Just Outside Of Milan Is An Idyllic Town With Classic Italian Charm Minus The Massive Crowds

Compared to the big bustling Milan, Italy's second most populated city, charming Seregno in the Province of Monza and Brianza is little more than a town. Its quiet streets and relatively unknown status on the tourist map belie what it has to offer for those who stray there. In Seregno's compact and walkable Centro Storico, you'll find historic churches, abbeys, ornate bell towers, pretty squares with beautiful fountains, and cobbled streets with colorful houses leading to a good collection of restaurants, bars, and cafés.

Seregno's location really sets it apart, as the town is close enough to the walkable city of Milan, known for its food and fashion, making it a cheaper alternative to the bustling city. Seregno is equally as convenient for trips to stunning Lake Como, with trains traveling directly to Como San Giovanni, the main station on the fringes of the lake. If you're traveling to Italy for the Italian Grand Prix, then you'll find Seregno to be a relatively quiet spot to stay, as it's just 10 minutes by train from Monza, where the race has been held almost every year since 1950.

Take a peaceful stroll through Seregno's Centro Storico, and you'll find many of the town's most treasured sights all within walking distance of one another. Alongside the iconic red brick Barbarossa Tower, which dominates much of the skyline, is the fascinating Basilica di San Giuseppe. The basilica dates back to the 18th century, but it was only consecrated as a minor Roman basilica in 1981 by Pope John Paul II. Its interiors are cavernous with gold mosaics, marble sculptures, and paintings depicting scenes from Catholic theology, while outside, there are sculptures in the nearby piazza and a brightly colored fresco on the tympanum of the basilica.

Aside from a handful of churches, the old town has pretty fountains and historic villas to provide eye candy on a stroll. But there's a more modern side to Seregno's streets found in a wonderful collection of murals. Check out the striking black and white portrait of Dante Alighieri with a robe stained with red on a building in Piazza Risorgimento, which was created for the 700th anniversary of his death. Meanwhile, a giant copy of The Musicians by Caravaggio takes up an entire wall at 74 Via Cavour.

Foodies will likely prefer to eat in Milan, but a highlight of Seregno's food scene is the excellent Pomiroeu. The restaurant's dishes are creative and elegant, yet not at all fussy, and its local interpretation of risotto is always impeccable. Pizza lovers should try Bolle Pizzeria Seregno, whose delightful seasonal ingredients are lovingly transformed into Italian-style pizzas, featuring a strong wine list filled with local and international labels.

You'll arrive in Seregno the same way you would in Milan via the Malpensa Airport, which is around 28 miles away. It will take a little over an hour to make the journey by train, but you can also take a taxi, which takes only 35 minutes. If you're utilizing Seregno as a base to explore Milan, you'll find that getting to the town from Milan is quick and efficient, with several trains leaving from both Milano Centrale and Milano Porta Garibaldi. The former is usually most convenient, as the travel time is only 18 minutes to Seregno by train. The last trains leave Milan Centrale well after 10:00 pm, allowing you plenty of time to travel back to your hotel after a day of exploring.

While we suggest spending as much time as possible on stunning Lake Como (and there are plenty of iconic places to stay around the lake), Seregno is ideally located for a day trip to the magical body of water. The fastest train reaches Como in only 20 minutes from the town, meaning you have all day to wander around the charming area. From there, it's a short journey to explore the nearby Lake Orta and its San Giulio Island, a beautiful Italian gem that doesn't get enough attention.