Lombardy for children

Adventure and discovery are the perfect ingredients for a day outside dedicated to the youngest tourists. And there are no shortage of opportunities in Lombardy.

Children particularly love the Parco della Preistoria in Rivolta d’Adda. Here you can walk or ride in a comfortable train amidst life-size replicas of dinosaurs that mingle with real-life wild animals populating the natural reserve. 

Kids may also enjoy the Museo della Bambola housed in the Rocca di Angera. From prehistoric dolls to the globally famous Barbie, this unique doll museum brings together the the Borromeo family collection with other unique pieces from every period and part of the world.

Everyone, even tiny toddlers, will love the attractions at Minitalia Leolandia in Capriate. In addition to a full-scale model of Italy and its main monuments, there’s a brand-new aquarium and reptile house, farm, and fascinating Leonardo da Vinci museum. And don’t miss the rides or fun-filled events for the whole family!

Lastly, little history buffs will be fascinated by parco della Valcamonica where they can see over 300,000 carvings on 24,000 rocks, and a reconstructed prehistoric village. Kids can take part in themed workshops and discover the daily life of the Camuni people who lived in these mountains 10,000 years ago.

The “villas of delights" on Lake Como

The waters of Lake Como reflect not only the snow-capped peaks of the mountains, but also, real architectural treasures. In the 16th century, Lombardy nobility began spending their summers on its lake shores and constructing “villas of delights” - palaces of pleasure and a tangible sign of noble prestige - which hosted impressive gatherings of intellectuals, scientists and artists. 

The villas were built over centuries, each one designed to compete with the next in elegance and grandeur, and have no equal in Europe. You will be amazed by the luxurious Villa Balbianello in Lenno, whose famous balcony commands views over Isola Comacina on one side, and on the other, the beautiful gardens of Tremezzina.

Opposite the lake in Bellagio, we find the sumptuous Villa Melzi d’Eril, a Neoclassical masterpiece that hosted, amongst others, Stendhal and Franz Listz, as well as Villa Serbelloni with its magnificent park.

Villa Olmi and Villa Rocca Saporiti are located in Como, while Cernobbio provides the setting for Villa d’Este. In Tremezzo, visitors can admire Villa Carlotta, which boasts the famous statue of “Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss”, Canova’s masterpiece.

From castle to castle

The castles of Lombardy, restored to their former glory after painstaking restoration, give visitors the chance to delve into an important period of history in a magical fairytale atmosphere.

Castello di Vigevano, built in the fourteenth century by Luchino Visconti, is one of the most fascinating monuments in Lombardy, and overlooks one of Italy’s most beautiful piazzas. In the Loggia delle Dame and on the stable walls you can admire frescoes by Bramante.

There is more art and culture at Castello Visconteo in Pavia, which is adorned with fabulous frescoes and houses a museum with rotating exhibitions within its walls.

An excellent example of a defensive structure is Rocca di Soncino, whose grandeur has remained miraculously intact. A visit to the underground rooms is fascinating.

Also wonderfully preserved is Castello di Pandino with its intact moats, towers, drawbridges and geometric frescoes.