My 12 Favorite Amazing Destinations in Northern Italy

I love Italy.

I especially love Northern Italy.

I’m talking about regions like Veneto, Lombardy, Piedmont, Trentino-Alto Adige, Valle d’Aosta, Liguria, Emilia Romagna and Friuli-Venezia Giulia.

Full disclosure: I haven’t spent any time (yet) in southern Italy outside of a short day and night in Rome.

But I have spent time in central Italy — Tuscany and Umbria.

Anyway…

Northern Italy is amazing in my opinion.

It’s quite diverse in the way of landscape with flat plains, rolling hills and the big peaks of the Italian Alps, the Dolomites, the Julian Alps and the Zillertal Alps.

There are amazing cities such as Milan, Venice, Turin and Trieste along with some small towns and villages.

You’ll find some gorgeous coastline, incredible history, delicious food and world class wine.

So in this post I made myself come up with a list of some of my favorite amazing destinations in Northern Italy — from cities to specific sites.

Let’s dive in!

Liguria Region

Cinque Terre

It’s been a minute since I’ve spent any time in this region.

I need to remedy this!

But the time I did spend here quite a few years ago was in one of the most famous places — Cinque Terre.

I do love this part of Italy which is why it’s on this list of favorite destinations in Northern Italy.

The Five Lands are 5 little villages that perilously cling to the cliffs along the Ligurian Sea.

These villages are colorful, charming and hold onto their traditions.

The towns and the surrounding landscape are part of a national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

While it can get very busy in Cinque Terre, if you stay a few nights, you’ll find the evenings are quieter.

And if you travel out of season there will be fewer crowds.

Cinque Terre is definitely special.

Just be sure to treat it with love, respect and kindness.

Piedmont (Piemonte) Region

Forte Fenestrelle

One of the most impressive sites in Northern Italy is Forte Fenestrelle.

It’s this military fortress — the largest in Europe — that has a wall that is 3km long (2miles).

And it’s built up in the mountains in the Chisone Valley.

Seriously.

It’s awing.

I found it rather randomly through Google searches on the Piedmont region.

And once I found it, I knew I had to see it.

So I did.

I had to take a tour in Italian, but I could still get the jist of it.

Since it was mid-May, the tour only went so high so you couldn’t walk the entire length like you can in summer.

But wow!

The views are spectacular and the ingenuity of the design is incredible.

Forte Fenestrelle is one of my favorite amazing destinations in Northern Italy.

Sacra di San Michele

Another spot up in the mountains is Sacra di San Michele.

It’s often referred to as St Michael’s Abbey and it sits at the entrance of  Val di Susa which runs parallel to the Chisone Valley to the south.

Sacra di San Michele sits up on this rocky outcrop so yes, you get more magnificent views.

But the architecture of this complex — which dates back to the late 900’s (yes you read that correctly) is equally impressive.

Sacra di San Michele is one of my favorite sites in Northern Italy.

Langhe wine region

How can we talk about my favorite destinations in Northern Italy without mentioning vineyards?

I’ll tell you how.

We can’t!

So yes, the Langhe wine region in Piedmont is on my favorite destinations in Northern Italy list.

This specific wine region, which also happens to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site (well parts of it are) produces some of the most amazing wines in Italy.

Heck…in the world.

Barolo, Barbaresco, Barbera d’Alba and Dolcetto d’Alba just to name a few of my personal favs.

Not only do you have this beautiful vineyards and delicious wines, but you get some pretty darn tasty food as well.

Add in some lovely towns such as La Morra, Monforte d’Alba and Serralunga d’Alba and the Langhe has it all going on!

Lombardy (Lombardia) Region

Lago di Como

Lake Como makes the list of many travelers’ favorite destinations in Northern Italy.

It’s been a minute since I’ve been to this gorgeous lake.

But boy did it leave an impression!

I stayed in the very touristed Bellagio but the location is perfect right in the middle of this upside-down Y shaped lake.

The mountains loom off in the distance.

Little towns dot the shores.

Beautiful villas create an air of elegance and sophistication.

Lago di Como is one of those destinations I really need to return to.

Lago d’Iseo

The lesser known Lago d’Iseo, Lake Iseo, is a stunner.

Admittedly, I had shit weather when I visited.

But I still found myself falling in love with this smaller lake.

Lago d’Iseo is known as the Romantic Lake

The towns along the shores are charmers as the mountains loom above this lake.

Lake Iseo also has an island — Monte Isola — in the middle of it.

And on that island — which is car free — are more charming villages.

I fell in love with Lago d’Iseo.

It’s definitely one of my favorite amazing destinations in Northern Italy.

And, yes, I need to go back!

Fanes Sennes Braies Nature Park

This Dolomite park in Alto Adige is gorgeous.

The hikes.

The views.

I just love it!

While I still have to visit Lago di Braies — it’s very(!) touristy — I know I will.

Perhaps finally this year.

The Fanes part of the park — where the Fanes and Gran Fanes plateaus are — is amazing.

I’m especially enamored with Gran Fanes.

The Sennes piece is equally awesome.

I think the views from Sennes hut and areas just above it are some of the most spectacular anywhere in the Dolomites.

You can see so many magnificent Dolomite peaks.

Yup.

Fanes-Sennes-Braies is one of my favorite amazing destinations in Northern Italy without a doubt.

Val di Fassa

The Val di Fassa is a new entry on this list of favorite destinations in Northern Italy.

Located in the Trentino part of Trentino-Alto Adige this area has so much to offer.

Not to mention I can see so many of the fabulous Dolomite peaks from this valley and its trails.

I stayed in Canazei which makes a great base to explore this valley — especially the northern end.

There are so many different trails and areas you can access from the Val di Fassa.

You can simply walk or cycle along the Avisio River, taking in the views.

Or you can get on trails up in the mountains.

You can access Parco Naturale Sciliar – Catinaccio, the Sella Group and even the Queen of the dolomites, the Marmolada.

She’s in the northern reaches of the valley.

There are also other charming towns and villages along with Canazei such as Campitello di Fassa and Mazzin.

I can’t wait to go back to Val di Fassa and explore more.

Veneto Region

Verona

If you are a regular reader of this blog, you know I’ll take being in nature or a small village over being in a city.

However, I do love Verona.

The first time I traveled here in 2014 I vowed to return and stay longer.

So I finally did this in 2023 and stayed for a full week.

This city has so much history — the Arena, fortresses, piazzi (public squares), cool buildings, stunning churches, towers and even places hidden underground.

There are fabulous main thoroughfares along with narrow, winding cobblestone lanes to get away from the crowds.

Add in excellent restaurants, fun shops and a river that adds to the beauty of Verona and it’s easy to see why it’s one of my favorite destinations in Northern Italy.

Venice

I was a bit torn about putting Venice on my list of favorite amazing destinations in Northern Italy.

Mostly because it’s suffering from overtourism.

It’s been a while since I spent any time in Venice — mostly for the above reason.

But there is no doubt that this is a very special city.

I mean, a city built on islands out in the lagoons off the mainland?

Whose idea was this?

Colorful buildings.

Beautiful churches.

Winding lanes that are easy to get lost on.

Little bridges over narrow canals.

Stunning architecture.

Venice is magnificent.

My advice is do NOT visit in summer.

Think about going in March or April or October into early November.

But I do think Venice is a destination you need to see at least once in your life.

Valpolicella wine region

One of my absolute favorite destinations in Northern Italy is the Valpolicella wine region.

This area sits just 20km or so outside of Verona.

While it may not have quite the allure of Tuscany or Piedmont, it is still beautiful.

You’ll find a few hilltop towns.

There are some big mountains looming off in the distance.

And there are some lovely valleys surrounded by rolling hills loaded with grapevines.

What I love about Valpolicella is that it’s NOT Tuscany so you don’t have Tuscany crowds.

Yet it has some absolutely amazing wines — Valpolicella, Valpolicella Ripasso and Amarone along with the Recioto, a delicious dessert wine.

If you haven’t been to Valpolicella, put it on your list.

I’m sure it won’t disappoint you!

So there are my favorite amazing destinations in Northern Italy

This list is bound to grow as I spend more time in Italy.

I just love so much about Northern Italy — the mountains, the towns and villages, the lakes and yes, even the cities!

What are your favorite places in Northern Italy?

Drop ‘em in the comments below or send me an email at Lynne@WanderYourWay.com.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. This means I will earn a commission – at no extra cost to you — if you click on the link and purchase anything from these trusted companies. It helps Wander Your Way, a small business, stay in business. Thanks for your support!

Like it? Pin it!