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When you’ve spent as much time exploring Europe as we have, you start to look for the more off-the-beaten-track places where tourists don’t flock in droves, the local language is still spoken by most, and the food is so unique to the specific area that you likely haven’t tried it already.
That’s exactly what you’ll find in Valtellina, a valley located in the Lombardy region of Italy, north of Milan, and just a few kilometers from the Swiss border.
Valtellina, Italy, is the perfect spot for a long weekend getaway with a charming small town feel and a gorgeous backdrop that you won’t soon forget.
As we mentioned, it’s not a tourist magnet, like neighboring Milan, but it is well known for its winter ski resorts, hot springs, brisaola, cheese (especially bitto and casera) and bold Nebbiolo wines.
It’s the perfect place for foodies to get away from the tourist hotspots of Italy to discover something new and exciting. You can easily add this as a stop on a longer Italy trip (here’s a suggested 2-week itinerary).
On a side note: while you’re trying to decide which weekend to head off to this mountain paradise, bear in mind that the Valchiavenna wine festival is held every year at the end of September. It’s a great spot to get to know some local Italian wine. Check out this guide for more Italy wine regions.
Here’s more to help you plan
Exploring Valtellina
The perfect place to start a long weekend getaway in the Valtellina Valley is in the small city of Chiavenna. It’s a mountain town, flanked by Switzerland and the dramatic Alps on three sides, with Lake Como to the south. In the past, the town provided a convenient stop at the base of a key trade pass between Italy and Germany. Today, it functions much the same for travelers journeying to the surrounding mountain and lake resorts.
What to See in Valtellina
This alpine valley in Lombardy is decidedly off the beaten track for most tourists, but it’s still brimming with things to do, including both outdoorsy stuff and foodie experiences. The town of Chiavenna is a gateway to the riches of the valley and all it has to offer. Start by exploring the attractions and sights listed below.
Collegiate Church of San Lorenzo
Built in the Romanesque style around the 5th century, the church is one of the most famous and interesting monuments in Chiavenna. Near the center of the complex is the Renaissance bell tower. The grounds are surrounded by a wall with many arches held up by stout soapstone columns.
Palazzo Vertemate Franchi
The Vertemate Franchi family owned many Renaissance style villas in the town of Piuro, just outside Chiavenna. In 1618, a devastating landslide decimated the town, and this was their only villa left standing. It’s beautiful inside and very much worth a look around.
Paradiso Botanical Park
Located near the middle of the old town Chaivenna is the Caurga, an ancient stone quarry. At the top is a bridge connecting the two hills, called Paradiso and Castellaccio, which are a botanic and archaeological park, part of the protected natural reserve, Marmitte dei Giganti.
Ponte nel Cielo
Located in the Val di Tartano, this suspension bridge was constructed to join the two mountainsides and enhance the economy. It is 234m long and 140m high. There is a small fee to cross the bridge. Tickets can be purchased at the box office during the week and online for weekends.
Madesimo
Whether you’re visiting in the summer or winter, you’ll find many things to do in Madesimo. It’s much more than just a ski resort, though it is definitely one of the top places to ski in the area. You can also go snowmobiling, snowshoeing, or hiking and biking in the summer. There are also quite a few bars and restaurants to be sure you enjoy some typical food.
Madesimo Ski Resort
The ski resort is open from November to April. There are more than 60km of downhill slopes and 25km of cross-country trails. They have a snow-making system, an underground cable railway to take you where you want to go quickly, and an ample parking area, that keeps traffic to a minimum in the town center, so it’s very walkable and safe.
Ma! Officina Gastronomica
Ma! is a gastro laboratory. They are well-known for their local products, including cheeses, marmelades and brisaola, which is aged in the lab. You can stop by their shop and check out their products, plus learn the process for making brisaola. If you like, you can even set up a cooking demonstration by contacting them ahead of your visit.
Wine Tasting in Valtellina
There’s are a lot of great wine regions in Italy, including the nearby the Langhe, Barolo and Barbaresco areas, where wine tourists often flock. But it would be a shame to miss out on the alpine wine country of Valtellina, with its dramatic terraced vineyards, where the Nebbiolo grape (referred to as Chiavennasca here) is king.
The resulting wines are elegant – less tannic and bold than in the Piemonte region. There are at least a handful of wineries in the region where you can go for wine tasting, but setting up appointments yourself may prove difficult.
If you’d like to set up a wine tour the easy way, I recommend going through Crotto Ubiali. Just contact them and they can help you set up whatever type of tour you’d like.
What to eat in Valtellina
As with other distinct regions of Italy, Lombardy has its own collection of local treats and delights to tuck into. The most popular foods are brisaola (thinly-sliced aged beef), cheese, and the famed pizzoccheri, all which come in many different variations.
Brisaola
Brisaola is an air-dried, salted beef that originated in the Valtellina region. Its flavor is changed by the type of spice rub on the outside of the beef. You may also see it spelled bresaola.
Pizzoccheri
I ate no less than three different types of pizzoccheri in Valtellina. There’s a version with buckwheat noodles and one with flour dumplings. Both are in the picture above.
Sciatt
Strange name, but amazing little snack. It’s basically deep fried cheese balls, with a buckwheat batter. The cheese used is often bitto, but any firm aged cheese will do.
Taroz
Another dish that comes in many variations is Taroz – which is basically mashed and chunked potatoes with green beans, cheese and lots of butter.
Fioretto Cake
The name of this cake comes from the name for wild fennel flowers. The spice, along with butter and sugar, is brushed on top of the cake before serving.
Braulio
There’s always an herbal digestif to end the meal with. In Valtellina, it’s called Braulio, an herbal amaro. It’s not too spicy or overwhelming in flavor.
Where to eat in Valtellina
Now that you know what food specialties to look for, we’ll give you a few recommendations on where to find these foods (and many others from the area).
Crotto Ubiali
In Chiavenna there are many crotto-style restaurants. Crotti are natural stone caves that act as cold storage for food and wine. Ubiali’s cave is located in the back of the wine cellar, and it’s a great place to grab a glass of wine before your meal in the modern restaurant area next door.
Pasticceria Mastai
You can fully indulge in all of the specialties of the area here, including their delicious risotto and hand-crafted sweets. The atmosphere is cheery and modern – a perfect spot for a quick lunch or a romantic dinner. In the evening it turns into a wine bar!
La Sorgente
While you’re at Madesimo enjoying the snow, you can eat at La Sorgente, at the base of the resort, near the ski lift. They have all the typical specialties of the area, including a plate of pizzoccheri that will keep you full and warm. It’s a true mountain chalet with plenty of character.
La Terrazza
Located high up in the mountains surrounding Chiavenna, La Terrazza is not only a great place to eat or grab a drink, it has one of the most incredible views of the whole valley. It’s been called a window on Valchiavenna. It might be a trek to get there, but it’s very much worth it.
CONCLUSION
Armed with all of these suggestions and recommendations, you’ll have everything you need to plan and enjoy a long weekend in Valtellina, an area with few tourists, that is exciting and fun to explore year-round.
This post is a result of the #inLombardia365 campaign and tour. Savored Journeys maintains full editorial control of the content published on this site.
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Laura Lynch, creator and writer of Savored Journeys, is an avid world traveler, certified wine expert, and international food specialist. She has written about travel and food for over 20 years and has visited 70+ countries.
How to Spend A Long Weekend in Valtellina, Italy
