7 Days in Northern Italy with Kids: A Road Trip for Active Families

Lake Como is famous for its dramatic scenery and equally gorgeous people. Be sure to check out my guide to things to do in Lake Como with kids for detailed tips on how to make the most of your visit.

I recommend staying in Menaggio, and if you’re looking for something with the glamor of an old Hollywood film, you can’t beat Grand Hotel Tremezzo. Spend your first day exploring the town of Menaggio and the nearby Villa Carlotta.

Take a ferry or private boat to Bellagio and Varena, two absolutely stunning villages. Go for a dip in the lake, but make sure to check out my Lake Como guide for tips on where to swim.

For the extra-adventurous, it’s possible to kiteboard, windsurf and SUP on Lake Como, but you need a boat guide.

Head east toward the longest, largest lake in Italy: Lake Garda. Stop in Limone Sul Garda for the extremely family-friendly beach. This is a great place to rent a beginner windsurf rig!

Here’s the perfect way to spend an afternoon: Rent bikes from Limone Bike Rental and ride the newly constructed scenic bike path along Lake Garda. I guarantee this will be one of the most memorable parts of your trip and consider this activity a must if you are in the area! The pathway is built into the rock away from the road and hangs over the lake at some points. The owner at Limone Bike Rental is very accommodating and has plenty of available bikes, eBikes and kid’s bikes, trailers, or child seats to meet your needs.

After swimming and biking, you’re hungry. The town of Limone Sul Garda has plenty of touristy shops and waterside restaurants, but I recommend getting away from the crowds and eating at Ristorante Pizzeria Tovo, which has a large terrace, big enough for kids to run around and strollers/high chairs at any table. They serve superb pizza, seafood, meats and local dishes.

If you’ve got an extra day, spend the night in Limone Sul Garda at the stunning Hotel Alexander. It looks like a testament to the grand, powerful mountains running into the lake behind it. Check out other great ways to extend your trip later in this post.

From your base in Riva del Garda, it’s just a 20-minute drive to the Duotone Pro Center in Tor bole. Here, you can learn to windsurf, kiteboard, wing foil and sail. Plenty of bean bags and a Wi-Fi cafe enable those on the beach to enjoy their day as well.

Back in Riva del Garda, there are many good options for dinner. We enjoyed Pasta Fresco Bistro, which serves, you guessed it, fresh-made pasta. They have a more casual vibe than other spots and it’s not far from the waterfront. You’ll want to walk there before/after dinner and let the kids dance to the music of talented buskers.

On your way from Riva del Garda to Ortisei, about half an hour north of Lake Garda, sits the most pristine Instagram-worthy lake you’ve ever heard of: Lago di Tenno. With its turquoise-blue waters, striking mountain landscape, and lovely lakeside path, Lago di Tenno is the perfect place to spend a few hours swimming and walking around. Locals come here for the weekend, but if you arrive before 11am you can have the lake almost all to yourself. Eat at Ristorante Pizzeria Mama Giosi while you enjoy the views and the kids enjoy a nice grassy play yard.

Another notable stop on this drive will be in Bolzano at the Museum of Archeology. Show the kids some history that will WOW them: Otsi, the 5300-year-old Ice Man.

Once you arrive in Ortisei, I recommend staying at Cavallino Bianco Family Spa Grand Hotel. It’s centrally located and designed for all kinds of family fun!

This day will be one to remember. Be prepared for a day of walking and biking by renting your equipment in advance: all-terrain strollers, hiking backpacks, ebikes, trailers and child seats can all be found in Ortisei rental shops.

Start the day by walking to the St. Ulrich Seiser Alm gondola and ascending high up into the Italian Alps. You’ll be struck by astonishing views of the largest alpine meadow in the world: Seiser Alm, and the impossibly high mountain peaks surrounding it.

Walk along mountainside trail #6 above the meadow and stop at a family-run Swiss-chalet style refugio for the best Apple strudel you’ve ever had. Descend into the picturesque landscape and stop at Malga Sanon, which has a children’s playground, should the little ones have extra energy. But be sure to save some strength for the 20-minute walk back uphill to the gondola!

Rent e-bikes to ride the scenic valley path to Selva Val Gardena, a town at the east end of the Selva valley. There, you’ll find the trailhead of the Vallunga Valley. It’s possible to bike this flat meadow trail, but I recommend parking the bikes and walking to give the kids a chance to stretch their legs and interact with the many natural wonders along the way.

Sigh. The last day of a whirlwind adventure requires you to take a half day drive back to the airport. So be it. But…. If you’re able to spare a few more days, I have some extraordinary add-ons to this itinerary!

Highly Recommended Additional Stops:

Lake Molveno

Look it up on Wikipedia: This lake and the town of Molveno were basically designed by nature and humans to be the most ideal spot for a family vacation. Paddleboats, water park, pirate ship playground, paragliding, shuffleboard and a football field of grassy beachfront all make for a full day of fun in the sun (and relaxing for the parents). It’s a locals’ spot: I only saw Italians here and I’m sure they consider it a cheat code regarding planning multi-generational summer getaways.

You can visit Molveno on your way to/from the Dolomites as it lies in between Riva del Garda and Ortisei.

Verona

“...In fair Verona, where we lay our scene…” Yes, this is the town from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. It's a quick half-hour detour on your way back from the Dolomites to Milan, just east of Lake Garda. The town still has a decidedly medieval aesthetic and you can easily picture yourself in one of Shakespear’s plays as you walk through stone streets and buildings.

Milan

Okay, this is an obvious one, but if you have half a day of free time, it’s not much of a hassle to stand in awe of the great Duomo, feel the pulsing energy of a thousand fashionistas, and stroll the grand streets of Italy’s financial powerhouse of a city. Grab a bite at Panini di Santis, a tiny shop which might be the originator of those wonderful, easy-to-eat-on-the-go, pressed sandwiches. Finish with dessert at Gelato Amorino, which serves organic gelato served beautifully in the shape of a rose. Ciao, bella!