Menaggio is situated in the heart of Lake Como at the beginning of a wide valley that connects Lake Como to Lake Lugano. The lively main square is is the ideal place to taste the local cuisine in one of the restaurants or to relax at one of its caffes. Menaggio’s lovely lake side promenade offers dazzling views of the lake and the towns of Bellagio and Varenna. Menaggio is well placed for hiking and cycling in the surrounding hills and a perfect base for reaching other towns and villages on Lake Como.
In the historical centre of Menaggio there are many interesting monuments which recall its importance throughout the ages. Narrow cobblestone alleys lead up to the area called Castello, the medieval heart of the town. The historic and artistic itinerary, a small walk of 1 hour, will help you to discover Menaggio’s main sights Children will enjoy the amusing puzzle tour while following the historical walk. Already in the first half of the 18th century Menaggio was discovered by the first tourists, enchanted by the beauty of the landscape and the mild climate. The grand hotels and the beautiful villas date back to that period.
The town Menaggio consists in a centre and three hamlets Loveno, Nobiallo and Croce and has a total of about 3200 inhabitants. There is a circular walk which connects Menaggio with its three villages and leads you to discover their historical and artistic aspects. You will visit the sun kissed Loveno with its elegant villas such as Villa Mylius Vigoni, the rural village of Croce from where you can take the short walk to the superb belvedere “la Crocetta” where you find remains of the defense line of the First World War and finally you will visit Nobiallo, a typical fishing village stretched along the lake under the protective eye of the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Pace with its beautiful 17th century architecture. The village is crossed through by the Antica Strada Regina, an important ancient road, built by the Romans. So lots of interesting sites to explore!
Thanks to its central position, its main car and passenger ferry links and bus connections, Menaggio is an ideal starting point for all kinds of excursions: by boat you can visit the beautiful villas with their lovely gardens, by bus or car you can discover the valleys with their rural settlements and small Romanesque churches and on foot or by mountain bike you explore the trails of the Val Sanagra Park, an extended protected area near Menaggio. Sportsmen can try their climbing skill on the Via Ferrata to the top of Monte Grona.
Menaggio boasts the presence of an exclusive 18-hole golf course, founded in 1907. The elevated position of the golf course provides an enchanting view of the surrounding country side. The Lido of Menaggio with its beautiful swimming pool and beach with a spectacular view of the lake, awaits you for a relaxing day. The village also has public beaches with free access and several sport facilities. Menaggio is an ideal place to rent a motor boat or a kayak. Those who come with their own boat can dock at a very comfortable guest pier and visit the village. Children (and not only) can have fun at the mini golf located on the lakefront and at the playground located in the heart of the village. Those who want to pamper themselves can visit the new spa with an indoor pool of 20 meters.
Menaggio has a wide range of elegant stores of all kinds, from branded clothing, leather goods, silk, household items and gifts. The food stores offer local products such as honey, local cheeses, oil, wine.
The numerous restaurants in the center and in the hamlets have in their menu typical and traditional dishes, both with specialties of the lake cuisine with its natural protagonist: fish, and the cuisine of the valleys centered on polenta, game, mushrooms and cheese. The cozy bars, a bit everywhere in the town, will offer moments of relaxation.
