Region of Italy
Photo: Luca Casartelli, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Lombardy (Lombardia in Italian and Lombard) is a northern region of Italy, and with 10 million people is the most populous one. Producing a fifth of Italy's GDP, it is also the mightiest economically. Geographically, Lombardy encompasses both Alps and Prealps in the north, and relatively flat plains in the south along the river Po and its tributaries. Between them there are many scenic lakes, and the alpine backdrop makes even the low-lying cities picturesque and the air rather fresh.
The Lombardian Alps and Prealps extend from the northern border of Lombardy, and indeed of Italy, with Switzerland, down to the valley of the river Po, gradually descending from Alpine mountain ranges through hills down to a pretty flat landscape with an Alpine backdrop closer to the river. Administratively, this region encompasses three Lombardian provinces - Bergamo, Brescia and Sondrio.
Lake Como (Lago di Como; also called: Lario) is in the provinces of Como and Lecco in Lombardy, Northern Italy. It is part of the Italian Lake District.
Southern Lombardy is a northern region of Italy that includes the provinces of Cremona, Lodi, Mantova and Pavia. Geographically, it contains the part of the valley of the River Po, Italy's largest river, immediately north of the river, which to a large extent forms the border between Lombardy and Emilia Romagna.
Grande Milano, or Greater Milan, is the urban area surrounding the city of Milan, the capital of Lombardy in Italy. This guide covers the locations surrounding Milan that fall within the boundaries of the Metropolitan City of Milan, as well as Monza and Brianza under the administrative split of Lombardy.
at the foot of the Alps on the international border with Switzerland
There is a relatively dense railway network connecting cities and towns in Lombardy, although the layout is intricate and getting from one place to another may not be straightforward.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Orio al Serio (BG) · International · BGY
Loading places around the airport…
Milan (Italian: Milano; Milanese: Milan) is financially the most important city in Italy, and home to the Borsa Italiana stock exchange. It is the second most populous city proper in the country, but sits at the centre of Italy's largest urban and metropolitan area.
Bergamo is a city in Lombardy, a region of Italy, and the capital of the namesake province. One of the most scenic cities in Italy, it is located on and around a steep hill, green in the summer and white in the winter, complemented by pastel-coloured architecture, against the backdrop of nearby Alps.
Brescia is a rich industrial city in Lombardy between Lake Garda, Lake Iseo and the Val Trompia in the foothills of the Alps, about 100 km east of Milan, and the capital of the province of Brescia. Vintage car aficionados flock to Brescia to witness the start and finish of the Mille Miglia race, and wine lovers appreciate the local Franciacorta wines.
Como is a city at the southern end of Lake Como in Lombardy, Northwest Italy. It has a population of 84,000 (2015).
Cremona is a city in Southern Lombardy in the Po valley of Italy, with a population of 71,000 in 2021. It has a wonderful preserved medieval centre, with the cathedral and town hall ranged around the main piazza.
Lecco is a large town on the southeastern end of Lake Como in Lombardy, a region in Northwest Italy.
Mantua (Italian: Mantova, Lombard: Mantua) is a world heritage listed city in Lombardy, Italy not far from Emilia-Romagna and Veneto. Because of the power and influence of the Gonzaga family, which used to own the city for over 400 years, Mantua was considered one of the most important cultural cities in the Renaissance and it maintains a lot of the buildings that made it famous during that period.

Sondrio is a town of 22,000 people (2018) in Sondrio Province in the Lombardy region of northern Italy.
Varese (Lombard: Varés) is a pleasant hillside city in Lombardy, a few kilometres from the Swiss border, with a cosy historic centre, stunning views of the namesake lake and the Alps and plenty of opportunity for outdoor and indoor activities.
take boat trips in the shadow of the Alps to the picturesque villages of Bellagio, Varenna and Tremezzo - Lake Maggiore, Lake Garda and Lake Lugano.

Located on the shores of Lake Como in Italy, the village of Montrasio was a favourite summer destination for such celebrities as Giovanni Versace and Winston Churchill. It is still a lovely destination, easy to reach and close to the major destinations in the area, but with a friendly village feel.

Val Camonica or Valcamonica or Valle Camonica is a valley in the northern part of Italy. Valle Camonica is also a UNESCO heritage site.
Though frequently called the Tuscany of the North of Italy, the Oltrepò Pavese in Lombardy is fairly unknown abroad. Tourists pass the area closely when traveling to the real Tuscany, to Umbria or further south.
Campione d'Italia is an Italian exclave in Lombardy, surrounded by the Swiss region of Ticino.
Articles and travel topics about Lombardy and Italy.
Understand travel insurance for a Schengen visa in 2026. Learn mandatory €30,000 medical coverage, zero deductible rules, and embassy-approved policies.
7 min read
Complete 2026 guide to global tourist taxes and access fees. Compare entry fees in Venice, Bali, Bhutan, Kyoto, and Edinburgh, and learn how to pay them.
8 min read
Find out how much does a trip to Italy cost in 2026. Compare realistic daily budgets for hotels, food, trains, and museum entry across three travel styles.
8 min read
Estimate your Europe trip cost for 2 weeks in 2026. Compare realistic budgets for lodging, Eurail trains, dining, and sightseeing across three styles.
8 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.