Cremona is the world's violin capital — birthplace of Antonio Stradivari and still home to over 150 active luthiers whose instruments sell for tens of thousands of euros. The Museo del Violino holds original Stradivarius instruments and the Torrazzo is Italy's tallest medieval bell tower. The city is also famous for mostarda di Cremona and the Christmas nougat torrone.
| Travel time | 1 hour by Trenitalia train |
|---|---|
| Getting there | Type: Train; Details: Trenitalia from Milano Centrale to Cremona; hourly; Cost: €8.50; Duration: 60 min |
Suggested itinerary
- Train to Cremona. Piazza del Comune and Baptistery. Museo del Violino. Walk to Via Sicardo violin workshops. Lunch with local specialties. Browse mostarda shops. Optional: climb the Torrazzo.
Weather through the year in Italy
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Italy.
Highlights
- Museo del Violino with original Stradivarius instruments
- Active violin-making workshops (Via Sicardo area)
- Torrazzo bell tower (Italy's tallest at 111m)
- Piazza del Comune and the Baptistery
- Mostarda di Cremona tasting
- Lunch with tortelli di zucca or bollito misto
Tips for visiting
- The Museo del Violino holds concerts using historic instruments — book in advance
- Violin workshop visits often need prior arrangement via the Cremona tourism office
- Mostarda di Cremona is available vacuum-packed and makes an excellent food souvenir