Best Places to Visit in Northern Italy

Thing to do in Verona, Italy

Verona, Italy is a great "under the radar" place to visit! It is a beautiful, but quaint city with a medieval old town and is between the meandering Adige River. Great place to visit on foot as there are cool shops, restaurants and outdoor cafes. Most things are within walking distance and without the large numbers of tourists as places like Venice.   

Castelvecchio Museum in Verona, Italy: Medieval Castle and bridge on the river. The museum contains sculptures, statues, paintings, ancient weapons and more! 

Casa de Julieta in Verona, Italy: It is a 14th Century house and museum with a balcony that is said to be the inspiration for Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. 

Verona Arena: It is a Roman amphitheater, similar to the Colosseum in Rome, but older. Certainly a must see! Near the city center of Verona. Easy walking distance. 

Piazzale Castle San Pietro, Verona Italy: Beautiful, romantic fortress that offers great views of Verona. The stairs to the castle may scare you away, but the views are well worth the climb!

Things to do in Milan, Italy

Big city with many historical and breathtaking buildings and sites, as well as a shopper's dream!

Duomo di Milano: Cathedral in the heart of Milan's city center. Construction stated in 1386. Gothic, Renaissance style that is one of the biggest in all of Europe.  

Piazza Duomo in Milano, Italy: This is the plaza next to the cathedral. Amazing building, high end clothing/ fashion stores, and great restaurants with outdoor seating. 

Piazza Mercanti: Medieval square nest to the Piazza del Duomo. Amazing architecture and history.

Royal Palace Art Museum in Milano, Italy: 18th century palace that houses the many artistic masterpieces.

Things to do in Venice, Italy

First and foremost: Stay at a hotel in Venice! It will be worth your while and make your experience that much better! Take a water taxi (Gondola)! If you don't want to pay the roughly 80 euro's variety, at least take the under 5 euro Gondola ride across the Grand Canal to San Marco.

Venice is loaded with amazing Gothic and Renaissance architecture, canals (no roadways) bridges, stores, restaurants and most of all striking beauty. It is a city that is unlike any in the world! 

Saint Mark's Basilica and Square, and all the easily searched tourist attractions are all within walking distance.

Make no mistake about it: the places I recommend are prioritized by location, scenic quality, coffee and then the menu. I love to find a place in a city that is beautiful, that allows you to feel the vibe of the location, and if it serves a good coffee, even better. 

Buongusto al Turista in Limone sul Garda, Italy: Outstanding outdoor seating with views of Lago Di Garda. It is a pizza and bakery that serves coffee, treats, drinks and meals. 

Maio Restaurant in Milano, Italy: Right on Piazza del Duomo, Italian food with amazing views! They also have a wine bar that is outdoors!  

Terrazza Duomo in Milano, Italy: This is a cocktail bar/ restaurant with terrace seating that overlooks Duomo cathedral. Great views! But certainly a little pricey.  

Casa Mazzanti Caffe in Verona, Italy: Great location, outdoor seating right on Piazza delle Erbe, near the art museum. Food is good, great coffee and drinks. 

Ristorante Vittorio Emanuele in Verona, Italy: Location is fantastic, with great view of Verona Arena. Outdoor patio seating available, good coffee, and a variety of food options. 

Riviera Del Leon in Venice, Italy: One of the best locations in Venice! Outdoor seating, right on the water, near Piazza San Marco and Palazzo Ducale. Ignore the reviews, as the drinks are over priced, but for that location........it is worth it! 

Restaurant Terrazza Danieli in Venice, Italy: This restaurant is near the Riviera Del Leon, the food is better, and the view is still amazing. However, it is much more expensive, and is set on a rooftop. If food is more important to you, this would be your better option. 

Caffe' Florian in Venice, Italy: This is a cafe, with a historical touch. The cafe dates back to 1720. It is located on the Piazza San Marco with outdoor and indoor seating. The cafe is extraordinary and a one of it's kind experience. However, it is quite pricey, even by Venice standards.