Cremona was inhabited by noble families who have left an inestimable legacy among sumptuous palaces and precious collections kept in the museums that today make the city a place rich in style, architecture and value . A true Lombard pearl not to be missed if you are in the surrounding area. Among other things, Cremona enjoys an excellent position, a central point between other cities of interest, ideal as a starting point for other visits. Here is all the useful information about Cremona: what to see, where to eat and what to do in the evening .
What to see in Cremona
1 – Cremona Cathedral
The Cathedral of Cremona is obviously the main place of worship in the city, also known as the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta . It is a 12th century building that has been adapted several times over the years and in fact presents different architectural styles through its Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque elements . The Baptistery and the Torrazzo are also part of the Cathedral, and the entire complex is made up of white Carrara marble and red Verona marble on the outside, while inside the Church is divided into three naves separated by massive pillars between which alternate masterpieces of sculpture and painting that decorate it at its best .
- How to get: it can be reached on foot from any area of the historic center or by bus C getting off in Via Platina which is just behind the complex –
- Timetables: both the Duomo and the Baptistery are open every day from 8:00 to 12:00 and from 15:30 to 19:00 – On holidays only from 15:00 to 19:00
- Ticket cost: Free
- Recommended cards, tickets and tours
2 – Town Hall Square
The Piazza del Comune is the place in Cremona where history, art, architecture and traditions merge, which has always been one of the landmarks of the city both religiously and civilly. As soon as you set foot in this large square one cannot help but be struck by the many historic buildings and their harmony created by the red tones of the terracotta and the candone of the white marble. Overlooking the Piazza del Comune you can admire the Cathedral of Cremona with the Torrazzo and the Baptistery, the Palazzo Comunale, the Loggia dei Militi and the Portico of Bertazzola .
- How to get: it can be reached on foot from any area of the historic center or by bus C getting off in Via Platina which is a few steps from there –
- Ticket cost: Free
3 – The Torrazzo of Cremona
The Torrazzo of Cremona is considered the symbol of this city . It is a bell tower from the year 754, 112 meters high, the second highest in Italy and the thirty-sixth highest in Europe. On a walled plaque located at the base of the Torrazzo we read that its height corresponds to 250 braccia and two Cremonese ounces, but even lower than the base, some excavations have led to tunnels connecting with a cemetery area. On the fourth floor, on the other hand, one of the largest astronomical clocks in the world has been set while the bells that sing pleasant concerts every day are 7. In short, an architectural masterpiece not to be missed, especially for the view it offers from above and for the enchantment. given to him by its nocturnal illumination !
- How to get: it can be reached on foot from any area of the historic center or by bus C to Via Platina and then continue for two minutes on foot –
- Timetables: it is open every day from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 14:30 to 18:00 – Closed on public holidays and every Monday in January and February
- Ticket cost: Full admission: Torrazzo € 5.00 / Torrazzo + Baptistery € 6.00 – Reduced admission (school groups, over 65, Welcome Card holders): Torrazzo € 4.00 / Torrazzo + Baptistery € 5.00
4 – The Violin Museum
The Violin Museum is a musical museum of stringed instruments . Inside it is divided into 10 rooms that exhibit violins, violas, cellos and double basses that belonged to renowned luthiers including Antonio Stradivari from Cremona , all coming from the personal collections of ancient Cremona singors kindly donated to the municipality. In fact, the museum dates back to 1893 when it was set up under the name of Stradivari Museum. Only in 2013 did it take the more generic name of Violin Museum. In the 10 rooms a path will lead you to discover the origins of instruments, their production and dissemination, musical schools, competitions dedicated to them and even the use of the violin in the world of cinema.
- How to get: it can be reached in a few minutes on foot from any area of the historic center or by bus C to Via Platina Patecchio which is located in the immediate vicinity of the museum
- Timetables: open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00. Closed on public holidays
- Ticket cost: Full admission: € 10.00 – Reduced admission (over 65, students with registration card, groups of over 20 people): € 7.00 – Reduced admission for school groups (minimum 15 people): € 5.00 – Free admission: children under 6 years old
- Recommended cards, tickets and tours
5 – The Town Hall and the Loggia dei Militi
The Palazzo del Comune and the Loggia dei Militi are both historic buildings of the city, the first dating back to 1206 and the second to 1292. The Palazzo del Comune was built with the name of Palazzo dei Ghibellini , which has mostly maintained its structure initial except for the addition in the 15th century of other decorations between the windows. The rooms inside, however, remain the main attractions with precious decorative frescoes, which we remind you, however, that they can only be visited if there are no meetings in progress. The Loggia dei Militi, on the other hand, was created to host the meetings of the Society of the Soldiers made up of the wealthy class of the city and to protect important civil objects such as statues and flags. Under the portico the emblem of Cremona is still clearly visible.
- How to get: can be reached on foot from any area of the historic center or by bus C getting off in Via Platina located 1 minutes from both structures –
- Timetables: the Palazzo del Comune is open from Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 18:00 and on Sundays and holidays from 10:00 to 17:00 – It is closed on Christmas, New Year and May 1st – La Loggia dei Militi is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 8pm
- Ticket cost: Free
6 – Monastery of San Giuseppe in San Sigismondo
The Monastery of San Giuseppe in San Sigismondo is another Catholic place in Cremona that saw its first stone placed in 1463, still visible in the first chapel on the right. Its interior may seem simple due to its single nave, but as soon as you raise your eyes to the sky, a spectacle of frescoes opens up on every chapel and every wall . This work of art began in 1535 by the hand of various painters who, despite the inclusion of different styles, managed to create a harmonious and unified environment in the elegant manner of the sixteenth century .
- How to get: it is located from the historic center from which it is a 35-minute walk, but can be reached by buses D, G and Z stopping in Via Giuseppina Sforza which is right next to the Monastery –
- Timetables: always accessible
- Ticket cost: Free
7 – Sperlari shop
Who doesn’t know the Sperlari confectionery company? Those with a sweet tooth will be happy to know that the brand originates from Cremona and it is here that his very first shop is located, which is also the oldest shop in the city (it has existed since 1836). The business was started by Enea Sperlari who was able to combine the recipes of the Cremonese specialties handed down to him by his family with his entrepreneurial spirit to create what is still today a typical and sweet place where you can feast your eyes and mouth with candies, nougats, chocolate and liqueurs !
- How to get: it can be reached on foot from any area of the historic center or by buses D and L to Corso Mazzini which is right next to the shop –
- Timetables: open every day from 8:30 to 12:30 and from 15:30 to 19:30
- Ticket cost: Free
8 – The “Ala Ponzone” Civic Museum
The Ala Ponzone Civic Museum is located in a historic and elegant sixteenth-century building , Palazzo Affaitati. It is a picture gallery established over the course of the century starting from the sixteenth century from the collection of the Ponzone family, later enlarged with works from some Cremonese churches, up to today counting over two thousand pieces including paintings and sculptures . The most important works are certainly Caravaggio’s San Francesco in meditation, Arcimboldi’s L’ortolano, the Renaissance-style inlaid wooden wardrobe in the Sala del Platina and the collection of historical stringed instruments in the Music Rooms.
- How to get: it is located just 8 minutes walk from the historic center, but you can also reach it by bus E to Via Manzoni and then continue on foot for another 2 minutes –
- Timetables: open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00 – closed every Monday, January 1st, December 25th and 26th
- Ticket cost: Full admission: € 7.00 – Reduced admission (over 65, children under 6 and groups): € 5.00 – Free admission for everyone every first Sunday of the month
9 – Palazzo Stanga
Palazzo Stanga is a Renaissance building that takes its name from the noble family who lived there. Over the years, up to the 19th century, it has undergone various alterations. Its façade was built in Baroque style and is on two floors enriched by arches and large windows complete with wrought iron frames. Inside, on the other hand, there is a hall in gilded wood and various noble rooms characterized by gold-colored and frescoed ceilings. In one of these rooms there is a canopy bed on which Napoleon Bonaparte is said to have rested, who gave his name to the room. Today the building is the seat of the Agricultural Institute , left as a gift by the Marquis Ferdinando Stanga in 1929, in factit can only be visited on the occasion of city festivals even if taking a look from the outside is always worth it !
- How to get: it is a couple of minutes walk from the historic center, it can also be reached by buses D, E, G, H and Z to Viale Trento e Trieste from which you can continue on foot for 5 minutes –
- Timetables: accessible only for city festivals
- Ticket cost: Free
10 – Museum of Peasant Civilization
The Museum of Rural Life is housed in a farmhouse in Cremona, Il Cambonino Vecchio , and exhibits the daily life of humble peasants through an ancient and precious exhibition itinerary . Visitors will find inside the typical environments of the trade such as the stable, the laundry, the oratory, the manor house and the farmer’s house, each room used with a collection of agricultural vehicles, means of transport and tools of the trade .
- How to get: it is located outside the historic center and can be reached by car leaving it in the parking area available for visitors or by bus L to the Viale Cambonino stop which is right in front of the structure –
- Timetables: open from Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 13:00 – closed on Sundays, January 1st, May 1st and December 25th
- Ticket cost: Free
Cremona itinerary in one day
Thanks to the attractions that are quite close to each other and located mostly in the heart of the historic center, it will be possible to visit Cremona even in just one day . We have prepared for you a logically organized itinerary from which we only had to exclude the Monastery of San Giuseppe in San Sigismondo and the Museum of Peasant Civilization as both are located a bit distant from all other sites of interest and would take longer. to be reached.
- Morning : starting from the outermost area of the center, stopping first for breakfast at the Palazzo Cafeteria and then moving on to admire the splendid Palazzo Stanga that you may find accessible during some Cremonese festivities, otherwise it is still worth taking a look outside . Immediately afterwards you move to the nearby Civic Museum “Ala Ponzone” where it will take you about an hour for the visit, after which you reach the historic center by first making a stop at the Sperlari Shop. Finally you reach Piazza del Comune and after a short first admired you can go for lunch at the Il Violino Restaurant .
- Afternoon : after a good refreshing meal you can begin to better visit the buildings in the Piazza del Comune, starting from the Palazzo del Comune and continuing with the Loggia dei Militi, the Cathedral of Cremona and the Torrazzo. Finally we move to the nearby and unmissable Violin Museum where you can spend the rest of the afternoon.
- Evening : after having visited all these attractions, dinner time has already arrived and this time we offer you the Osteria del Melograno where you can taste the best typical Cremonese specialties.
One day itinerary at a glance
- Breakfast at La Caffetteria del Palazzo –
- Palazzo Stanga – opening hours: accessible only if there are city festivals – ticket price: free
- Ala Ponzone Civic Museum – opening hours: from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00 – ticket price: full € 7.00 – reduced € 5.00 – free every first Sunday of the month
- Sperlari shop – opening hours: every day from 8:30 to 12:30 and from 15:30 to 19:30 – ticket price: free
- Piazza del Comune – opening hours: always accessible – cost of the ticket: free
- Lunch at Il Violino Restaurant –
- Palazzo del Comune and Loggia dei Militi – palace hours: from Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 18:00 / Sunday and holidays from 10:00 to 17:00 – Loggia dei Militi hours: from Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 20:00 – ticket price: free
- Cremona Cathedral and Baptistery – opening hours: both open every day from 8:00 to 12:00 and from 15:30 to 19:00 – ticket price: free
- Torrazzo of Cremona – opening hours: every day from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 14:30 to 18:00 – ticket price: full € 5.00 / full Torrazzo + Baptistery € 6.00 – reduced € 4.00 / reduced Torrazzo + Baptistery € 5.00
- Violin Museum – opening hours: from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00 – ticket price: full price: € 10.00 / for reductions consult the
- Dinner at Osteria del Melograno –
Where to eat in Cremona
- Il Violino Restaurant : elegant setting and refined Italian and Cremonese menu with proposals for sea, land or vegetarian tastings
Average price per person: € 45.00
Address and contacts: Via Sicardo Vescovo, 3 - Osteria del melograno : rustic and informal restaurant with mainly typical Cremonese cuisine prepared with 0 km ingredients
Average price per person: € 30.00
Address and contacts: Via Eugenio Beltrami, 5 - Antica Pizzeria del Corso : pizzeria with wood oven that serves authentic Neapolitan pizza prepared exclusively with original products and also offers classic dishes of Italian cuisine
Average price per person: € 20.00
Address and contacts: Galleria Kennedy, 22
What to do in the evening: nightlife areas and the best clubs
Cremona offers a varied nightlife, divided between discos and quiet lounge bars and cocktail bars. The main nightclub of the city is located in the peripheral area, while a wide choice of quieter clubs awaits you in the historic center with shorter and less confusing musical evenings but during which you can enjoy excellent food and drink proposals.
- Key of Bacchus : it is a bistro and lounge bar in the heart of the historic center, excellent for aperitifs and quiet evenings accompanied by tasty dishes and drinks with background music / Address: Piazza Guglielmo Marconi, 5
- Juliette 96 : the best nightclub in Cremona that offers a mixed restaurant with Italian dishes, pizza and sushi and musical evenings of all kinds until late at night / Address: Via Mantova, 88
- La Hacienda : cocktail bar with an informal atmosphere that offers long aperitifs and dinners with DJ sets on weekends / Address: Piazza Della Pace, 13
Plan your stay in Cremona: info and useful tips
- How to get: Cremona is close to several airports. You can opt for Milan Linate (91 km – 1 hour by car), Milan Malpensa (131 km – 1 hour and 37 minutes by car), Bergamo-Orio al Serio (88 km – 1 hour and 9 minutes by car), Parma (58 km – 50 minutes by car) and Verona (125 km – 1 hour and 15 minutes by car). Most of these offer a direct transfer to the city, alternatively it is possible to move first to the Milano Centrale station and then continue by train to Cremona. In addition to Milan, Cremona is well connected by a vast railway network to various northern Italian cities that allow you to reach it directly in a short time. It can also be easily reached by car via the A21 motorway if you come from Brescia and the E35 road if you come from Milan or Parma.
- How to get around : the historic center can be easily visited on foot, however it is possible to take advantage of the urban transport provided by the KM Spa company that circulates in the center and surroundings and reaches every corner of Cremona. The fare for a single ticket is € 1.30, while the day ticket costs € 2.80 and the 10-ride booklet € 11.50
- Where to park : the whole city has multiple parking areas, paid and unpaid, and avenues with several parking spaces on blue stripes, all with reasonable rates and close to bus stops to quickly reach the historic center. The most central are the Villa Glori car park , the Santa Tecla car park , the Saba Piazza Marconi car park and the Stazione Parking (
- Where to sleep:
- What to see in the surrounding area : Cremona is located between different cities, so during a stay here you could also visit Piacenza located 50 minutes by car, Brescia another 50 minutes, Pavia at 1 hour and 20, Mantua at 1 hour and 10, the unmissable Milan at 1:30 and the beautiful Sirmione on Lake Garda at 1 hour and 5
