Towns & Villages in Milan — 4 of Our Favourites

1. Monza

Location: Milan

Located just within 15 kilometres north of Milan, this big but picturesque town, the third largest in the Lombardy region, has been transformed from a mainly industrial trade centre to a popular spot for good cuisine, pretty squares and of course the F1 Gran Prix.

Monza is the capital of the newly created Monza and Brianza province, and has a booming textile industry and publishing trade. The city is crossed from north to south by the river Lambro, which features an artificial fork at its entrance built during the 14th century for defensive purposes.

Nowadays, visitors come to Monza attracted by the famous Formula 1 circuit, as well as its historical streets, the huge Monza Park, one of the largest in Europe, and its world-renowned restaurants.

2. Angera, Lake Maggiore

Location: Milan

The lovely town of Angera dates back to Roman times when it was an important stopping point for boats transferring their wares to the road, and vice-versa. Sitting high above the town is the Rocca Borromeo, a fortress dating back to the 11th century.

Located in a gulf on the eastern shore of Lake Maggiore, the characterful town of Angera was an important spot, controlling the trade traffic in the southern half of the lake. That is the reason why the Borromeo family, influential merchants and bankers in the Duchy of Milan, decided to turn its fortress into a luxury residence in the 14th century.

From its beautiful lakeside promenade you can enjoy views of Lake Maggiore and of the uninhabited Isolino Partegora, a small islet that emerges from the blue waters covered with lush green vegetation.

3. Arcumeggia, Lake Maggiore

Location: Milan

High up above the lakes is the village of Arcumeggia in the mountains. It is famous because in 1956 the local tourist office decided to ask important Italian painters to fresco the walls of the town's stone cottages.

Known as the "Paese dei Pittori" (Painter's Village), the frescoes, combined with the mountain setting, give the town an atmospheric feel. They were made between 1960 and 1960, and there are works by Aldo Carpi, Aligi Sassu, Giovanni Brancaccio, Antonio Pedretti and many, many more.

In the painter's house there is an exhibition of the drafts used to turn this village into an open-air museum. It attracts many tourists and it is definitely a worthy detour.

4. Bergamo

Location: Milan

The city of Bergamo is perched atop a hill just within a 30-40 minute train or car ride from Milan. The fourth largest city in Lombardy, it is located at the foot of the Alps.

Bergamo is the second most visited city in the region after Milan thanks to its rich history, beautiful landscapes, delicious cuisine and easy connections. Just 30 minutes from Milan, Bergamo has its own international airport ten minutes away. The city is at the foothills of the Orobie Alps, popular with Italian skiers given their proximity to Milan.

For 400 years, from the early 15th century, Bergamo was a part of the Republic of Venice. The Venetians built a stone wall around the Citta Alta perched on a hill above the rest of town. Piazza Vecchia, in the heart of the Citta Alta, is a great starting point for exploring Bergamo, branching off into a network of narrow and distinctly medieval, winding cobblestone streets.

The modern Citta Bassa (Lower City) is not without its charms, boasting a good collection of parks, galleries, museums and fashion boutiques and general 19th-century chic.