9 of the Most Beautiful Destinations in Northern Italy

With celebrity good looks and name recognition to match, Lake Como is one of the most picturesque spots in Northern Italy. However, the Italian Lakes region comprises four lakes (plus several smaller ones). In addition to Como, Garda, Maggiore, and Orta, are lesser-known beauties that are just as worthwhile. Historic waterside villas and gardens give the area unusual natural beauty—here you can while away days like a dolce vita pro or get out on the water, in the mountains, and on the trails.

Among northern Italy’s tourist attractions, few are as inspiring as the Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milano). After all, it took artists, architects, and sculptors six centuries to build the massive church, a study in ambition on a grand scale. Gothic spires and hundreds of statues hug the white exterior, while the divine interior and crypt are somehow more impressive. You can admire the beauty from the Piazza del Duomo, the heart of Milan—but the real treat is heading inside and to the roof to see the extravagant details up close.

Beloved birthplace of Italy's most famous epic poet, Virgil, and Romeo's place of exile in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, Mantua has an outsized literary cache for a small Lombardian city. But the bookish heavyweights were onto something—from the blush-colored historic center to the opulent Ducal Palace, Mantua has enough medieval and Renaissance-era architecture to soothe the most tragic souls. Better yet, it shares UNESCO status with the village of Sabionetta, with its concentration of historic palaces, gardens, and walls.

You can’t get much farther north in Italy than Stelvio Pass, a paved mountain road straddling the Italian-Swiss border in the Alps. The hairpin turns are both graceful and dizzying, and the views from this mile-high (9,000 feet or 2,750 meters, to be exact) route are unbeatable. Conquer the pass by car or bike and turn south to explore Stelvio National Park (Parco Nazionale dello Stelvio), one of the most beautiful nature reserves in Italy.

This aptly named national park, primarily located within the Valle d’Aosta region, is an Eden of hiking trails, mountain villages, and protected wildlife—with prospering herds of endangered ibex thanks in part to a royal decree made nearly two centuries ago. In summer, see native flora and butterflies on guided walks of the Paradisia Alpine Botanic Garden. During other seasons, ride horse-drawn carriages and sleighs on eco-friendly rides around the park.

When the beaches of Italy are too crowded and hot, visit this postcard-worthy mountain lake, where the weather is cooler and the views of the Dolomites (Dolomiti) mountain range are unbeatable. Settled in the lovely Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park, it's considered one of the most beautiful lakes in Italy. Summer visitors beware: The lake is off-limits to cars and reachable by shuttle from Dobbiaco and Vilabassa or by foot from a paid parking lot in Ferrara; intrepid hikers rejoice, the 75-mile (120-kilometer) Alta Via 1 trail begins at the lake.

While beauty is in the eye of the beholder, it’s safe to say that Manarola is among the most beautiful of the Cinque Terre, the coastal villages on the UNESCO–listed Cinque Terre National Park coastline. Here, narrow alleys called carrugi lead past cliff-hanging, pastel-colored homes down to the minuscule harbor—and eventually toward the famed walking trails to the other four villages. While walking is the featured activity in this part of Italy, the most spectacular views are seen from the water, where all five beauties come into focus.

Few Northern Italy itinerary recommendations skip Venice, and with good reason—there’s nowhere like the Floating City, where beauty lies around every canal and across every lovely bridge. The city is a year-round favorite destination for its ubiquitous gondolas, the world-famous St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco), and the master glass blowers on the island of Murano across the Venetian Lagoon.

Insider tip: Visit during the Carnival of Venice in February to see the city come alive with masked revelers.

Often overshadowed by Milan, Turin is not typically among the top-rated destinations in Northern Italy. But there lies the appeal. It's smaller and less worldly than its near neighbor (Turin is a short train ride or day trip from Milan), it offers underrated gems without the crowds. With the Alps as a backdrop, you can explore the most significant collection of Egyptian artifacts outside of Cairo at the Egyptian Museum (Museo Egizio) and get your fill of grand piazzas and palaces, such as the Royal Palace of Turin (Palazzo Reale di Torino) all without the crowds of other, more popular Italian metropolises.