Where to stay in Lombardy, from the lakes to the Po plain

How to choose where to stay in Lombardy

Lombardy is much more than Milan. To sleep well, choose the landscape first, whether that is lake, city or countryside, and then the place itself.

I split it into five blocks. There is Lombard Garda, Brescia and its surroundings, the lakes further north, the area between Milan, Bergamo and the Pavese, and the Mantuan plain along the Po.

Where to stay in Lombardy, area by area

The places are grouped by proximity, so you can pick the area first and then the property. The lakes are the choice for anyone who wants water and scenery, while Milan and Bergamo are mainly for business trips or an early flight.

Lake Garda

The Lombard shore has very different places, from the quiet of Sirmione away from the main route to towns with a lakefront promenade.

• New Immobiliare Casa Patrizia, in Sirmione. A B&B in a quiet area, with private parking, air-conditioned rooms and a breakfast of your choice. People like the warmth of the owner and the calm.
• B&B La Maison Boutique, in Desenzano del Garda. A bed and breakfast in a fairytale-style villa close to the historic centre. I recommend it to people who love details and to anyone who appreciates a host with good advice.
• Hotel Mefuta, in Gardone Riviera. A four-star hotel with a seasonal pool, a wellness area and rooms with a balcony or patio, near the Vittoriale and the lakefront. There are some flaws with breakfast and upkeep.
• B&B Villa Giulia Rooms & Bike, in Toscolano Maderno. Spacious rooms, a pool with a jacuzzi, a sauna and a garden, a few minutes on foot from the water. Good for couples, families and cyclists.
• Trattoria Bar Centrale e Locanda San Felice, in San Felice del Benaco. A historic bar-trattoria with rooms upstairs, traditional cooking and fair prices. A simple bed in the centre of the village, without hotel services.

Brescia and surroundings

Brescia works well as a base for Garda and for business travellers, with places both in the centre and outside it.

• The Leoncio Hotel, in Brescia. A four-star hotel in a period building, a few minutes on foot from the centre and the station, with vintage furnishings and large rooms. Less suited to light sleepers.
• Villa Noce, in Brescia. A guest house in a quiet area outside the centre, with a garden, parking and air-conditioned rooms. There are some faults, so read the reviews.
• B&B Bagnolo Mella, in Bagnolo Mella. A modern, air-conditioned mini apartment with a bedroom, a living room, Wi-Fi and self check-in. A handy base for Garda.

Como, Lecco and Lake Maggiore

The northern lakes are more mountainous and less touristy, suited to those who want views, walks and simple food.

• Albergo Concordia, in Carlazzo. A hotel between Lake Como and Lake Lugano, with clean rooms, a bar and local cooking. The natural park and cycle paths are close by.
• Casa al Lago, in Lecco. A bed & breakfast on the lakefront with the centre behind it, spacious rooms with lake and mountain views, and a restaurant run by the same owner. Be clear about the booking terms.
• Rifugio Campiglio, in Dumenza. A mountain refuge with food and rooms and a terrace over Lake Maggiore. Right for anyone who loves the mountains and eating well, less so for those who want hotel services.

Milan, Bergamo and the Pavese

People stay here for work, for a flight or as a stopover, but there is also a farm stay on the wine hills.

• Hotel Ambra, in Milan. A simple two-star hotel in the Città Studi district, with a reception that is always open. Reviews are very split, so only for a night or two and with modest expectations.
• CaMelia B&B, in Arconate. A small bed and breakfast with air-conditioned rooms and a balcony, private parking and a self-service breakfast, not far from Malpensa.
• B&B La Villa, in Seriate. Close to Bergamo-Orio al Serio airport and the station, with a garden and parking. Mind the bathrooms, as some rooms share them.
• Hotel Ducale, in Vigevano. In the historic centre, a few steps from Piazza Ducale, with a buffet breakfast and parking. Some guests complain about cleanliness, so go in with the right expectations.
• Agriturismo Cascina Angelina, in Casteggio. A family farm on the hills of the Oltrepò Pavese, with views over the vineyards and local cooking. A few guests report a service that fell short.

Mantuan countryside and the Po

This is slow Lombardy, flat and good for cycling, with Mantua a short distance away.

• Serendipity, in Castelbelforte. A bed & breakfast in the Mantuan countryside, with a garden, private parking and farm animals. Right for anyone seeking quiet and warmth rather than hotel services.
• il tempo dei sogni, in San Benedetto Po. Air-conditioned rooms that open onto private terraces, free bicycles and a shared lounge. Good for pedalling about and visiting Mantua.
• Locanda con Camere Il Capitano, in San Benedetto Po. Accommodation with a restaurant and pizzeria on the Po embankment, air-conditioned rooms and parking. Some reservations about the service.

What kinds of places to stay in Lombardy

Lombardy offers a wide choice, from bed and breakfasts and inns to city hotels. By the lakes you will find places with a pool and wellness facilities, in the countryside a farm stay, and even a refuge above Lake Maggiore.

Hotels are where you need to get around quickly, as in Brescia, Milan and Vigevano. B&Bs are the best choice for a more personal welcome and a carefully prepared breakfast.

Which place to choose for your trip

It depends on the type of trip more than the season. Here is a table to help you find your way straight away.

When to go and how to get around Lombardy

The lakes are at their best in warm weather, when the days are long and you can be outdoors. Milan and the cities suit all year round, while the Po plain has its charm in the in-between seasons.

Cities are easy to reach by train, and Milan, Brescia and Bergamo have excellent connections. For the lakes and the countryside a car is still the freest choice, although many places here have parking. On Garda and along the Po, a bike is a good way to get about at an easy pace.