Brescia is located between two very popular cities, Verona and Bergamo, and close to several amusement parks and the most famous locations on Lake Garda, but don’t let this deter you from visiting it because it is a city rich in history that you will discover through its beautiful squares and all its monuments . In short, Brescia is a city to be discovered! Here’s what to see, where to eat and what to do in the evening.
What to see in Brescia
1 – Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta
The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta is the Cathedral of Brescia , the main church of the city. It was built starting from 1600 in Piazza Paolo VI, which now takes the name of Piazza del Duomo due to its presence, on an area where another basilica previously stood. The building is in Baroque style entirely in Botticino marble , and its main facade is spread over two floors for several meters : the lower floor is wider and contains the two side entrances, while the upper floor is high and decorated. The interior, on the other hand, is majestic and luxurious, with a single nave but with several domes, some larger, others smaller. They are also presentvarious works of art such as frescoes and decorations of various kinds, for the most part coming from the nearby Duomo Vecchio .
- How to get: it is located in the historic center and can be reached in a few minutes on foot or by buses 2, 6, 10, 11, 17 and 18 which stop a few passes from the structure at the Piazza M. Belfiore stop –
- Timetables: always open
- Ticket cost: free
2 – Old Cathedral or Rotonda
The Old Cathedral is the Co-Cathedral of Brescia , also known by the names Winter Co-Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and Rotonda. The latter derives from its particular Romanesque structure which makes it one of the most important Roman examples in Italy. The Old Cathedral in fact has very ancient origins, we speak of the eleventh century, although over the years it has undergone several extensions with which it has still kept its original style intact. The exterior in fact does not present a great beauty as it is simply made of regular blocks of white stone, but once inside you will find yourself in a sober environment divided into zones and levels that over the years has been enriched with frescoes especially during the works. nineteenth century .
- How to get: it is located in the historic center, reachable in a few minutes on foot or by buses 2, 6, 10, 11, 17 and 18 which stop a few passes from the structure at the Piazza M. Belfiore stop
- Timetables: every day from 9:00 to 12:00 and from 15:00 to 18:00
- Ticket cost: free
3 – Piazza del Foro
The Piazza del Foro is the main square of Brescia and also the oldest . The name derives from its birth on the Roman forum around the first century AD, a period in which it lived in its maximum splendor having already then the role of center of city life, but its origins date back to the Iron Age. Today the square houses most of the Roman remains of the city such as the Capitolium, the Civil Basilica and the Archaeological Excavations, but also Renaissance and later buildings which are the main example of the various architectures hosted by the city.
- How to get: it is located almost outside the historic center, but can still be reached in a few minutes on foot or by bus 18 getting off at the Via C. Cattaneo stop –
- Timetables: always open
- Ticket cost: free
4 – Capitolium
The name Capitolium refers to the Capitoline Temple, a Roman temple which, together with other historical sites of the same era, is located in Piazza del Foro forming part of the most important complex of Roman ruins and remains in Northern Italy. Since 2011 it has also been included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site . The Capitolium dates back to the year 73 AD by Vespasian, origin confirmed by the original inscription on it, and was built in the classic Roman style, with three cells and frescoed walls , with colors that are still vivid and clearly visible.
- How to get: it is located in Piazza del Foro, therefore it can also be reached on foot or by bus 18 getting off at the Via C. Cattaneo stop – Get directions
- Timetables: open Tuesday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm
- Ticket cost: full € 8.00 – reduced for seniors over 65 and for children between 14 and 18 years € 4.50 – reduced for children up to 6 to 13 years € 3.00 – free for children under 6 years
5 – Roman Theater
The Roman Theater is another of the historic buildings located in Piazza del Foro , also declared a World Heritage Site in 2011. The structure dates back to the same years as the Capitolium and remained in use until 1173 although over the years it suffered several disasters, including such as a fire and an earthquake , which risked destroying it forever. Today the remains of the scene and the original wall are clearly visible, while inside the floors of the late Roman period can be distinguished, dating back to the early years of the abandonment of the forum.
- How to get: it is located in Piazza del Foro, so it can be reached on foot or by bus with line 18 to the Via C. Cattaneo stop –
- Timetables: open Tuesday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm
- Ticket cost: full € 8.00 – reduced for seniors over 65 and for children between 14 and 18 years € 4.50 – reduced for children up to 6 to 13 years € 3.00 – free for children under 6 years
6 – National Museum of Photography
The National Museum of Photography is an interesting museum in Brescia that we recommend to everyone, not just lovers of the subject . This museum obviously tells the history of photography with a look also at the cinema , through related equipment and equipment ranging from the first experiments to the present day. The site was born from the dream and passion of the co-founder Alberto Sorlini, cpsì in the 80s an exhibition of material that started from the modest sum of only 7 cameras came to life. Today, however, inside there is an entire room dedicated to cinema, some showcases of the history of photography, a room full of cameras and a room that explains photographic technique. There are also two exhibition halls which each month host exhibitions by national and international authors.
- How to get: it is located not far from the historic center but you can reach it on foot or by bus 18 to the Via San Faustino stop –
- Timetables: open from Tuesday to Thursday from 9:00 to 12:00 – Saturday and Sunday from 16:00 to 20:00 – closed on Monday and Friday
- Ticket cost: free
7 – Brescia Castle
Brescia Castle is a medieval fortress perched on the Cidneo hill , located close to the historic center. The first settlements on the hill date back to the Bronze Age but once again the real organization of the place is to be attributed to the Romans who, towards the end of the 1st century BC, inserted it into the city walls. The castle remained for a long time a fortress that protected the city and after the second Italian war of independence it became a real military prison until the municipality bought the hill and started a restoration work that dismantled everything to make it a center of entertainment hosting events. The first of all was the Brescia Industrial Exhibition inaugurated by King Vittorio Emanuele III, which it followedthe establishment of the Museum of the Risorgimento and the Museum of Arms which exhibit armor, weapons and relics from the medieval period. While visiting the museum it is also possible to explore secret and forgotten passages and conduits that have been unearthed.
- How to get: it is just 14 minutes from the historic center, however it can be reached by buses 2, 6, 10, 11, 17, 18 getting off at the Via Fossabagni stop right in front of the castle –
- Timetables: open Tuesday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm
- Ticket cost: full € 5.00 – reduced for seniors over 65 and for children between 14 and 18 years € 4.00 – reduced for children up to 6 to 13 years € 3.00 – free for children under 6 years
8 – Torre della Pallata
The Torre della Pallata is a medieval tower in the historic center of Brescia . It is about 32 meters high, with a square shape and built entirely with brick, stone and Botticino marble. In 1254 it was built as a protection of the Porta di San Giovanni, located on the first wall and, to date, the tower is the only structure of that wall to be still standing. A marble fountain was added on the western side of the tower in 1597 .
- How to get: it can be reached on foot as it is located in the historic center, but it is also reached by bus 15 which stops in the nearby Via Marsala –
- Timetables: always open
- Ticket cost: free
9 – Piazza della Loggia
Piazza della Loggia is one of the main squares of the city overlooked by several elegant buildings of the Venetian era including the Loggia, seat of the municipal council, from which the square takes its name. This area dates back to the Renaissance period and immediately became the heart of the city, especially due to its central position. All around it is surrounded by beautiful sixteenth-century buildings with a modest style but with a strong visual impact. Also in front of the Loggia there is a turret nicknamed the Clock and in addition the square hosts three of the four famous talking statues , a group of sculptures from various eras on which the Brescians posted anonymous messages with criticisms against the rulers.
- How to get: can be reached on foot or by bus 9 getting off in Via Verdi –
- Timetables: always open
- Ticket cost: free
10 – Museum of Musical Instruments
The Museum of Musical Instruments is a little gem in Brescia that is little valued and almost forgotten, but we highly recommend you to visit it and it will not disappoint you. Admission is free for everyone, you might as well drop by! It was founded by Virginio Cattaneo to collect and show perfectly functioning instruments of all kinds that can also be tested with the assistance of Mr. Cattaneo himself. Inside there is to indulge yourself with guitars of all kinds, violins, cetere, saragi and much more. In addition to enriching the collection there are the wind instruments of Carlo Fasser and some mechanical instruments such as carillons and accordions.
- How to get: it can be reached in a few minutes on foot but also by bus 18 to the Via C. Cattaneo stop –
- Timetables: open Monday to Friday from 2.30pm to 7.00pm
- Ticket cost: free
11 – Museum of Santa Giulia
The Museum of Santa Giulia is the main museum of Brescia , housed in the Monastery of Santa Giulia, a Longobard building that has been extended several times over the course of a thousand years. The museum also brings together the Church of Santa Maria in Solario, the Nuns’ Choir and the Church of Santa Giulia since many archaeological finds from various eras have been found under the entire complex, among which the Roman one stands out. The exhibition preserves thousands of objects and works ranging from the Bronze Age to the nineteenth century found not only in Brescia but also in its province so as to create a real museum of the territory. Among the most important works we remember the Winged Victory, the Cross of Desiderius, the Lipsanoteca and the sector of the Collecting of applied arts.
- How to get: it is located a little outside the historic center but can be reached in just 8 minutes on foot or by bus 18 getting off at the nearby stop in Piazzale Brusato 22 –
- Timetables: Tuesday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:00 – Saturday from 10:00 to 21:00 – Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00 – Monday closed
- Ticket cost: full € 10.00 – reduced for seniors over 65 and for children between 14 and 18 years € 5.50 – reduced for children up to 6 to 13 years € 3.00 – free for children under 6 years
Brescia itinerary in one day
With a little good will and a great desire to explore, Brescia can also be visited in just one day, the important thing is to get busy! The itinerary that we propose below includes all the 10 attractions that we have recommended in this article, calculating that some sites require very little of your time and others up to an hour.
- Morning : start from the outside of the historic center with a good breakfast at the Cyrcle Cafè and immediately after with a visit to the National Museum of Photography. Then head to the nearby Castle of Brescia and when you have finished move to Piazza del Foro where you will find the Capitolium and the Roman Theater to visit. At this point it will be already lunch time and we want to recommend the Osteria del Savio .
- Afternoon : after the break, do not waste time and immediately visit the Museum of Santa Giulia and then the small Museum of Musical Instruments, after which it is time to move to Piazza Duomo and visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and the Duomo Vecchio.
- Evening : Finally, go and discover the elegant Piazza della Loggia and the Torre della Pallata, then stop for dinner, for example in the Trattoria Urbana Mangiafuoco .
One day itinerary at a glance
- Breakfast at Cyrcle Cafè –
- National Museum of Photography – opening hours: from Tuesday to Thursday from 9:00 to 12:00 / Saturday and Sunday from 16:00 to 20:00 / closed on Monday and Friday – ticket price: free
- Brescia Castle – opening hours: open from Tuesday to Saturday from 9:00 to 17:00 – ticket price: full € 5.00 / for reductions consult the
- Piazza del Foro – opening hours: always open – ticket price: free
- Capitolium – opening hours: from Tuesday to Saturday from 9:00 to 17:00 – ticket price: full € 8.00 / for reductions consult the
- Roman Theater – opening hours: from Tuesday to Saturday from 9:00 to 17:00 – ticket price: full € 8.00 / for reductions consult the
- Lunch at Osteria del Savio –
- Santa Giulia Museum – opening hours: Tuesday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:00 / Saturday from 10:00 to 21:00 / Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00 / closed Monday – ticket price: full € 10, 00 / for reductions consult the
- Musical Instruments Museum – opening hours: Monday to Friday from 2.30pm to 7.00pm – ticket price: free
- Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta – opening hours: always open – ticket price: free
- Piazza della Loggia – opening hours: always open – ticket price: free
- Torre della Pallata – opening hours: always open – ticket price: free
- Dinner at Trattoria Urbana Mangiafuoco –
Where to eat in Brescia
- Vasco da Gama restaurant with large garden offering typical Italian and Brescia cuisine with homemade pasta and meat and fish main courses
Average price per person: € 30.00
Address and contacts: Via dei Musei, 4 Get directions / tel: 0303754039 - Osteria del Savio rustic setting with typical local cuisine but creatively revisited using quality ingredients
Average price per person: € 25.00
Address and contacts: Via Giovanni Piamarta, 1 Get directions / tel: 0302906511 - Trattoria Urbana Mangiafuoco typical cuisine focused on meat-based preparations using local products at km 0
Average price per person: € 35.00
Address and contacts: Via Calzavellia, 3A Get directions / tel: 030293029
What to do in the evening: nightlife areas and the best clubs
Brescia in terms of nightlife is really well-stocked and able to satisfy everyone’s tastes. From clubs that offer aperitifs, aperitifs and cocktail bars in the historic center to clubs and discos in the most peripheral areas of the city to be able to go wild all night. Here are the places we offer you in Brescia!
- Belle Epoque : a place that serves from coffee in the morning to cocktails at night through afternoon aperitifs and an evening pizzeria that offers themed evenings with buffets and music / Address: Via Trieste, 65
- Tribu Lounge Bar : an elegant lounge bar well stocked with excellent drinks related to a rich and tasty buffet excellent for abundant aperitifs / Address: Corso Cavour, 15
- Social Club : disco for those who love to dance and have fun until late at night that organizes theme nights in collaboration with various DJs / Address: Via della Ziziola, 105
- Circus Beat Club : the most popular disco with animation and house music mixed by the resident dj and other special guests / Address: Via Dalmazia, 127
- OH! Ficomaeco : cocktail bar in vintage style and with garden, very fashionable among young people, ideal for aperitifs enlivened by creative cocktails, tasty appetizers and DJ sets / Address: Via Aleardo Aleardi, 11
Plan your stay in Brescia: info and useful tips
- How to get: the closest airports to Brescia are that of Milan-Bergamo Orio Al Serio at 44.4 km and that of Verona at 65 km, which offers multiple motorway companies to move towards the city. Brescia can also be reached by train starting from various cities in northern Italy, either directly or by making a single change. In addition, the city is also located near the A4 Milan-Venice motorway, so it is also possible to arrive by car quickly and easily
- Getting around : the historic center of Brescia can be easily visited on foot or by bicycle, but is also well served by buses that connect the main areas of the center and the surrounding area. Bus tickets cost € 1.40 each and last 90 minutes, alternatively you can choose a day ticket for € 3.00 or a week for € 12.00
- Where to park : the historic center of Brescia is well stocked with parking lots to satisfy both residents and tourists. The closest to the center is in Piazza Vittoria ( Get directions ) but obviously it’s not the cheapest. Another car park near the center is in Piazzale Arnaldo ( Get directions ) this time a little cheaper. For peace of mind there is also a covered parking, the Autosilo 1, ( Get directions ) but with this too with high prices. Finally we point out a free area with several parking spaces in Via Berardo Maggi ( Get directions ) which, however, is 22 minutes walk from the center
- Where to sleep: Hotels and b & b from € 46.00 per room – see the offers
- What to see in the surrounding area : do not miss the Italian city of love, Verona, which is about an hour’s drive away, Sirmione, a beautiful town on Lake Garda 40 minutes away, and the fun amusement parks Gardaland, Caneva Acquapark and Movieland Park, which are respectively 40, 45 and 43 minutes away by car
