Livigno: a new emotion every day of the year among Italian Alps

If the mountains are beautiful in winter, in summer they can be just as stunning, or even more so, and Livigno is proof of this. This Alpine plateau is located in Valtellina, Lombardy, not far from the border between Italy and Switzerland. It is one of the most famous mountain resorts in Europe but perhaps not everyone knows how extraordinary these places can be in summer too.

In Livigno, nature puts on a show every day of the year. With the Rhaetian Alps surrounding it in all their beauty, and the Stelvio National Park a short distance away, with the enchanting lake with its characteristic elongated shape and a very rich wildlife, this awesome location surrounded by mountains know how to thrill everyone. If you are looking for natural beauty you will be at home here, if you love an active life you will find a thousand things to do, and if you just want to relax you will get countless chances to regenerate. Even shopping lovers will not be disappointed. In fact, Livigno is waiting for you with dozens of shops where to live a truly immersive experience. 

There are many good reasons why Livigno  is worth visiting, but what will strike you upon your arrival will certainly be the astonishing beauty of the surrounding landscapes.

At 1.816 mt above sea level, it is one of the highest resorts in Italy and it seems that even the sun has fallen in love with it. It is in fact the symbol of Livigno because this valley is also one of the sunniest in all the Alps.

The inhabitants of this destination have always reciprocated nature with the same love and respect, contributing on a daily basis to safeguarding the flora and fauna that make this valley so special.

Tourism is also sustainable and the connections with public transport in the area are excellent for limiting the use of cars, so visitors can always enjoy a holiday full of all the services, but in a true natural paradise. Despite the numerous visitors, Livigno has indeed maintained its authentic Alpine character and a strong cultural identity.

With a 115 kilometers ski area, slopes of all difficulty levels and an extraordinary array of ski lifts, Livigno is a super winter destination for skiers, which will in fact host snowboarding and freestyle competitions during the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.

In the summer, however, when the snow melts under a deep blue sky, there are a thousand other activities to enjoy.

Along more than 1,500 km of trails you can go trekking in an extraordinary natural setting. There are trails suitable for families, for those who want to enjoy the fresh air and even for the well trained. In fact, you can try more challenging climbs and reach some of the Italian Alps' most spectacular peaks, over three thousand meters.

Even if you love biking, you will have the chance to practice it in all its forms: downhill and freeride, flow trail and enduro, and finally road biking. Once again, there's fun for everybody, from beginners to adrenaline lovers with trails that can make the hearts of the most daring bikers beat faster, without forgetting the asphalt routes where over the years the champions who made cycling history have competed.

But summer also means fun on the water. Lake Livigno, also known as Lago di Gallo, is an artificial basin that offers you a scenery of pure marvel, but also the possibility of practicing water sports at high altitude: kayaking, paddle, rowing or even a simple pedal boat trip.

Perfect destination for sports enthusiasts and lovers of an active lifestyle, the variety of things to do in Livigno for non skiers too or those who prefer a slower pace is equally vast, both in summer and winter.

If you are curious about the history of these places, where alpine culture developed for centuries, there are many things to see. The Latteria di Livigno, for an instance, is where you can discover the various milk production processes and how some of the numerous local delicacies are made. The Mus, on the other hand, is the fascinating Museum of Livigno and Trepalle, equipped with an innovative path where you can get to know this magnificent Alpine resort better.

Livigno is also a paradise for those who dream of enjoying top Italian hospitality. In the evening, there are chic restaurants and exclusive après-ski aperitifs, while in summer, the valley comes alive with a very rich calendar of events and experiences. From June to September in particular, there are events of national importance, both cultural and sporting, both folkloristic and gastronomic. All you have to do is get involved.

In every season, you can have fun and go shopping because in Livigno you can enjoy an always engaging experience: in elegant boutiques with Alpine charm, you’ll find warm lighting and music that create a welcoming and sophisticated atmosphere. Here, shopping becomes almost a wellness ritual that blends style and authenticity.

A family holiday is an opportunity to build beautiful memories and Livigno is perfect for children. There are many play areas near the slopes, ski schools for all ages, and then there is Aquagranda, an extraordinary water park equipped for the whole family.

In summer, the adventure parks surrounded by larch trees or the play and picnic areas you can find near the lake are a great idea for a fun day outdoors. Actually, in Livigno all activities are also tailored in a family-friendly format, allowing both adults and children to experience an extraordinary vacation together at every moment.

Biking, trekking, kayaking, stand-up paddle, a visit to the mountain huts, or perhaps a fun walk with llamas and alpacas? In Livigno, visitors of every age will always get the chance to share something unique. 

A stay in Livigno is an experience that regenerates the body and mind. Not only natural beauty and active life, but also style and wellness that blend together to offer you a warm welcome, according to the most authentic Apine tradition, of course always top-level. 

At one of the largest sports and wellness centers in Europe, Aquagranda, you can experience true Alpine Wellness. In a spacious, recently renovated area offering a wide range of treatments, including massages, steam baths and pools. Relaxation is always guaranteed, especially since the wellness area is separate from the large AQ1816 sport ceneter, where you can practice various sports at all levels. In fact, Aquagranda is an Olympic Training Center affiliated with CONI, the Italian National Olympic Committee. Here you will find top-notch sports facilities including a gym, two 25- and 50-meter pools, an Olympic-size pool, beach volleyball courts, tennis courts, an athletic track, and a regular football field. 

Of course, Livigno also means fine dining because good food is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle, as well as a key element of the local culture. The cuisine in Livigno is authentically local, rooted in the renowned Alpine food and wine tradition. The best Valtellina recipes can also be found reinterpreted in a gourmet style, always prepared with top-quality ingredients. Try the famous sciatt, or  the chiscioi, delicious cheese fritters, and of course, the pizzoccheri, perhaps the most iconic dish of Valtellina. Of peasant origin, this type of pasta is now even celebrated with its own Pizzocchero Academy, which safeguards the tradition.

In Livigno, you can also taste craft beer produced by one of Italy’s first independent breweries, and enjoy one of the highest-altitude coffees in the world, another gem of local gastronomy, roasted at over 1816 mt above sea level.

Nestled in a magnificent natural setting and surrounded by high mountains, Livigno is nevertheless quite well connected.

The closest train station to Livigno is Tirano, about 60 km away. From Tirano, you can continue by bus or rent a car to get to Livigno in about an hour and a half.

If you are traveling by plane, the closest airport to Livigno is Milan-Malpensa, about 200 km away. From the airport you can take a bus towards Bormio or Livigno, which takes about three or four hours. Alternatively, Bergamo-Orio al Serio airport is also well connected.

By car, you can get from Milan to Livigno via the SS36 and SS38 traveling towards Sondrio, then continue towards Bormio and finally Livigno. The journey also takes between three and four hours.

Especially during the ski season there are also direct buses departing from Milan.