Valtellina and Valchiavenna

<< Lombardy

Valtellina and Valchiavenna are two alpine valleys that together form the Province of Sondrio. Valtellina is the larger of the two, extending west to east from the northern tip of Lake Como, crossed by the river Adda. This area, along with its lateral valleys, houses some of the most popular ski resorts in the Italian Alps. Valchiavenna instead extends to the north of Lake Como, and also features some ski resorts. Both valleys host several small towns and traditional mountain villages.

Sondrio

Sondrio is the main center of Valtellina, a valley in northern Lombardy. The town was founded by the Lombards in the Early Middle Ages and it came under the rule of Milan in the 14th century, after a long series of wars. Between the 16th and 18th century the valley was ruled by the Three Leagues of the Grisons. In 1797 it became part of the Cisalpine Republic and it has followed the history of the rest of Lombardy until today. Sondrio is now a tourist destination thanks to its position at the center of Valtellina and proximity to many ski resorts.

History and Art Museum of Valtellina

The History and Art Museum of Valtellina (Museo Valtellinese di Storia e Arte) is a museum of local history and art in Sondrio. The museum houses a series of exhibits on the history of the valley since prehistory and a collection of artworks.

Tirano

Tirano is a town located in Valtellina, east of Sondrio and close to the border with Switzerland. The town has always been one of the main centers in the valley and today it is a tourist destination. Tirano is known for being the southern terminus of the Bernina Railway, a scenic railway through the Swiss Alps that connects the town with St. Moritz.

Sanctuary of Madonna di Tirano

The Sanctuary of Madonna di Tirano (Santuario della Madonna di Tirano) is a Renaissance church erected during the 16th century, regarded as the most important religious site in Valtellina. The church features various decorations, including some Baroque artworks.

Ethnographic Museum of Tirano

The Ethnographic Museum of Tirano (Museo Etnografico Tiranese) is an ethnographic museum located next to the Sanctuary of Madonna di Tirano. The museum houses numerous historic objects and memorabilia that showcase the local traditional mountain life.

Palazzo Salis

Palazzo Salis is a historic palace in Tirano, built during the 17th century on some previous structures. The palace, now serving as a museum, houses a series of richly frescoed halls with various decorations and artworks. The complex includes a small garden and a Baroque church.

Grosio

Grosio is a small town located northeast of Tirano in the Province of Sondrio. The village is known for hosting the most important archaeological park in Valtellina.

Rock Engraving Park of Grosio

The Rock Engraving Park of Grosio (Parco delle Incisioni Rupestri di Grosio) is an archaeological park located between the towns of Grosio and Grosotto. The area features the ruins of two medieval castles, Castello Vecchio (“Old Castle”) and Castello Nuovo (“New Castle”). The main attraction here is the Rupe Magna, a large rock featuring a rich series of prehistoric engravings dating between the Bronze Age and the Iron Age.

Bormio

Bormio is a town located in upper Valtellina, in the Province of Sondrio. Known since ancient times for its thermal baths, it was an important town for centuries due to its position along the trade routes that crossed the Alps. Bormio is now a major tourist destination, known for its ski resort and the beauty of the surrounding mountains.

✪ Ski Resort of Bormio

Bormio houses one of the busiest and most popular ski resorts of the Italian Alps, with numerous pistes and lifts. The area is also famous as a hub for winter sports, as it has hosted many competitions and it will host part of the 2026 Winter Olympics.

✪ Stelvio Pass

The Stelvio Pass (Passo dello Stelvio) is the second highest paved mountain pass in the Alps, connecting Bormio in Lombardy with Prato allo Stelvio in Val Venosta, part of Trentino-Alto Adige. Located among many beautiful mountains, it is among the most scenic areas in the Alps. The road that runs through the pass is famous for its several hairpin turns, especially on the Bormio side. The Stelvio War Memorial (Sacrario Militare dello Stelvio) is located along this road, not far from the Stelvio Pass. The pass is a popular destination for cyclists, often appearing in the Giro d’Italia, and also a ski resort.

Livigno

Livigno is a small town in the Province of Sondrio, at the border with Switzerland. For centuries just a traditional mountain village, Livigno is now one of the most popular ski resorts in the Italian Alps. A busy destination both in winter and summer, it is also known for its duty-free status.

✪ Ski Resort of Livigno

Livigno, located at 1,816 meters above sea level, houses one of the most popular ski resorts of the Italian Alps. Two separate ski areas are located on the mountains east and west of the town, and both offer numerous pistes and lifts. In 2026, Livigno will host some competitions of the Winter Olympics. Various hiking and biking trails are also located around the town.

Valchiavenna

Valchiavenna is a valley among the Alps, in the northwestern part of the Province of Sondrio. The area is actually composed of three different valleys, to the north is Valle Spluga, to the east is Val Bregaglia, and these two meet to form the southern portion, Bassa Valchiavenna. The region is a popular tourist destination housing various ski resorts.

Chiavenna

Chiavenna is the main center of Valchiavenna, located right where Val Spluga and Val Bregaglia meet. A popular tourist destination, it features various historic attractions. The main religious site of the town is the Collegiate Church of San Lorenzo (Collegiata di San Lorenzo), which houses a museum with various historic artworks. The ruins of an ancient castle are located among the Parco Archeologico Botanico del Paradiso, which includes a small archaeological museum.

Madesimo

Madesimo is a tiny mountain village in Valle Spluga, north of Chiavenna. The town is a popular destination both in summer and winter, and a famous ski resort with numerous pistes. Madesimo is also the starting point for many hiking trails that run through the surrounding mountains.