Madesimo is a village in Sondrio (Province) in the Lombardy region of Italy. It was formally known as Isolato. The community of Madesimo is split into 3 frazione: Isola, Montespluga, Pianazzo and Madesimo village.

Get in

Madesimo

The only way to get in is by road on the SS36 or Via Spluga which runs all the way from the Swiss border to Lecco on Lake Como from where the SP51 runs to Milan and the nearest airport. Therefore, a car is more or less essential to visit the town.

The Splugen pass is usually closed between November and April. If the pass is closed, Madesimo can only be reached from Chiavenna.

There is a good bus-and-train connection from Milan and Bergamo and from the Milan airports.

There is a "taxi share" scheme that provides a taxi from the airport to the village as well.

By car

The area around the Madesimo area is quite vast and mountainous. In winter time, winter tires and/or snow chains may be required.

Ski

Madesimo is part of the Valchiavenna ski area (1550-2950m) with 58 km/36 mi of slopes. As such, it is one of the smaller ski resorts in the Alps. It is quite popular amongst Italians but less well known in other European countries. In weekends it is usually very busy with locals. However, on weekdays it can be very quiet even during holidays because of the Italian holiday system.

To access the ski area, it is not necessary to drive all the way to Madesimo. You can leave your car in Campodolcino (1000M), from where an underground funicular (Madesimo sky express ) will bring you all the way up to Motta at 1700m. From Motta, you can access the whole ski area.

The parking in Campodolcino is free on weekdays and it is possible to rent skis and buy a ski pass at the valley station of the funicular.

During winter time roads may be entirely blocked with snow, so to reach some of the frazione may require a set of touring or cross country skis.

See

Isola Lake

• 1 Isola Lake. (updated Jan 2023)

Do

• Snowmobiling: As a popular ski resort for both tourists and locals to the area, Madesimo offers various experiences that provide tourists with the opportunity to experience the winter sports of the Alps and one of these options is snow mobiling. One can take advantage of this through the use of Team Extreme: a snow mobiling company local to the Madesimo area. During the last few years more and more people have made a point of becoming part of Team Extreme. In accordance with local laws and regulations, the snow mobile tours are based on safety restrictions and offer families, as well as individuals (Private Tours are available), an enjoyable experience. each trip takes place along prepared tracks which meander along the Andossi ridge linking Madesimo with its neighbour Montespluga.
• Other than individual outings on snowmobile, there are also possibilities of group excursions along with an escort who will provide all the necessary support. The tracks follow the slopes of valley sides and are suitable even for the inexperienced ‘pilot’. Importantly the sign-posting and well-maintained trails guarantee the safety of all concerned.

Eat

• Ristorante La Biococca, V. Calzaferri 1, 23024 Madesimo, ☏ +39 0343 53148. This restaurant's construction dates back to the mid-seventeenth century and boasts furniture that is remiscent of this timer period which creates a unique dining atmosphere. The size of the town and the popularity of the establishment make it popular spot for locals. In addition, the prices are relatively cheap and the food is locally provided. 
• Bel Sit, ☏ +39 0343 53365. The restaurant, Bel Sit, is one of the most elegant dining experiences in Madesimo. The main dishes are traditionally Italian and the house specialties focus on fughi. The menu items range from €20 to €30 and the dress attire is business casual. 

Sleep

• Boscone Suite Hotel Madesimo, Via Per Motta 14, ☏ +39 0343 53628, info@bosconesuitehotel.it. The Boscone Suite Hotel is a short distance from the centre of Madesimo, and a short distance from the ski slopes of Madesimo. It is a close, convenient walk and even offers heated areas for ski equipment. The Hotel boasts various amenities such as spacious living quarters, play areas for children, and an in-house restaurant that allow for the convenience of not having to leave the resort. If you are looking for relaxation, Ninfia, the spa in the hotel offers various methods of relaxation. Spa Amenaties: Turkish bath, Roman Bath, Finnish sauna, whirlpool tub, cromo-therapeutic showers, relaxing water beds. Also, the hotel is able to accommodate up to 120 people for business purposes. €75-128. 
• Harlequin, Via Baldiscio 41. The hotel offers an in-house restaurant and cafe that is easily accessible throughout the day. In addition to this, many natural sites can be easily reached by walking. The Water Falls and various trails offer tourists the opportunity to take in many natural sites within the city. Also, other sites, such as the Lady of Europe, located near Motta Madesimo, is an easily accessible site. Like many of the other hotels, skiing and snow sports are near the hotel and add to the local beauty and activity of the city. 
• Posta Montespluga, Loc. Alità Montespluga Via Dogana, 8, ☏ +39 0343 54234, salafaustoenoteca@tiscalinet.it. This is a small chain hotel in Italy that operates a 10-bedroom hotel and offers a breakfast in the hotel at €10 per person. For American tourists, however, the employees within this hotel speak mainly German and Italian. However, they do accept all major credit cards. €50-85. 
• Loconda Cardinello, Via Baldiscio, 2 City Island, ☏ +39 0343 53058. 3 km from Madesimo, this B & B and restaurant comprise of rooms and mini-apartments and offers typical local dishes. It’s a stopping place for wanderers along the Via Spluga. The in-house restaurant dates back to 1722. 
• Hotel Emet, Via Carducci, 28, ☏ +39 0343 53395. 150 m from the slopes within Ski area Valchiavenna at Madesimo, and run by the owners - the Trincavelli family themselves - it serves up genuine hospitality based on a keen eye and love for detailed and excellent service within a refined and quiet ambiance. 
• La Meridiana, Via Carducci, 8, ☏ +39 0343 53160. In a quiet area with a sunny aspect, right next door to the access to 60 km of ski slopes which you reach easily on foot. It boasts 30 rooms all with private bathroom, hair dryer, safe, TV and telephone. It’s a family-run hotel, within which facilities include bar, snack-bar, restaurant with both traditional local food and international cuisine, pub with an ‘a la carte’ menu, TV room, fitness centre, solarium terrace, garage, and private parking. The brand-new centre for well-being offers: temperature controlled air-conditioning, hydro-massage pool with oxygen therapy, kneipp course with heated benches, specialist showers with both aroma and chromo-therapy, water jets with tropical showers and various other relaxing treatments. €320-570. 

Connect

• Scuole Di Sci: A highly-professional team is on hand to teach either beginners, those who wish to improve technique, or anyone interested in becoming more competitive in snow sports. The school also offers instruction in the most recent of winter sports’ innovations such as snowboarding and ensure that visitors can enjoy the ski areas in Valle Spluga in safely. This team of 60 qualified ski instructors boasts a range of specialities ranging from National Instructors, to coaches, to snowboard specialists, to ex-competitors, as well as those qualified to work with the handicapped. The head-quarters is in the centre of Madesimo and has two further outposts at Motta and a ski school in Arlecchino for younger children.

telephone: +39 0343 53049

Fax Machine: +39 0343 54155

www.scuolascimadesimo.org

• Autonoleggio taxi Albiniano Carmine: A taxi service that provides tourists with both individual transport as well as minibuses for large, group excursions. Services run from all relevant airports to key destinations within the area.

Telephone. +39 0343 50126

Cellular Phone. +39 329 2150632 - +39 338 6095975

albiniano@virgilio.it

• Ciocca Giovanni: Local taxi service with a local base. However, other forms of transport are available for personal transport on a national and international scale or cars with up to 8 places plus driver, or with minibuses that range from 9 to 19 seats plus the driver or a large tour bus which has the seating capacity of for 36 people.

Telephone: +39 0343 34377

Cellular Phone: +39 338 8332068

cioccafrancesco@libero.it

• Nettuno Viaggi Di Giannini Stefano: A locally based taxi service which allows for both local and long-distance travel. This company owns and operates 4 minibuses which seat up to 8 people: an ideal situation for small tour groups.

Telephone. +39 0343 53117

Cellular Phone. +39 347 6851515

Fax Machine: +39 0343 56325

info@nettunoservice.com

Go next

At the end of the Via Spluga is the Splugen Pass, which, at 2113m, is quite a feat of road building, taking into account the spectacular hairpin bends on the way. The Swiss-Italian border lies on top of the pass.