Are you looking for the best things to do in Lombardy, Italy? There are quite many, so stick around.
Located in the northeast of the country, it is one of the most popular and the most beautiful Italian regions – and certainly the wealthiest. Read on to find out the must-see attractions in Lombardy, as well as the best activities in the region.
Lombardy is a large region that ranges from the Alps to the plains, from cities of art to small medieval villages. Its capital, Milan, is the cultural and fashion epicenter of this boot-shaped country.
Lombardy, however, is much more than just Milan. Read on to find out more of the must-see attractions in Lombardy, Italy.
Best Things To Do in Lombardy, Italy
If you’re planning a one-week trip to this northern Italian region, this guide to the best things to do in Lombardy should help you discover its beautiful scenery, history, culture, and delicious cuisine.
1. Discover Lombardy’s living history
If you don’t have time to visit museums or historic sites while in Lombardy, there are other ways to learn about the region’s history.
In Erba’s Castello di Casiglio and Como’s Castello di Carimate, guests can stay in rooms that date back to the 14th and 15th centuries, respectively. You may also enjoy dinner in Belle Epoque restaurants, like Ristorante Biffi in Milan, are open to the public.
In the city of Brescia, there’s a really old coffee shop that opened in 1850. Its name used to be Caffè Maffio. When it closed in 1980 and reopened a year later, the coffee shop changed its name to Zanardelli36.
This is one of the best places to visit in Lombardy if you want to discover living history. Here you will feel like you’ve been transported to an older era as you sip your morning coffee.
2. Visit the fantastic lakes of Lombardy
Lombardy is also known as the “lake region,” being home to more than fifteen. These lakes alone are enough reason for visiting the region!
All year-round, the Italian lakes are stunning. However, in the summer, when everything opens up for business, the lakes truly come to life.
Some of the most well-known lakes in the region are Lake Como, Lake Garda, Lake Maggiore, and Lake Iseo. Visiting these lakes is among the best activities in Lombardy.
Check out the best Lombardy lakes group tours here:
3. Snowsports and other mountain activities
In central Europe’s Alps region, Italy is separated from Switzerland, Austria, and Liechtenstein by the formidable mountains.
During the colder months, the mountains are a great place to enjoy cold-weather activities like skiing, snowshoeing, and snowboarding. The mountains are also a popular destination for hikers and those who simply want to reconnect with nature during the summer.
The following Lombardy mountains should be on your itinerary, whether you’re a beginner or an expert in winter sports and hiking:
• Alta Valtellina
Several of Lombardy’s best ski resorts are part of the Alta Valtellina ski area, which spans 250 miles of linked slopes and is accessible with just a single ski pass.
With its 115 kilometers of slopes, Livigno is one of the most popular ski resorts in Alta Valtellina.
The highest ski resorts for skiing in this area extend to the Stelvio Pass, which shares the border with Switzerland. It has an altitude of 3,450 meters.
• Mt. Pagano and Fortification of WWI
Upon reaching the peak, you will see the second-line fortification from World War. The defensive perimeter of the fortification is still clearly visible.
Mt. Pagano offers beautiful walks in Val Camonica.The breathtaking views allow you to get a good perspective of the Adamello and Mortirolo complex.
Click here to check out the best walks in Italy to trek and hike!
• Monte Pizzocolo
Climbing opportunities are available along the east ridge of this mountain hike on Lake Garda’s west bank.
Rated as moderate, the Monte Pizzocolo trail is mainly used for hiking and running, as well as bird-watching. It is located near Toscolano-Maderno in Lombardy.
The trail offers a perfect panoramic view of Lake Garda. You can also see the Adamello Group, the Appennines, and many other mountains in clear weather.
Here are the best snowsport and mountain activities group tours in Lombardy:
4. Ride the funicular to enjoy unparalleled views
A funicular ride is a must-do if you aren’t afraid of heights at all. It is one of the most enjoyable activities in Lombardy you shouldn’t miss when in the region.
From the charming village of Laveno-Mombello, take the Funivia del Lago Maggiore to the 1,062-meter summit of Mount Sasso del Ferro. Take the open-top cable car for a 20-minute ride if the weather is clear and sunny. The Alps and the Pre-Alps Mountains can be seen from this location.
Perhaps it’s a little overstated to refer to a funicular as a cable car. There’s enough room for two people to stand in it, yet this is what makes this ride so enjoyable!
Other Lombardy funiculars to try are the ones in Como-Brunate which offer stunning views of Lake Como, and the historic Vellone-Sacro Monte funicular which takes passengers to the sanctuary of 15 chapels dedicated to the Madonna.
Interested in funicular group tours in Lombardy? Check out these deals:
5. Explore the UNESCO Heritage sites in Lombardy
Lombardy is a veritable treasure trove for history buffs, with countless stories, structures, and artifacts to explore. The Kingdom of Lombardy once ruled this area, so this isn’t all that surprising.
The region got its name from the Germanic people known as the Lombards, who ruled the area from 568 to 774 CE. It’s a well-known historical site, and there’s a lot of interesting things to see and do.
Lombardy is Italy’s most UNESCO World Heritage Site-rich region, making for an ideal road trip rich in history, architecture, and mystique.
MUST-READ: • Top 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Italy
The historic cities of Mantua and Sabbioneta, the rock carvings of Valcamonica, the Rhaetian Railway in the Albula, and the village of Crespi d’Adda are some of the best places to visit in Lombardy, which should be part of your itinerary.
Book these unique Lombardy UNESCO sites group tours:
6. Admire Lombardy’s churches and cathedrals
Of course, no visit to Lombardy is complete without visiting its capital city and the Duomo is always in every itinerary in Milan. Checking out these churches are among the best things to do in Lombardy.
Here’s a quick list of the best churches and cathedrals you must visit in Lombardy, starting with Italy’s largest church.
• Duomo di Milano (Milan Cathedral)
The Duomo of Milan, the largest church in the Italian Republic, took almost 600 years to finish since its construction began in 1386.
The Duomo is the symbol of Milan and one of the most beautiful churches you’ll ever see. It is an absolute marvel of architecture that everyone wants to see in the Lombardy capital.
• Cathedral of Como
This church, also named the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, is the main place of worship in the city of Como. It was built between the 14th and the 18th centuries.
Considered one of the most important religious buildings of northern Italy, the Cathedral of Como is easily recognizable from its teal roof. Its blue patterned ceiling and stained-glass windows are just as impressing, and so are the altar and the dome.
The Cathedral of Como is well worth a stop if you’re visiting the famous lake nearby.
• Duomo Vecchio – Brescia
The Duomo Nuovo (New Cathedral) and Duomo Vecchio (Old Cathedral) are Brescia’s two cathedrals located in one piazza.
The Old Cathedral is also called “La Rotonda” because of its circular layout, one of the most pertinent examples of Romanesque round church in Italy. This is one of the many interesting attractions that Brescia has to offer. When you visit, check out the red marble sarcophagus near the entrance!
7. Relax at Lombardy’s thermal spas
There are numerous thermal water springs across Lombardy, with a wide array of thermal baths to choose from. The most famous of these springs is in the Valtelline Valley, near Bormio.
Bagni Vecchi di Bormio is highly recommended for an unforgettable thermal bath experience. It is a spa center that offers over 30 spa treatments and varying types of baths. Bagni di Bormio is situated along the road that leads up to the Stelvio Pass.
Another nice destination for thermal baths is the Terme di Boario in the Camonica Valley. It boasts over 150 years in the business with about 5,000 massages done each year. The place is also well-known for the magnesium waters of Boario which are said to possess excellent therapeutic properties.
RELATED POST: • 12 Best Thermal Baths in Italy
8. Try your hands at traditional paper making and other local crafts
There’s a small business in Toscolano Maderno that has been in operations since 1381. It’s Toscolano 1381 company. It has been making paper for the Venetian Republic in the traditional manner for centuries.
You can go there and learn about the process of papermaking, as well as purchase sheets of paper made by one of the artisans who work there. Creating your own is even an option! When you hold a piece of paper that you made with your own hands, it will be a proud moment. It is definitely one of the unique things to do in Lombardy.
Other crafts to learn while in Lombardy are perfume-making, oil painting, and pottery.
9. Sample Lombardy’s regional cuisine
Throughout the world, Italy – or “Eataly,” if I may say so – is known for its delectable cuisine and abundance of locally-sourced produce. Lombardy, of course, is no exception in this regard.
Any Lombardy restaurant serving a good cheese dish is far superior to any you’ll find outside of Italy, even if the pizza in the south of the country is a little better.
Traditional Lombardy foods to try include the lean and delicate bresaola (a Valtellina salami made with beef that has been salted and cured for one or two months), risotto alla Milanese (a risotto rice dish flavored saffron), and Bitto, which is cow’s milk cheese from the Orobie Alps’ mountain pastures and stables.
Sampling the local cuisine is one of the absolute best activities in Lombardy.
Do you love Lombard food? Then you should book the following unique food tasting and cooking group tours:
10. Go on an agriturismo and wine-tasting session
Lombardy is home to a handful of renowned wine styles which include the bright, cherry-smelling Valtellina and the high-quality sparkling wine of Franciacorta and Oltrepo Pavese Metodo Classico, which is one of Italy’s alternatives to champagne. You can sample these wines at an agriturismo.
An agriturismo is a small, typically family-run farm in Italy that provides food, lodging, or both for visitors. It is fast becoming among the must-experience attractions in Lombardy.
In Lombardy, an example of an agriturismo is Montelio, a 13th-century agriturismo in the town of Codevilla in the province of Pavia.
Before its conversion to a private winery in 1848, the building served as a Benedictine convent. In addition to their wines, you can sample local cheese, cured meats, and frittata when you stop by for a wine tasting at the estate.
Other must-visit agriturismos in Lombardy are Cavril Agriturismo in Sotto il Monte, Relais da Vittorio to the east of Bergamo, and L’Albereta near Erbusco in Brescia. These are definitely among the best places to visit in Lombardy.
11. Shop ’til you drop in Milan
Shopping in Milan is without a doubt one of the best activities in Lombardy. As one of the world’s fashion capitals and a wealthy city filled with beautiful people, it’s only natural that it is among the world’s best cities for shopping – along with London, Paris, and New York.
However, shopping in Milan is more than just designer boutiques – although, of course, you’ll find plenty of that as well. Think of the various major Italian fashion brands, such as Prada, Versace, Armani, Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana, Missoni, Trussardi, and Moschino – all currently headquartered in this beautiful Northern Italian city. For more Italian brands that are best bought in Milan, check out this post.
For luxury shoppers, there’s Via Montenapoleone for you. It is Milan’s key shopping street, home to all mentioned designer brands and more others.
For souvenirs and mid-range to high-street brands, Corso Vittorio Emanuele II is the place for you.
For those looking for alternatives to the designer labels of the Via Montenapoleone, head to Corso di Porta Ticinese. This is a haven for denims and you’ll also find offbeat fashion brands that are much easier on the pocket.
Affordable brands can be bought at Corso Buenos Aires, said to be the longest shopping street in Europe.
12. Join in the festivals and events
Do you want to partake in the best activities in Lombardy? Well, then, plan your trip around any of Lombardy’s festivals.
Let’s pick a couple for you.
• Festa del Tartufo Nero a Bracca (Black Truffle Festival)
When: End of September to the beginning of October
Where: Bracca, Province of Bergamo
If you’re visiting Bracca in late September, partake in the Black Truffle Festival. It is a week-long celebration honoring the celebration of the black truffle, a popular produce in the area.
The festival is characterized by lots of cooking and tasting of specialties offered by the participating restaurants.
This is a fun-filled event where you can visit an actual truffle ground and see demonstrations of truffle hunting with trained truffle dogs.
• Sagra del Casoncello (Festival of Casoncello)
When: Around 15 June
Where: Castro, Province of Bergamo
The Sagra del Casoncello in Lombardy town of Castro attracts many visitors every year, around the middle of June. This is held in celebration of the famous fish that’s caught from Lake Iseo.
This festival is a typical Italian event in a sense that it involves a lot of eating. You will never run out of food here and all in typical Bergamo recipes. This is a perfect opportunity to sample the real casoncello, a raviolo typical of the province.
This gastronomic feast is not limited to casoncelli, though. You will also be able to partake in other culinary delights of Bergamo such as cheese, chips, and barbecue meat.
Looking for a place to stay in Lombardy? Check prices and see pictures here: