Angelica Frey

Great museums, solid restaurants, and a serious fashion and design scene: Milan sure knows how to keep visitors busy. Add to that the slew of events the northern Italian city runs year-round – from a month-long jazz festival in autumn to what’s arguably the world’s most important design fair, Salone del Mobile, in April – and it’s easy to see why you wouldn't think to plan a day trip during your stay. But hey, Milan’s only one-two hours from some pretty great Italian cities, so why not extend your stay? Should I choose Lake Como or Lake Garda? First things first: There’s more to day tripping from Milan than just going to Lake Como. Sure, the lake is beautiful and has long been synonymous with glamour and grandeur, with its gorgeous villas, celebs sightings and dramatic views. But explore a little further and you’ll be rewarded with an equally impressive destination: Lake Garda. Found between Brescia and Verona, Garda has a milder climate than Como, lots of family-friendly activities, and an overall more laidback vibe – with still awesome scenery to boot. In a sentence, go to Como if you’re after a fancier atmosphere and breathtaking landscapes, choose Garda if you prefer a more relaxed (and cheaper) day out. But before you do anything, check out our full list of day trips below.  RECOMMENDED:🇮🇹 The best places to visit in Italy📍 The best things to do in Milan🍝 The best restaurants in Milan🛍️ Where to go shopping in Milan🏛️ Must-see attractions in Milan Marianna Cerini 

Spent your days strolling through art galleries, snapping fabulously aesthetic photos and shopping till you (hopefully not literally) drop? Sounds like you need a drink. Well, luckily for you, the drinking opportunities in Milan are pretty endless.  Milan’s bar scene has all of the swanky cocktail bars you’re most likely picturing, but it’s no one trip pony; alongside them are basement wine bars, beer haunts and aperitivo counters full of tantalising snacks. On our list we’ve got everything from terraces for an afternoon tipple to late-night spots for a boogie (and then some). Ready? Here are the best bars in Milan.  RECOMMENDED:🛍️ Where to go shopping in Milan🍴 The best restaurants in Milan🍕 The best pizza in Milan🏘️ Where to stay in Milan🏠 The best Airbnbs in Milan Emma Hughes and Angelica Frey are writers from Milan. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.