Bellagio and surrounding area

Location

The seaside town, the “pearl” of the lake, enchants both with its dreamlike location at the tip of the triangle between Como and Lecco (Larian Triangle) and with its mild, balanced climate.

Bellagio

Bellagio is home to about 3,700 inhabitants and is the main town and the touristically vibrant heart of Lake Como. Founded by the Romans more than 2000 years ago, Bellagio is now a beautiful town (“pearl” of Lake Como) with a dreamlike location at the tip of the triangle between Como and Lecco (Larian Triangle).

Bellagio has a mild and balanced climate, so that even in the height of summer the temperatures are pleasant.

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A magnificent waterfront promenade with its palazzi, cosy cafés and the boat landing stage invite you to linger. Bellagio’s parish church, St. James (Basilica San Giacomo) is of Romanesque origin and worth a visit at any time. The town is also home to the Serbelloni (built in the 15th/17th centuries) and Melzi (1802) villas with their admirable parks. Here you will find medieval alleys with inviting restaurants, pizzerias and pretty boutiques and small shops.

“Punta di Spartivento” is the place “where the winds part” with one of the most beautiful panoramic views of Lake Como.

You have good connections to Bellagio from all directions: by ferry you can reach the town from Cadenabbia and Varenna, by excursion boat from almost all places on Lake Como and by land from Lecco or Como.

Particularly idyllic and Italian-authentic are the districts of Suira and San Giovanni, neighbouring villages are:

Lezzeno
Nesso
Careno
Pognana Lario
Faggeto Lario

Excursion destinations in the vicinity of Bellagio:

Basilica San Giacomo
Basilica San Giorgio
Grotta Azzurra
Monte San Primo with magnificent panoramic view and versatile hiking possibilities
Museum of Navigation and Navigational Instruments in San Giovanni (Piazza Don Miotti)

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Lezzeno

Lezzeno is one of Bellagio’s neighbouring municipalities and is considered a paradise for boat lovers and water sports enthusiasts. The many small boatyards where the fishing, sports and wooden boats are maintained exude a charm all their own here. Boats of the Molinari, Marks and Riva brands moor at the harbour’s landing stages. There are also many traditional Lake Como boats here, called “Lucia”. On the steep lakeshore, which is partly fortified with stone walls, you can gain access to the lake via various ladders.

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Nesso

Nesso is a picturesque village and always worth a visit, as a beautifully situated panoramic path invites you to go hiking. Nesso is divided into two halves by a gorge, which gives this small village a unique selling point. Typical fish restaurants, trattorias and pizzerias as well as small alimentari and other grocery shops are located here.

Activities and highlights in Bellagio and surroundings

Transport connections from Bellagio:

By ship:

Good car ferry connections from Bellagio to Menaggio/Cadenabbia and Varenna and by excursion boat to almost all places on the lake. For excursions to these places, it is often worthwhile to head for them without a car.

By train:

To Lecco or Varenna and then by bus, taxi or boat to Bellagio

Swimming, Beaches & Pools

Bellagio Sporting Club at the southern end of Bellagio with pool and Turkish bath

Public beach “Lido di Bellagio” with swimming pool, tennis and bar to the right of the ferry pier along the waterfront promenade

South of Bellagio, both to the east and west (St. Giovanni), several small stretches of beach with fantastic views of the mountains and the villages opposite.

Even if the banks are steeper in the direction of Como and Lecco, there are small, partly idyllic places for bathing and sunbathing distributed in the individual villages:
- Faggeto Lario: free sandy beach with kiosk and deckchair rental, restaurants nearby, boat moorings for boats you bring along
- Careno: pretty little beach with a fish restaurant near a boat landing stage.
- Nesso: popular for bathing is the river bed as well as various stone slabs at the lake, as well as stairs going into the lake.
- Lezzeno: several shallow-sloping beaches with pebbles

Boat rentals in Bellagio

Canoe and boat rentals in Lezzeno

Sports

Golfing in Bellagio:

Several golf courses around Como, above Menaggio (reachable by ferry from Bellagio) and towards Lecco/Bergamo.

By bike in Bellagio

Many touring possibilities for mountain bikers in the surrounding mountains of the Lariano Triangle
Beautiful cycling tours along the shore road between Como and Bellagio to Lecco
Tip: the winding road up to Civenna to the Madonna del Ghisallo (the small pilgrimage church is dedicated to the patron saint of cyclists).
Mountain bike rental in Lezzeno

Horse Riding in Bellagio

Popular riding arenas in Pian del Tivano and Bellagio
“Gli Indomabili” with the possibility of a horse riding excursion

Tennis

In Bellagio: Bellagio Sporting Club
In Nesso: sports centre with sand tennis courts and other sports facilities.

Hiking, Walking, Mountaineering & Climbing:

Many mountain hikes with magnificent panoramic views in the surrounding mountain world
High trail with fountain springs and restaurants from Lezzeno to Blevio/Como
Hike to the gorge of Nesso
Monte San Primo with magnificent panoramic view and versatile hiking possibilities

Water Ski & Wakeboards

- Lezzeno: Two well-organised water ski schools (including barefoot water skiing) with wakeboarding courses.

Bellagio Markets

Weekly market in Nesso every Monday from 8.30-12.30 hrs.
Weekly market in Lezzeno every 1st Wednesday of the month from 8-16 h, every 3rd Wednesday of the month from 7.30-18 h in summer, in winter from 8-16 h

Shopping and Feasting

There are many restaurants and shops in Bellagio itself
In the neighbouring villages you can find lakeside restaurants or restaurants with panoramic views

Winter attractions in Bellagio