It’s Spring in Menaggio. Strolling along Menaggio’s lovely lake side promenade to observe the stunning panorama of the lake surrounded by its lovely snow covered mountaintops, is a heartwarming experience. In the flowerbeds among the violets the tulips are starting to appear and the mountain slopes are slowly turning green.
Spring is the ideal season to visit the famous villas with their beautiful gardens to admire the blooming of the Camellias, the Azaleas and the Rhododendrons. From Menaggio there is a regular boat and ferry service in order to reach the various towns where the villas are located.
Spring is the ideal season for a walk in the Val Sanagra Park rich in flora, fauna and antique rural settlements. You can reach the Sanagra Park directly from Menaggio and choose one of the many itineraries in order to discover the many natural and historical features of this splendid area.
Take a jump into history and follow, from Menaggio to Rezzonico, the Antica Strada Regina, an ancient connection road between the south and the north side of the Alps built during the late period of the Roman Empire, or ascend the Belvedere la Crocetta with its trenches of the First World War.
Thanks to its central location Menaggio is an excellent base to discover Lake Como.
A week on Lake Como
Monday: discover the Central Lake Area
Buy the day ticket, at the local Navigazione ticket office, for the central lake area. It allows you to hopp on and off the boats (including the ferries) that run between Menaggio, Varenna, Bellagio, Cadenabbia, Villa Carlotta, Tremezzo and Lenno. Take the boat to villa Carlotta built in 1690 ith its beautiful park with rare plants and trees of many kinds. The villa opens March 21st 2025. Inside the villa is the museum with its prominent art collection. After your visit of the villa Carlotta follow the lakeside promenade of Tremezzo, as far as Bolvedro (30 min.). Along the way is the sumptuous Grand Hotel Tremezzo (1910), and the beautiful Olivelli Park ith its grand fountain.
Retrace your steps to the landing stage of Tremezzo to head off to Bellagio situated at the extreme tip of the promontory that divides the lake into two branches. About 1 km south of the boat dock is villa Melzi built in 1808. The beautiful park that surrounds the villa is the first example of English style garden on Lake Como. It opens March 22nd 2025. Stroll through the historical centre of Bellagio with its many small boutiques and follow the historical itinerary through the town.
Take the boat or ferry to Varenna, with its colourful houses dominated by the Castello di Vezio. From the boat dock follow
the charming lake side al that leads to the heart of the village ith its narrow cobble stone streets and important
sites such as the medieval church of San Giorgio, Villa Monastero and Villa Cipressi.
Tuesday: Discover Lenno
You can reach the town Lenno by bus line C10 or by boat. In the morning there is a nice market on the lake side. In the piazza XI Febbraio stand the parish church S Stefano with its interesting crypt and the splendid Romanesque Baptistery of S. Giovanni. Lenno lies around the beautiful bay called “Baia di Venere,” formed by the peninsula Lavedo where one of the most famous villas of the lake, the villa Balbianello stands. It was built in the late 1700s on order of Cardinal Durini. The villa is open from March to November. Book your visit online.
From Lenno you can walk to the Santuario della Madonna del Soccorso (45 min one way) along the famous lane with the 14 chapels dedicated to the rosary, with life size statues out of terracotta of the 17th century, due to its artistic and historical importance it was declared Heritage of Humanity. Back by bus C10 or by boat to Menaggio.
Wednesday: Discover the Northern part of lake
Catch the bus line C10 direction Colico from Menaggio from piazza Roma to Dongo. Get off the bus in Piazza Parracchini. On 27 April 1945 Mussolini and some of his ministers were brought here after being captured on the road between Musso and Dongo by the local partisans. These facts are remembered in the End of the War Museum in palazzo Manzi dedicated to the end of the Second World War. The museum is open from April to November. There are also two outdoor infomation panels at Dongo describing Mussolini’s arrest and the execution of the RSI leaders.
From Palazzo Manzi along via Roma and via Tre Pievi walk to the Franciscan Monastary of the Madonna delle Lacrime of the 16th century. About 50 m further, along via Bellesini, you reach the parish church of S. Stefano. The church is of ancient origins but rebuilt in the 18th century and adorned with frescoes by artists of European fame such as Carlo Scotti and Giulio Quaglio.
Behind the church a lovely lake side walk (1 h ) connecting Dongo with Gravedona starts with beautiful views of the northern lake area.
At Gravedona visit the beautiful Romanesque church S. Maria del Tiglio, one of the most important Romanesque buildings of the province. Walk to the centre and follow the indications for “castello” the oldest part of Gravedona. On the other side of the main road walk up to the church of S. Maria delle Grazie and to the church of S. Gusmeo and S. Matteo. From here you have a nice view of the elegant Palazzo Gallio of 1572. From Gravedona take the bus line C10 back to Menaggio.
Thursday: Discover Menaggio and Breglia
Menaggio is of ancient origins and in its centre there are many interesting monuments which you can discover following an interesting itinerary. In Via Calvi there is the church of S. Marta that has the memorial plaque of Minicio Exorato, a notable of the Roman empire of the I century on its façade and above it the effigy of the castle that has become the town’s coat of arms. At the end of via Calvi stands the parish church of S. Stefano that is of ancient origins but its original structure has been replaced by baroque remodelling. Narrow cobble stone alleys climb up to the area called Castello. The castle, of which remain impressive perimetric walls, was destroyed in 1523 by the Grigioni. Here stands the church S. Carlo with its characteristic double vaulting bell tower. Walking along via Fabbri, via Castellino da Castello and via Strecioum you come to one of the most picturesque bridges over the river Sanagra where in the middle you can admire a relief by Vannuncini. Strolling along the lovely lakeside promenade you find the sculpture “la Tessitrice” by Francesco Somaini dedicated to the silk weavers donated to the town by the Mantero family, owners of the former important silk mill of Menaggio. In case there are children walking with you, the tourist office offers an amusing “puzzle tour” to follow together with the “Historical Itinerary” through the centre of the town.
From Menaggio we highly recommend the scenic bus ride to the mountain village Breglia 7 km (bus line C13. From Breglia you can walk to the Santuario della Madonna di Breglia (path starts next to the cemetery – 15 min) or to S. Domenico Superb views on the Centre Lake area.
Friday: discover Bellano and the Abbey of Piona
Take the boat (Spring time table from March 30th 2025) from Menaggio to Bellano is an important centre situated on the eastern shore of the lake, around the mouth of the river Pioverna, at the beginning of the Valsassina valley. In the piazza in the historical centre stands the parish church of SS. Nazaro, Celso and Giorgio with frescos of the 15th century. Early gothic style, its front is striped in layers of black and white stone, with a large terracotta rose window. In the same piazza stands the church S. Marta where inside you can see a full size wooden sculptural group of nine figures depicting the Deposition.
On the side of the parish church you will find the pathway leading up to the Orrido, a site not to miss. It is a the deep gorge formed by the river Pioverna and can be visited thanks to stairways and foot bridges hewn in the rocks that allow to admire the power of the water from close-by.
From Bellano take the boat to the Abbey of Piona (there are only a few boats per day to the Abbey so check your time table) The Abbey stands in a wonderful position on the eastern shore of the lake at the end of the Olgiasca peninsula, overlooking the small inner lake of Piona. The Abbey is of great historical and artistic interest. The church of the abbey (of the XI century) was built according to the typical model of the small Romanesque buildings of the Como area. The stunning cloister at the side of the church built between 1252 and 1275, is a combination of Romanesque and gothic style. It is surrounded by refined columns and decorated with paintings of different periods. The Abbey is kept by the Cistercian Monks who distil excellent liqueurs and herbs infusions. From the boat dock the abbey can be reached on foot in 5 minutes. Back by boat.
Saturday: Discover Como
Take the bus line C10 from Menaggio to Como. Get off at the bus station in piazza Matteotti. Como’s centre, located inside the antique medieval walls, is rich in monuments and artworks. In the piazza del Duomo (cathedral) you find the Broletto, the antique town hall built in 1200 and the town’s bell tower. The Duomo was built between the end of 1300 and the mid 1700’s and is a fusion of different architectural styles. The façade statues are astonishing. Behind the Duomo is the ex Casa del Fascio masterpiece of the rationalist architect Giuseppe Terragni considered the symbol of modern architecture. Como also hosts real gems of the Romanesque period such as the church of S. Fedele. Near the lake stands the neoclassic Voltiano temple erected in 1927 for the centennial of the death of Alessandro Volta, the inventor of the battery, born in Como.
Follow the itinerary through the Como’s historic center. We recommend the walk from Piazza Cavour to the gardens of Villa Olmo in order to admire the beautiful neoclassical villas on the lake shore. A ride with the funicular from Como to Brunate gives you an extraordinary view of the town. From Como it is possible to do a one hour boat trip around the first basin of the lake and admire the villas and noble palaces woven in the wonderful landscape. There is a boat every half an hour that leaves Como and touches Tavernola, Cernobbio, Moltrasio, and Torno. By purchasing a day pass you can complete the entire journey in about one hour, staying on board or hop off at the intermediate stops to visit the villages on this part of Lake Como. Back by bus or hydrofoil to Menaggio.
Sunday: Lake side walk between Cremia and Musso
Cremia can be reached with bus line C10 from Menaggio. Get off the bus at bus stop S. Vito If you are travelling by car you can park at the parking space above the Restaurant La Baia at the hamlet S. Vito.From the bus stop head towards the Romanesque church of S. Vito, characterized by two bell towers. From here walk down to the lake and enter the lake side walk.
You skirt some small beaches from where you can enjoy a marvellous view of Monte Legnone, the highest peak of the lake (2610 m) on the other side of the lake. In the area of Pianello del Lario called Calozzo there is the International Museum of Vintage boats (tel. +39 0344 87235). It is located in the premises of an old spinning mill; fishing boats, transport boats, as well as historical examples of the 20th-century motorboat industry are on display. The museum is open from April 11th 2025; other day on request.
Just past the pier of Musso, you reach the old harbour with the characteristic fishermen’s houses. Slightly beyond the harbour the lake side path ends.
From the public boat dock, go up the steep ramp that leads to the state road. The village of Musso is situated at the foot of an imposing rocky spur called Sasso di Musso. Here in 1522 Gian Giacomo Medici known as “Il Medeghino” built a castle and exercised his violent power for almost a decade on most of the lake.
