What to do in Lombardy

Are you planning to visit Italy? If so, then you must consider the Lombardy region. Located in the northern part of Italy, Lombardy is no less breathtaking than other famous regions in the country.

It was named after the Lombards, a tribe who invaded the Roman Empire in 570, and then settled in the region.

There are plenty of things to do in this region: visiting the castles in picturesque lakes, the violin workshops in historic cities, and discovering the art and architecture of Mantua. Before planning your trip, find out what is the best way to get there.

How to get to Lombardy

Milan has three airports and you can choose where to fly according to your area of interest. Choose Milan Malpensa if you plan to visit the Lake Maggiore area, Milan Bergamo if you plan to visit Bergamo and the northern mountains, and Linate if you plan to visit first the city center.

What makes Lombardy special

• Art and culture

Lombardy is home to 330 museums. The most famous are the Museum of Santa Giulia in Brescia, l’Accademia Carrara in Bergamo, the Stradivari Museum in Cremona, and the National Museum of Science and Technology in Milan. Milan also houses some particularly famous works of art such as Leonardo Da Vinci’s Last Supper, which can be seen at the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie.

• Lakes and mountains

The Lombard territory is diverse but there is something that is easily notable, the lakes and the mountainous beauties.

If you are a nature lover, is where you will encounter the beauty of some beautiful lakes: Lake Garda, Lake Maggiore, Lake Como, and Lake Iseo. The Val Camonica Valley is an astonishing environment and worth mentioning.

Visit Milan

Milan is a city of amusement! It has an unbelievable number of attractions that will make you discover something new every time you visit it. The most appreciated among monuments are the famous Milano Duomo and the Vittorio Emanuele Galleria, the beautiful Brera district, the canals around Navigli but the list goes a long way.

Of course, you have heard of Milan being the capital of fashion. Once there, you will understand better why it is called so – and you are feeling underdressed or not that stylish, it is a common thing for visitors to feel like that since the outfits you see walking along the streets are of high style.

Bergamo

Most of the tourists arrive at the Bergamo airport and go to Milan, but just a few of them visit the city of Bergamo.

What we mostly advice to visit is the Citta Alta, the higher fortified part of the city. It is where you will find some great views. You can also visit the lower and more modern part of Bergamo.

For some of the most spectacular views head to the main square in Bergamo. Santa Maria Maggiore and Cappella Colleoni look amazing from the top of Belltower, and a second funicular will take you even higher above for a look down onto Città Alta.

You will probably explore Bergamo in a half-day, but if you will return in the city, consider spending an evening and enjoy a dinner in the Città Alta.

Sirmione, Lake Garda

Lake Garda is one of Italy’s most iconic tourist destinations, and the commune of Sirmione, located in the Lombardy region offers such a unique attraction its a must visit amongst places in Lombardy list.

The most important highlight of Sirmione is the Scaligero Castle, a beautiful castle that dates back to the medieval ages. A part of the castle is now underwater and this makes it a truly unique attraction which can be explored inside, or for a greater experience, consider taking a boat ride around Sirmione.

Lake Como

Lake Como is a popular area and well known all around the world for its beauty. It was also made famous by movies, and by the fact that George Clooney has a home here.

Como is the most important city on Lake Como, and it makes a great starting point to take a ferry and explore the nearby villages.

That doesn’t mean that you should skip exploring Como city, as the town itself is beautiful. Make sure you visit the Como Duomo, which is different from common duomos in Italy. It has a unique shape. If you happen to be here during the winter months, consider, Brunate, since it is a popular skiing destination.

Lugana

Lugana is close to Sirmione and it is the town that produces the best wine in the region.

It is a good idea to visit small wineries, and why not take a cooking class followed by a family-style dinner. If you want, you can add the pleasure of walking among vineyards to your visit to Lugana.

Lake Maggiore

Lake Maggiore is located in the alps and it actually splits between Italy and Switzerland. On one side of the lake, is the Piedmont region of Italy, and the other is Lombardy. If you happen to be flying to Malpensa airport, you stop off on the lake and enjoy a meal, as the airport is quite near.

Something that makes Lake Maggiore different is that it has some islands on it, which you may want to visit since there are some monuments of architectural interest. The colorful villages on the edges are also a good idea to visit

Most instagramable places in Lombardy

While being in Lombardy, try to get the best memories with you. If you are planing more than one day, you will be able to visit even more of this region. The towns of Lombardy, the sightseeing, the narrow streets, the museums, the churches, and other attractions in the region will make your trip unforgettable.

Make sure you shoot some photos while on your journey and if you are looking for places to take Instagram-worthy photos, consider the following:

• Lake Como
• The Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle
• Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery
• Stelvio National Park
• The main square in Bergamo.
• Santa Maria Maggiore
• Cappella Colleoni