Brescia
A Lombard city with Roman ruins, a UNESCO monastery complex and a hilltop castle, a few kilometers from Lake Garda and Lake Iseo.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Brescia is a city in Lombardy, northern Italy, at the foot of the Alps and a few kilometers from Lake Garda and Lake Iseo. It is the second-largest city in Lombardy after Milan, and it is said to be more than 3,200 years old. In antiquity it was called Brixia, and the old town still has the best-preserved Roman public buildings in northern Italy, around a forum with a Capitolium and a Roman theater. Venice ruled the city from 1426 to 1797.
Choose Brescia for a city base with real history, a castle on Cidneo Hill with wide views, and both lakes within a short trip. Give the old town, the Roman forum and the castle a full day. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons, with temperatures of about 10 to 20 °C. Summers are hot and sultry, and fog is common from dusk to late morning in winter. Trains from the main station reach Milan in about 35 minutes, and Brescia Airport lies about 15 km south-east of the centre. Set aside a second day for Lake Garda or Lake Iseo.
Brescia in five
- See the Roman and monastery sites togetherThe Capitolium and the Santa Giulia museum are two of the main sights, and both are part of the city's UNESCO listing. Check the official pages for opening hours and ticket options.
- Take the train to Garda or IseoBrescia has direct trains to Milan and Verona, and connections to Desenzano del Garda (for Sirmione) and Iseo. Check the timetable on the day, since lake services vary by season.Lake Garda
- Walk up to the castleThe path to the hilltop castle takes about 20 to 30 minutes uphill, with views over the city. Go in the morning or late afternoon in summer.
- Pair it with BergamoBergamo and Brescia shared the Italian Capital of Culture title in 2023. They are about 50 minutes apart by train, so a two-night route works well.Bergamo
Things to do in Brescia
See all attractions in Brescia
Need to know
- Airport
- Verona Villafranca (VRN) or Milan Bergamo (BGY), about 1 hour
- Getting there
- Train from Milan or Verona; both about 40 to 60 min on fast services
- Getting around
- On foot in the center; metro and buses beyond
- Best base
- Near the station or the old town
- Time needed
- A day trip or 1 to 2 nights
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh8°Low1°Cold, foggyJanuaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 45 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, foggy
- FebruaryPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh11°Low4°Cold, quietFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 65 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- MarchPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh14°Low5°Mild, springMarchPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 67 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, spring
- AprilPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh18°Low9°Mild, greenAprilPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 91 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, green
- MayRain17 rainy daysHigh21°Low13°Warm, long daysMayRain
Good
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 169 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, long days
- JuneRain12 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh28°Low18°Warm, long daysJuneRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 119 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Warm, long days
- JulyClear12 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh30°Low20°Hot, humidJulyClear
Good
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 114 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, humid
- AugustClear11 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh30°Low20°Hot, quiet townAugustClear
Good
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 122 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, quiet town
- SeptemberClear11 rainy daysHigh25°Low16°Warm, clearSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 123 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, clear
- OctoberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh19°Low12°Autumn colorOctoberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 109 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn color
- NovemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh12°Low7°Rain, coolNovemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 103 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain, cool
- DecemberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh8°Low3°Cold, lightsDecemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 70 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, lights
Average daily high and low in Brescia, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Brescia
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
10
- Feels like
- 9°
- Humidity
- 61%
- Wind
- 6 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 13%
Brescia
12:24 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today14°6°13%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 13%.
- Wed13°8°20%Wednesday: Rain. High 13°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 20%.
- Thu14°7°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri10°8°11%Friday: Rain. High 10°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 11%.
- Sat12°8°11%Saturday: Rain. High 12°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 11%.
- Sun13°9°30%Sunday: Rain. High 13°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 30%.
Updated 09:28 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- Jun–SepArena di Verona FestivalVerona, a day trip
- SepFestivaletteraturaMantua, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Lake Garda (Sirmione)about 25 to 40 min by trainItaly's largest lake, with a castle and a peninsula.Read the guide
- Lake Iseoabout 30 to 45 min by trainA quieter lake with Monte Isola, a lake island that is easy to explore on foot.Read the guide
- Cremonaabout 1 hour by trainA violin-making town with a tall tower and a food scene.Read the guide
Before you go to Brescia
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Brescia, checked
- Italy is in the Schengen Area. Check the entry rules for your passport on the Italian foreign ministry site before you book.Source
- Central Brescia is a restricted traffic zone (ZTL), in force since 2004. Check its access rules before you drive into the old town.
- Dial 112 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Italy.
- Cover shoulders and knees when you enter churches, including the Duomo and the Basilica of San Salvatore.
Plan around Brescia
Regions, cities and the rules every visitor needs
Read the guideBergamoHill city and gateway, 50 minutes away
Read the guideLake GardaItaly's largest lake, a short trip away
Read the guideLake IseoA quieter lake with a lake island
Read the guideItaly by train off-peakPlanning Lombardy by rail
Read the guideEES, explainedWhat to expect at airport border checks
Read the guideBrescia FAQ
Is Brescia worth visiting?
Yes, for Roman ruins, a castle and an easy, uncrowded city. It also works as a base for the lakes.
How many days do you need in Brescia?
A day covers the main sights. Two nights let you add Lake Garda or Lake Iseo, or Bergamo.
How far is Brescia from Milan?
About 40 to 60 minutes by fast train, or about 1 hour by car depending on traffic. Check train types before you buy.
Is Brescia a good base for Lake Garda?
Yes. Trains and buses reach Sirmione and Desenzano, and Brescia has more affordable hotels and a livelier city feel than lakeside towns.
Can you visit Brescia from Bergamo?
Yes, about 50 minutes by train, so it is an easy day trip or the second stop on a two-city route.