Bormio, Italy is a unique mountain town located in Northern Italy in the Alps. It is surrounded by gorgeous, snow-capped mountains, but also is full of medieval architecture and ancient streets. It is worth a visit anytime of year!
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*****Everything in this article is my personal opinion and experiences. Check your own resources and choose to do anything I discuss at your own risk. Some of the things in this post may be dangerous and not recommended for every body.
About Bormio, Italy
Bormio is in the region of Sondrio in northeast Italy. The Alpine Skiing World Championships are held in Bormio every year. Some of the Winter Olympic events in 2026 will be hosted in Bormio. It is a town that has been inhabited for hundreds of years and was popular for natural thermal baths even during the Roman Empire.
Getting to Bormio, Italy
The best way to get to Bormio is by driving. There is not a lot of public transportation in smaller areas of Italy, so it can be difficult to reach without a car. If you need to rent a car, I recommend using Booking.com to rent since they usually have the best deals with free cancellation and pay-at-pickup.
Parking close to the center of town in Bormio can be a little difficult since the streets are narrow and many of the streets close to the center are restricted to pedestrians and buses only. We parked at “Parcheggio Piazza V Alpini” which was convenient and definitely the best place to park if you’re able to snag a spot there.
Things to do in Bormio, Italy
Piazza Cavour (aka Piazza Kuerc in local dialect)
Piazza Cavour is the main square of town where everything happens. There are churches and old structures to visit (see below). The square also branches off to many adorable cobblestone streets.
In the winter, around the holidays, there is a giant, gorgeous Christmas tree.
There are many adorable bars and bakeries around the square. We had tea and cakes at Dolce Ozio which is one the corner and I had the best raspberry Sacher Cake of my life there. 10/10 recommend.
Torre della Bajona o delle Ore
Torre della Bajona o delle Ore is a giant clocktower that is part of the main square. I am not sure of the history regarding this clocktower, but it is an iconic symbol of the town and can be seen from many streets away. In the area around the tower and main square, there is some really interesting architecture and design elements.
One of my favorite sights in this area was a rain water spout that looked like a vomiting dragon when water came out (which can be seen in the picture below).
****Torre in Italian = tower in English
La Chiesa di Saint Ignazio
Down the street from the main square (specifically Via Alberto de Simioni), you can find La Chiesa di Saint Ignazio (aka The Church of St. Ignazio). I was really surprised at how gorgeous this church building was as we hadn’t even planned on going here, but just stumbled upon it.
The church building was build in the 1600’s and inside is covered with dark frescoes. It is much different than other churches throughout Italy, so I definitely thought it was worth popping in to see.
Photography is not permitted inside the church.
Note on visiting churches in Italy: Before spending a lot of time in Italy, I wasn’t really familiar with randomly walking in churches. Most church buildings and cathedrals throughout Italy are open to the public during the daytime for free to walk through and look at all of the old art. You don’t need an appointment or ticket (larger cathedrals, like the Duomo in Milan, require tickets, in which there will be signage), and you can just try to walk into the large wooden doors. It is expected that you are quiet and respectful. Some allow pictures and some do not, so just pay attention to signage (which usually has a camera with a line through it if they don’t want you to take pictures).
Natural hot springs hike in the Parco dei Bagni
For hundreds of years, people have traveled to Bormio to experience warm water coming out of the Earth. You can experience the baths in several different ways, with the first way being a walk to the hot springs and even a warm waterfall. The hikes in the Parco dei Bagni are also located within the Stelvio National Park.
There are several different trails to various hot springs. We took a trail that started at the Hotel Bagni Vecchi and went down the hillside to visit Fonte Pliniana and Fontana degli Occhi. There is minimal signage, but the trail is well-defined, so if you want to take this short hike, park outside the Hotel Bagni Vecchi and walk on the road that goes past the hotel and there will be a break in the stone wall with a sign and path on the righthand side. Follow this path and bear left at any intersections until you reach the fountains.
Another popular hike in the Parco dei Bagni is the “Walk of Fonte Pliniana” which essentially takes you to the same place, but starts from the new baths lower down the mountain. More information on this hike can be found on Albergo Adele’s website.
****Parco dei Bagni translates directly as “Park of Baths” or “Bath Park”
The Bagni di Bormio: enjoy the QC Terme spa in Bormio
QC Terme spas are super amazing. There are several throughout Italy and surrounding countries. Since Bormio has been famous for its baths for centuries, QC Terme has a spa here showcasing the natural hot springs of the area. They have both a new spa and old spa, both with their own benefits.
Although we didn’t get to try the QC Terme at Bormio, I would definitely try the old baths one as it has an outdoor pool with a gorgeous view and incorporates an old cathedral in the outdoor baths and treatments (pictured below).
If you are in the area, it is worth checking out Santa Caterina di Valfurva, which is only a few minutes up the road. Check out my blog post all about visiting Santa Caterina di Valfurva!
Overall, these are some of the top things to do in Bormio! I hope that this guide helps you in planning your trip to Bormio, Italy and the great Valtellina region of Lombardy. Have you been to Bormio? I would love to hear about your experience!
Thanks for reading!
Liz
