Nestled between the Rhaetian Alps and the Orobie Mountains in Italy’s Lombardy region is the city of Sondrio. This short guide will help you plan your trip and see the best attractions and activities that the city and its surroundings have to offer. Prepare to immerse yourself in the culture, nature, and rich history of this fascinating Italian city.

The Historic Center

Start your visit to Sondrio with a walk in the historic center. Stroll through the narrow streets and admire the elegant historic buildings, stopping in Piazza Garibaldi and Piazza Quadrivio where you can visit Palazzo Sertoli with its magnificent ballroom. Easily reachable on foot from the historic center is the Masegra Castle with its beautiful Renaissance frescoes.
Sondrio’s cathedral is the Collegiata dei Santi Gervasio e Protasio with its baroque nave and neoclassical facade.

If time permits, we recommend a visit to one of the stüa which are traditional houses entirely covered in wood (pine or Swiss pine) and heated by a stove, often in majolica tiles. The sixteenth-century Rigamonti stüa of Palazzo Pretorio was purchased in 1954 by the Municipality and maintains its irregular shape with inlaid and carved panels. On the ceiling, there are five panels with noble coats of arms, floral elements, Mercury and the personification of Fortune.

Museums

For art lovers there are three museums to visit in Sondrio including the Valtellinese Museum of History and Art to discover local culture through its exhibitions which include paintings, sculptures and ancient artifacts; the CAST (the Castle of Mountain Stories) with videos, photos and stories of mountaineering conquests and explorations in the most remote corners of the Earth; finally the MuMiVV (Mineral Museum of Valtellina and Valchiavenna) where you can see precious gemstones and minerals of the area.

Wintertime Activities

Are you passionate about winter sports? Then this section is for you! Over 60 km of slopes await you in the Alpe Palù area and you can get there with the ultra-modern Snow Eagle, the largest cable car in Europe which allows you to climb up to 2080 meters. Plus there is a snow park for those who love snowboarding and freestyle skiing. In Valmalenco there are also cross-country tracks suitable for all levels including the slopes of Lake Palù, the San Giuseppe loop, and the Lanzada loop.

Parks and Hiking

The Orobie Valtellina Park straddling the provinces of Sondrio, Lecco, Bergamo and Brescia is a natural paradise on Earth. The biodiversity found in the Park is impressive including several species of mosses and lichens previously thought to be extinct.

The Sentiero Valtellina runs along the Adda River and thanks to the numerous rest areas equipped with children’s play equipment, benches and tables it is also ideal for families both for hiking and cycling.

Continue reading about other parks in the province including Stelvio National Park.

Food and Wine

Sondrio is famous for its traditional cuisine. Taste typical Valtellina dishes such as pizzoccheri (a buckwheat-based pasta with cabbage, potatoes and cheese), sciatt (cheese fritters), and bresaola, a very thinly sliced, cured beef. Don’t forget to accompany your meals with a glass of local DOCG and DOC wine such as Valtellina Superiore DOCG and Sforzato di Valtellina DOCG, Rosso di Valtellina DOC and Terrazze Retiche di Sondrio IGT.

We hope this guide has given you an idea of what to see and do during your visit to Sondrio. We know that you will thoroughly enjoy this city and its enchanting mountain landscape!