• Active & Green
    • Mountains

10 Good Reasons to Visit Sondrio

from IN-LOMBARDIA.IT
  1. Experiences in Lombardy
  2. Trends in Lombardy
  3. 10 Good Reasons to
  4. 10 Good Reasons to Visit Sondrio

The following pages propose 10 good reasons to visit Sondrio. It is the ideal destination if you love nature and good cuisine. Here are 10 suggestions for visiting this province!

The area of Valtellina is famous for its mountains and proposals for every season. Its four ski zones will make winter sports fans happy, they can engage in alpine and skiing, snowparks and snow walking. In summertime, you can go trekking, cycling, canoeing and rafting in itineraries suited for everybody.

Head to the Stelvio National Park, the largest in the country, giving you the chance to gaze upon a few chamoises on its peaks or perhaps a groundhog or a fox along the way. Discover all the peaks of Parco Paradiso and castles with PeakVisor app. 

Climb to higher altitudes without effort by getting a ticket for the Bernina rhaetian railway and admire the imposing scenery of the Morterartsch Glacier, reaching a 2000 meters altitude. 

If you wish to relax the whole day, dive into Bormio and the warm thermal waters of its structures while enjoying the view of the Alps.

To better know this zone, choose the Wine and Flavor Trails of Lombardy and try local delicacies. Taste bresaola, polenta taragna and bitto cheese at the rock excavations of Valchiavenna.

Or savor a plate of pizzoccheri made with seasonal ingredients and enjoy your vacation in the Region.

It offers fun in the snow
One of Sondrio's main selling points is the Skiing area of the Valtellina. It includes four zones, the Upper Valtellina, Aprica, Valchiavenna and Valmalenco, worldwide renowned winter sports locations. Just think about Bormio and Livigno, but also Caterina Valfurva, Chiesa Valmalenco, Campodolcino and Madesimo. Furthermore, it is possible to practice summer skiing in Passo dello Stelvio and Biathlon, a sport that combines skiing and sharpshooting in Valdidentro.
It has great sales
A skier's dream come true, here you will find the most convenient deals. Livigno is a popular destination for shopping lovers. You will find exclusive boutiques, outlets and stores to buy some duty-free products.
It's perfect for outdoors lovers
From trekking to golf, ski and climbing, Sondrio offers countless solutions for sports and outdoor activities enthusiasts at the Orobie Valtellinesi Park. It provides walking or mountain bike trails for visitors. You can also practice canoeing and rafting on the streams of the Valtellina and the Adda river while the Teglio, near the Sommasassa Lake and at Magnolta near Aprica are ideal for sports fishing.
There's always time to sit at the crotti
The crotti are peculiar structures in Valchiavenna that were carved in stone to preserve wine and cured meats. There are large rustic tables where it is possible to sit and taste traditional staple dishes from local menus. From Bressaola to Pizzoccheri, Polenta Taragna and incredible cheeses like the bitto. If we might suggest you the fair or sagra dedicated to it, where private crotti are open tu the public and culinary routes are organized for the event.
The train is a local attraction
It starts at Tirano and climbs the Alps until reaching Saint Moritz and Coira. It is Bernina's red train, with tourist cars that have large windows to better admire this unmatched landscape. It passes the ancient Brusio canal, passes Poschiavo and its beautiful patrician mansions. Then it reaches the Alp Grüm (2091 mts), the imposing Morteratsch glacier and the Bernina mountain range.
It's perfect for taking a moment for yourself
Old or new Tthermal baths? Wellness in Bormio means to go to its Thermal baths, hydromassage basins with scenic view over the mountains, couples massages and warm herbal teas. Treat yourselves to a relaxing moment in the most famous thermal baths in Lombardy.
Its wine is amazing
Wine in Valtellina is an important part of the economy. This is evident due to the numerous vineyards that create a pleasant contrast with the nearby mountains. The wines that are produced d here are red, robust and have character. Its notorious varieties include the Sforzato, the Valtellina Superior, which is subdivided in five sub categories: Maroggia, Sassella, Grumello, Inferno and Valgella.
The mountains are gorgeous all year long
Sondrio's mountains are also worth a visit in Summer and are great for the less athletic types. You can relax with by taking a peaceful walk along the Stelvio National Park, the largest of its kind in the country, the one in the Orobie Valtellinesi with the Eco-Faunistic Alpine Observatory of Aprica, or the Val di Mello Natural Reserve. They are actual corners of heaven, open to nature enthusiasts. Take the chance of visiting the Pian Gembro Natural Reserve, a peat bog from the Ice Age that harbors various plant and animal species.
It has its own "pyramids"
We are talking about the Postalesio Pyramids. Accessible to the public and located inside the Natural Reserve of the same name. They are singular rock formations created over the course of millennia by moraines. You will walk among columns surmounted by a stone "cap" of varying sizes. This has given birth to numerous legends: some say that they are inhabited by gnomes and fairies, who exert all kinds of magic.
The Pizzoccheri will make your mouth water
The star dish of local cuisine is warded by Teglio's Pizzocchero Academy, which has established the authentic traditional recipe: buckwheat, butter, white flour, Camera and Grana cheese, savoy cabbage, potatoes and a clove of garlic. These ingredients are the base of such a hearty dish that can be tasted in the town's restaurants, all of them associated to the Academy.

On the same topic

Show all

The unforgettable experience of a mountain hut holiday

Mountain huts in Lombardy: discovering the secrets of the mountains
  • Active & Green
L’indimenticabile esperienza di una vacanza in rifugio

Parco delle Orobie della Valtellina

A nature park just waiting to be discovered on long hikes or on the saddle of a mountain bike
  • Active & Green
Il parco delle Orobie

Trekking with Alpacas

Alpacas la Foppa: the first alpaca farm in Valmalenco.
  • Active & Green
Trekking with Alpacas

25th April Weekend in Lombardy

Why not get out and explore? You can organise some unforgettable days out with a wide range of interesting activities.
  • Active & Green
25th April Weekend in Lombardy

Eight Ideas for a Creative Easter Monday

Easter Monday is a day to spend in company, focusing on discovering original springtime destinations in Lombardy.
  • Active & Green
Ph: I Mille

Livignese Park

Park of considerable environmental interest, for the naturalness of the typically alpine landscape and for the richness of the fauna patrimony.
  • Active & Green
Livignese park

Coolcation and Adventures in Valtellina

Six outdoor experiences in the Valtellina Alps to get out in nature while you beat the summer heat.
  • Active & Green
Ph: I Mille

Le bine

You want to see the Lataste frog, one of the rarest amphibians in Europe, then come to the Le Bine nature reserve.
  • Active & Green
Le Bine

Suzzara forest

An urban forest in the Municipality of Suzzara, created to recreate an environment typical of the Po Valley of the past.
  • Active & Green
Suzzara Forest

Thematic trail - The districts of Chiesa in Valmalenco

In addition to natural beauty, signs of art and culture contribute greatly to the identity of the Valmalenco area.
  • Active & Green
Photos by Felice Battaglia

In search of the king of mushrooms

Mushroom hunting in Lombardy. Three foolproof destinations for gathering the most delicious porcini mushrooms: Valtellina, Val Brembana, and Val d'Intelvi
  • Active & Green
Andar per funghi in Lombardia

Villoresi forest

Come and spend a nice day in the Bosco Villoresi oasis of Carugate!
  • Active & Green
Villoresi Forest

E-bikes in Lombardy

The bicycle is definitely the ideal way to discover an area, thanks to the e-bike, cycling tourism is just within everyone's reach!
  • Active & Green
Po park bicycle path

Ski Touring in Valmalenco

Valmalenco is a synonym to ski touring. Every spot of the valley is suitable for nice ascents.
  • Active & Green
Cresta delle Belleviste - Valmalenco

Po, a river to experience.

The italian longest river offers you unforgettable moments.
  • Active & Green
Gita fuori porta a Cremona lungo il Po

Valsassina and the Grigne

From one-day trips that anyone can enjoy, to climbing on the vertical walls of the Grigne, through to splendid hikes leading up to the mountain refuges
  • Active & Green
Valsassina and the Grigne

It's harvest time in Lombardy 

In the vineyards and cellars of Lombardy, you can take part in the ancient rituals of grape harvesting and pressing and get to know the land where some of the region's best wines are produced
  • Active & Green
È tempo di vendemmia in Lombardia 

Bouldering in Spriana

Spriana is one of the towns of Valmalenco. This is the ideal place for bouldering in spring or fall and is also great for kids, thanks to the park close to the bouldering area.
  • Active & Green
Boulder a Spriana

The Patriarch's Greenway Path

An easy walk to discover Varenna and its most charming corners, with unique views on the central lake.
  • Active & Green
The Patriarch's Greenway Path

Where to keep cool in Lombardy

If you are looking to cool down a little in the summer heat, here are a few suggestions.
  • Active & Green
Where to keep cool in Lombardy