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Day trips
To see real autumn you don’t have to go far: by train from Milano Centrale you can reach historic parks, lakeside gardens and vineyard-covered hills within an hour. Here are the best destinations, with 2026 opening dates for villas and gardens, because many close between late October and November.
When: generally from mid-October to mid-November (earlier at altitude, later on the lakes)
Where: Monza Park, Lake Como, Lake Maggiore, Bergamo Città Alta, Franciacorta, Valtellina
Tip: leave early and check opening hours: standard time returns on October 25, 2026, and many gardens close earlier.
The foliage peak changes every year with the temperatures: usually in the mountains and in Valtellina it arrives around mid-October, in the lowland parks and on the lakes between late October and mid-November. A warm autumn can make it last well into November. Avoid sunny Sundays if you can: trains and boats to the lakes fill up. From the suite it’s a 10-minute walk to Milano Centrale, the starting point for almost all the trips below.
How to choose: if you have half a day, go to Monza; if you have a full day and want water and gardens, Lake Como or Lake Maggiore; if you prefer an art city surrounded by greenery, Bergamo. For mountain forests and terraced vineyards, head to Valtellina, but allow for more hours on the train. In bad weather the colors are less vivid and boats may cancel runs: keep a plan B in the city.
The easiest trip: a train from Milano Centrale to Monza takes about 10–15 minutes, then the Z221 bus to the park. Avenues of hornbeams, oaks and maples, huge meadows and the Royal Gardens behind the villa. The park is free and open every day (pedestrian gates 7:00–20:30 on winter hours).
The best time is early morning, when the mist lifts from the meadows. If you have time, also visit the Rose Garden and pass by the Mirabello area.
Take the train from Milano Centrale to Varenna-Esino (about an hour), then a boat to Bellagio and Cadenabbia/Tremezzo. In autumn the woods above the lake turn red and yellow.
For boat timetables and itineraries, read Lake Como in a day.
Take the train from Milano Centrale to Stresa (about an hour), then a boat. In 2026 the season has been extended:
Isola Madre and Rocca di Angera: check the 2026 closing dates on the official website. Full details in our guide to Lake Maggiore, Stresa and the Borromean Islands.
Take the train from Milano Centrale to Bergamo in about 50 minutes, then a bus and funicular up to Città Alta. A walk along the Venetian Walls (a UNESCO World Heritage site) is gorgeous in autumn: yellow horse chestnuts, views over the plain and, on clear days, the Prealps. Continue on foot or by funicular to San Vigilio for the best panorama. Ideas for the day in Bergamo in a day.
For mountain foliage: a train from Milano Centrale to Tirano takes about 2 hours 20 minutes, with terraced vineyards in full color along the way. From Tirano the Bernina Red Train (Trenino Rosso) departs for Switzerland (bring ID). In autumn 2026, works on the line are planned between late October and mid-November: check timetables and detours on rhb.ch before you go.
More ideas in our guide to day trips from Milan. Want a comfortable base near Centrale for all these trips? Book the suite: on our website you pay 20% less.
Stay just steps away
Mercadante Suite: two suites at Via Saverio Mercadante 10, a 10-minute walk from Centrale Station. Book on our website and pay 20% less.
