Sondrio
By Dion Protani
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Latest update: 11 March 2022
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The city of Sondrio is the capital city of the Province of Sondrio with a population of 21,509 inhabitants.
Standing at an elevation of 360 metres above sea level, it covers a total area of 21 km² and lies 140 kilometres north east of Milan, the regional capital of Lombardy. The northernmost of Lombardy's 12 provincial capitals, Sondrio also has the distinction of being the smallest of the 109 Italian provincial capitals, both in terms of square metres and population. |
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Sondrio's geographical position marks it out as a base from which to visit nearby Alpine ski resorts such as Ponte di Legno or Livigno. It's also just a short hop from here to the Adamello Brenta Nature Park which is popular with hikers and adventure-seekers.
The city itself has a much more modern feel compared to its southern counterparts. The feeling is one of fresh, open spaces characterised by the expansive Piazza Garibaldi and the sound of running water coming from the River Mallero which has a confluence with the larger, River Adda south of the city centre. The most iconic sight within the city is the 50 metre high Torre Ligariana, standing guard on Piazza Campello which it shares with the main church in the city: Chiesa dei Santi Gervasio e Protasio.
The railway station in Sondrio is centrally-located, a 6 minute walk from Piazza Garibaldi (500 metres). Trains from Sondrio to Milan (Milano Centrale) take around 2 hours and follow a scenic route: passing from Colico (35 minutes) at the top of Lake Como, stopping at the beautiful lakeside town of Varenna (56 mins) and the fellow provincial capitals of Lecco (1 hour 20 mins) and Monza (1 hour 46 mins), before arriving in Milan. Heading east it's a 31 minute journey to Tirano from where where you can pick up the magical Rhaetian Railway train rides.
The most convenient airport for Sondrio is Milan Linate Airport which is one hour and 46 minutes away by car (138 km). Lombardy's two other airports are slightly further away: Milan Bergamo Airport is 1 hour 55 minutes by car (120 km) and Milan Malpensa Airport is an hour and 59 minutes by car (154 km).
The city itself has a much more modern feel compared to its southern counterparts. The feeling is one of fresh, open spaces characterised by the expansive Piazza Garibaldi and the sound of running water coming from the River Mallero which has a confluence with the larger, River Adda south of the city centre. The most iconic sight within the city is the 50 metre high Torre Ligariana, standing guard on Piazza Campello which it shares with the main church in the city: Chiesa dei Santi Gervasio e Protasio.
The railway station in Sondrio is centrally-located, a 6 minute walk from Piazza Garibaldi (500 metres). Trains from Sondrio to Milan (Milano Centrale) take around 2 hours and follow a scenic route: passing from Colico (35 minutes) at the top of Lake Como, stopping at the beautiful lakeside town of Varenna (56 mins) and the fellow provincial capitals of Lecco (1 hour 20 mins) and Monza (1 hour 46 mins), before arriving in Milan. Heading east it's a 31 minute journey to Tirano from where where you can pick up the magical Rhaetian Railway train rides.
The most convenient airport for Sondrio is Milan Linate Airport which is one hour and 46 minutes away by car (138 km). Lombardy's two other airports are slightly further away: Milan Bergamo Airport is 1 hour 55 minutes by car (120 km) and Milan Malpensa Airport is an hour and 59 minutes by car (154 km).
Comune di Sondrio
Province: Sondrio
Region: Lombardy Population: 21,202 (source: ISTAT 1 January 2022) Size: 21 km² Elevation: 360 metres Highlights: Piazza Garibaldi, Torre Ligariana, River Mallero Close by: Aprica, Tirano, Edolo, Bormio, Adamello Park, Lake Como Recommended accommodation: Grand Hotel della Posta |
Public transport: central train station, local buses
By train: Tirano - 31 minutes, Colico - 35 minutes |
By car: Lecco - 1 hour 2' (79 km), Monza - 1 hour 40' (121 km)
Fly to: Milan Linate Airport - 1 hour 46 minutes by car (138 km) |
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