Why Tirano, Italy is Popular?
As we said earlier, visiting Tirano could be a wonderful experience, but purpose is very important. Tirano is a small historic town nestled in the Alps, Lombardy region of Italy (close to the Swiss border). Since it is a natural centric destination surely visitors are going to enjoy scenic mountain views, lush green valleys and epic landscapes, making it a perfect place to travel in a train.
Make sure that each beauty of this Tirano is long and vast and it could be enjoyed only through train journeys while traveling to different regions. I would say you must travel in the Bernina Express train which is most sought after and its route recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. However, train journeys from Tirano to Mialan and to Turin also offer similar beauty and attractions.
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Why Do Travelers Love to Travel Tirano, Italy?
I think you’ve already visited many destinations in the world ranging from cities, national parks or historic towns, but visiting a place just to experience an iconic train journey is surely a different travel decision. Yes, Tirano is one kind of destination in Europe which allows backpackers to indulge in more scenic routes and leave awe inspiring destinations through the epic Bernina Express Train journey.
Travel in World Famous Bernina Express
Take a trip on the iconic world famous Bernina Express from Tirani to St Moritz. This journey will be beyond your expectations. I hope that no where in the world backpackers travel or experience such a scenic and epic train journey. We can’t say in a single word or sentence how beautiful it is to travel on the Bernina Express.
Bernina Express operates daily and begins at low altitude above sea level and then slowly climbs towards the Bernina Pass, slowly crossing Swiss Engadin Alps. Each time while traveling amidst of regions attractions it offers something extraordinary to see. Throughout from Tirano to St. Moritz, a journey filled with beautiful glaciers, alpine ranges and valleys.
Each time traveling between these 2 routes you can be blessed to spot 55 tunnels and 196 bridges. Since the journey is slow and steady you have plenty of time to get a view of the snow peaks of the Mediterranean and jaw dropping landscapes from these bridges. Don’t miss to take a photo of that.
What are the Major Highlights of Bernina Express?
1. Scenic Views
The Bernina Express Train passes through Ospizio Bernina, Alp Grum and Brusio and connects Europe’s North to South. Each time when you travel in this train you’ll feel that passing along with glaciers, thanks to alpine mountain ranges. Additionally, the train stretches 76 miles from St. Moritz in Switzerland to Tirano covering 55 tunnels, 196 bridges and climbing approximately 2,250 meters.
While slowly going upward, trains pass through Brusio spiral viaduct, Morteratsch and Palu glaciers, Lago Bianco alpine lake and most epic palm fringed Italian sceneries. Do not forget to take perfect shots of Poschiavo Valley, where vast areas of vineyards, lush greenery exist. Make sure that don’t misses to get close views of Pontresina- Swiss mountain village and Poschiavo- Italian influenced architecture town. Both are great places to see local people and their daily lifestyle/cultures.
2. UNESCO World Heritage Site
The interesting part here is the route which you pass between these 2 regions has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Reason behind recognised as World Heritage route due to its brilliant 20th century engineering and innovative rail technology which perfectly made it possible to travel in this alpine scenic setting.
As we discussed earlier, the train covers almost 144 km, climbing up to 2,250 meters passing through 55 tunnels and 196 bridges. If this is possible only through exceptional engineering works.
But what is really interesting here is the 360 degree Brusio Circular Viaduct and Landwasser Viaduct. Here “Brusio Circular Viaduct” is a single track of 9 arched stone spiral railway arch, whereas, “Landwasser Viaduct” is a 65 meter height 6 arched curve style Railway Bridge. Both are beautiful yet eye-catching tunnels which allow trains to navigate the terrains of mountains so freely.
Despite these engineering brilliances, Bernina Express is often known for its train windows. The train was built according to the convenience to watch surrounding beauties. Each time while traveling (on both sides) you’ll be very blessed to see Cascade da Bernina, Morterstsch glacier, Lago Bianco, Alp Grum and Bernina Pass.
3. Luxury Journey
If you look at what are the most luxurious train journeys in the world, surely you’ll see Bernina Express on that list. Besides its scenic views and iconic attractions, even quality and standard of train facilities we shouldn’t miss out. Your journey and enjoyments heavily depend on trains’ high end scenic amenities and comfortable seating facilities.
The train contains expansive glass windows like roof wrapped windows, and A/C with ample legroom. Book your seat at 1st class luxury seat to get more extra comfort and extra space to see surroundings. Book your seat on the right side if you’re traveling from St. Moritx to Tiron. Book left side if you’re coming from Tiron to St. Moritz. Don’t miss to enjoy your 4.5 hours of travel journey filled with exciting scenic views along with eating snacks and regional beverages.
4. Train Run Year Round
Bernin Express operates year round journeys and it offers daily trips from St. Moritz to Tiron and vice versa. This year round train journey offers visitors to see different views of the Swiss Alps in different seasons. Perfect platforms to cover vast geographical areas and scenic beauties in different periods at a limited period of time.
As we know, the Swiss Alps are full of snow during winter and colorful greenery during summer. But, autumn is the most common season to travel in Bernina Express, from September to October. Autumn helps visitors to capture perfect conditions to take photos and enjoy pleasant weather conditions with less tourist traffic. Remember each season exhibits some sort of beauty to you, but you need to decide which season you love to visit.
Train booking surely a tedious and demanding task here since high demand you may feel dynamic pricing structures, and issues with seat reservations. Therefore book early at least 90 days prior at Rhaetian Railway.
10 Best Things to Do in Tirano, Italy
Nevertheless of Tirano’s eminent Bernina Express Train Journey there are some things you can do while stepping into this beautiful land. Let’s see what they are;
1. Take a Scenic Journey from Tirano to Milan
As like from St. Moritz to Tiron there is a train run between Tilano and Milan. Start from Tirano and pass through the Valtellina Valley amidst lush mountainous terrain and reach Milan, Italy. Another scenic journey roughly takes 2 to 2.5 hours and covers the Colico, Madello del Lario, and Lecco mountains ranges.
Every day approximately 15 Benin Express trains are operating with the cost of $13 per person. If you have a plan to visit Milan take a return to Tirano to travel between iconic St. Moritz to Tiron train journey.
2. Visit Madonna di Tirano Sanctuary
Sanctuary of Madonna di Tirano is a prominent historic baroque church built during 1504 amidst Italy and Switzerland. Sanctuary is known for its living basilica and its beautiful frescoes and renaissance architectures. Its facade, subdivided by the vertical and horizontal, which is inspired to the Church’s Roman square bell tower and cupola.
To know more about this Sanctuary you have to go inside, entry is free but it holds plenty of unique sculptures, art works and stuccoes. The side chapel of Apparition architectures surely draws your mind, each time when you look at this chapel you will observe stone, fresco and gentle gold lights are prime element.
3. Take a Walk to Its Historic Centre
Tirano is obviously an ancient city full of churches, mediaeval old gates, walls, Roman ruins and noble palaces. But what I really like to explain is the city’s historic centre, a more charming and mediaeval old area filled with cobblestone streets, century old palaces and fortified gates. When you start walking its streets surely you may cross some of the country’s best basilica like di Madonna de Tirano or Palazzo Salis.
Since this historic centre is more walking friendly where we can cover most of its attractions by walking itself including local wine shops, Museo Etnografico Tiranese- local based handicraft museum and seat of Grisons Podesta.
4. Try Tirano Food
Spend your time to try local dishes here in Tirano. You may eat popular Italian cuisines like pasta or pizza, but this place is truly a great place to try local Italian dishes. Visit nearby restaurants like Ristorante La Rotonda or Ristorante Merizzi to try local influenced foods such as Pizzoccheri, Bresaola, handmade pasts, polenta or traditional desserts. Pizzoccheri is a buckwheat pasta and Bresaola is cured beef.
Both are the most sought after dishes liked by the most of visitors. So, if you find these items in your menu, just don’t miss it. Regions are known for vast areas of vineyards and a good number of wineries; most restaurants boast locally inspired red wines made purely by the Nebbiolo grapes.
5. Explore History & Architecture of Castello Masegra
Castello Masegra city’s century old mediaeval castle always overlooks Sondrio. Castle is a great place to catch panoramic views of the surrounding areas like Valtellina Valley and Swiss Alps. But here we need to visit Castle to know more about its history and architecture. Castello Masegra was built during the 11th century as a defensive fortress to curtail strategic inversion and overseas trades to Sondrio. But later it became the seat of Capitanei Lord and residence to the Prince and Kings.
Castel blends mediaeval old architecture with some Renaissance touch. Since Masegra went through multiple modifications we can see different architectures from different centuries. Initially the castle was filled with stone walls, vast courtyards and towers. After modification during the 16th century, added some renaissance elements like painted rooms and frescoes. But today we can see Castello Masegra modern museums which exhibit insights into the region’s history.
6. Climb to Valtellina Valley
Other than Bernin Express, hiking to Valtellina Valley is a great way to experience Tirano’s natural beauty. Located in the Italian Alps side (close to Swiss border), where backpackers take a hike to its top to get aerial views of Corteno Golgi- a small town, Wine region and breathtaking views of nature and Alps.
Valley, even renowned for its year-round sports, offers both winter and summer activities like river rafting, hiking and cycling. However, Valtellina Valley is a place where to find regions mouthwatering cuisines like Bresaola and Piccoccheri. Try Sforzato, a red wine which is produced by the local vineyards.
7. Appreciate Inside Beauty of Palazzo Merizzi
Palazzo Merizzi is a 16th century historic attraction in Tirano, Italy welcomes visitors to explore its history, architecture and art collections. Located in the centre of city, but what we really love to explore here is its interior architecture, which contains a courtyard with arched loggias, facades with cellars and an ice house. Once you enter inside don’t miss to watch stucco windows which are eye -catching located straight to the main entrance of the building.
The building boasts Lombard Baroque Architectures, its courtyard has other smaller artist works such as green stone portals and 3 sided porticos. Today Palazzo Merizzi stands as a symbol of the region’s rich architecture and a landmark reflecting the region’s rich cultural heritages.
8. Take Walk to Nearest Conti Sertoli Salis Winery
Conti Sertoli Salis is a place where you can spot a region’s renowned winery exactly in the middle of the Tirano town and surrounded by the Valtellina region. As we know, Tirano is one kind of place in Italy like Cinque Terre, home to vast majority areas of vineyards and wineries. Conti Sertoli Salis Winery where we can see unique wine making techniques under their more traditional way which passes from generations to generations (around 400 years of legacy).
The winery is even well known for producing Sforzato and Valtellina Superiore DOCG types of wine collections. Don’t miss to try wine samples at its wine tasting room, where we can try samples of a variety of wines.
9. Hike to Explore Santa Perpectua
Santa Perpectua is a hilltop church primarily built for trespassers and pilgrims those who come and pray while passing through the Swiss Alps especially during the 12th century. Its strategic location is really amazing. From the location of Santa Perpetual, visitors can easily catch spectacular views of Tirano city, local vineyards (where you actually come through) and portions of the Swiss Alps.
Around 15 to 20 minutes is enough to reach its top, but what really visitor observe is Romansquare bell tower and xenodochio- a hostel built as a resting place for pilgrims.
10. Visit Palazzo Salis
Palazzo Salis is simply a noble residence in Tirano once served as a residence to Von Salis Zizer’s family during the 17th century. Today visitors appreciate its Baroque style of architecture with the inclusion of beautiful frescoed rooms, staircases and eye-catching Italian style courtyard/ garden.
Giacomo Barozzi is the person behind Palazzo Salis most of the architecture. What we should observe here is, collections of baroque pictures, paintings of Antonio Cucchi and frescoed ceilings. Visit ‘Saloncello’, a meeting place and served as a vaulted hall during the end of 17th century and beginning of 18th century.
When to Visit Tirano, Italy?
Visiting Tirano also depends on the best time to take the Bernina Express Journey. As we discussed earlier, autumn is a great season to choose this iconic journey (but other seasons are also great). But if I would like to explore Tirano city (separate) then head on between late spring to early autumn season, from May to October. These periods help you to find low travel crowds, easy to explore historic towns, historic landmarks like Palazzo Salis, Santa Perpetua and Castello Masegra. Its pleasant weather helps you to walk more enthusiastically as well as hike to surrounding churches and vineyards.
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For Your References;
1. To Book Bernina Express Train- Switzerland Travel Centre.
2. Where to Stay for the Bernina Express.
3. What to Eat in Tiran, Italy.
