Bormio is a small but charming town, on the southern border of the Stelvio and Valtellina National Park. It is famous for its renowned spas and for being an important ski center .
There are three spas: the historic Bagni Vecchi, which date back to the ancient Roman era, the 5-star luxury resort Bagni Nuovi and finally Bormio Terme, with its indoor and outdoor pools, water slides for children and a spa ” thermarium “for adults.
It is a fantastic destination all year round and not only for its hot springs but also for mountain passes popular with cyclists and motorcyclists, numerous hiking trails and more. For your holiday in Valtellina,: what to see, where to eat and what to do in the evening.
What to see in Bormio
1 – Kuerc
It means ” lid ” in the Valtellinese dialect and is, together with the Torre della Bajona that overlooks it, one of the symbols of Bormio .
It looks like an amphitheater-like canopy inside which there are benches. It dates back to the 14th century and has always been the place where meetings took place and justice was administered: in fact, decrees and sentences were displayed on its columns. To his left are still the base of the sedan where the condemned were once chained . On the back it is still possible to read an inscription that testifies to the ancient past of the County: ” Libertate quam maiores peperere studeat servare posteritas“(posterity undertake to preserve the freedom that the ancients conquered).
- How to get: in the historic center, about 700 meters from the station, 10 minutes on foot, crossing via Roma –
- Timetables: always accessible
- Ticket cost: free
2 – Parish Church of Saints Gervasio and Protasio
Dedicated to Saints Gervasio and Protasio, twin sons of San Vitale and Santa Valeria, protectors of the town, the church is of medieval origin and dates back to 824 AD, although it suffered complete destruction in 1621 by the Spaniards. Its reconstruction was then completed in 1641 with the current conformation.
It is the oldest religious building in the town and overlooks the main square, inside there are ancient frescoes, some dating back to 1393, and is enriched by eight side chapels, some of which keep the insignia with the coats of arms of the noble families of Bormio.
- How to get: pedestrian area in the historic center, overlooking piazza Kuerc. All city bus lines stop in front of the town hall – Get directions
- Timetables: Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 6.45pm, Saturday and Sunday from 7.30am to 7.15pm
- Ticket cost: free
3 – Church of Sassello
It is also known as the Church of Patience and its consecration dates back to 1405. Several miracles are attributed to this church, including a very particular and curious one: it is said that in 1687, a woman who had been diagnosed with a bad disease, decided to retire in solitude in a secluded and hidden place in the Val di Rezzalo, far from her husband. Even feeding only on berries and snow, after several days she was still found safe and sound. The woman told of having made it thanks to the prayers addressed to the Madonna del Sassello. The best way to visit the church is along the walk of the four churches which starts right from the Piazza del Crocifisso di Combo, in Bormio.
- How to get: pedestrian area in the historic center, about 450 meters from Kuerc square, in 6 minutes on foot – Get directions
- Timetables: Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 6.45pm, Saturday and Sunday from 7.30am to 7.15pm
- Ticket cost: free
4 – Torre della Bajona or Torre delle Ore
Together with the Kuerc it is one of the symbols of Bormio and dominates the town’s main square. The name of the tower refers to the large bell that was once part of the building, whose sound called the Major Council that governed the countryside and the gatherings of the people. The large dimensions served to make the sound reach a great distance, as in the surrounding valleys, so that everyone could be called back to administrative meetings.
Not only that, the sound of the bell was also heard on the occasion of popular festivals, in case of fire or enemy invasion. A legend tells that the too vigorous and lasting tolls, signal of the approach of the Visconti troops, then caused the bell to fall, which shattered on the ground.
- How to get: full historical center, overlooking the Kuerc square. It is located about 700 meters from the station, 10 minutes on foot, crossing via Roma –
- Timetables: always accessible from the outside, it cannot be visited inside
- Ticket cost: free
5 – Torre Alberti
Also called Torre Marioli or Torre di Dossiglio , it dominates the pedestrian area of the historic center, precisely located in via Roma. Its construction dates back to the 13th century, made of exposed gray stone and 24 meters high. In ancient times inside it had rooms, which have hosted many personalities visiting the town , such as Bianca Maria Sforza and Ludovico il Moro. In the past it also served as a barracks for the Alpini and a school, but today it is the seat of the Information Point of the Stelvio National Park.
- How to get: pedestrian area in the historic center, about 550 meters from the bus station, in 8 minutes on foot –
- Timetables: always accessible from the outside, it cannot be visited inside
- Ticket cost: Free
6 – Baths of Bormio: Bagni Nuovi and Bagni Vecchi
The Bagni Vecchi are ancient Roman baths and centuries-old caves that use the beneficial properties of millenary springs, offer the opportunity to take a real dip in the history of over two thousand years ago. They offer six sectors with different thermal paths, and have a panoramic outdoor swimming pool overlooking the town and the valley.
The Bagni Nuovi , on the other hand, of more recent construction, are composed of four sectors with different thermal paths and a sauna covered in pine from the early nineteenth century.
Bormio Terme is the spa center in the center with a 25-meter swimming pool, pools where you can relax, a 60-meter water slide, Turkish baths, biosauna and saunas.
- How to get: New and old baths are connected by a free shuttle that leaves from Kuerc square. Bagni Vecchi – Get directions Bagni Nuovi – Get directions . Bormio Terme is in the historic center, 900 meters from the bus station, 10 min on foot – Get directions
- Timetables: Bagni Vecchi from 10:00 to 20:00, Friday, Saturday, bridges and holidays from 10:00 to 22:00. Bagni Nuovi from 11:00 to 22:00. Bormio Terme from 10:00 to 18:00, closed on Tuesdays
- Ticket cost: Bagni Vecchi and Bagni Nuovi daily € 48.00 from Monday to Thursday, € 54.00 from Friday to Sunday, long weekends and holidays. Bormio Terme 1 day adult admission € 21.00 low season, € 26.00 high season
7 – Stelvio National Park
This is the largest protected area in Italy between the provinces of Sondrio, Brescia, Trento and Bolzano. The park holds over one hundred glaciers and a great variety of natural environments , over two thousand species of flowers and plants, wild animals such as deer, roe deer, marmots, chamois and ibex, as well as the golden eagle which is also the symbol of the park. There are many types of excursions offered by the park, to be tackled independently or accompanied by guides.
It is open all year round and there are refreshment points, alpine refuges and bivouacs that can welcome visitors.
- How to get: the territory of Bormio is already part of the Stelvio National Park, which does not have a real entrance. You can get directions on the routes at the Information Point of the Stelvio National Park, which is located in the historic center at the Alberti Tower, about 550 meters from the bus station, in 8 minutes on foot –
- Timetables: always accessible
- Ticket cost: free
8 – Civic Museum of Bormio
It is a small but precious museum consisting of 27 rooms and located at the Palazzo De Simoni, in the historic center of Bormio. On display there are over 4,000 objects that tell the culture, craftsmanship, work, folklore and religious life of the area . It is possible to know the workshop tools of the carpenter and the cobbler, the tools used in the processing of milk and those for working in the fields.
Do not miss the great diligence that until 1915 was in service across the Stelvio pass, and the collections of old skis.
- How to get: it is a pedestrian area, 350 meters from piazza Kuerc, 6 minutes on foot –
- Timetables: from 27/12 to 15/4 from Monday to Saturday 3:30 pm – 6:30 pm, closed on January 1st; from 16/4 to 14/6 Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 3:30 pm – 6:30 pm; from 15/6 to 15/9 every day from 10:00 – 12:30 and 15:00 – 19:00, closed on Monday morning; from 16/9 to 23/12 Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 3:30 pm – 6:30 pm
- Ticket cost: full € 3.00
9 – Bormio Ski
The ski resort of Bormio offers 16 lifts with 20 slopes for a total of about 50 km from the village altitude of 1,225 meters up to the 3,012 meters of Cima Bianca.
The Stelvio slope is part of the facility , a fixed appointment of the Alpine Ski World Cup with the downhill run at the end of December. The slopes are served by modern infrastructures and are aimed at everyone, from those who practice competitive skiing to those who tackle medium difficulty slopes and school fields for beginners. In addition, they enjoy excellent maintenance and are also served by an artificial snow system.
- How to get: the ski bus service (free for those with a valid Bormio Skipass card ) allows you to reach the ski areas of Santa Caterina, Bormio and Cima Piazzi-San Colombano. The departure of the ski bus and the Bormio-Bormio 2000 cableway or Bormio 2000 cableway (included in the ski pass) to reach the slopes are located in Via Battaglion Morbegno, 25 (where there is also the ticket office). All the free urban lines of Bormio stop here. You can also download a Bormio piste map –
- Timetables: approximately from 30 November to 13 April (snow conditions permitting) from 8:30 to 17:00
- Ticket cost: daily adult skipass € 42.00; Cable car + cable car (round trip) € 17.00
10 – Cancano Lakes
These lakes, of San Giacomo and Cancano, were created in the last century with the aim of producing electricity. They are located in the wonderful Valle di Fraele and have made it possible to create a unique environment for walking , trekking or mountain biking in the Valtellina woods. There are several signposts that line the lake that offer crazy views, various areas equipped for picnics in nature and refreshment points where you can taste typical dishes.
The area is easily accessible, also ideal for families and for those who want to find some tranquility.
- How to get: a shuttle service is available from 9:00 to 17:30, to go around the lakes, at a cost of € 1.00 each way, starting from the parking lot of the A2A building, tickets can also be purchased on the bus. From the Bormio bus station also the buses of the Perego company that lead to the lakes –
- Timetables: they are always accessible
- Ticket cost: free
Bormio itinerary in one day
In the morning, start from the historic center. It is entirely pedestrianized and contains all the main points of interest , so we advise you to take it easy and take a nice walk. Head towards the Alberti Tower and then reach the Bajona Tower , passing through the Kuerc (a 5-minute walk) and stopping for a visit to the Parish Church of Santi Gervasio e Protasio (in the same square). Crossing the Adda river you will arrive in 10 minutes at the Sassello Church . The churches are open at 7.30am-6.45pm, Saturday and Sunday until 7.15pm.
For lunch, eat at the La Rasiga restaurant, in the historic center. Spend a relaxing afternoon at the Old Baths of Bormio (from 10:00 to 20:00, Friday, Saturday from 10:00 to 22:00). It can be reached with the convenient free shuttle that leaves from Piazza Cavour.
Once relaxed, with the free shuttle, you can reach the area closest to the ski slopes , where you can find bars and entertainment for the evening. Dine and spend the after dinner at Be White Après Ski & Restaurant , one of the trendiest locations in Bormio, right at the foot of the Bormio 2000 slopes.
One day itinerary at a glance
- Old Town
- Torre Alberti (it cannot be visited inside)
- Torre della Bajona (it cannot be visited inside)
- Kuerc
- Parish Church of Saints Gervasio and Protasio
- Sassello Church
- Lunch at La Rasiga Restaurant ( Get directions )
- Bagni Vecchi (10:00 to 22:00)
- Dinner at Be White Après Ski & Restaurant ( Get directions )
Where to eat in Bormio
- La Rasiga restaurant : typical Valtellinese cuisine, pizzoccheri, sciatt, venison with polenta
Average price per person: € 30.00
Address and contacts: Via Guglielmo Marconi, 6 – Get directions / tel: (+39) 0342901541 - Ristorante Vecchia Combo : typical dishes of Bormio and Valtellina, family-run
Average price per person: € 35.00
Address and contacts: Piazza Santuario, 4 – Get directions / tel: (+39) 0342901568 - Al Filò Restaurant : typical cuisine but with refined reinterpretations
Average price per person: € 40.00
Address and contacts: Via Dante, 6 – Get directions / tel: (+39) 0342901732
What to do in the evening: nightlife areas and the best clubs
Photo by Jules Nidi.Bormio is a small mountain town but, despite its small size, it has a young and dynamic character . In fact, there are many events, both winter and summer, organized to entertain tourists and citizens. The nightlife venues are located in the center , but also near the ski lifts to the ski resorts.
- 30m² L’Aprés Ski : at the foot of the Bormio 2000 slopes, happy hour with DJ sets and theme nights / Address: Via Battaglion Morbegno, 21 – Get directions
- Zeta Pub Bormio : happy hour, evenings with live music, typical dishes, cocktails / Address: Via Funivia, 47 – Get directions
- Clem Pub Bormio : historical place of the city nightlife with kitchen / Via Fiera, 4 – Get directions
Plan your stay in Bormio: info and useful tips
- How to get: from Milan motorway 36 for Colico – state road 38 “dello Stelvio” – Sondrio – Tirano – Bormio; by train to Tirano (30 km), then Tirano-Bormio bus service in about 40 minutes ( Get directions )
- How to get around : on foot, the historic center is entirely pedestrian. There are 4 city bus lines and a free shuttle service to the thermal baths and other points of interest
- Where to park : near the center there are free and paid parking lots, like the one in Piazza V Alpini ( Get directions )
- Where to sleep: Hotels and b & b from € 100.00 per room – see the offers
- What to see in the surrounding area : Livigno (36.4 km), Tirano (40.8 km), Grosio Rock Engravings Park (25.5 km), St. Moritz (93.9 km)
