Northern Italy Road Trip Contents

The city and thus Lombardy, was our first stop in Northern Italy. Our plan was to visit the city’s main attractions. To make things easier, we had already purchased online tickets for Milan Cathedral* on the way and headed straight to the Duomo.

Unfortunately, we had not researched parking options well enough, so we chose the nearest parking garage by the cathedral. As expected, the parking fees were quite high.

Visiting the Cathedral was undoubtedly one of the highlights of our trip. You can read our full travel report here.

We also booked our hotel* while on the road. We chose a place conveniently located on the way to our next destination in Liguria.

The hotel is situated in the Lombard countryside, about an hour’s drive south of Milan, near the A7 highway. We found ourselves in the middle of a beautiful rural landscape. The building and the overall ambiance of the hotel felt like stepping back in time, giving it a cool vintage charm.

By the way, we had an unforgettable and spontaneous dinner at the nearby Ristorante Vigna del Pero. There were no other tourists in sight, allowing us to fully enjoy an authentic Lombard dining experience.

The Sad Business of Private Beaches

The beaches around the town try to create an exclusive atmosphere with names like Spiaggia d’Oro, Bagni Oneglio, and Spiaggia Conca d’Oro. However, these are not officially public beaches but private beach clubs.

After our long drive from Milan to the Riviera, we just wanted to take a quick dip in the sea. Our hotel* was only a few meters away. And that’s when we encountered a business practice that, in our opinion, is truly shameful.

Even though we were standing right in front of the beach, we couldn’t see it. The reason? Private beach owners have completely enclosed the beach area with a wall made of cheap wooden and plastic huts.

When we finally found the entrance to the beach, the next unpleasant surprise awaited us. The access was not free – they charged €50 for four people. This included either a sun umbrella or a sunbed.

Some might argue that paying for a beach spot isn’t unusual. However, the extent of privatization here was overwhelming. The saddest part? You can’t even see the beach from the town because of the wall of makeshift huts blocking the view—a real eyesore for the entire city.

Villa Grock

Located in the Oneglia district is Villa Grock, an architectural masterpiece built by the famous Swiss clown Adrien Wettach, known as “Grock.”

Its eccentric design is truly unique, and today, the villa houses a museum dedicated to celebrating the life of this extraordinary artist. If you visit Imperia, Villa Grock is a must-see.

Our next destination was Sanremo, located about 40 minutes away. This city is often mentioned in the same breath as its well-known neighbors, Nice and Cannes.

Beaches

Sanremo demonstrates how things can be done better. Of course, there are also private beaches here, but unlike in other places, no unsightly wooden barriers have been erected to block the sea view. In addition, the city offers a large, free beach in a prime location, allowing visitors to enjoy the beautiful coastline without any restrictions.

Sanremo Old Town

The old town is a vast labyrinth of narrow alleyways and historic buildings. In many places, the alleys even pass through tunnels that are part of the buildings themselves, creating a unique and charming atmosphere. Wandering through this maze was a truly enjoyable experience.

Landmarks

The most famous landmark is undoubtedly its casino. However, we were also fascinated by the Russian Orthodox Church, which adds a distinctive cultural touch to the city. And of course, exploring the winding alleyways of La Pigna, the oldest part of the city, was an absolute highlight.

Our next destination was the city of Verona, located just 40 kilometers east. The decision to visit Verona was made spontaneously while we were already on the road. During our Northern Italy road trip, we realized that Verona was close to our route and had a lot to offer.

Parking in Verona’s Old Town

We parked our car at the Parcheggio Interrato Cittadella parking garage. From there, it’s only a five-minute, 400-meter walk to the large amphitheater. Along the way, you already pass by several landmarks.

On the way to the Arena*, you pass through the Portoni della Bra city gate. This gate is one of the most iconic and symbolic entrances to Verona’s old town and is truly impressive.

Verona is famous for its romantic atmosphere. Its picturesque old town is even a UNESCO World Heritage Site, featuring winding alleys, charming squares, and beautifully preserved medieval architecture.

Verona Arena – The Grand Roman Amphitheater

Just like Rome, Verona has its own Colosseum—a grand Roman amphitheater. The Arena di Verona is one of the best-preserved amphitheaters from antiquity and is the city’s most famous landmark. It is so well preserved that opera performances are still held here today.

Our first stop was, therefore, the impressive amphitheater. We highly recommend visiting the Arena. We had pre-booked our tickets online*.

Casa di Giulietta – Romeo and Juliet

After visiting the amphitheater, we made our way to the famous House of Romeo and Juliet. It is located just 750 meters away, and the walk takes you through the heart of the old town.

Upon arrival, we first had to pass through a small courtyard entrance. However, we immediately found ourselves in a queue, as the house and especially its courtyard are always bustling with visitors.

The main attraction here is, of course, the famous balcony in the courtyard. A large crowd gathers to take photos of the scene. According to legend, this is where Juliet expressed her love with the words, “O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?” A statue of Juliet also stands in the courtyard.

Conclusion – Northern Italy Road Trip

Our Northern Italy road trip was different from our usual travels—this time, it was spontaneous and flexible. As a result, we experienced many exciting and unexpected moments. However, there were also times when the lack of planning put us under pressure, such as when we ended up in an overpriced parking garage in Milan.

Overall, we really enjoyed Liguria, even though the high prices for beach access were disappointing. That said, the landscapes and architecture are stunning, and the locals were very welcoming. As big fans of Italian cuisine, we also found some excellent restaurants serving outstanding food.

Lake Garda and Verona are much more touristy, and for a good reason. These two areas are undoubtedly among the most beautiful regions in Europe. If you’re now considering a road trip through Northern Italy, we wish you a wonderful journey and hope you’ve found some inspiration here. You can find even more videos about our Northern Italy road trip here.