Milan → Lake Como → Venice
In 60 seconds
The route in 60 seconds
Northern Italy in a week: Milan for the Duomo and the Last Supper, Como for the lake, its ferries and its villas, and Venice to finish. Como is a short regional train from Milan; the ferries from there reach the villages of the central lake. Venice is under three hours from Milan on the high-speed line.
Stops
Where you sleep
Como
Italy
A base for ferries to Bellagio and the villas of the lake.
Day by day
How the days fall
The order we would follow, with the transfers already in the right place.
Day 1
MilanDuomo and Galleria.
- Morning
Milan Cathedral
The roof terraces first.
- Evening
Aperitivo
Camparino in Galleria, or the Navigli.
Day 2
MilanLeonardo and Brera.
- Morning
The Last Supper
At your booked slot.
- Afternoon
Pinacoteca di Brera
Raphael, Mantegna and Caravaggio.
Day 3
Milan → ComoNorth to the lake.
- Morning
Train to Como
About forty minutes.
- Afternoon
The Brunate funicular
Up the hill for the view along the lake.
Day 4
ComoA day on the water.
- Morning
Ferry to Bellagio
The slow boat stops at the villages on the way.
- Afternoon
Bellagio
Gardens and lanes on the point where the lake divides.
Day 5
Como → VeniceAcross the north of Italy.
- Morning
Train to Venice
Change in Milan for the high-speed train.
- Evening
The Grand Canal
Vaporetto line 1 at dusk.
Day 6
VeniceSt Mark's and the Accademia.
- Morning
St Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace
Early, with tickets booked.
- Afternoon
Gallerie dell'Accademia
Bellini, Titian and Tintoretto.
Day 7
VeniceThe quiet quarters.
- Morning
Cannaregio
The Ghetto and the canals of the north.
- Afternoon
Murano or Burano
By vaporetto from Fondamente Nove.
Transport
Between destinations
- Milan → ComoTrainAbout 40 min
Frequent regional trains from Milano Centrale or Cadorna to Como; the fastest take about 37 minutes.
- Como → VeniceTrainAbout 40 min + 2 h 25
Back to Milano Centrale, then a high-speed Frecciarossa or Italo train to Venezia Santa Lucia.
Highlights
Key experiences
If the trip is cut short, these are the four to protect.
The Duomo's roof
Walk among the marble spires above Milan.
The Last Supper
Fifteen minutes with Leonardo's mural; book well ahead.
A ferry to Bellagio
Navigazione Laghi boats from Como up the lake.
The Grand Canal by vaporetto
Line 1 from the station to St Mark's.
Stay
Where to stay
- Milan
- Brera for charm, or near Centrale for the onward train.
- Como
- The walled centre by the lake, a short walk from both stations and the ferry pier.
- Venice
- Cannaregio or Castello for quiet; near the station only for convenience.