From lakeside towns to Roman ruins, vineyards, and secret spots, here’s how to fall in love with one of Italy’s most underrated cities in just 5 days. Get ready to fall in love with Brescia!
This city may not be on every traveler’s radar (yet!), but it absolutely should be.
Especially if you’re heading to Venice, don’t skip this hidden gem!
Strategically located just 36 minutes from Milan and about 1 hour and 40 minutes from Venice by train, it makes the perfect stop before (or after) the crowds. It’s packed with history, art, culture, nature, enogastronomic traditions, and unforgettable local traditions…
It is the real, soul-stirring Italy most people miss, and here’s how you can plan the ultimate 5-day escape in one of Italy’s best-kept secrets. Thank you again, Visit Brescia, for having me!!!
I’m sharing with you the exact itinerary Visit Brescia and local guides Elena Confortini and Sergio Facchetti curated for us, and I actually suggest you reach out to them if you’re interested in really diving into the SOUL of these magical places.
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🚗 How to Get There
This 5-day itinerary begins in the Lake Garda area, specifically near Desenzano del Garda, before moving into the heart of Brescia. It’s the perfect combination of relaxing views, rolling vineyards, and a soft landing into the region’s beauty and city discovery. You can either stay in Desenzano del Garda for your first night or, like we did, check into a countryside hotel just 15 minutes away. (I’ll share all the hotel details in the “Where to Stay” section below. Spoiler: it was a dream!)
🚄 By Train: The most convenient option from Milan, as you can take a direct train from Milano Centrale to Desenzano del Garda-Sirmione and it takes about 1 hour, no changes needed. You can choose high-speed trains like Frecciarossa or Frecciabianca, or go regional for a cheaper ticket.
🚘 By Car: If you prefer a private transfer from Malpensa Airport to drive you straight to your destination (about 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on traffic), I’d definitely recommend De Masi Autonoleggio and ask for Luca: he’s the driver that Visit Brescia sent to pick me up and he went over and beyond!!! He entertained me with stories, tips, and local legends the whole way, from the origin of Franciacorta to the tradition of il Pirlo, and the history of Brescia.
You can also use this guide as an inspo for a day trip to Brescia as a quick getaway from Milan! It takes just under 1 hour by direct train from Milano Centrale, and there are departures throughout the day. And you can even add a day trip to Desenzano del Garda, especially if you want a taste of lake views, aperitivo by the water, and charming town vibes. Both towns are easy to reach, rich in beauty, and totally worth your time!
🚙 Need a rental? I recommend Discover Cars: they have great customer service and a price comparison tool that helps you save up to 70%.
✨ Where to Stay in and Around Brescia
If you want to ease into the region with a peaceful escape surrounded by vineyards, start your trip at the Garda Hotel San Vigilio Golf in Pozzolengo. Just a short drive (10-15 min) from Lake Garda and Desenzano, it’s a serene retreat with fairytale vibes, a spa, and a gorgeous pool.
If you prefer to stay in town, Desenzano del Garda is a beautiful option with lakeside views, cobblestone streets, and a buzzing aperitivo scene; all just one train stop from Brescia.
If you’re following the full itinerary, the last three nights are all about getting lost in the timeless beauty of Brescia, its history, and all the hidden corners that make this city unforgettable. That’s why staying right in the heart of it all is a must.
We stayed at Corte Novella, a real gem. Just a short stroll from the historic center, this boutique stay feels more like a cozy apartment than a traditional hotel. I had a living room, bedroom, and even a kitchenette: perfect if you love a bit more comfort while traveling. It’s run by a lovely young couple, everything was spotless and there’s even a peaceful courtyard in the back. Breakfast is all local treats and fresh pastries… the kind that makes you look forward to waking up.
Your 5-Day Brescia Itinerary
Ready for a trip you’ll never forget? I put together this easy-to-follow itinerary so you don’t have to stress about planning. Just read, trust, and go! You can even print this out or save it to your phone. From lake views to Roman ruins and secret local gems, every day is mapped out to help you make the most of your time in and around Brescia. Let’s dive in!
Day 1 – Desenzano del Garda + Boat Ride to Sirmione
Head straight to Desenzano del Garda, a charming lake town with ancient Roman ruins, a vibrant café culture, and a relaxed, breezy vibe that instantly puts you in vacation mode.
I know you might be more familiar with Lake Como, but trust me, you don’t want to miss Lake Garda, Italy’s largest lake, stretching across three regions (Lombardy, Veneto, and Trentino-Alto Adige). Formed during the last ice age, it’s a glacial lake with deep history and soul-stirring beauty.
Start your trip with a slow stroll through Desenzano’s historic center. Here are a few hidden gems you can’t miss:
📍 Castello di Desenzano: A medieval fortress with panoramic lake views.
📍 Villa Romana: 1st-century Roman villa with preserved mosaics. Small, serene, and magical. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into ancient Italy.
📍 Duomo di Santa Maria Maddalena: Step inside for beautiful Baroque interiors and art by Tiepolo. Quiet and unexpected.
📍 Porto Vecchio (Old Port): Colorful boats, pastel buildings, and lakeside cafés. The kind of place that makes you want to pause and just be.
📍 Piazza Malvezzi: The beating heart of Desenzano, perfect for aperitivo… we actually ran into my friend Silvia Benasseni (born and raised in Desenzano!) who joined us for a Pirlo – the original name for Aperol Spritz in this area – at Café Bosio.
📍 Lungolago Promenade
A dreamy lakeside walk. Bring your camera. Bring your lover. Get a gelato. 🫶
Insider Tip: On Tuesdays, you can even check the Farmers Market and get a real taste of Italy!
🍹 After Aperitivo… Book a Boat Ride to Sirmione
Well, ours turned out to be more of a thrilling adventure, though I must confess, I love being a drama queen when the ending is fabulous. 👑
Let’s just say it wasn’t a typical smooth ride across the lake. Locals say, “You can fall in love with the lake, but don’t marry it,” and after feeling the waves rise like we were on the open sea, I TOTALLY get it. 😅
We boarded a Bertoldi boat from Desenzano to Sirmione just as the Ander wind (a chilly breeze that blows from the mountains) picked up, and what’s normally a 10-minute ride turned into a 1-hour lake thrill. Shoutout to our captain, Teodoro, who navigated it like a pro.
Arrive in Sirmione just before sunset, and let the castle lights reflecting on the water take your breath away. It feels straight out of a fairy tale. ✨ We took a short stroll to build up an appetite, then ended the night with a lakeside dinner in the garden of Hotel Catullo, with a view.
Day 2 – Back to Sirmione, Grotta di Catullo & Wine Tasting at Conti Thun, Arrival in Brescia
Sirmione is famously nicknamed “the Pearl of the Lake,” and for good reason. Also, our guide Elena reminded us that its name comes from Sirma, meaning the trail of a dress. It really does feel like a goddess walked this land and left behind the hem of her gown…
Here’s how to spend the day:
📍 Start at Castello Scaligero: One of the best-preserved castles in Italy. It was built in the 14th century by the Scaligeri family. Walk around the walls, get your ticket in advance if you’d like to climb the tower, and take in all its charm. The castle, built for battle, is entirely surrounded by water, and has 45 fortified boat slips from its defensive past… and now looks like a postcard. 🏰💙
📍 Wander through its streets and gardens
📍Stop by the legendary Caffè Grande Italia, one of the oldest cafes in town and one of the first places in Italy to serve Campari in the 1800s.
📍Terme di Sirmione: Indulge in the thermal waters of Sirmione, naturally rich in sulfur, bromine, and iodine. The waters emerge at 69°C after traveling 20 km underground from the slopes of Mount Baldo. This journey takes nearly 20 years! Known for their healing powers (especially for the skin, joints, and respiratory system), these thermal springs are a true hidden wonder – I didn’t get to soak this time, but it’s definitely on my list for next visit.
📍Maria Callas’ old villa: The legendary soprano lived here with her first love, Brescian entrepreneur Meneghini, 27 years her senior (pre-Onassis chapter). She would open the window every morning and sing. In an interview, she called those the most beautiful years of her life. Today, the villa is divided into 20 apartments, but her balcony is still there… full of stories.
📍 Grotta di Catullo: Don’t let the name fool you; it’s not a cave. This is one of the most stunning Roman villas in Northern Italy, built in the 1st century AD as a luxury retreat. It sits on a cliff, surrounded by olive trees and cypress, overlooking the lake. The perfect mix of history, silence, breeze, and that unforgettable deep, serene Garda-blue water that feels painted. 💙
🍷 For lunch, head to Conti Thun Wine Resort
Hop in the car and get to Conti Thun Wine Resort, where you’ll dine outdoors under a pergola, sipping estate-made wine with vineyard views that steal your breath away. It’s also SUPER Instagrammable!!! With its rustic elegance and pretty pink decor, it feels like a fairy tale hideaway.
They brought their winemaking expertise from Bolzano down to Lake Garda to master rosé, and it shows. Their Valtenesi Chiaretto is crisp, elegant, and just so easy to fall in love with… and they ship worldwide!
🚗 By evening, arrive in Brescia
Drop your bags, take a slow evening walk through the center, and head to Osteria alla Grotta for dinner. It’s warm, rustic, tucked under ancient arches, and a local favorite for a reason. It serves up classic Brescian dishes like casoncelli, house-cured meats, and trippa alla bresciana, all paired with a killer wine list (200+ labels!).
Make sure to say hi to Angelo, host, entertainer, and proud Brescian owner. He served us Zero Trenta, a fiery local grappa (yes, super strong 😵💫), and joked that after a shot of this, even an American would start speaking fluent Bresciano – LOL!
🦁 Fun Fact: My friend Brunella, a songwriter who goes by BruAngel and lives in Brescia, told me the city is known as the Leonessa d’Italia – the Lioness of Italy. Not a random nickname. It was poet Giosuè Carducci who gave Brescia this name after its fierce stand against the Austrians in 1849. But here’s the twist… Brescia used to be under Venetian rule, and if you look around, you’ll still spot stone lions from that era carved into buildings. So when Carducci called it the lioness, it was like flipping the old symbol of domination into one of courage, pride, and resilience.
Locals say “Brescia feels like Venice… minus the water.” No gondolas and no canal traffic, but the city makes up for it with hidden waterways, historic canal threads, and fountains at every turn. It’s also called the “City of a Thousand Fountains.” as ancient Roman aqueduct routes still whisper stories from centuries past just beneath your feet.
Day 3 – Discover the Heart of Brescia
Now it’s time to explore the soul of Brescia, a city full of contrasts: where ancient Roman ruins, Renaissance piazzas, and modern design all sit within walking distance. We managed to visit all these spots while chasing live opera performances through every corner of the city for Festa dell’Opera, the mind-blowing experience YOU NEED TO ADD to your “Italy bucket list folder” 🤯
Here’s how to spend your day:
📍 Piazza Paolo VI – Medieval + Baroque mashup: This piazza is Brescia’s historic core. Step inside both:
- The Duomo Vecchio (Old Cathedral), a rare round Romanesque church from the 11th century
- The Duomo Nuovo, Baroque on the outside and Neoclassical inside. Built between 1604 and 1825, it honors Pope Paul VI, who was born here.
📍 Teatro Grande: Founded in 1709 and rebuilt in 1810, the current building was dedicated to Napoleon and was originally supposed to be named Il Grande in his honor… but legend has it he snubbed the inauguration, so they removed the article in front of the name. It still remains one of Italy’s most respected opera houses. Elegant, gold-trimmed, and filled with cultural magic. 🎭
📍 Piazza Vittoria (Fascist-era contrast): Built in 1932 during Mussolini’s rule, this square replaced a medieval neighborhood in just 2 months (!!) to show off bold Rationalist lines. It’s bold, cold, and geometric… Its architecture is a striking contrast to everything else you’ve seen.
📍 Piazza della Loggia: Stroll over for pure Renaissance beauty. This elegant square looks more Venetian than Lombard, thanks to its 15th-century arcades, ornate Palazzo della Loggia (now city hall), and the stunning Astronomical Clockfrom the 1500s.
📍 Torre Bruciata (Porta Bruciata): This ancient “Burnt Gate” dates back to the 2nd century and once marked the Roman city’s western entrance. Legend says a massive fire in 1184 gave the tower its name.
✨ Hidden Gem Moment: Our guide Elena had us peek inside to discover a tiny chapel (honestly shaped like a trullo!) built in the 12th century. Just next to it, a small door leads into Torre Bruciata itself, now home to a handful of private apartments. It’s a classic walk-up with about seven floors stacked with charm and history. Locals call it the prettiest building in town… and guess what? My friend BruAngel, lives there!!!
The gorgeous flowers spilling from the first-floor windows are hers! She invited us in for coffee, and I’m still not over how dreamy her place is. Brunella’s a songwriter and singing teacher, and she even hosts cooking classes followed by private concerts in her living room. You know I’m coming back for that… anyone wanting to join me?
FUN FACT: Some call the building next to Torre Bruciata the “Brescian Flatiron”, because that narrow, wedge-shaped façade reminds you of New York’s iconic Flatiron. Totally unofficial, but I’d trust anything Brunella tells me!
✨ Hidden Gem Moment 2 (thank you again Elena!): Il Pane di Maurizio Sarioli. This tiny bakery is easy to miss, and that’s exactly why you need to bookmark it! Maurizio uses ancient grains to bake the fluffiest focaccia, earthy breads, and golden pastries. This place has become a cult favorite in Brescia.
📍Dinner at Ristorante Vivace: A modern, Michelin‑recommended bistro just off Piazza Vittoria. Intimate and polished vibes in a sleek, stylish setting… and curated service that makes every bite feel special.
📍 Quartiere del Carmine (also called “Brescia’s Brooklyn” by locals): This boho-hipster district is absolutely worth exploring. My new friend and talented photographer Roberto and I wandered the colorful streets after dinner. It felt raw, real, and full of local flavor.
📍Tempo Sospeso (The Weight of Suspended Time) – Rhino Sculpture by Stefano Bombardieri: head in Piazza della Vittoria again to capture the small bronze rhino floating mid-air at night. This striking piece captures the beauty and absurdity of stillness, of time hanging in the balance. That’s where Roberto and I wrapped up our evening combining our creativity, taking photos, and just soaking in the surreal vibes of the square.
Day 4 – Time Travel in Brescia: Roman Ruins, Winged Victories, and Hidden Stories
Ready to be amazed? Because you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a time machine! Brescia has one of the most important Roman archaeological areas in northern Italy, and if you’re a history lover (or just curious), this day is going to blow your mind.
Here’s how to explore it:
📍 Start at Brixia Archaeological Park (Parco Archeologico di Brixia Romana): This site was the religious and civic heart of Roman Brixia, with layers of history literally stacked on top of each other. You’ll wander through ancient temples, theaters, and Roman streets.
Fun fact: we learned from our guide that the name “Brixia” is Celtic in origin (bric/brig = hill or high place), the same root as Bergamo and Bressanone.
📍 Capitolium (Temple of Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva): Rediscovered in the 1800s beneath what used to be a public garden (!!), this temple is a UNESCO site. Inside, you’ll find stunning 1st-century BC frescoes (made using wax and olive oil, painted fast before the plaster dried). Look for illusionistic curtains, fringe, even faux architecture… the Romans were masters of visual tricks.
📍 The Winged Victory of Brescia (Vittoria Alata): One of the few bronze statues that survived antiquity, and she’s breathtaking. She’s a symbol of Brescia: graceful and powerful. She once held a shield with the winner’s name carved on it.
She was then hidden underground, possibly to escape Christian destruction or invaders… and forgotten for centuries. Restored in Florence, she returned home in 2021 looking more radiant than ever, with her curly hair, draped robes, and delicate wings.
📍 Roman Theatre: Just steps away. The go-to place for performances, and during the Middle Ages, it even served as a town hall. Locals just kept using it like their open-air piazza.
📍Lunch at Torre d’Ercole: A favorite local enoteca and casual osteria with rustic charm and modern flair. Perfect for a midday break between exploring, with friendly service and a super cute outdoor veranda that feels like a hidden courtyard.
📍 Museo di Santa Giulia, 3,000 Years in One Place: Housed in a former Benedictine monastery, this is the museum to visit in Brescia. It feels like a walk through time, from Roman ruins to medieval cloisters, 8th-century marble columns to Renaissance frescoes worthy of Florence.
Don’t miss the Casa delle Fontane, a Roman villa buried beneath the garden for centuries. Wealthy families lived here with water features, heated floors, and working sewers (!!). You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a real-life “how the Romans lived” episode.
📍 Chiesa di Santa Maria in Solario: Just steps from the main museum buildings, this 12th-century oratory is a hidden jewel. Originally built as a sacred treasure chamber for the Benedictine nuns, it’s now home to some of the most dazzling surprises in Brescia. Upstairs, you’ll find the legendary Cross of Desiderius, encrusted with over 200 gemstones. Downstairs, look for traces of ancient Roman stones and beautifully preserved Renaissance frescoes by Floriano Ferramola. The space feels like a secret vault – a treasure within a treasure.
📍Church of the Most Holy Body of Christ (Chiesa del Santissimo Corpo di Cristo): Just behind the park and easy to miss, this 15th-century church is known as Brescia’s Sistine Chapel… and you’ll understand why the second you step in. The entire interior is covered in frescoes by Benedetto da Marone, inspired by Michelangelo. Add a peaceful courtyard, a stunning pipe organ, and barely any crowds… it’s a hidden masterpiece.
📍 Optional Add-On: Castello di Brescia, The City’s Crown: Towering above the city, this fortress offers 360° views over rooftops and to the mountains. Originally a Roman fort, then expanded by the Visconti and Venetians, it protected Brescia for centuries. Now it’s a peaceful park with tunnels, a drawbridge, and major fairytale energy.
Insider Tip: Walk up to the Castle via Vicolo Sant’Urbano (also known as Contrada Sant’Urbano), one of the most charming (and super Instagrammable!) routes around. It opens up into a stunning panoramic view over the city 😍
If you’re not up for squeezing it all in, save it for the next morning like I did. It was the perfect ending to this time-travel adventure.
📍 Dinner at Osteria Savio: A warm, intimate spot hidden on a quiet street near Santa Giulia. We indulged in house-made antipasti, Pici con burrata al tartufo, and regional wines, all in a romantic vibe.
Save this if you want to wander, feel, and fall in love with a quieter side of Italy. It’ll surprise you.
Final Tips Before You Go
If you’ve made it this far… I hope you’re already dreaming of Roman ruins, lakeside aperitivi, and hidden courtyards in Brescia 🥰 This itinerary was designed to mix beauty, history, and wow moments with plenty of room for slow mornings and spontaneous discoveries along the way.
📌 Don’t forget to save this post (and share it with the person you want to travel here with). And if you have questions while planning, leave a comment below. I love helping you turn someday into just booked!
