italy itinerary.

After arriving and checking into your accommodation, head out to start exploring Bergamo’s historic heart.

To do this, take the funicular to the Città Alta and take a stroll around Piazza Vecchia — a beautiful square surrounded by architectural landmarks, among them Palazzo della Ragione and Palazzo Nuovo. 

After visiting the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore — a Romanesque masterpiece — and adjacent Renaissance Cappella Colleoni, round off your first afternoon with a walk along the Venetian Walls ahead of enjoying dinner in a local trattoria.

Where to stay

To stay in scenic style — and for easy access to historic sites — check out accommodation in Città Alta. GombitHotel, for example, is a great boutique hotel located option near Piazza Vecchia.

On a bit of a budget? See B&B Bergamo Alta — a more affordable, cozy guesthouse option in the Upper Town.

Fancy staying in Milan before heading to Bergamo? Read up on where to stay in Milan, and the best things to do in Milan.

Day 2: Uncover culture and cuisine in Bergamo

Day 2 of this Northern Italy itinerary is devoted to doing a deeper dive into Bergamo. Set out early to take the second funicular to San Vigilio Hill — the views of the city and surrounding valleys are truly breath-taking.

You’ll want to explore the ruins of Castello di San Vigilio, taking your time to truly take in the majestic setting.

Come late morning, return to Città Alta for lunch before heading to the Donizetti Museum — a magnificent museum dedicated to the celebrated opera composer Gaetano Donizetti, arguably Bergamo’s most famous son.

Come the afternoon, head up to the Città Bassa to sees the city’s modern side. Via XX Settembre, for example, is a great place to shop and dine.

Day 3: Transfer to Lake Garda and explore

One of the most beautiful places in Italy awaits on day three when you’ll transfer from Bergamo to Lake Garda, Italy's largest and (arguably) most picturesque lake, which is really saying something. 

How to get from Bergamo to Lake Garda

Start your day early with a 1-2-hour drive to Lake Garda. Popular places to consider staying for the night include Sirmione, Desenzano del Garda, and Peschiera del Garda on the southern shores.

With just one night here, we suggest heading to Sirmione, which is known as the "Pearl of Lake Garda” for very good reason.

On arrival, we suggest spednig the first part of your afternoon visiting the splendid Scaliger Castle (Rocca Scaligera).

Surrounded by water, this fine 13th-century fortress delivers stunning views of the lake. 

Next, head to the Grotte di Catullo — a ruined ancient Roman villa perched on an impossibly pretty peninsula — before spending your evening enjoying a sunset dinner by the waterfront.

Where to stay

If you opt to base yourself in Sirmione, Villa Cortine Palace Hotel is perfect for a luxury stay, with finely appointed rooms offering lake views.

Meanwhile, Desenzano del Garda’s Hotel Villa Rosa offers elegant 4-star accommodation (think Neoclassical style) and modern amenities.

Day 4: Transfer to Verona and hit historic sights

Another gem of Northern Italy — and a hands-down highlight of this Northern Italy itinerary — awaits on day 3 when you’ll transfer to Verona .

Famed for being the city of Romeo and Juliet, the entire city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and every bit as rich in history as it is in romantic charm, with a well-preserved Roman amphitheater and picturesque piazzas framed by a ravishing riverside setting.

How to get from Lake Garda to Verona

The drive from Lake Garda to Verona takes just 30–45 minutes, with the A4/E70 (Autostrada) being the primary route for most travelers.

Connecting major cities in northern Italy, this toll highway is a smooth and scenic ride, offering views of rolling hills, vineyards, and cute villages.

On arriving, after checking into your hotel or guesthouse, head to Piazza Bra — Verona’s main square — to tour the well-preserved Arena di Verona Roman amphitheater.

Next, we suggest strolling the shopping area of Via Mazzini, which will lead you to pretty Piazza delle Erbe — an historic marketplace festooned with frescoed buildings, and the towering Torre dei Lamberti. 

Where to stay

When it comes to accommodation in Verona, most visitors head to Centro Storico. Ideal if you’re short on time — you’ll be close to top attractions — it’s also the best option for first-time visitors.

That said, Verona is compact and easy to get around, so, for a quieter stay in an area loaded with laidback family-friendly charm, see places to stay in San Zeno.

Day 5: Uncover Verona’s romantic riches 

Day 5 of this Northern Italy itinerary begins with a visit to Juliet’s House (Casa di Giulietta) to see the iconic balcony and statue of Shakespeare’s heroine.

Next stop — the medieval fortress of Castelvecchio, which now houses a fabulous museum that’ll keep art aficionados well and truly sated.

Come the afternoon, head to Ponte Pietra. Spanning the Adige River, this Roman bridge offers wonderful views ahead of touring the Roman Theater and nearby Archaeological Museum.

After enjoying lunch at a riverside café, relax for a few hours before returning to Piazza delle Erbe for dinner. 

To end your stay in Verona in fine style, don’t pass up the chance to sample local Valpolicella wine while tucking into food at a typical trattoria.

Day 6: Transfer to Florence, see top attractions

Fabulous Florence awaits on day 6 of this Northern Italy — get ready to soak up Renaissance majesty, world-class art and very fine food.

How to get from Verona to Florence

The drive from Verona to Florence via the A1/E35 motorway takes 2.5-3 hours.

As parking in Florence’s historic center is limited, we suggest you use designated parking lots outside the ZTL (Restricted Traffic Zone).

After checking into your accommodation, start your exploration of the city at Piazza del Duomo.

Home to the magnificent red-domed Florence Cathedral (Santa Maria del Fiore), it’s the city’s historic heart.

On your first afternoon, you could also stroll pretty Piazza della Signoria and the Palazzo Vecchio (Florence's town hall), before heading to nearby Ponte Vecchio — a charming medieval bridge lined with shops.

Where to stay

As revealed in our full guide to the best area to stay in Florence, the city has accommodation options to suit all tastes.

If you’re a first-timer — and also short on time — we suggest staying in the Duomo area as you'll be right in Florence’s historic heart and close to many top attractions.

Accommodation in the Uffizi area is also especially great for lovers of art and culture.

Day 7: Feast on fine food and art in Florence

Day 7 is devoted to visiting Florence’s best museums and galleries, starting out at one of the world’s greatest art museums — the Uffizi Gallery.

Be sure to book tickets in advance — this place is always packed with folks wanting to see masterpieces by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo.

Next, head to the Accademia Gallery to soak up remarkable Renaissance art, including Michelangelo’s David sculpture.

Art devotees will also want to visit the Basilica of Santa Croce — the burial place of Michelangelo and Galileo.

Come the evening, go for a slap-up meal in the city’s historic heart to enjoy some must-try foods in Florence.

Editor’s tip: you’ll find more Florence inspiration in our itinerary for the perfect weekend in Florence, and if you’re tempted to stay here longer, discover the best day trips from Florence.

Day 8: Transfer to the charming Cinque Terre

Day 8 will see you leave Florence bound for the beautiful UNESCO-designated charms of the Cinque Terre

Comprising five towns on the awe-inspiring Italian Riviera — Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore — this enchanting area invites scenic hikes, boat trips and long lunches by the shore.

How to get from Florence to the Cinque Terre

It takes around 2 hours 15 minutes to drive from Florence to La Spezia — the main gateway to the Cinque Terre. 

While you can drive directly to the villages from La Spezia, as parking is very limited around these parts, we recommend taking the train.

Where to stay

While all five Cinque Terre villages offer plenty of pretty places to stay — think candy-hued clifftop houses and cute guesthouses on medieval piazzas — they also have their own character.

So, when deciding where to stay in Cinque Terre, consider whether you want more of a vibrant fishing village vibe, or something more remote.

For example, as the largest and most developed of the villages, you’ll find a wider range of places to stay in Monterosso, with stays in Riomaggiore offering the easiest road access.

If you want something more romantically remote. browse accommodation in Corniglia. 

Day 9: Discover Cinque Terre’s scenic charms

Covering the main reasons folks flock to the CinqueTerre, day nine serves stacks of stunning scenery.

Start your day with a morning hike from Riomaggiore. This is the southernmost village of the Cinque Terre, and also the starting point for the area’s Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Trail) — an iconic coastal path that connects the villages.

While you could follow a 30-minute route to Manarola, we suggest continuing along the longer route from Corniglia to Vernazza — a moderate trek of around 1.5–2 hours that delivers dazzling views of terraced vineyards and the dramatic coastline.

Come the afternoon, explore Vernazza, which is often hailed the prettiest village of the Cinque Terre. Stop off for a seafood lunch before continuing to Monterosso al Mare. It’s a short train ride away if you don’t fancy another walk.

The largest of the five villages, the sandy beach here is ideal for a quick swim or sun-drenched afternoon drink.

Come the evening, take a boat tour from Monterosso al Mare to see all the villages from the water — the colorful cliffside villages look especially gorgeous at sunset — before dining at a waterfront restaurant in Monterosso.

Day 10: Transfer to Turin, take in top attractions

The last day of this Northern Italy itinerary will take you to Turin — a city of rich regal history and culinary pleasures.

On that subject, you might want to find out why Turin should be your next foodie break.

How to get from the Cinque Terre to Turin

Set out early to drive the A12 and A26 highways from Cinque Terre to Turin, — it’ll take around 3–4 hours. 

On arrival, check out Piazza Castello — the beating historic heart of Turin — for your first flavor of the city. 

Be sure to visit the stunning Baroque Palazzo Reale (Royal Palace) — a UNESCO World Heritage Site of ornate interiors, including those located in the grand Armeria Reale (Royal Armory).

Next, head to the Mole Antonelliana — an iconic landmark of Turin. For spectacular views of the city and the Alps, take the elevator to the top of the tower.

Come the late afternoon, take a stroll along the grand Via Roma shopping street before your ending your day — and this Northern Italy itinerary — with dinner in a classic Turin restaurant.

Final thoughts: ahead of booking your trip to Northern Italy, read up on how to plan a trip to Italy, and take more inspiration from our Italy itineraries.

Not keen on planning? Contact our local experts to have them take care of every last detail.