Mantua isn’t just Palazzo Ducale and Palazzo Te. Much of its beauty can be seen for free: churches designed by the great architects of the Renaissance, medieval squares, the Rio canal with Giulio Romano’s Pescherie, and the lakes that surround the city.
This walking itinerary starts from the station, where you can leave your bags at Mantova Locker, and ends on the Ponte di San Giorgio, the most beautiful spot for sunset.
At a glance: half a day · approx. 4 km on foot · budget
The stops
1. Basilica of Sant’Andrea
Leon Battista Alberti’s masterpiece, with a single nave covered by a huge barrel vault. Inside is Andrea Mantegna’s funerary chapel, with his bronze bust.
2. Rotonda di San Lorenzo
Mantua’s oldest church, Romanesque and circular, from the late 11th century. Rediscovered in the early 20th century after centuries hidden among houses, it lies below the level of Piazza delle Erbe. Admission is free; donations are welcome.
3. Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza Broletto
The Palazzo della Ragione, the Clock Tower with its astronomical dial and, in Piazza Broletto, the statue of Virgil seated in a teacher’s chair, set into the façade of the Palazzo del Podestà.
4. Piazza Sordello and the Cathedral
The square of the court, with the façade of Palazzo Ducale and, opposite, the Cathedral of San Pietro: an 18th-century façade and an interior redesigned by Giulio Romano. Next to the Bishop’s Palace stands the so-called House of Rigoletto.
5. The Rio and Giulio Romano’s Pescherie
The canal that crosses the centre, linking the Upper Lake and the Lower Lake. On the Rio stand the Pescherie, the arcaded fish market designed by Giulio Romano in the 16th century.
6. The lakefront and the Ponte di San Giorgio
The promenade along the Lower Lake and, at sunset, the Ponte di San Giorgio: from here you can see Mantua’s whole skyline reflected in the water, with the dome of Sant’Andrea and the castle towers.
Visit Mantua luggage-free
Leave your suitcases, backpacks and bags at Mantova Locker and travel light: we are at Via Solferino e San Martino 4, just a short walk from the railway station, open 24 hours a day. Find out how it works, our prices and where to find us.
Practical tips
- In churches, avoid visiting during services and dress respectfully.
- On the first Sunday of the month state museums, including Palazzo Ducale, usually take part in the free Sundays scheme: check the official website and be prepared to queue.
- For a cheap lunch, try the bakeries and delis in the centre: takeaway pumpkin tortelli do exist.
- Even the best walks are nicer without a backpack: luggage storage costs less than a taxi.
Frequently asked questions
What can you see for free in Mantua?
The Basilica of Sant’Andrea, the Cathedral, the Rotonda di San Lorenzo, the piazzas of the centre, the Rio with the Pescherie and the lakefront as far as the Ponte di San Giorgio.
Is Palazzo Ducale in Mantua ever free?
Yes, like other state museums it normally offers free admission on the first Sunday of the month. Check the official website, as initiatives can change.
Where can you watch the sunset in Mantua?
From the Ponte di San Giorgio or the opposite shore of the Lago di Mezzo, from where you can see the whole city reflected in the water.
More Mantua itineraries
- Mantua in one day: a walking itinerary through the Gonzaga masterpieces
- A weekend in Mantua: what to see in two days of art, theatre and lakes
- Mantua in half a day: what to see between trains
- Mantua on the water: lakes, boat trips on the Mincio and lotus flowers
- Mantua by bike: the lakes loop and the Mantua–Peschiera cycle path
- Mantua for food lovers: an itinerary of pumpkin tortelli, risotto and sbrisolona
- Palazzo Ducale and the Camera degli Sposi in Mantua: a visitor’s guide
- Palazzo Te in Mantua: what to see in Giulio Romano’s villa
- Sabbioneta from Mantua: a day trip to the Gonzaga ideal city
- Mantua with kids: things to do among castles, boats and nature
- Around Mantua: 6 villages and places for a day trip
- Mantua in 3 days: a complete itinerary of the city, the lakes and Sabbioneta
- How to get to Mantua: train, car, plane and getting around town
- When to visit Mantua: the best time, season by season
- Mantua by night: sunset over the lakes, aperitivo in the piazza and theatres
- Musical Mantua: Teatro Bibiena, Mozart, Monteverdi and Rigoletto
- Mantua in the rain: museums, palaces and arcades for an indoor day
- What to see in Mantua
