Watch Mille Miglia 2025: How to Plan the Ultimate Italian Road Trip
There’s something about Italy that makes you want to slow down, sip a little more wine than necessary, and fall madly in love with life itself. Now imagine wrapping that bliss inside a swirl of vintage Ferraris, roaring Bugattis, leather-gloved daredevils — and a dash of old-school danger straight out of the Ferrari movie — and you’ve got the magic of why it’s so spectacular to watch Mille Miglia 2025.
Planning to watch Mille Miglia in 2025 isn’t just a trip. It’s a living, breathing love affair with Italian culture, history, and unapologetic style. If you’re craving an ultimate road trip that oozes affordable luxury and slow travel magic, buckle up. Here’s exactly how to craft your Mille Miglia adventure.
This post contains affiliate links. If you decide to book or buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. These links help me cover the real expenses behind Spritzience, from visiting locations and retouching photos to the hours spent researching and writing guides that make your trip easier.
A Quick (and Fascinating) History of the Mille Miglia
The Mille Miglia began in 1927, born from pure Italian ingenuity (and perhaps a pinch of rebellion). After Brescia lost its Grand Prix status to Monza, a group of passionate locals — including Counts Aymo Maggi and Franco Mazzotti — decided to create their own epic race: a thousand-mile loop from Brescia to Rome and back.
The original races between 1927 and 1957 were wild, open-road affairs. Drivers in roaring Alfa Romeos and Ferrraris zoomed through towns at speeds that made pedestrians dive for cover. Legendary names like Tazio Nuvolari and Stirling Moss became household heroes thanks to the Mille Miglia.
But it wasn’t all romantic. By the late 1950s, the race’s sheer danger was becoming harder to justify. The turning point came during the 1957 Mille Miglia, when Spanish driver Alfonso de Portago crashed at over 150 km/h near Guidizzolo, causing the deaths of himself, his co-driver, and nine spectators, including children.
This tragic moment effectively ended the Mille Miglia as a competitive race — and if you’ve seen the 2023 film Ferrari starring Adam Driver, you’ve already had a gut-punch glimpse of just how brutal and chaotic those original Mille Miglia races were. The film’s intense scenes of roaring engines, narrow streets, and the heart-stopping crash brought the dangers of the era to chilling life.
After the ban, it seemed the Mille Miglia might slip into history books forever. But Italians, being Italians, couldn’t simply let such a beautiful tradition die.
In 1977, the race was reborn — not as a wild dash, but as a historic rally celebrating the spirit, glamour, and endurance of classic motoring.
Today, to watch Mille Miglia is to see history roll by — a breathtaking tribute to courage, craftsmanship, and the sheer joy of driving.
What Kind of Cars Race in the Mille Miglia?
Think jaw-dropping classics. Only car models that raced between 1927 and 1957 are eligible. You’ll see rarities like:
- Vintage Alfa Romeos
- Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwings
- Ferrari 340 Americas
- Maserati A6Gs
- Aston Martin DB2s
- Bugatti Type 35s
It’s basically the automotive version of strolling through the Uffizi — if the paintings could do 100 mph past vineyards. Part of the reason why thousands flock to watch Mille Miglia every year is to see these incredible machines outside museum glass, alive and roaring.
No matter where you watch Mille Miglia along the route, every car feels like a roaring piece of art in motion.
When is Mille Miglia 2025?
The official dates for Mille Miglia 2025 are Tuesday, June 17th through Saturday, June 21st.
The action heats up on Tuesday morning, and each day the route twists through a curated list of Italy’s dreamiest cities, hill towns, and coastal gems. To watch Mille Miglia at its most magical, you’ll want to strategically place yourself near historic city centers, scenic countryside stretches, and iconic piazzas where drivers stop for checkpoints.
How to Actually Watch Mille Miglia in Style
If you’re picturing fenced-off stadiums or bleacher seating, think again. To watch Mille Miglia is to truly chase it — following the drivers from town to town, a glass of Franciacorta wine in hand, living your best dolce vita life.
The best way? Slow travel + affordable luxury. Rent a chic Alfa Romeo Giulietta, book boutique hotels along the route, and set your own pace. One minute you’re watching a 1953 Ferrari rumble by under medieval arches, the next you’re sipping spritzes in a sun-dappled piazza, watching the cars drive by while the whole town bursts into applause.
Alternately, if you don’t want to rent a car, it’s also possible to follow key parts of the route using TrenItalia (check out their website for times and to purchase tickets) and some local buses.
Essentials to Pack for Mille Miglia 2025
If you want to watch Mille Miglia comfortably, stylishly, and ready for those impromptu roadside celebrations, make sure you pack:
- A sunhat and lightweight scarf (channel Sophia Loren)
- Comfy but elegant walking shoes
- Binoculars for the faraway vroom-vrooms
- Portable phone charger for all the photos
- Screen shots of the route map — Wi-Fi gets spotty in the countryside!
Favorite Itinerary: Your Slow Travel Plan for 2025
If you want a perfectly-paced, slow travel road trip while you watch Mille Miglia, here’s a dreamy (and doable) 6 day tinerary:
Day 1 — Sunday, June 15th:
Fly into Milan. Stay overnight to shake off jet lag, maybe sneak in a negroni or two at one of our favorite Milan cocktail bars. We at Sprtizince think one of the best ways to help fight jet lag is with a yummy pizza dinner, here’s our review of 10 Milanese pizzerias that will blow your mind in Milan.
Day 2 Monday, June 16th:
Drive to Desenzano, perched on Lake Garda’s southern shores. Check into the Park Hotel. It’s one of the most elegant Desenzano del Garda hotels with a killer location right on the waterfront. You’ll wake up to views of bobbing sailboats and swaying palms. The rooms are modern, and the pool is pure serenity with a view of the lake. This is Spritzience’s pick, as it’s the hippest hotel. It blends clean modern lines with vintage decor in the lobby and public areas. Plus, the pocket bar just off the lobby is the perfect spot for a Spritz any time of the day.
Then head out to wander cobblestone streets. Check out the castle, and our favorite chic wine bar for an aperitivo or a light dinner. For more details, check out our post on how to spend 1 magical day in Desenzano Italy. If you have extra time to spare, consider heading over to Brescia for the 6 pm blessing of the cars mass.
Leaving the Italian Lakes Behind
Day 3 Tuesday, June 17th:
Sleep in late or visit any of the sites you missed in Desenzano. In the afternoon, watch Mille Miglia cars pass through Desenzano (they start off from Brescia at 12:30 pm). After they pass through, head to Verona (yes, Juliet’s balcony Verona!), to watch these vintage cars race by again. Have a tasty lunch at one of our favorite restaurants in Verona before heading south. Overnight in Siena, where you uncover Siena’s secrets and enjoy magical frescos and great wines around watching the race. We like staying at the Giardino di Pantaneto Residenza D’Epoca for a prime spot in the old town of Siena, with a quiet garden in the back.
Heading to Tuscany
Day 4 Wednesday, June 18th:
Get up early today to watch Mille Miglia drivers conquer Siena’s dramatic medieval streets in the morning. They take off from just outside of Bologna at 6:15 am, so they could get to Siena anytime after 8:15, and you’ll want to be ready. After lunch, make your way to Arezzo — a charming, less-crowded Tuscan jewel — for the night. We like Graziella Patio Hotel for its cute decor and prime location in the old town.
Have an apertif at Vasari Cafe to celebrate another great day of the race chase, as you people watch across the fabulous Piazza Grande. Then head a few meters to your right on the same side of the Piazza Grande to enjoy Tuscan fare for dinner at Ristorante La Lancia D’Oro.
Day 5 Thursday, June 19th:
Today the cars leave from Rome at 5:30 am. This is a long leg. It’s difficult to tell what time they’ll be coming through Arezzo. So be patient and stake out a good spot for lunch.
Then hop over to Parma for a Parmesan-and-prosciutto-fueled evening. We like the boutique hotel Bellacorte Gentiluogo per Viaggiatori, for stylish decor and a great central location in Parma’s historic old town. Make an early dinner reservation at the Angiol d’Or. Be prepared to be wowed by a beautiful view of the Duomo piazza and amazing local food. Think paper-thin slices of Parma ham that you place a top of fried dough pockets (Torta Fritta). Follow your appetizer with local herb-filled cheese pastas with aged parmesan cheese topping, and finish with a delicious fish.
Expert Tip: how to watch Mille Miglia at a checkpoint location
Then head out to the streets to watch the cars cruise by. Parma is a checkpoint, so you’ll get to see all the magic here. What I like about checkpoint towns is that you have 3 opportunities to see the cars. The first is on the streets themselves. In Parma, you’ll find a few good spots to sit roadside and enjoy a spritz as cars whiz by.
Then you can move to the checkpoint area. Previously it was by Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi, where all the cars slow down and line up to stop at the checkpoint. Here you can get an up-close look at the cars. After clearing the checkpoint, a few of the drivers usually stop to clean their car windshields or headlights. This makes for an excellent opportunity to talk to the drivers about their amazing cars. Then the next morning, if you’re an early riser, you can watch the cars drive off on the following leg.
The Final Day: Options, Options
Day 6 Friday, June 20th:
If you’re an early riser go out at 6:45 am. And cheer the cars off on the final leg of this road race. If you’re not, enjoy sleeping in. For your final day, think about heading back to Brescia. Where you can enjoy the early afternoon parade of cars and the magical feeling that the finale of this race brings! Or consider heading back to Milan, to catch your flight home.
Looking for Travel Inspiration – Why Not Visit Another Spring Festival?
Home to some of the world’s best Spring festivals, European festivals never fail to evoke magic and wonder. We at Spritzience think building a festival into your vacation itinerary is the definition of affordable luxury. It gives you time to slow down and enjoy the festivities, celebrating with the locals. Making a small effort to speak a few words in the local language, or wearing a partial costume ( a special hat, headband or face paint), can have you completely welcomed into the fold.
If you’re traveling to Europe why not coordinate your dates to take advantage of a festival celebrating the king, the saints, a vintage car race or furniture fairs (both modern and vintage). In most cases people are outside in the streets enjoying a Spritz at a cafe as they celebrate. Even at our furniture fairs – think DJs inside a palace and maybe even some Champagne. Come along with Spritizience as we share our favorite highlights and show you how to combine them into the ultimate trip.
Why Mille Miglia is the Ultimate Road Trip Adventure
Unlike a Formula 1 race locked behind barriers and velvet ropes, when you watch Mille Miglia, you’re not just watching history — you’re living it. You’ll feel the rumble of engines vibrating ancient stone streets. You’ll sip espresso shoulder-to-shoulder with drivers still wearing their leather helmets. It’s Italy in full, roaring technicolor.
And the best part? You don’t need deep pockets or a vintage Maserati to join in. With smart planning, slow travel instincts, and a touch of affordable luxury, you can turn watching Mille Miglia into the Italian adventure of a lifetime.
