1 Hotel degli Arcimboldi
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If you’re planning a trip to Lombardy, one of the main decisions you’ll need to make is definitely where to stay during your visit. Fortunately, the region boasts excellent motorway and rail connections that make it easy to travel between different cities. Lombardy is crossed from east to west by the A4, which connects Friuli-Venezia Giulia to Piedmont, passing through Lombardy and the Veneto. Other connections are provided by the A1, A7, A35 and the Lakes motorway (A8 and A9), which links Lombardy with Switzerland. Alternatively, there’s also the BreBeMi, which connects Brescia to Milan’s Outer Eastern Ring Road. Milan is also linked by high-speed trains not only to Lombardy towns such as Brescia and Bergamo but also to Turin, Venice and Paris.
This means that by car or public transport, it’s easy to reach the main destinations in the region. But what’s the best city for a stay in Lombardy? And how is it best to organise your holiday: as a multi-stop trip or by choosing one city as a base for day trips? Of course, there’s no single answer – it all depends on the type of holiday you want and how long you’re staying.
To help you organise your trip to the best of your ability, we’ve put together this mini-guide on where to stay in Lombardy. To make things easier, we’ve divided the region into different areas and listed the must-see stops and accommodation options available.
If you’re visiting Lombardy for the first time and not only want to discover its cultural heritage but are also keen on shopping and nightlife, then the recommendation is to book accommodation in Milan. The city is the perfect blend of historical sites of interest, fashionable venues and boutiques for shopping.
In addition to the Lombardy capital, also consider Brescia and Bergamo, which are well connected to Milan, offer exceptional historical and architectural heritage and excellent accommodation facilities. Staying here means being in medium-sized cities but without the stress of large tourist crowds. If you prefer art cities to the capital, we recommend Mantua and Sabbioneta, two true masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance that are also recognised as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. For mountain holidays in Lombardy, you’re spoiled for choice. The most famous resorts are undoubtedly Livigno, Ponte di Legno, Bormio and Madesimo, which welcome visitors 365 days a year thanks to their stunning landscapes.
If you’re looking for some relaxation in the sun, you might consider the shores of the main Lombardy lakes: from Lake Garda to Lake Como, from Maggiore to Iseo, a lakeside holiday combines the chance to do water sports and outdoor activities with relaxation on peaceful beaches. If you want to organise a romantic getaway for two, towns such as Bellagio, Menaggio and Varenna are certainly very charming, as are many villages situated on the shores of Lake Garda. If after days of active holidays you want to treat yourself to some relaxation, consider organising a spa weekend. The towns most famous for spa centres are San Pellegrino Terme, Bormio and Sirmione, which allows you to combine spa treatments with a lake holiday.
The best 10 hotels in LombardyMany people choose to start their Lombard adventure from Milan itself, a city with a cosmopolitan and international feel. Staying in Milan means not only having plenty of sites of interest within reach but also fully experiencing the atmosphere of the city both day and night.
The city welcomes millions of visitors every year who come here for both tourism and business, so the range of options is truly extensive and varied. If, on the other hand, you’re looking for a solution that allows for a more relaxed stay, we recommend Monza, which is close to the capital but far less hectic.
The best area to stay in Milan is certainly the city centre near Piazza Duomo or in the Brera district, one of the most exclusive and expensive areas. For a more budget-friendly stay, you can opt for Città Studi, a neighbourhood that offers accommodation at a more affordable price but is well connected by public transport to the city centre. Those who love nightlife can choose the Navigli area, which is full of bars, clubs and restaurants and comes alive especially from aperitif time onwards.
We’ve also created a page on the best areas to stay in Milan, with the accommodation we recommend by neighbourhood – do visit it!
Monza, a town in Milan’s metropolitan area, is an excellent alternative for those who don’t want to stay in the Lombardy capital but at the same time want to reach its city centre quickly. From Monza train station, it takes only ten minutes by train to reach Milan. The town is peaceful and welcoming and boasts a decent number of accommodation options. The solutions you’ll find here are cheaper than those in Milan and allow you to have a more relaxed stay. Be careful though, as the town hosts the Autodromo racing circuit, which hosts the Formula 1 Grand Prix, and during races or events hotel prices can increase significantly.
If you’re coming to Milan to attend a trade fair event in Rho, it can be useful to stay in the area so you can reach the exhibition centre easily. This can be a good solution for those arriving by car since there are more car parks compared to the historic centre. Accommodation in the area is mostly business hotels.
Brescia and Bergamo are two towns located less than an hour by train from Milan and offer the advantages of medium-sized cities combined with interesting historical and architectural heritage. The bonus of these destinations is that they’re less popular with tourists than Milan and therefore generally more peaceful as well as less expensive. To these we can add Mantua and Sabbioneta, two towns recognised as UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the ideal destination for those who love art and architecture.
Brescia is known as “the Lioness of Italy” for the courage shown by its citizens during the Italian Unification. Tidy and well-maintained, the city is pleasantly explored on foot and the best area to stay is undoubtedly its historic centre. There are many accommodation options in Brescia, all of excellent quality. Three and four-star hotels are ideal for those wanting a stay full of comforts, whilst B&Bs are the right choice for those seeking a more family-like atmosphere and with a tighter budget. Finally, in the city centre you’ll also find several apartments, perfect for those who value independence.
Bergamo is divided into two parts by the Venetian walls. On one side is “Bergamo Bassa” (Lower Bergamo), the more recently built part of the city, whilst in an elevated position is “Bergamo Alta” (Upper Bergamo), the historic heart of the city and where most sites of interest are located. The best neighbourhood to stay in is undoubtedly Bergamo Alta because it allows you to fully experience the city’s atmosphere and be close to all the main attractions, although accommodation prices here are higher. If you’re looking for a more economical option, it’s better to choose somewhere in the lower part of the city.
Mantua is a Lombardy town famous for being a true masterpiece of the Italian Renaissance. The city is perfect for those who want to stay in a centre of great historical significance whilst remaining far from the chaos of the tourist flows that affect Milan. The historic centre of Mantua is undoubtedly the best area to stay, as you’ll find splendid starred hotels alongside welcoming B&Bs. Some of these establishments are located within historic buildings or ancient palaces and allow you to experience a truly unique stay.
Ideal for a stay that combines sport, relaxation and romance, the Lombardy lakes are gems waiting to be discovered. Lake Garda is particularly famous for its cycling and walking trails, whilst Lake Iseo is known for its gastronomic heritage.
Lake Como offers beautiful landscapes and Art Nouveau villas that over the years have attracted artists, writers and poets from around the world. Lake Maggiore, finally, is characterised by splendid residences surrounded by gardens, fascinating fortresses and charming villages.
The Lombardy shore of Lake Garda offers towns full of charm and history such as Desenzano, Salò and Limone. Desenzano is a town that’s easy to reach thanks to the A4 motorway exit and is undoubtedly the right place to stay for a peaceful holiday. If you’re looking for a more romantic destination, instead, you can find accommodation in Limone del Garda, the village famous for its citrus fruit cultivation.
It should be remembered that holidays at Lake Como have become a true status symbol over the years and its towns are often the destination for elitist and luxury tourism. To have the chance of finding accommodation at average prices, we recommend staying in the larger cities where there’s a wider choice. Lecco and Como, the two main towns on Lake Lario, are located at the ends of the two branches of the lake and host a large number of facilities at various price points.
For more romantic and exclusive stays, on the other hand, you can choose accommodation in one of the small towns along the shores of the lake such as Bellagio, Varenna and Menaggio. These destinations offer a more limited number of facilities at mid-to-high prices but offer visitors truly breathtaking scenery.
Among the best towns to choose to stay at Lake Maggiore is Laveno Mombello, where you’ll find the tourist dock and port that guarantee connections with Piedmont. Its small centre is surrounded by the greenery of the surrounding countryside and is ideal for a peaceful stay. Other towns where you can stay include Angera, a village that’s home to the historic fortress. Here there aren’t many facilities and prices are often high, so the recommendation is to book your stay in advance.
The territory of Lake Iseo is rich in villages that hold exceptional cultural, historical and gastronomic heritage. The main town on the lake and the one with the most accommodation options is Iseo, which is located on the eastern shore of the lake.
Another place where you can stay is Sulzano, the town from which connections depart to Monte Isola, Italy’s largest lake island. A final alternative could be to stay in Lovere, a small and picturesque village that can also be an excellent base for discovering the territories of Val Camonica and Val Seriana.
Lombardy is undoubtedly the perfect destination for an outdoor mountain holiday. Its numerous valleys are the ideal destination in every season and offer the chance to enjoy a variety of sports and activities.
Particularly during the winter season, you’ll find not only numerous ski resorts but also cross-country skiing loops, snowshoe trails and the opportunity to try snowkiting or telemark skiing. In summer, meanwhile, Lombardy’s valleys are extremely popular for their many nature trails and historical routes, as well as for cycle touring and mountain biking.
One of the most sought-after mountain destinations in Lombardy is certainly Livigno, a resort renowned not only for its slopes but also for white weeks that combine winter sports with shopping. The town is, in fact, a duty-free destination boasting over two hundred shops of major international brands.
Popular in summer as well, the town features numerous high-quality facilities and charming hotels at mid-to-high prices offering extra services such as spas or swimming pools. To find more budget-friendly accommodation, you’ll need to look in nearby villages. Livigno is a highly sought-after destination, so we recommend always booking well in advance.
Ponte di Legno is a splendid tourist destination in Val Camonica that combines with Tonale Pass to form the Adamello Ski resort. The town is perfect in winter not only for skiing enthusiasts but also for those looking to spend a relaxing white week. There are plenty of facilities of various types and price ranges. Accommodation close to the ski lifts is usually the most sought-after and commands the highest prices, but by moving slightly away from the centre you’ll find more affordable and equally welcoming options.
Lombardy is also perfect for those seeking a stay focused on wellness and relaxation, thanks to its various spa towns. San Pellegrino Terme is among the most famous, alongside Bormio and Sirmione.
For a holiday that combines nature with wellness, Bormio is undoubtedly the ideal destination. In winter, after a day on the slopes, there’s nothing better than spending a few hours relaxing at the thermal spa to recharge your batteries. The town now boasts three excellent thermal facilities welcoming visitors from across Lombardy. Those wishing to stay in Bormio should know that there are not only stunning hotels near the ski lifts but also charming wooden chalets. Especially during winter, prices tend to be quite high and the town frequently reaches full capacity. To avoid these issues, we recommend booking your stay well ahead of time.
Want to organise a lakeside holiday with the chance to enjoy some relaxation time? Then Sirmione is the destination for you! The town is a true jewel of Lake Garda, being the perfect spot for a complete 365-day holiday. Sirmione indeed offers a charming historic centre full of attractions, a waterfront with beaches and thermal spas to unwind. The facilities in town are often pricey but are of excellent quality and provide all necessary services.
San Pellegrino Terme is the ideal destination for those wanting to escape the daily grind and enjoy genuine moments of relaxation. The local mineral water springs have made San Pellegrino mineral water famous throughout the world. The town sits in the heart of Val Brembana and is therefore a perfect destination for those who also want to enjoy hiking or nature walks. The town has numerous good-quality hotels as well as apartments for those seeking a more independent stay.
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