Weekend in Cremona

The tallest brick bell tower in Europe (112m). You can stand in the square beneath it and look up for free, or pay to climb the 502 steps for a city view.

Tip: You don't need to climb to appreciate the tower — the astronomical clock on its face is stunning and best seen at 12:00 when the mechanism chimes. Climbing costs €8, but skip it if it's foggy.

The museum's ground floor houses free exhibits on violin-making history, including tools and samples. Main violin collection upstairs costs a fee.

Tip: The free ground floor gives you a real sense of Stradivari's workshop without paying. Go early to avoid queues for the paid section above.

The main square, dominated by the Cathedral, Torrazzo bell tower, and the Baptistery. It's an open public space with medieval and Romanesque architecture.

Tip: Visit in the morning to see the market stalls set up on Tuesdays and Saturdays — local produce and cheap eats.

A large riverside park along the Po River with walking and cycling paths, picnic spots, and views of floodplain forests. Good for a cheap afternoon out.

Tip: Bring your own food — there are no cafes inside. The path towards the river bend at sunset is particularly quiet and photogenic.

A Renaissance church with frescoes by Boccaccio Boccaccino and others. It's off the main tourist trail and often empty, giving you space to admire the art.

Tip: Combinate with a walk from the centre along Via Mantova — it's a 25-minute walk through a residential area. Check the door as it's sometimes locked; ring the bell at the nearby parish office if so.