15 Best Things to Do in Mantua, Italy: Lombardy’s Best Hidden Gem
Wondering what the best things to do in Mantua (Mantova), Italy are? Well, I spent a week here, discovering the secrets of this city that no one ever speaks about. I fell in love with its architecture, beautiful palaces, walks by the lake, and amazing food.
It’s just a 40 minute train ride from Verona, yet there are no crowds here. I love finding hidden gems in Italy and everywhere I travel. And Mantova is just that! I want to take you along with me in exploring this beautiful city.
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Is Mantua Worth Visiting?
Absolutely! Mantova is 100% worth visiting. The fact that there aren’t many tourists here makes it even more special. If you love hidden gems, this is the perfect place to go! Art lovers will really appreciate Mantova because there are so many beautiful palaces. Walking through the many palace rooms of the Ducale Palace and Palazzo Te will take your breath away. I visited both in the middle of the day, and barely anyone was there.
Also, Mantova is much more affordable than bigger cities like Milan, Verona, or Florence. If you love photography, there are so many beautiful details you can capture and without too many people getting in your way. There are lakes surrounding the city, and you can really capture all the reflecting buildings for some gorgeous shots. It’s the most relaxing place to stroll along the lake, chill at a cafe, or ride your bike. So many people are riding bikes in this little city!
How to get to Mantua, Italy
Located in the Lombardy region of Italy, there are many ways to get to Mantova. However, Mantova doesn’t have an airport, so you will need to arrive by car or train from the nearest city. The closest airport to Mantova is Verona, which is about 45 minutes by train. Alternatively, Bologna is also an hour and 20 minutes by train and has an airport.
If you’re visiting from Bologna, don’t miss my Bologna travel guide.
Below, you’ll find even more nearby options to get to Mantova, Italy.
| Origin | 🚆 Train | 🚗 Car | 🚍 Bus | ✈️ Plane (airport → Mantua) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verona | 45 min (direct) | 40 km / 45 min (A22/E45) | ~1h (regional) | VRN – 40 km / ~45 min |
| Milan | 1h 50m – 2h 15m (direct) | 165 km / ~2h (A4 → A22) | ~2h 15m (FlixBus sometimes direct) | LIN – 160 km / ~2h; MXP – 190 km / ~2h 30m |
| Bologna | 1h 30m (direct) | 110 km / ~1h 20m (A22 north) | — | BLQ – 100 km / ~1h 20m |
| Florence | 2h 30m (1 change via Bologna) | 230 km / ~2h 45m (A1 → A22) | — | FLR – 230 km / ~2h 45m |
| Venice | 2h 15m (1 change via Verona) | 170 km / ~2h 15m (A4 → A22) | — | VCE – 150 km / ~2h 15m |
You can buy train and bus tickets via Omio, which is an app and website that makes it so easy to find the cheapest fare.
Within 10 minutes from the train terminal in Mantova, you will be in the city center.
How Long Do You Need in Mantova
I’d recommend spending at least 2 days in Mantova. While you can do it as a day trip, to fully experience it, 2 days is a better amount of time. That’s because there are 2 major palaces to explore, and just to visit the Ducale Palace alone will take a couple of hours. There’s also Te Palace, which is a bit smaller. Then, if you want to explore all the quaint streets and discover some of the beautiful places in this post, you may need more than 1 day.
Where to Stay in Mantua, Italy
The city is quite compact so just about anywhere is good because you can walk most of the place within 20 minutes. To be right in the center of everything, you can stay near Piazza delle Erbe.
I stayed near the train station, which is 10 minutes out of the center. This was, however, convenient for me (and cheaper as a solo traveler) as I was here for a week and did a few day trips. Mantova is a cheaper place to stay if you wish to see Verona, which is only 40 minutes by train!
- Grand Hotel San Lorenzo: Located right in the center of Piazza delle Erbe. They have a fantastic rooftop where you can enjoy an apertivo with views of the square and the Basilica. Even if you don’t stay here, you can visit the rooftop.
- Cà Uberti Palace Hotel: The hotel is in a building of an old palazzo! Very central location in Piazza Sordello.
- Palazzo Arrivabene B&B: Stay in a former palace with frescos decorating your hotel room!
- CasaLonghi: Have a view straight out your window of the stunning Basilica di Sant’Andrea.
- Hotel Mantegna Stazione: Solo traveler budget option close to the train station.
15 Best Things to Do in Mantua, Italy
1. Ducale Palace
The number 1 thing to do in Mantova, Italy, is to visit the stunning Ducale Palace.
The palace is a massive residence of the Gonzaga family, who ruled the city for nearly 400 years. Plan to spend a couple of hours at this attraction alone. This huge complex is comprised of courtyards, gardens, and over 1,000 rooms, is like a city within a city.
You’ll be in awe looking at all the rooms filled with frescoes, tapestries, and priceless works of art.
The highlight is Andrea Mantegna’s Camera degli Sposi, located in the Castello di San Giorgio. It’s a masterpiece by Andrea Mantegna.
The frescoes covering the walls and ceiling blur the line between painting and reality. The most famous part is the ceiling oculus, where Mantegna painted an open sky with cherubs peeking down and playful figures leaning over a painted balcony.
⭐ To save money, I recommend getting this Mantua City Card which gets you entry tickets to 12 different tourist attractions across the city. The card costs €25 and entry alone to Ducale Palace is €15 and €16 for Te Palace.
2. See the Mantua Cathedral in Piazza Sordello
Sitting right on the main square, the Mantua Cathedral (Cattedrale di San Pietro) is a mix of styles that shows how the city evolved over the centuries. Its roots go all the way back to early Christianity, but what you see today is mostly Renaissance and Baroque. The cathedral has a grand white marble facade and an interior full of ornate chapels, frescoes, and artwork.
It’s free to enter but you can donate to the church. Be sure to dress modestly when you enter by wrapping your shoulders with a scarf.
Plus, Piazza Sordello is a famous square in the city where you’ll find cafes and the Ducale Palace moments away.
3. Te Palace
The Palazzo Te is another stunning palace you can’t miss in Mantova. It’s smaller in size than the Ducale Palace but just as stunning. Throughout, you will find mythological frescoes and ornate rooms. There are also courtyards and gardens to explore.
Palazzo Te is open daily from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with tickets required for entry. Again, I recommend the Mantua City Card, which will save you money if you’re also visiting the Ducale Palace, among other sites listed in this post.
4. Piazza delle Erbe & Torre dell’Orologio
Piazza delle Erbe is Mantova’s liveliest square. It’s full of cafes, shops, and locals. The clock tower (Torre dell’Orologio) is from the 15th century, featuring an intricate astronomical clock that has kept time for centuries. You can typically climb up for a view, but when I visited in September 2025, it was closed.
5. Brunch at Ortika
If you want a break from Italian, step into this cafe for brunch. It’s called Ortika and is highly rated. This is one of the few places you will find actual brunch (avocado on toast and the likes) as well as an Iced latte!
I came here a few times for the Iced latte – a bit obsessed with them. And in Italy, if you ask for a latte you will most of the time be brought simply milk because latte translates to milk! So if you ever really want one make sure to say cafe latte.
6. Basilica di Sant’Andrea
Another best thing to do in Mantova is to visit the Basilica di Sant’Andrea. It is the front and center of the town, after all! This cathedral was designed by Renaissance architect Leon Battista Alberti in the 15th century.
Don’t miss the beautiful interiors of this church, which are adorned with Corinthian columns and a barrel-vaulted interior.
The basilica is typically open daily. Entry is free, though you may want to make a small donation.
7. Rotonda di San Lorenzo
The Rotonda di San Lorenzo is Mantova’s oldest church, dating back to the 11th century. You’ll notice it immediately while in Piazza delle Erbe by Its simple circular layout, thick stone walls, and small, round windows.
The entry is by donation and is around 50 cents I believe.
8. Rooftop Drinks at San Lorenzo Hotel
Sadly, when I visited, climbing the Clock Tower in the square was not an option. It’s currently closed for renovations. So I asked a local where I could find a view of the city. I am a sucker for views! She sent me here to Hotel San Lorenzo. You do have to pay an entry fee of €15, which goes towards a cocktail at least! The cocktails come with some olives and chips (what Italians call an aperitivo!)
The views from here at sunset were perfect! This was a great little find. Plus, you can also stay at this hotel if you fancy! Here’s the link to book the Grand Hotel San Lorenzo.
9. Teatro Scientifico
The Teatro Scientifico Bibiena (Scientific Bibiena Theater) is one of Mantova’s most beautiful places to visit. It’s a small 18th-century Baroque theater designed by Antonio Galli Bibiena. The theatre was a place for scientific lectures, concerts, and performances, and even a young Mozart played here at age 13.
The interior is breathtaking, with its bell-shaped hall, tiers of ornate boxes, and monochrome frescoes. I couldn’t stop taking pictures and video, and spent a whole hour here, but you definitely don’t need that much time here!
The theater is usually open daily, often from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, though hours can vary slightly by season or events. When I visited, it showed as open, but I was told that it actually didn’t open til 3 pm.
Tickets are only €3, but if you get a Mantua City Card, it’s included in the price and you can visit the Ducale Palace, etc with the card.
10. Biblioteca Teresiana
One of the best things to do in Mantua is to visit this stunning library. It’s a total hidden gem and just steps away from Teatro Scientifico. I was able to have the whole place practically to myself.
The Biblioteca Teresiana is a historic public library, founded in 1780 by Empress Maria Theresa of Austria, who ruled the city at the time.
It’s located in a former Jesuit college and still preserves its original 18th-century wood-paneled reading rooms, shelves stacked with centuries-old manuscripts, incunabula, and maps. You will find over 20,000 beautiful books in here.
The library is open to the public, but hours are limited. Typically, it’s open Monday to Friday, 8:15 AM – 6:00 PM, and Saturday mornings until 1:30 PM. Entry is free, but you will have to have a guide take you in. They only do the guided tours once an hour. When I visited, I was instructed to come back at a certain time slot, so keep this in mind. It should only be about a 20 minute visit.
11. Admire the Loggia delle Pescherie di Giulio Romano
Built in the 16th century by the Renaissance architect Giulio Romano, this arcade along the river was an old fish market. There are many arches that open onto views of the Mincio. And you’ll find colorful buildings lining the waters. Today, it’s a quiet spot to stroll and admire.
12. Walk around the lakes
Mantua has three man-made lakes—Lago Superiore, Lago di Mezzo, and Lago Inferiore. They were created in the 12th century by diverting the Mincio River to surround the city. The purpose was to turn Mantova into a fortress protected by water on three sides. This system made the city nearly impossible to invade in the Middle Ages, giving the Gonzaga family huge strategic power. Over time, what started as a military defense became one of Mantova’s most scenic features!
If you cross the lake, you can get nice views of Mantova’s skyline, with reflections of its towers and domes on the water. In summer, the lakes are especially beautiful when the lotus flowers bloom.
13. Try Pumpkin Tortelli
Tortelli di Zucca (pumpkin tortelli) is a classic Mantuan dish. You will find it in most traditional restaurants in Mantova. I tried mine at Osteria La Bottega. You will need to make a reservation if you visit this popular restaraunt. I didn’t have one but they said I could return in 30 minutes for a table. You can also see this pumpkin tortelli being made through the window at Scaravelli Forneria. However, the online reviews there didn’t look the best so I didn’t get too lured in despite the crowds surrounding it.
14. Enjoy Mantuan Desserts
Just head to any bakery or pasticceria in Mantova and you will find some of the best Mantuan sweets.
Torta delle rose is a soft, buttery cake shaped like a bouquet of roses, and sbrisolona is a crunchy almond crumble cake that’s perfect with coffee or wine.
15. Fall in Love with the Gorgeous Streets
There’s no end to the colorful yellow and orange shades of buildings in Mantua. So keep a slow pace and explore the stunning architecture. I was also surprised by how many people rode bikes everywhere in Mantova!
Best Restaurants & Bakeries in Mantua
Best Bakeries & Cafes
- Ortika: Good brunch and the only place you will find a proper Iced Cafe Latte!
- Bakery Freddi: Delicious bakery for a grab-and-go breakfast or lunch.
- Panificio Pasticceria Caffetteria Bernardelli: A nice Italian bar. They also make custom sandwiches.
- Pane al Pane: another good bakery.
- Bar Brasile: They have the best sandwiches in town and a large selection of them.
- Il Salumaio – Gastronomia e Trattoria: This salumeria lets you get fresh deli products, and you can make your own custom sandwich or choose from a selection of prepared dishes.
Best Apertivo
- San Lorenzo Hotel: They have a terrace with a view of Piazza dell’Erbe.
Best Restaurants
- Osteria La Bottega – A cozy spot known for its pumpkin tortelli, one of Mantova’s most iconic dishes.
- Osteria dell’Oca – Traditional Mantuan cuisine with a warm, rustic atmosphere.
- Bigoleria Al Torchio – Famous for its handmade bigoli pasta.
- La Bottega di Paolo –They have all you can eat buffet style food.
Best Gelato
- Pappa Reale: Best gelato in Mantova
- Il Sorriso Gelateria S.R.L
You may also like these posts:
💗 How to Spend a Day in Florence
🍝 Things to do in Bologna, Italy
🚗 Tuscany Road Trip: The Perfect 5 Day Itinerary
👩 Solo Female Travel Guide to Italy
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