Explore Livigno
Little Tibet of the Alps – high, wild and snow-sure.
Trepalle, on top of the world
Trepalle sits above Livigno on the road to the Foscagno pass and is known as Europe's highest continuously inhabited village. Its little church and stone houses look out over a sea of peaks – and the slopes are right on the doorstep.
Teola, home of our Gembro apartment, is a peaceful hamlet on the sunny side of the Livigno valley, a few minutes from the town centre.
The roof of Europe
Livigno's history is a testament both to its remoteness and to the resilience and determination of its people. Geographically it sits on the roof of Europe: the river Spöl, a source of the Danube, rises in the valley, while the Rhine rises at the other end of the nearby Engadine.
Until the 1960s Livigno was practically cut off for the winter months, and its altitude and short summer made it hard to grow crops. For generations it was subservient to Bormio, but the people of Livigno worked hard to build an international reputation as an ecological tourism destination – and today the population of Livigno exceeds that of Bormio.
Its remoteness and geography secured tax privileges from the middle ages, and Livigno remains duty-free today. The nearest airport is 200km away, making it one of the most remote places in Europe – a big part of its charm, and of the exceptional friendliness of its people.
Much has changed over the years: there is more traffic in the town centre, though large areas are now pedestrianised, and there has been a building boom – but the architecture is sympathetic and many older buildings have been beautifully preserved. Life has changed much less in Trepalle, where only about 500 people live in the parish, giving it a very special atmosphere.
Things to do
Skiing & snowboarding
About 110km of prepared runs across two ski areas, Mottolino and Carosello 3000, plus snow parks for all levels – the freestyle and snowboard venues of the 2026 Winter Olympics. From Trepalle the chairlift takes you quickly up to Mottolino, and a bus runs from the bottom of the Teola lift to Carosello every 20 minutes – often quicker than driving.
Cross-country
Groomed trails run the length of the valley floor – one of the best Nordic skiing destinations in the Alps.
Altitude training
Runners, cyclists and Nordic athletes come from all over the world to train at altitude in Livigno, where the thin air gives an aerobic advantage.
Mountain biking
Livigno has built an excellent reputation for mountain biking over the last decade, with many trails and lift-served downhill tracks. The altitude adds to the challenge.
Walking
Summer brings meadows of wild alpine flowers and a wonderful silence, broken only by the whistle of marmots and the bells of grazing cows. The uninhabited valleys of Alpisella and Federia are especially peaceful.
Horse riding
Available in both summer and winter.
Fishing
Lago di Livigno, created when the valley was dammed in the 1960s, is popular with anglers.
Wellness
Relax at Aquagranda, Livigno's wellness and aquatic centre, after a day outdoors.
Life in Livigno
Families
Livigno is a safe and fun place for children, with plenty of activities, kindergartens and ski schools from age 3. Families with young children are made genuinely welcome here. At Baita Zelda our housekeeper has occasionally been happy to babysit for a night out – just ask.
Shopping
There are over 200 duty-free shops in Livigno, with all the designer brands at genuine duty-free prices. Trepalle has a good range of duty-free and food shops, but no pharmacy – so bring anything you might need.
Eating & drinking
There are several traditional restaurants in Trepalle, including 'La Pernice', a favourite of ours, where you can enjoy a hot-stone fondue. In Livigno itself there is a wide choice of restaurants from simple to gourmet.
Days out
Livigno is a great base for exploring the surrounding valleys – across the border in Switzerland and down the road in Bormio.
Bormio
The 'white mountain' of Bormio has one of the biggest vertical descents in Europe, and hosts a ski challenge every January.
Bagni di Bormio
The thermal baths at Bormio were mentioned by Pliny the Elder and today form two resorts, Bagni Vecchi and Bagni Nuovi. Both are definitely worth a visit.
Geological Museum, Bormio
Interesting and unique – well worth a visit.
St Moritz
Glamorous and pricey, but an easy and pleasant day trip – about 50 minutes by car in winter and 25 in summer, when the Forcola pass is open. The skiing is quite different from Livigno: watch the weather and the piste markings, as there are several ways down the mountain and a train or bus may be needed to get back to your car.
Glacier skiing
Year-round glacier skiing is available at Bernina Diavolezza and at Stelvio, both within about an hour of Livigno.
Engadine Valley
Small medieval villages perched impossibly on the mountainsides – more Swiss than Toblerone, and another great day out.