Valtellina on the road: must-see places
There are places that seem made to be explored with the car window rolled down, letting the fresh mountain air fill the cabin while the landscape sets the rhythm of the journey. Valtellina is exactly one of those places.
Why choose a car to visit it? Because Valtellina is a “long” valley, stretching over more than one hundred kilometers, and moving around independently is the only way to uncover those corners that public transport could never reach.
Driving here means going, within the span of an hour, from the mild climate of Lake Como’s shores to the perennial glaciers of some of the highest Alpine passes in Europe; stopping by the roadside to photograph a heroic vineyard clinging to the rock or suddenly detouring toward a small medieval village perched in isolation on a mountainside; filling the trunk with local cheeses and bottles of red wine, turning every stop into a sensory discovery. Let’s take a look together at a possible itinerary for a Valtellina road trip.
Valtellina: what to see in the Lower Valley
Our itinerary begins where the valley opens up, in Morbegno, a small town that certainly deserves a slow stop. Strolling through its historic streets, you’re captivated by the aromas wafting from ancient shops, such as the famous Ciapponi brothers’ store, where time seems to have stood still among aged wheels of Bitto cheese and wooden shelves loaded with delicacies. If you’re craving a thrill before getting back behind the wheel, take a detour to Val Tartano: there you’ll find the Ponte nel Cielo, a walkway suspended 140 meters above the ground, offering a breathtaking and poetic view over the entire lower valley as far as the lake.
Sondrio and the dance among terraced vineyards
Heading east again, the landscape changes dramatically. On the mountainsides to your left appear the famous terraces—kilometers of dry-stone walls built by hand that support Nebbiolo vines. As you reach Sondrio, the provincial capital, the advice is to leave the main state road for a while and take the “Wine Road.” Here, driving becomes pure poetry: the roadway narrows and the curves grow gentler among the rows of vines. It’s the perfect place to stop at a local winery or admire Castel Masegra, which overlooks the town with austere elegance.
Valtellina: where to go for a relaxing weekend
Continuing upward, you’ll reach Tirano, a crossroads of cultures at the meeting point between Italy and Switzerland. The Basilica of Madonna di Tirano, with its spectacular Baroque interiors, is a soul-refreshing stop—but don’t end your journey here. Continue on to Bormio, a village with medieval charm and world-famous thermal springs. After a day of driving, there’s nothing better than soaking in the panoramic pools of the Bagni Vecchi: watching the sunset over the peaks surrounded by warm steam is an experience that restores your balance with the world.
The grand finale: the thrill of the mountain passes or the charm of Livigno
To end on a high note, here are two on-the-road options depending on the season of your trip. If you’re traveling in summer and love technical driving, the Stelvio Pass is your destination: 48 hairpin bends that seem embroidered into the mountainside, a temple for cyclists and motorists from around the globe. If instead you’re seeking an atmosphere suspended in time, head toward Livigno.
Crossing the Foscagno Pass, you’ll enter a high plateau where the light has a different glow and the air carries the scent of snow and Swiss pine. Livigno, the “Little Tibet,” is the perfect place for one last afternoon of shopping and to enjoy a steaming plate of pizzoccheri before heading home—aware that this valley still holds a thousand side roads just waiting to be discovered.
