Pavia between nature, culture and Italian landscapes

Pavia opens up a journey between tranquil landscapes, historic buildings and varied routes. The Via Francigena, the Voghera–Varzi Greenway, the Parco naturale lombardo della Valle del Ticino and the wine-growing landscapes of Oltrepò Pavese appeal to different interests. This allows you to combine cultural visits with cycling and hiking tours, nature observation or a route through historic wine-growing areas.

Routes for cyclists, hikers and explorers

The Lombard section of the Via Francigena can be travelled on foot, by bicycle or by train. It passes through Palestro, Robbio, Nicorvo and Mortara and runs past waterways, rivers, canals, fields and rice paddies. At the same time, habitats for wild animals and birds lie along the section. The route therefore presents itself not only as a path between several places, but also as a connection between a cultural landscape and a natural environment.

The Voghera–Varzi Greenway begins at Voghera railway station and ends in Varzi. It comprises a 14 km-long flat section from Voghera to Salice Terme and a 19 km-long hilly section from Salice Terme to Varzi. Overall, the Greenway is paved for more than 33 km and follows its own route with a gentle incline. It is suitable for cyclists of different ages and levels of experience. The two sections, which have different characteristics, help you plan a suitable cycling tour according to the landscape and your personal pace.

The Via del Sale connects churches, castles and villages with forest paths. Deer, roe deer and squirrels can be observed along these forest paths. The route can be travelled on foot, on horseback or by mountain bike. Culture, physical activity and views of wild animals come together here in a shared travel experience, without requiring you to commit to a single means of transport.

Water, rice fields and protected landscapes

The Parco naturale lombardo della Valle del Ticino has more than 750 km of cycling and walking paths. These include more than 100 km along the towpaths of canals. Parco del Ticino can be explored on foot, by bicycle, canoe or horseback. In the Province of Pavia, Pavia, Vigevano, Garlasco and Zerbolò, among others, belong to this nature park. The wide choice of paths and means of transport makes the park interesting for different types of day trips.

A closer look at nature is possible on the Anello delle Streghe. The circular route follows the embankment of the Ticino to the slow-flowing Ramo delle Streghe. Typical aquatic plants such as water lilies, water crowfoot and yellow irises, as well as amphibians and reptiles, can be found there.

The Riserva Naturale Monte Alpe extends along the Apennine slope between the upper Val Staffora in the Province of Pavia and the basin of the Tidone stream. Its highest point is the 1,254-metre-high summit of Monte Alpe. The Riserva Naturale Monte Alpe is crossed by hiking trails through forests and meadows and to viewpoints, suitable for different fitness levels. This allows the landscape to be experienced both on longer routes and at an individually chosen walking pace.

Lomellina is regarded as a flat landscape of water and land. Its character is shaped by 60,000 hectares of rice fields, embankments, small villages and large farm estates. This combination of agriculture, waterways and rural architecture gives the area its own character. Those wishing to combine Pavia with open landscapes and regional features will find a clear contrast here to the hilly sections of Oltrepò Pavese.

Culture, gardens and regional history

In the immediate surroundings of Pavia are Casa del Foscolo Palace, Palazzo Belcredi, Palazzo Bottigella - Gandini and Palazzo del Maino. Also located near Pavia are the Orto Botanico Pavia garden, the Giardini Malaspina gardens, Parco Leopardi and Parco della Vernavola. These places broaden the cultural perspective on Pavia with historic palaces as well as garden and park landscapes.

Certosa di Pavia combines art, architecture and tranquillity in the rural landscape of the Pavia plain to create a special visitor experience.

The recognised museums in Pavia include the Musei Civici, with its archaeology and Early Middle Ages section. Pavia therefore also offers access to historical subjects that extend beyond individual buildings. The Musei Civici complement visits to palaces and Certosa di Pavia with archaeological content and aspects of the Early Middle Ages.

Wine-growing landscapes in Oltrepò Pavese

The Le Valli del Vino route passes through the three historic wine-growing valleys of Versa, Scuropasso and Coppa in Oltrepò Pavese. In Montecalvo Versiggia, the wine route connects Pinot Nero culture with small museums and historic wine cellars. This creates a distinct regional perspective for planning your trip: wine-growing is visible not only as a culinary subject, but also through the landscape, history, museums and cellar culture.

Discover more places

Rocca De' Giorgi, Montalto Pavese, San Zenone Al Po, Certosa Di Pavia, Cava Manara, Brallo Di Pregola, Rosasco, Vigevano, Salice Terme, Montù Beccaria, Zerbolò, Pavia, Vidigulfo, Rivoltella, Settimo, Castelletto Di Branduzzo, Santa Cristina, Sant'alessio Con Vialone, Rivanazzano, San Genesio Ed Uniti, Badia Pavese, Rovescala, Ruino, Cervesina, San Paolo, Gropello Cairoli, Villanova De' Beretti, San Martino Siccomario, Spessa, Moriano, Bereguardo, Gambolò, Varzi, Mortara, Semiana, Valverde, Garlasco, Stradella, Casorate Primo, Santa Maria Della Versa, Donelasco, Borgo Priolo, Siziano, Miradolo Terme, Torre D'isola, Casei Gerola, Montebello Della Battaglia, Castello D'agogna, Robbio, Arena Po, Santa Margherita, Casteggio, Cornale, Calvignano, Romagnese, Voghera, Montesegale, Canneto, Dorno, Sala, Mede, Carbonara al Ticino, Godiasco, Val di Nizza, San Damiano Al Colle, Broni, Borgarello, Ceranova, Montecalvo Versiggia, Montescano, San Giorgio di Lomellina, Ponte Nizza, Fortunago, Villanterio, Scaldasole, Tromello, Pieve Porto Morone, Zenevredo, Torre Beretti, Breme, Sartirana Lomellina, Carmine, Santa Giuletta, Marcignago, Cigognola, Cilavegna, Ferrera Erbognone, Ottobiano, Codevilla, Golferenzo, Bressana, Palestro, Casa Bianca, Zinasco Vecchio, Menconico, Sannazzaro De' Burgondi

To the higher-level travel overview: Lombardy.