Not only its museums and monuments, but also its historical shops and cafés are the best way to know about this city's history.

Cremona has plenty of bars, bakeries, restaurants and cafés where you can taste local delicacies, but it also counts with shops to go shopping, they all share one thing in common: keepin the city's identity over time.

Those with a sweet tooth should head to Vergani in Corso Matteoti 112, (some documents attest that its commercial signage was already present in 1837), famous all over the world because of its traditional nougat. It also sells various local products.

Then there is the famous Sperlari in Via Solferino 25, with a traditional torrone recipe that has been passed from generation to generation and shelves full of delicacies such as Cremona's Mandorlato, Cotognata, chocolate Graffioni and assorted nougats.

Pasticceria Lanfranchi deserves to be mentioned as well. Founded in the late XIXth Century, it is located at number 30 of Via Solferino and holds the trademark of a traditional dessert: the Pan di Cremona.

Let's not forget about Pasticceria Ebbli, offering coffee, pastries and other concoctions since 1886. It is decorated with Liberty style furniture made by Luigi Guastalli. You can find it and all of its specialties in Via Cavallotti 5.

If you wish to enjoy a good cup of coffee, go to Torrefazione Super Moka in Corso XX Settembre. Here you will find numerous coffee blends and admire its antique bean toasting machines.

As for lunch and dinner, the historical places to go taste authentic cuisine from Cremona are: Trattoria Cerri, in Piazza Giovanni XXIII 3, acknowledged by the Amici della Cucina Cremonese Association, La Bottiglieria in Porta Po Vecchia 7, keeping the homely atmosphere of old osterias, and l'Osteria Bissone, frequented by composer Giuseppe Verdi, in Via Francesco Pecorari 3.