Escape The Crowds Of Milan At An Overlooked Italian Town With Unique Architecture

Italy is truly a powerhouse when it comes to tourism. With around 60 million visitors annually, it's the fourth most visited country in the world. And, of course, it's not a mystery why Italy attracts so many. From the sunny Amalfi Coast to the soaring Dolomites, il bel paese (the beautiful country), the land of da Vinci and Caesar, is home to some of the world's most famous natural, historical, and cultural sights.

The large number of tourists means that visitors are always searching for "authentic Italy," hoping to avoid overcrowded museums and skyrocketing prices. Real Italy is never far away — sometimes, you just have to do a little digging. Do that digging in the charming town of Rho, in the region of Lombardy. Just a short train or bus trip away from cosmopolitan Milan, Rho is known for its palaces, gardens, risotto, and exhibition center.

Lombardy, in northern Italy, is mainly known as a hub for business, fashion, and industry via its largest city, Milan, or as the serene setting of Lake Como. However, there's more to the northern region, from the picturesque shores of Lake Como to the historic streets of Bergamo. And, of course, there's Rho, a suburb of Milan that's a destination in its own right.

A short 20-minute train ride from Milan, Rho has a significant history, dating back to the Romans. Built along an old road connecting Mediolanum (now Milan) and Lago Maggiore, Rho still retains vestiges of its Roman origins, especially in the layout of the city. Rho changed hands many times over the years, from the Romans to the Lombards to the Franks, and was even its own independent commune for a time. Now, the city is peppered with remains of various kingdoms and religions, all paired with modern life and conveniences.

It's true that Rho, as one of the more underrated Italian tourist destinations, is more likely to be overrun with locals than visitors. But that doesn't mean there's nothing to see or do in Rho! In the middle of the city, find the historic center, with its cobblestoned streets, winding alleys, and pastel-colored buildings. Visit the 15th-century Chiesa di San Vito Martire, one of the oldest churches in the area, and the 16th-century Santa Maria della Fontana, with its incredible architecture and frescoes. See the magnificent gardens around the Villa Burba and taste-test your way through the city's authentic trattorias, sampling local specialties like risotto alla Milanese (saffron rice), ossobuco (veal with risotto), panettone (bread made with fruit), or the traditional cornmeal cake, sbrisolona.

In addition to its myriad historic palaces and villas, you'll also find the ultra-modern Fiera Milano Rho on the edge of the city, one of the largest exhibition centers in the world. Check the Fiera Milano Rho events calendar while you're visiting, as something will likely be happening, like car shows or culinary fairs. Luckily, wherever you go in Italy, whether it's large cities like Rome or smaller, postcard-perfect villages like Rho, you'll be sure to find incredible food, friendly people, dramatic castles and churches, and lively plazas.